Forrest Gump loved football, and not just because he loved to run. He also appreciated the randomness of the game, which paralleled the unpredictability of existence. The NFL version of “Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get” could very well be “any given Sunday.” We have witnessed some very random stuff this season, especially with defenses, and with every point taking on more importance at this stage of the fantasy football season, we really have to buckle down at D/ST. Our Week 8 fantasy defense rankings can help you pinpoint those important sleepers and waiver-wire streamers.
Of course, some things are just easy to predict. Consistently dominant defenses like the Cowboys (vs. Bears in Week 8), Eagles (vs. Steelers), and Patriots (@ Jets) are no-brainers in favorable matchups like these. Even with all their injuries, the 49ers (@ Rams) should also be able to take advantage of a very generous Rams’ offense that allows the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to D/STs.
More “must-starts” include the Broncos (@ Jaguars), who should continue their impressive pass defense against a young quarterback. The Jags (vs. Broncos) are also a solid play against either a gimpy Russell Wilson (hamstring) or Brett Rypien. Finally, the Bills (vs. Packers) have been the No. 1 scoring defense and second-best yardage defense in the NFL, but which version of Aaron Rodgers will we see this week? Sometimes Green Bay’s offense goes through lengthy stretches of stagnant plays; other times the four-time MVP goes into superhero mode. Still, you have to ride with Buffalo at home with extended rest and preparation after a bye week.
As for the fringe plays, we’ve been telling you about Robert Saleh’s Jets (vs. Patriots) piquing our interest for a couple of weeks now. New York has enjoyed a massive October, beating the Steelers, Dolphins, Packers, and Broncos. Three of those four offenses had QB injuries, inadequacies, or inexperience, but that will be the case again this week against Mac Jones, a banged-up, second-year QB with less-than-stellar pass-catchers.
What can we expect from the Colts (vs. Commanders)? Shaq Leonard (concussion, nose) hasn’t played in weeks, but Indy still looked pretty good against Tennessee. Against Taylor Heinicke — behind one of the worst and most dinged-up offensive lines in football — we have to think Frank Reich’s D/ST will be a solid play. Similarly, we wouldn’t mind rolling out the Commanders D against Indy. Washington ranks in the top five in sacks this season, and Matt Ryan has been one of the most frequently sacked QBs this season. The Colts also turned the ball over three times last week against the Titans.
Among the D/STs we view as sleepers, watch for the pass rush of the Raiders (@ Saints) to do some damage in the Bayou against a banged-up, turnover-prone offense. The Giants (@ Seahawks) have the secondary to expose Geno Smith and haven’t allowed over 215 passing yards since Week 1. The Titans (@ Texans) have surrendered just 44 points over the past three weeks (14.6 ppg) and now face a Houston offense averaging 17.2 points per game.
Even the Panthers (@ Falcons) look like a decent, deep-league fill-in option after Carolina stunned Tom Brady and the Buccaneers 20-3 in Week 7. You could also try the Dolphins (@ Lions), who get healthier each week as squads like Detroit keep adding studs to their injury reports.
Beware of the good teams with bad levels of volatility in Week 8. The Rams (vs. 49ers) rarely translate their on-field success to fantasy points, and they might fail in both respects against a revitalized Niners offense after a full week of practice for Christian McCaffrey. The Buccaneers (vs. Ravens) got gashed by Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman, so Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards could have field days.
Then there are defenses that have underwhelmed all season and now face offenses in must-win mode. The Ravens (@ Bucs) draw a desperate Tom Brady, the Vikings (vs. Cardinals) host an Arizona offense that just had its way with New Orleans, and the Ohio teams (Bengals @ Browns) face off with both sides yielding very few fantasy points to D/STs. We also can’t trust the Saints (vs. Raiders) to slow down Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams, nor do we want any part of the Packers (@ Bills) with Buffalo getting an extra week to prep.
Let’s get to our complete rankings and prime you for what should be another wild weekend of twists and turns. Good luck, and come back throughout the week for the latest updates and player movement.
Week 8 fantasy defense rankings
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