Week 7 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

October 16, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 7 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 7 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 7 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, I'll go through the best and worst fantasy defenses. With two teams on bye in Week 7 (Cowboys and Bears), I will rank every defense from No. 1 to No. 30. 

With Chicago on a bye this week, some fantasy managers might have to look for another defense for Week 7. However, you shouldn't drop the Bears' defense on their bye because they have established themselves as a set-it-and-forget-it option. They have forced at least two turnovers in every game this season while holding five of their six opponents to under 20 points.

But let's focus on which defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 7. Below you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck RotoBallers!

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

1. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. TEN

BUF favored by 8.5, Total ~42.5

The Buffalo Bills will come in as the No. 1 fantasy defense in Week 7 against a struggling Titans offense. Tennessee has scored 17 or fewer points in four of five games this season, and Will Levis has been sacked 16 times across only five contests (3.2 times sacked per game). As a result, the Bills are a strong option this week.

While Buffalo has only totaled one sack in two of the past three games, this is a prime opportunity for the unit to make a strong impact in Week 7. Tennessee ranks in the top 5 in pressure rate allowed and 30th in pass-block win rate (49%). Will Levis also has the seventh-quickest time to throw (2.62 seconds) this season. So, lock in the Bills as your starting D/ST this weekend.

2. Denver Broncos D/ST at NO

NO favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

It was a disappointing fantasy performance from the Broncos' defense last week, scoring only four fantasy points. However, they have a great chance to bounce back in Week 7 against the Saints. With Spencer Rattler starting again and Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) both likely being out, Denver is a top-3 play. It has totaled at least three sacks in four straight games and ranks second in total sacks (22). 

It's hard to bench the Broncos' defense this week, considering the offensive line ranks toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate allowed. Even though only five percent of their pressures have resulted in sacks this season, expect that number to rise with a rookie under center. Last week, the offensive line gave up a season-high five sacks.

New Orleans also ranks 29th in pass-block win rate (51%), and the Broncos rank first in pass-rush win rate (55%). Make sure to get Denver's defense in your fantasy lineups in Week 7.

3. New York Jets D/ST at PIT 

PIT favored by 2, Total ~36.5

The Jets defense is a strong option in Week 7 against the Steelers. New York ranks top-10 in pressure rate this season while totaling 20 sacks. Pittsburgh has also had a tough time protecting the quarterback over the last few weeks. Justin Fields has been sacked at least three times in three straight games. On top of that, Russell Wilson could be making his first start, which might be better for New York's sack numbers in this game. 

Therefore, the Jets are a top-5 play this week on Sunday night. The Steelers rank 24th in pass-block win rate (55%), and New York has allowed the second-fewest yards per game in 2024.

4. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. DEN

NO favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

Starting defenses against Denver's offense hasn't worked out too well for fantasy managers this season. Opposing defenses are averaging just 6.5 fantasy points against that offense, and Bo Nix has only been sacked nine times through the first six weeks. That's in large part due to the Broncos' offensive line ranking top-10 in pressure rate allowed. However, the Saints are still a solid play in Week 7.

New Orleans ranks fourth in takeaways (12), and that unit has forced an interception in every game this season. The only reason they aren't higher on this list is because their pressure rate and pass-block win rate (26th) don't rank particularly high. But the Broncos' offense has coughed up the ball nine times (five interceptions and four fumbles) to start the year, making the Saints defense a nice play this week.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. NYJ

PIT favored by 2, Total ~36.5

The Steelers' defense continues to be a set-it-and-forget-it option. It has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of six games this season and ranks tied for fifth in takeaways (11). As a result, Pittsburgh still remains a strong defensive option in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

The @Steelers defense force the fumble and get the ball back 💪

📺: #PITvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uL5wGY8nzx

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

New York's offensive line has struggled to start the year, as they rank 25th in pass-block win rate (54%). Aaron Rodgers also has the fourth-fastest time to throw (2.55 seconds) this season, and 22% of Pittsburgh's pressures result in sacks. With the addition of Davante Adams, the Steelers moved down a couple spots on my rankings, but it's hard to sit them on Sunday night. 

6. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST at CLE 

CIN favored by 4.5, Total ~43.5

For really the first time all year, the Bengals played well on defense last week. It held the Giants to seven points while totaling eight fantasy points. I'm not ready to say this Cincinnati defense has turned it around, but they are a great play in Week 7 against the Browns. Cleveland has been the worst offense in the NFL and ranks 30th in points per game (15.8).

Deshaun Watson has also been sacked a league-leading 31 times through six weeks. He has been sacked at least five times in three of the past four games, and Cleveland's offensive line ranks bottom-5 in pressure rate allowed. Even though the Bengals have totaled only eight sacks so far, they have a great matchup this week. Opposing defenses are averaging 10.7 fantasy points against the Browns offense this year.

7. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. MIA

IND favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

The Colts don't necessarily have a great defense and haven't been able to put much pressure on the quarterback this season. Indianapolis ranks 30th in pressure rate and 23rd in pass-rush win rate (36%). But they have potential in Week 7 against the Dolphins.

With Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) still out, Tyler Huntley will start under center for Miami this week. Huntley has the eighth-quickest time to throw (2.63 seconds) this year, and the Dolphins are averaging only 10 points per game in three starts without Tagovailoa. So, Indianapolis is a high-floor option in Week 7.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

8. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at ARI

LAC favored by 2.5, Total ~43.5

The Chargers defense has been a sneaky set-it-and-forget-it option to start the year. They have scored at least eight fantasy points in all five of their games and rank first in points allowed per game (13.2) this season. While some fantasy managers might shy away from them in Week 7 against the Cardinals, Los Angeles is a top-7 play this week.

Updated #Chargers defensive rankings through 6 weeks, pre-MNF:
EPA/play allowed - 2nd
Success rate - 3rd
Dropback EPA - 5th
Dropback SR - 7th
Rush EPA - 1st
Rushing SR - 2nd
Jesse Minter has this group completely dialed in despite various injuries to key players. pic.twitter.com/J5AMaLRhh5

— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) October 14, 2024

That unit ranks toward the top in pressure rate this season, and Kyler Murray has averaged only 2.47 seconds to throw over the last three weeks, which is the quickest in the NFL during that span. The Chargers are a sneaky defensive option this week.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. NE

JAC favored by 5.5, Total ~42.5

I was a little hesitant to put the Jaguars this high, even against the Patriots. They have allowed at least 34 points in three of the past four games and have looked all out of sorts on that side of the ball. However, there are things working for this Jacksonville defense in a Week 7 matchup against the Patriots.

For starters, New England ranks dead last in pressure rate allowed, and that offensive line has allowed the second-most sacks (23) through the first six weeks. Of course, the Jaguars have had their own troubles on defense this year. But they also rank top-3 in pressure rate. They should be a top-10 play this week.

10. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. LV

LAR favored by 5.5, Total ~43.5

The Rams are another defense that hasn't played particularly well to start the season. But the matchup against the Raiders in Week 7 makes them a potential play. Opposing defenses are averaging 11 fantasy points per game against Las Vegas' offense, and Los Angeles has forced a turnover in four of its five games this season.

With Aidan O'Connell starting in Week 7, the Rams should be a solid play. O'Connell has thrown nine interceptions across his 14 career appearances (11 starts), and Las Vegas ranks 15th in pass-block win rate (60%). If you are looking for a defense with a higher floor, Los Angeles is a great pickup.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

11. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. DET

MIN favored by 2.5, Total ~49.5

The Vikings were definitely the hardest defense to rank in Week 7. They have been the best fantasy defense to start the season, but they have a very tough matchup against the Lions this weekend. Detroit ranks top-12 in pressure rate allowed and pass-block win rate (70%) through the first six weeks. Jared Goff has also only been sacked nine times.

But Minnesota's defense has been on another level in 2024. They held the 49ers to 17 points in Week 2 and the Texans to only seven points in Week 3. The Vikings also rank third in pressure rate so far this season. While it's risky to play them against the Lions, it's hard not to roll with them in Week 7.

12. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at NYG

PHI favored by 3.5, Total ~42.5

A couple of weeks ago, the Eagles might have been a top play against the Giants in Week 7. However, Philadelphia's defense is no longer a must-start against New York. Daniel Jones has only been sacked nine times over the past five weeks while turning over the ball just twice during that span. 

Still, the Eagles are a solid option in most 12-plus team leagues this weekend. New York has only scored three touchdowns over the last three weeks, and Philadelphia ranks 13th in pass-rush win rate (43%) this season.

13. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. HOU

GB favored by 2.5, Total ~47.5

The Packers are another defense that was hard to rank on this list because of the way they've played through the first six weeks. They have scored at least seven fantasy points in every game and are currently the second-ranked fantasy defense. However, they have a tough matchup against the Texans in Week 7.

Houston ranks in the top half of the league in pressure rate allowed, and Green Bay ranks 30th in pass-rush win rate (31%) this season. The Packers also allowed 30-plus points to both the Vikings and Eagles this season. Given that C.J. Stroud hasn't been sacked more than two times in three straight games, Green Bay could have a hard time getting to the quarterback in Week 7. Still, they are a top-14 play this weekend.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

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 Commanders and Giants are your next best choices.

The Commanders play a Panthers offense in Week 7 that has struggled offensively as of late. Andy Dalton has had the fourth-quickest time to throw (2.53 seconds) since he has taken over, and he has thrown four interceptions over the past three games. Given that Washington has totaled 13 sacks since Week 4, they are a sneaky play this weekend.

As for the Giants, they are a potential play in 16-plus team leagues due to their recent high sack totals. New York ranks first in sacks (26) this season, and they've totaled at least four sacks in four of the past five games. That unit now faces an Eagles offensive line that will be without Jordan Mailata and has allowed 11 sacks over the last three contests.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options. The Dolphins have totaled only eight sacks this year and only managed to score a combined eight fantasy points against the Titans and Patriots. The Patriots don't pressure the quarterback at a high level, and the Raiders have allowed 60 total points over the last two weeks.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

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 7.

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