Week 6 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 6 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 6 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 6 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season. Each week, I'll go through the best and worst fantasy defenses and rank them No. 1 through No. 32. With four teams on bye in Week 6 (Vikings, Dolphins, Rams, and Chiefs), there will be 28 defenses ranked and broken down into six different tiers. 

Now, a question some fantasy managers might have entering the week is what to do with the Vikings defense. They are the top-ranked fantasy defense through five weeks but have a bye in Week 6. If you have them, though, it's best to keep them and stream another defense this week because Minnesota has become a set-it-and-forget-it option.

Let's see what else is in store for defense streamers in Week 6. Below you fill find our tiered fantasy football DST rankings, good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

1. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at LV

PIT favored by 3, Total ~36.5

It remains to be seen if Gardner Minshew II or Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback in Week 6. Either way, though, the Steelers will come in as the top fantasy defense this weekend. Pittsburgh has allowed 20 points or less in four of five games this season, and the Raiders haven't scored over 20 points in back-to-back games.

On top of that, the Steelers rank seventh in pass-rush win rate (49%), and Las Vegas has given up the fourth-most sacks (17) through five weeks.

So expect Pittsburgh to dominate the line of scrimmage. T.J. Watt -- who has 15 pressures on the year -- also has a favorable matchup on the outside against tackle DJ Glaze. Glaze started the year as a backup and has allowed nine pressures, six hurries, and three sacks over the last three games.

2. Houston Texans D/ST at NE

HOU favored by 7, Total ~37.5

The Patriots will make a quarterback switch in Week 6. Drake Maye will make his first career start on Sunday against the Texans, making this Houston defense a must-start option this week. 

The #Texans defense currently rank NO. 4 in the NFL in Total defense. Allowing 274.2 yards per game.

• Currently ranked NO. 17 in the NFL in run defense. Allowing 120.2 yards per game.

• Currently ranked NO. 3 in the NFL in pass defense. Allowing only 154 passing yards to… pic.twitter.com/fjxzBrsoDt

— Mr. InvisibleTexan (@InvisibleTexans) October 7, 2024

The Texans rank sixth in pressure rate and sack percentage (9.26%) this season. Not only do those numbers rank at the top of the league, but New England has struggled to protect the quarterback through the first five weeks. It has given up the second-most sacks (19) and ranks tied for first in pressure rate this year. So Houston has a great opportunity in Week 6.

3. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. LAC

LAC favored by 3, Total ~35.5

The Broncos defense is legit, and it is seriously becoming a set-it-and-forget-it option moving forward. It has given up only 34 points over the past three weeks to the Jets, Buccaneers, and Raiders while totaling 15 sacks during that span. Now, Denver gets a great matchup against the Chargers.

The Broncos rank first in pass-rush win rate (58%), third in sacks (19), and tied for first in pressure rate to begin the season. Given that the Chargers rank 31st in pass-block win rate (43%), there is a real opportunity for Denver's defense on Sunday.

Defensive tackles Zach Allen and Malcolm Roach also rank first and third in pass-rush win rate this season, and Allen has totaled 25 pressures and 16 hurries over the last four weeks.

4. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. CLE

PHI favored by 8.5, Total ~43.5

The Eagles defense hasn't done much through the first few weeks. It has only forced two turnovers while totaling six sacks through four games. However, every fantasy defense that has played against Cleveland's offense this year has put up strong numbers, so Philadelphia has some appeal in Week 6.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-high 26 times so far, and Cleveland's offensive line ranks seventh in pressure rate allowed this season. The Browns have also failed to score above 18 points in any game this season. Therefore, given that opposing defenses are averaging 11 fantasy points against this offense, lock in the Eagles defense this weekend.

5. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. JAC 

CHI favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

The Bears have established themselves as a top defense through the first five weeks of the season. They just held the Panthers to 10 points in Week 5 after they averaged 30 points with Andy Dalton in two games before that. As a result, Chicago will come in as a top-5 play in fantasy this week against the Jaguars.

The Bears rank toward the top of the league in several categories, including second in pass-block win rate (57%). They have also totaled at least three sacks and forced at least two turnovers in four of five games this season.

Given that Jacksonville ranks in the middle of the pack in pass-block win rate (61%) and Trevor Lawrence has turned over the ball 61 times since 2021, fantasy managers should be playing Chicago's defense this week.

6. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at DEN 

LAC favored by 3, Total ~35.5

The Broncos had their best offensive game of the season last week against the Raiders, scoring a season-high 34 points. But that shouldn't draw away fantasy managers from starting the Chargers defense in Week 6. Denver has scored 10 or fewer points in two of the last four games, and the 35.5 over/under is currently the lowest of the week. 

Now, Los Angeles could have a hard time getting sacks in this game, considering Denver ranks 30th in pressure rate allowed this season. However, with a rookie quarterback under center and Khalil Mack on the other side, this could be a nice matchup for the Chargers. Mack has totaled 12 pressures and eight hurries in 2024.

7. Buffalo Bills D/ST at NYJ

BUF favored by 3, Total ~41.5

The Jets have looked all out of sorts through the first five weeks of the season, so Buffalo's defense isn't a bad play in fantasy this week. The Bills rank 15th in pressure rate, and New York has had its struggles across the offensive line to begin the year. 

