X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 6 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Bill Dubiel breaks down all 2018 fantasy football Week 6 defenses (DEF) -- draft targets, streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 6 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Below are RotoBaller's Week 6 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 6 of the NFL and fantasy football season.

Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start, sit, target, avoid or stream for Week 6. Starting the right defense every week can be a difference-maker. Below we have broken out our defense rankings into tiers with analysis on each matchup. Some of these Week 6 defenses have good matchups and are not widely owned, representing fantasy scoring opportunities if they are available on your league's waiver wire for a Week 6 pickup or add. Good luck in Week 6 RotoBallers!

New for this year: Confidence Rating - since every league's DST scoring is different, projections don't make a ton of sense. The confidence rating is a guideline for how much more I like one team over another instead of a straight point projection. A zero means "do not start", then the confidence rises from there. Initial rankings do not factor in Monday Night Football stats. Ranks may be re-evaluated after that game.

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Week 6 Defenses To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings

Teams on bye: Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints

Tier 1 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Opponent Confidence Rating
1 1 Chicago Bears @ MIA 12.25
2 1 Houston Texans vs. BUF 11.4
3 1 Jacksonville Jaguars @ DAL 11.15

The Chicago Fighting Khalil Macks are unstoppable, and Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins sure don't have the firepower to slow this DST down. Sure hope you held on through the bye--this one could get ugly (pretty?).

Bills pulled off a win against the Titans in Week 5, because if there's one thing you can count on Buffalo to do, it's win enough to ruin their draft position while still missing the playoffs. Josh Allen simply doesn't pose a threat, and with J.J. Watt and company applying ample pressure on the rookie and his beleaguered offensive line, the Texans should compete with the Bears for the top spot this week.

Jeez, that Cowboys offense on Sunday night was hard to watch. Things won't get any better when Jalen Ramsey and company visit AT&T Stadium. Dak Prescott should be running for his life all day, and even Ezekiel Elliott can't do much on his own against this defensive unit. Fire 'em up and smile.

Tier 2 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Opponent Confidence Rating
4 2 Baltimore Ravens @ TEN 10.6
5 2 Philadelphia Eagles @ NYG 10.15
6 2 Los Angeles Rams @ DEN 9.7
7 2 Green Bay Packers vs. SF 9.1
8 2 Minnesota Vikings vs. ARI 8.7

The Baltimore Ravens have been stifling in 2018, allowing just over 13 points per game to opponents since their Thursday night drubbing at the hands of the Bengals in Week 2. They're currently tied for sixth in the NFL in sacks, and should be able to add to that total against Marcus Mariota in Week 6. Love the Ravens' floor this week, as Mariota is coming off a terrible, 129-yard performance against the hapless Bills. Expect the Ravens defense to make life miserable for him all afternoon.

I had much higher hopes for the Eagles DST this season, but the results simply haven't been there so far. I expect that to change in Week 6 when they visit the New York Giants. Odell Beckham, Jr. is still a beast, but don't expect him to toss a 50-yard touchdown again. The Giants have allowed 16 sacks already and have eight giveaways on the young season, so there is plenty of potential for DST points here. When selecting a streaming DST, remember this slogan--"Eli Manning: the cure for what ails ya!"

Following their Week 4 annihilation of the Bills, the Packers DST returned to Earth against the surging Lions offense, yielding 31 points and forcing zero turnovers. They should bounce back nicely this week against C.J. Beathard and the 49ers offense, which will also be without starting running back Matt Breida, who's on the shelf with an ankle sprain. Alfred Morris and C.J. Beathard are not a threat, plain and simple. You can fire up the Packers as a widely-available streaming option this week and feel pretty good about it.

