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 14 Results
Seattle (vs New York Jets) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 3 pts allowed
Not a huge game but more than good enough in leagues that score points and yards allowed. We’ll keep targeting the Jets.
A Look Ahead: @WAS LAR - Seattle could come through against a limited Washington offense, but they’re not a preferred option.
New Orleans (at Philadelphia) - 1 fumble recovery
Jalen Hurts was a lot more ready than anyone expected.
A Look Ahead: KC MIN - That’s curtains for the Saints D/ST this year.
Kansas City (at Miami) - 1 safety, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 ST TD
Mecole Hardman busted a punt return score and Chris Jones corralled Tua Tagovailoa in the end zone to make it a hit.
A Look Ahead: @NO ATL - This looks like a good play as long as Taysom Hill starts.
Indianapolis (at Las Vegas) - 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
Kenny Moore had the interception of the year and the Colts defense continued to come through for us.
A Look Ahead: HOU @PIT - The Colts remain a good play
New York Giants (vs Arizona) - 1 sack
We picked the wrong side of this one as Kyler Murray improved and the Giants offense was stuck in a ditch.
A Look Ahead: CLE @BAL - The Giants defense cooled down quickly after beating Russell Wilson
New England (at Los Angeles Rams) **Thursday**
Los Angeles Rams (vs New England)
It was a tale of two Cams as the Rams decisively won this one. Cam Newton got benched and Cam Akers ran for almost 100 yards in the first quarter.
A Look Ahead NE: @MIA BUF - Bill Belichick against a rookie quarterback is tempting
A Look Ahead LAR: NYJ @SEA - The Rams are the play of the week
Carolina (vs Denver) - 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
The Broncos discovered that KJ Hamler is fast and Drew Lock threw four touchdowns in this dud for Carolina
A Look Ahead: @GB @WAS - The Panthers have been declawed
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
Washington (at San Francisco) - 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, 2 DEF TD
Nick Mullens might be finding the bench as Chase Young put on a show
Arizona (at New York Giants) - 8 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 7 pts allowed
The Cardinals sacked the Giants quarterbacks eight times, including five from Haason Reddick
Dallas (at Cincinnati) - 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 DEF TD, 7 pts allowed
Aldon Smith scooped and scored as the Bengals ballcarriers had trouble securing the ball
Chicago (vs Houston) - 1 safety, 7 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 pts allowed
Khalil Mack sacked Deshaun Watson in the end zone as the Texans were outgunned on offense missing their top four receivers and a running game.
Buffalo (vs Pittsburgh) - 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
Taron Johnson jumped a route in the overly predictable Steelers passing game
Miami (vs Kansas City) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 3 INT
Patrick Mahomes II threw two picks in the first quarter after throwing two picks in the first 12 games.
Week 15 Candidates
**Baltimore and Pittsburgh are assumed to be rostered**
Los Angeles Rams (vs New York Jets)
Playing the defense facing the Jets is a fantasy football layup. It’s a slam dunk when it’s the Rams.
A Look Ahead: @SEA - The Seahawks actually have been a decent matchup for defenses including the Rams in the first game (6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT)
Kansas City (at New Orleans)
Could this be when it all comes crashing down for Taysom Hill
UPDATE: Drew Brees will start, so the Chiefs aren't a good rent-a-defense this week.
A Look Ahead: ATL - Matt Ryan’s level of play is eroding and getting him outdoors is gravy
Cleveland (vs New York Giants)
The Giants offense is dead on arrival right now and their offensive line just gave up 8 sacks the week before they get Myles Garrett
A Look Ahead: @NYJ - Cha Ching
Indianapolis (vs Houston)
The Colts have been a good play most of the time regardless of matchup, but this is also a matchup that just yielded 5 sacks, 2 takeaways and a safety two weeks ago
A Look Ahead: @PIT - I won’t talk you out of leaving the Colts in as a neurotic Steelers fan
Buffalo (at Denver) **Saturday**
Drew Lock is a rollercoaster ride of touchdowns and interceptions, so this could work out.
A Look Ahead: @NE - Getting Cam Newton in Week 16 is a bonus
Miami (vs New England)
New England (at Miami)
Cam Newton looked like a quarterback who deserved the hook last week and Miami has been creating turnoverfests, even against Patrick Mahomes II. Bill Belichick just humbled a rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, to the tune of 45-0 and Tua Tagovailoa will be playing with a ragtag group of receivers. Both sides are attractive here.
A Look Ahead MIA: @LV - this one is looking good if they come in hot
A Look Ahead NE: BUF - We’ll avoid Josh Allen
Green Bay (vs Carolina)
When the Packers are a good D/ST play, it’s when they are at home. If Teddy Bridgewater falls behind, this one could hit.
A Look Ahead: TEN - We’ll avoid this one unless you get points for tackling Derrick Henry
Washington (vs Seattle)
Why not Washington? They’ve been a good play three of the last four weeks and Russell Wilson has been taking sacks and throwing picks at a higher rate than usual.
A Look Ahead: CAR - If Washington’s defense stays hot, they’ll stay in our lineup
Fantasy Playoffs Preemptive Pickups
Week 16
Cleveland (at New York Jets)
Washington (vs Carolina)
Kansas City (vs Atlanta)
Chicago (at Jacksonville)