The Jets rank 27th in pass-block win rate (50%), and Aaron Rodgers has the fourth-quickest time to throw (2.51 seconds). As a result, the Bills could be a solid play in Week 6. 

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

8. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. ARI

GB favored by 5.5, Total ~49.5

It's time to start respecting the Packers defense as we head into Week 6. Green Bay leads the league with 14 takeaways, and it has forced at least two turnovers in every game this season. While Arizona looks like a tough matchup for this unit in Week 6, it should be started in most formats this weekend.

The Cardinals are tied for seventh in pressure rate allowed this season, and the Packers rank 15th in pressure rate. They are the No. 2-ranked fantasy defense entering the week while scoring at least seven fantasy points in all five contests. So it is a solid play this week.

9. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. PIT

PIT favored by 3, Total ~36.5

The Raiders defense struggled to stop a Bo Nix-led offense last week. But there is potential for it to bounce back in Week 6 against the Steelers. For starters, Las Vegas ranks eighth in pass-rush win rate (46%), and Pittsburgh ranks 22nd in pass-block win rate (56%) to start the season. As a result, it could be a low-end defensive option this week.

Maxx Crosby should also be able to get to Justin Fields in this game, which certainly helps the Raiders defense in fantasy. The Steelers offensive line has allowed the 16th-highest pressure rate through the first five weeks, and Crosby has totaled four sacks over the last three games.

10. Indianapolis Colts D/ST at TEN

IND favored by 1.5, Total ~42.5

The Colts defense had a rough game last week against the Jaguars, allowing 37 points and totaling zero sacks. However, it'll play one of the worst offenses in the NFL in the Titans in Week 6.

Tennessee ranks 26th in pass-block win rate (51%), and the offensive line has allowed 16 sacks across four games. With Will Levis -- who has thrown six interceptions this season -- expected to be ready to go, Indianapolis is a solid option in Week 6. It has totaled at least four sacks in three of five contests, so it has some potential this week against the Titans offense.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST at NO

TB favored by 3.5, Total ~41.5

With Derek Carr (oblique) suffering an injury in last Monday's loss, the Buccaneers are now an interesting play in Week 6. Spencer Rattler could be making his first career start, and New Orleans has allowed the fourth-highest pressure rate through five weeks.

But Tampa Bay has its own problems getting to the quarterback this year, so they aren't a must-start by any means. It ranks toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate and 23rd in pass-rush win rate (37%) this season. Still, they are a top-12 play this week because Rattler will likely be starting under center for New Orleans.

12. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at SEA

SF favored by 3, Total ~47.5

On paper, this might not seem like the best matchup for the 49ers. The Seahawks rank 11th in points per game (24.4), and San Francisco has allowed at least 24 points in two of the past three games. However, they are a sneaky play against Seattle in Week 6.

Geno Smith was sacked seven times last week, and Seattle's offensive line ranks tied for first in pressure rate through five weeks. It also ranks 30th in pass-block win rate (48%), while the 49ers rank sixth in pass-rush win rate (50%). As a result, San Francisco is a solid top-12 play on a short week.

13. New York Jets D/ST vs. BUF

BUF favored by 3, Total ~41.5

It's tough to start defenses playing against elite offenses. The Bills have struggled offensively over the past two weeks against the Texans and Ravens, but this is an offense that can score 30 points on any given week.

However, the Jets defense is legit, and it proved that last week against the Vikings. So New York could be a solid play this week. It ranks fourth in sacks and second in yards allowed per game (255.8). 

The Jets' defense has a 68.4% success rate on passing downs this season, the fourth-best mark for a defense in Weeks 1-5 this millennium.

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) October 7, 2024

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

Most of the defenses in Tier 4 should only be started in deeper formats. If all 13 defenses aren't available from the first three tiers, then the Falcons and Titans would be your next best choice.

The Panthers rank 28th in pass-block win rate (50%), and Andy Dalton is tied for second in time to throw (2.45 seconds) this season. After looking at what Chicago's defense did to Carolina's offense last week, Atlanta's defense has some sneaky fantasy potential.

Now, Atlanta isn't a must-start because it has its problems getting to the quarterback. It has only five sacks this year and hasn't totaled more than two sacks in a game since Week 1. However, it is a strong enough play in 14-plus team leagues against a Panthers offensive line that has plenty of problems.

Before their Week 5 bye, the Titans scored 10 fantasy points against the Dolphins on Monday night. Well, they could be used again in a Week 6 matchup against the Colts -- assuming Anthony Richardson plays. In three full games this season (Week 1 to Week 3), Richardson has thrown six interceptions.

Outside of the Falcons and Titans, though, the rest of the defenses in Tier 4 are extremely risky. The Bengals rank toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate, and Daniel Jones has only been sacked seven times over the past four games. Despite Baltimore ranking fourth in pressure rate, opposing defenses are averaging the second-fewest fantasy points against the Commanders this year. That makes the Ravens hard to trust this weekend.

As for the Jaguars, they should only be started in 18-plus team leagues. Chicago ranks tied for seventh in pressure rate allowed this year, and Caleb Williams and the Bears have scored 60 combined points over the past two weeks.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this weekend and should be avoided in most cases. 18 other defenses are better plays in Week 6.

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