Tier 3 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Opponent Confidence Rating
9 3 Carolina Panthers @ WAS 8.5
10 3 Seattle Seahawks @ OAK 7.95
11 3 New York Jets vs. IND 7.2
12 3 Tennessee Titans vs. BAL 6.5
13 3 Indianapolis Colts @ NYJ 6.4
14 3 Cleveland Browns vs. LAC 5.9

Which Raiders offense will show up, the one that hung 42 points on the Browns in regulation or the one that managed just 10 against the Chargers last week? My money is on the latter. Even if the offense does manage to put some points on the board, Derek Carr is competing for the league lead in interceptions (eight in five games) and can't manage any sort of consistency. The Seahawks could feast in this one, but I've got them in the third tier in my rankings based on their inability to manage much pressure and being on the road. If I change my mind on anything this week, it'll be to move the Seahawks up--the ball-hawking secondary could have a field day, even without Earl Thomas.

The Titans disappointed on some levels last week, as they only managed one turnover and one sack against the atrocious Bills offense (I feel like I've mentioned them and their awfulness quite a bit already). However, this defense has allowed the ninth-fewest total yards of offense through five weeks, and they carry some upside against the Ravens who have allowed 12 sacks already this year. Temper your expectations though, as the ceiling is fairly low--the Ravens are a top-10 scoring offense, believe it or not.

Speaking of that Ravens offense, it was just stifled by Denzel Ward and the Browns defense in Week 5. The Browns held their divisional rivals to just nine total points, and chipped in two sacks, a pick and a fumble recovery as well. I don't foresee them having as much luck against the Chargers, who will rely not on Philip Rivers, but rather Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. The Browns are actually 22nd in the NFL against the run, and they're about to face off against the (arguably) best two-back tandem in the NFL. I'm fading the Browns this week.

Tier 4 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Opponent Confidence Rating
15 4 Miami Dolphins vs. CHI 5.15
16 4 Dallas Cowboys vs. JAC 4.5
17 4 Pittsburgh Steelers @ CIN 4.15
18 4 Buffalo Bills @ HOU 3.6
19 4 Cincinnati Bengals vs. PIT 3.15
20 4 Los Angeles Chargers @ CLE 2.9

I'm not quite sure what to make of the Dolphins so far. Just when I was ready to write them off after they were torched by New England, they came out and held the previously red-hot (yes, that's an Andy Dalton joke) Bengals offense to just 15 points. They have some slight streaming potential this week, as they've had at least one interception in every game this season and they're home, but Mitch Trubisky and the Bears offense is coming off the bye and should be fresh with a game plan in-hand. My eyebrow is raised in intrigue, but I'm not feeling supremely confident that the Dolphins follow through on a good fantasy DST day without a defensive/special teams touchdown.

The Bills defense MAY not be as bad as some of their performances indicate. The offense certainly isn't helping them when it comes to field position, and that's why I'm extremely unlikely to move them out of the fourth or fifth tier any time soon. However, they DO have at least two sacks in every game, and they're tied for seventh in the NFL in takeaways (9). I don't think they can completely contain Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins, but don't be surprised if this is another ugly, low-scoring affair like last week's Bills/Titans game was.

Tier 5 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Opponent Confidence Rating
21 5 Arizona Cardinals @MIN 2.25
22 5 New York Giants vs. PHI 2.1
23 5 Oakland Raiders vs. SEA 1.7
24 5 Atlanta Falcons vs. TB 1.55
25 5 Washington Redskins vs. CAR 1.1

More Weekly Lineup Prep


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
NFL

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Toronto Raptors

Sandro Mamukelashvili Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Riley Greene

Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Wednesday
Max Muncy

Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Jurickson Profar

Officially Reinstated and Hitting in Five-Hole on Wednesday
Spencer Schwellenbach

Going on Injured List With Fractured Elbow
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
Jamari Thrash

Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Brandon Woodruff

Likely to Pitch on Sunday in Miami
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
Zac Gallen

Fans 10 in Tuesday's Win
Hunter Goodman

Hits Two More Homers Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson Lands With Detroit
Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann Remaining in Charlotte
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF