Week 9 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 9 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 9 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 9 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 (Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers), I will be ranking fantasy defenses from No. 1 to No. 30. 

With the 49ers and Steelers both on byes this week, fantasy managers who have rostered those two defenses will have to look elsewhere in Week 9. But don't worry, there are plenty of defensive options to pivot to this upcoming weekend.

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 9. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck RotoBallers!

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 9

1. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. LV

CIN favored by 8.5, Total ~44.5

The Bengals will enter Week 9 as a strong fantasy defensive option. Despite not totaling any sacks or forcing any turnovers last week against the Eagles, Cincinnati has a prime opportunity against the Raiders offense this weekend.

Las Vegas quarterbacks have been sacked 25 times through eight games (third-most in the NFL), and Gardner Minshew II was just sacked five times in last week's loss. Minshew has also already thrown eight interceptions on the year. As a result, the Bengals are a top-3 play in Week 9. Hopefully, they can get more pressure on the quarterback this week, as their 28.5% pressure rate doesn't rank particularly high.

2. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. NE

TEN favored by 3, Total ~38.5

With Drake Maye in the concussion protocol, there's a chance the Titans will face Jacoby Brissett in Week 9. If that's the case, Tennessee's defense will be a strong play this weekend at home. 

The Titans defense has allowed 134 yards on 25 plays

The Titans special teams have allowed 236 yards on 4 returns

TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX YARDS ON FOUR RETURNS

— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) October 27, 2024

New England quarterbacks have been sacked 27 times through eight weeks (second-most in the NFL), and the offensive line remains a huge problem for this team. They rank 32nd in pass-block win rate (45%), while the Titans rank eighth (46%) in pass-rush win rate. Given that Tennessee also ranks first in yards allowed per game (265.4), this is a defense to target in fantasy this weekend.

3. Washington Commanders D/ST at NYG

WSH favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

The Commanders have played much better defensively, so they will be a sneaky top-5 option in Week 9 against the Giants. The last time these two teams played was back in Week 2, and Washington didn't have the best defensive game. They totaled just one sack and forced one turnover. Since then, though, this defense has totaled at least two sacks in six straight games. 

While this Commanders defense doesn't pressure the quarterback at a high rate, they do rank sixth in pass-rush win rate (46%). Daniel Jones was also sacked a season-high seven times just two weeks ago. As a result, there is some potential for this defense this weekend in a divisional matchup.

4. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at CLE

LAC favored by 3, Total ~38.5

Some fantasy managers might be scared to start the Chargers defense this week after the Browns scored 29 points against the Ravens a week ago. However, this Los Angeles secondary is much better than Baltimore's secondary, and Cleveland will have a harder time replicating that offensive success in Week 9.

The Chargers rank first in points allowed per game (13) and ninth in yards allowed per game (305.4). Los Angeles is also coming off their first five-sack game of the season. Now, that unit goes up against a Browns offensive line that has given up the most sacks (37) through eight weeks. So, they will be a top-5 play in Week 9.

5. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. IND

MIN favored by 6.5, Total ~46.5

The Vikings defense certainly struggled against the Rams offense last week. For the first time all year, that unit didn't total a sack or force at least two turnovers. As a result, Minnesota finished with a mere one fantasy point. However, expect that defense to bounce back in a major way in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.

With Joe Flacco starting, though, the Vikings defense will drop to No. 5 on this list. Still, they are a strong start in most cases in Week 9, considering Minnesota ranks tied for second in takeaways (15) this season.

On top of that, the Vikings have a 32.8% pressure rate through the first eight weeks, which ranks toward the top of that league. While the Colts offensive line has done a solid job protecting the quarterback this season, that unit just allowed a season-high five sacks in last week's loss.

6. New England Patriots D/ST at TEN

TEN favored by 3, Total ~38.5

It remains to be seen if Mason Rudolph or Will Levis (shoulder) will start for the Titans in Week 9. Either way, the Patriots defense is a solid option. Three different defenses have finished as the overall D/ST1 on the week against this Tennessee offense this year, including the Lions last week, and another two defenses finished top-12 at the position.

So, even though the Patriots haven't had the best year defensively, this is a great matchup for them in Week 9. The Titans rank 30th in pass-block win rate (49%), and the offense has turned the ball over 16 times through seven games. As a result, New England's defense will have a high fantasy floor against Tennessee this weekend.

7. New Orleans Saints D/ST at CAR

NO favored by 7, Total ~44.5

Bryce Young will start for the Panthers in Week 9, so the Saints defense is a strong play. The Panthers rank third in giveaways (14) this season, and Carolina quarterbacks (Andy Dalton and Young) have thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games.

