Unless most of the teams in your league carry a backup defense, more than half of the league should be available to you every week. Perhaps instead of playing one above average defense every week, regardless of matchup, we should instead target the widely available waiver wire defenses with the best matchups in any particular week? You can always make exceptions if your rent-a-defense gets hot - heck, you might find a team worth starting all year by accident. Even if you don't, good matchups will continue to get greater in number as more QBs get injured or yanked as the season goes on. You can steal some points from bad weather come December. Each week I'll list the startable fantasy defenses on most waiver wires and rank them.
Week 10 Results
Miami (vs Los Angeles Chargers) - 2 sacks, 1 INT
The Dolphins controlled this game, but couldn’t face too many big errors from Justin Herbert, who is not playing like a rookie
A Look Ahead: @DEN @NYJ CIN - This is why you added and played Miami last week.
New Orleans (vs San Francisco) - 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT
Nick Mullens was harassed all day as the Saints said We Got This after Drew Brees went down
A Look Ahead: ATL @DEN @ATL - The Saints defense could lead the way again this week, with a terrific matchup up in Week 12, so consider sticking with them.
Green Bay (vs Jacksonville) - 3 sacks, 1 INT
A punt return touchdown by Keelan Cole and the Packers offense having a little more trouble than expected kept this one close. Jake Luton looks terrible under pressure but hasn’t melted down yet.
A Look Ahead: @IND CHI PHI - The Packers D/ST is cold and probably not one to use this week, but we’ll revisit them in Week 12.
Philadelphia (at New York Giants) - 3 sacks
So much for the restocked offense helping elevate this entire team.
A Look Ahead: @CLE SEA @GB - Maybe we’ll use them in Week 16 against Dallas. Maybe.
Los Angeles Rams (vs Seattle) - 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT
The Rams aren’t scared of Russell Wilson. They made him look like a mere mortal all day.
A Look Ahead: @TB SF @ARI - Can they do it to Tom Brady. It might be worth it to find out so you can play them in Week 12 vs. Nick Mullens.
Minnesota (at Chicago) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
As poorly as Nick Foles played, this was actually disappointing.
A Look Ahead: DAL CAR JAX - The Vikings two best D/ST weeks have been the last two weeks, so there are worse options.
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
Las Vegas Raiders (vs Denver) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 4 INT
The Raiders were the worst fantasy D/ST coming into Week 10. They were the #1 D/ST in Week 10 thanks to Drew Lock. We’ll be targeting the Broncos from here on out.
Chicago (vs Minnesota) - 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 ST TD
Thank Cordarrelle Patterson’s kick return score for this positive result. A Kyle Rudolph fumble and Adam Thielen drop that turned into an interception helped.
Jacksonville (at Green Bay) - 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 ST TD
Thank Keelan Cole’s punt return score and the wind for this one.
Week 11 Candidates
**Pittsburgh and Baltimore have good matchups but are assumed to be rostered**
Miami (at Denver)
Drew Lock or Brett Rypien does it really matter? The Dolphins have been a top 5 D/ST to date and they are getting better.
A Look Ahead: @NYJ CIN KC - We will be sticking with them next week too - and possibly in Week 13
New Orleans (vs Atlanta)
The Saints defense has had multiple sacks and at least three takeaways in each of the last two weeks. Matt Ryan isn’t usually a turnover fest quarterback, but he is poor under pressure.
A Look Ahead: @DEN @ATL @PHI - Last year when Drew Brees was out, the defense took over. Don’t be surprised if it happens again vs. this schedule.
Los Angeles Rams (at Tampa Bay)
The Rams came through against Russell Wilson last week, so what’s stopping them from doing it against Brady, who has seen a lot of pressure and made mistakes at times this year. The Rams have at least four sacks in more than half of their games this year, and multiple takeaways in more than half of their games this year.
A Look Ahead: SF @ARI NE - The Week 12 matchup is good enough to give the Rams a shot this week so you can use them vs. Nick Mullens.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs New York Jets)
The Jets don’t look like a minor league offense with Joe Flacco and their top three receivers, but they are still a good target if you don’t get one of the preferred options above this week on the waiver wire if only because the Jets defense should have them playing from behind.
A Look Ahead: @BUF NE ATL - No thanks
Detroit (at Carolina)
As a last resort, look to the Lions “defense” if PJ Walker or Will Grier is starting for the Panthers this week instead of Teddy Bridgewater. Detroit took the place of the Raiders as the #32 D/ST going into Week 11, maybe it’s good luck!
A Look Ahead: HOU @CHI GB - Maybe if there’s another backup quarterback on the schedule...
Cleveland (vs Philadelphia)
Carson Wentz had one of his worst games of the year in Week 10 and he could be playing from behind in poor conditions if the Eagles can’t stop the run and the weather is the same as it was in the last two Browns home games.
Update: Downgrade this matchup as Myles Garrett will miss this game after he was placed on the covid list.
A Look Ahead: @JAX @TEN BAL - We’ll use the Browns this week so we can get the Jaguars matchup next week
Week 12 Preemptive Pickups
Cleveland (at Jacksonville)
Miami (at New York Jets)
New Orleans (at Denver)
Los Angeles Rams (vs San Francisco)
Green Bay (vs Chicago)