Knowing which defenses to start in fantasy football can be critical to winning your matchups. This position, arguably more so than any other, is matchup-dependent on a weekly basis, and the best results can be obtained by being flexible with a streaming strategy. Here’s a look at our Week 18 fantasy defense rankings and the top options to stream this week.
Top Fantasy Defense Streamers in Week 18
Here are my top fantasy defense streamers, all of which are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)
The Jaguars’ defense has been on fire lately. Given that they played the Texans in Week 17, it’s shocking they remain available in more than 50% of leagues.
This defense has allowed exactly three points in consecutive games. They’ve scored double-digit fantasy points in four straight games, including Week 14 against these very Titans. That was with Ryan Tannehill under center.
Of course, we’d much prefer the Titans start Malik Willis for defensive streaming purposes. But let’s not pretend Josh Dobbs, who is undoubtedly better than Willis, is someone we should be afraid of. I will still likely be on Dobbs’ lowers on Underdog Fantasy this week.
Dobbs turned it over twice against the Cowboys in his first career start. He also took two sacks. The Jaguars have forced a turnover in four straight games and recorded multiple sacks in five straight. They are this week’s top streaming option.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
To anyone I recommended streaming Mike White last week, I apologize. He was an unmitigated disaster against a subpar Seahawks defense. This defense had scored exactly one fantasy point in four of their last five prior to the Jets. They scored 17 against the Jets without a touchdown.
Amidst that stretch of four out of five games with one fantasy point, there was a lone game with eight. That was against the Rams. While Baker Mayfield wasn’t starting that game, we’re not exactly afraid of Mayfield.
MORE: Week 18 PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Despite torching the Broncos, Mayfield isn’t suddenly the first overall pick he was supposed to be. Against the Chargers, Mayfield didn’t throw an interception, but he did take three sacks. He’s now taken 13 sacks in three games that weren’t against the Broncos.
The Seahawks are at home in a must-win game to have any shot at the postseason. The Rams are just playing out the final week of a lost season. You can reasonably trust the Seahawks not to fail you this week.
Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB)
This one is a much sneakier one. The Bucs clinched the NFC South with their comeback win over the Panthers. At just 8-8, they have no chance of improving their seeding. As a result, it’s very likely they will rest their starters in a meaningless Week 18 contest.
We could be looking at Blaine Gabbert under center this week. Or possibly they give 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask a look. Either way, we likely won’t see Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, or Leonard Fournette. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rachaad White and Julio Jones were also held out.
The Falcons do not have a good defense. But against an offense of backups, they should be a viable streaming option.
Week 18 Fantasy Defense Rankings
The rankings below are from Senior Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett. If you want to ask Tommy or any of our fantasy analysts about defense rankings or streamers for Week 18, then be sure to sign up for the PFN Discord server, where you will have unlimited access to the team throughout the season.
The table is best viewed in landscape on mobile devices and can be sorted using the filters above the table.