Of course, the Saints defense hasn't looked sharp in recent weeks. But back in Week 1, this unit scored 15 fantasy points against the Panthers behind a four-sack, three-turnover day. So, there is potential for this New Orleans defense to have a strong fantasy day in Week 9. This defense also ranks tied for sixth in takeaways (13) in 2024.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 9

8. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. TB

KC favored by 9.5, Total ~44.5

The Chiefs will come in as a solid defensive option in Week 9 against a banged-up Buccaneers offense. Although Tampa scored 26 points last week, missing both Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring) in this game against a top defense will be very costly. Kansas City has given up the fifth-fewest yards (295) and points per game (17.6) through the first eight weeks while ranking top-7 in pressure rate (34.6%).

The Chiefs defense might quietly be one of the best units the NFL has ever seen.

Don't believe me?

If the Chiefs hold the Bucs to under 28 points next week, they will tie to 05-07 Ravens (considered one of the best defenses of all-time) with 29 straight games under 28 points.

— Josh Chavis (@JoshChavis65) October 28, 2024

The Buccaneers have been able to move the ball in recent weeks, especially on the ground with running backs like Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. However, against a Chiefs defense that is averaging only 82.3 rush yards per game, Tampa is going to have a much harder time. So, the Chiefs are a sneaky play in Week 9.

9. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. DEN

BAL favored by 9.5, Total ~44.5

Many fantasy managers might have expected to see the Ravens defense higher on this list. However, Baltimore's secondary is not healthy and Denver's improved play offensively puts this defense in the middle of Tier 2.

Opposing defenses are averaging only 5.8 fantasy points against the Broncos offense this season, and only one defense has finished top-12 at the position over the past six weeks. Denver's offensive line also ranks first in pass-block win rate (72%) this season. Therefore, Baltimore's defense is not a must-start option by any means in Week 9.

10. Chicago Bears D/ST at ARI

ARI favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

The Bears defense has been unstoppable through the first eight weeks and just held the Commanders to a season-low 18 points. While Chicago didn't force a turnover for the first time this year, they almost went the whole game without allowing a touchdown to one of the most high-powered offenses. As a result, they should be a solid play in Week 9 against the Cardinals.

The Bears have totaled at least three sacks in five of seven games, and that unit ranks top-10 in both pass-rush win rate (54%) and pressure rate (34.9%). So, fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily be staying away from this defense this week, especially against a Cardinals offense that has been inconsistent throughout the year. The Bears are also giving quarterbacks only 2.4 seconds to throw, which is well below league average.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 9

11. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. MIA

BUF favored by 6.5, Total ~49.5

The Bills defense has played well for most of the year and will enter Week 9 as a solid play against the Dolphins. Even though Miami's offense looked great with Tua Tagovailoa back under center, the Pro Bowl quarterback has surely had his struggles against this Buffalo secondary. Tagovailoa has thrown 10 interceptions in his eight meetings facing them, including six interceptions over his last three games against them.

So, the Bills could be a solid start in 12-plus team leagues in Week 9. They rank toward the top of the league in pressure rate, and Buffalo scored 18 fantasy points against the Dolphins earlier this year.

12. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. JAX

PHI favored by 7, Total ~45.5

Since the Eagles' Week 5 bye, the defense has played much better. They have totaled 14 sacks across the last three games and now go up against a Jaguars offense that will be missing some key players on offense. Christian Kirk (collarbone) is out for the season, and Brian Thomas Jr. (chest/rib) could also miss this weekend's game.

Despite Philadelphia ranking 31st in takeaways (four) this season, this defense is still a solid play this weekend. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging only 2.4 seconds to throw against this Eagles defense in 2024.

13. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. LAC

LAC favored by 3, Total ~38.5

It has been hard to trust the Browns defense in fantasy this season, as this unit has taken a step back from a year ago. Nonetheless, Cleveland is starting to find a groove on the defensive end. They have held the Ravens, Bengals, and Eagles to under 25 points over the last three weeks and now play a Chargers offense that has scored 15 points or fewer in three of the past five games.

The Browns also rank third in pass-rush win rate (53%), while the Chargers rank 29th in pass-block win rate (52%). As a result, Cleveland could be a nice play in some leagues in Week 9. Los Angeles is only averaging 311.1 yards per game this season.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 9

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 Texans and Jets are your next best choices.

The Texans have totaled at least three sacks in three straight games and just sacked Richardson a season-high five times a week ago. That front seven ranks top-5 in pressure rate this season and Aaron Rodgers has been sacked at least three times in three of the past five games. As for the Jets, they should really only be started in deep formats after allowing 62 points over the past two weeks.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options. The Falcons have totaled only six sacks this season, the Cardinals rank toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate, and the Giants defense is going up against a top offense in the Commanders.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 9

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 9. However, keep an eye on if Jordan Love (groin) plays this week. If he doesn't, the Lions would move up to Tier 2.

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