Week 11 is usually when the "fantasy fatigue" starts to set in. You’ve been grinding for ten weeks, your waiver wire is a desert, and you're probably tired of seeing your D/ST put up a measly two points because of a garbage-time touchdown. Honestly, it’s frustrating. But this is exactly when you can gain a massive edge. Most managers just look at "points allowed" and call it a day.
Bad move.
The secret to winning this week isn't finding the "best" defense. It's finding the most broken offense. We are looking for high sack rates, erratic young quarterbacks, and teams that have basically checked out. In Week 11 of the 2025 season, the landscape is messy. Let's get into who actually matters.
Fantasy Defense Rankings Week 11: The Elite Tier
If you own these teams, you aren't overthinking it. You're starting them and going to get a coffee.
1. Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)
The Texans are the gold standard right now. They lead the league in total defense and scoring defense. More importantly, they’re playing the Titans. Tennessee has been a gift to fantasy managers all year, allowing more fantasy points to opposing defenses than anyone else. They take sacks at the highest rate in the NFL. Will Anderson Jr. is playing like a man possessed, and after a five-sack outburst in Week 10, the Texans are primed to feast on a Titans offensive line that looks like a swinging gate.
💡 You might also like: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
2. New England Patriots (vs. New York Jets)
It’s weird seeing the Patriots back in the "elite" conversation, but here we are. This is purely a matchup play against a Jets team that has completely spiraled. With Garrett Wilson dealing with a PCL injury and Justin Fields struggling to move the ball through the air, the Jets have become one-dimensional. The Patriots allow an NFL-low 79.2 rushing yards per game. If the Jets can’t run, Fields is forced to throw. That's when the turnovers happen.
3. Baltimore Ravens (at Cleveland Browns)
Baltimore is doing that thing again. You know, the late-season surge where they suddenly remember they’re the Ravens. Since their Week 7 bye, they've been lockdown, allowing only 41 points in three games. Cleveland is starting Dillon Gabriel, who is coming off a concussion, or a backup. Either way, the Browns have allowed the second-most fantasy points to D/STs this season. The Ravens' secondary is a bit banged up with Marlon Humphrey out, but their front seven should dominate.
The "Stream Them If You Can" Tier
These are the teams likely sitting on your waiver wire or rostered in about 50-60% of leagues. They have high ceilings but come with a bit more risk.
Los Angeles Chargers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Jim Harbaugh has turned this unit into a boring, effective machine. They haven’t allowed over 221 total yards in any of their last three games. Trevor Lawrence is currently the 5th most sacked quarterback in the league. If the Chargers can keep the Jags' run game in check, Lawrence will be under fire all afternoon.
📖 Related: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Green Bay Packers (at New York Giants)
The Giants are a mess. They just fired Brian Daboll, and Jaxson Dart is in the concussion protocol. Whether it's a foggy Russell Wilson or a shaky backup, the Giants' offense is basically a "Start Your Defense Against Us" sign. The Packers haven't been elite at creating takeaways, but the floor here is incredibly high because the Giants simply cannot score.
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)
The Falcons have the best pass defense in the league statistically, which is hilarious because they're playing a Panthers team that refuses to pass the ball. However, Atlanta’s pass rush has woken up, recording 13 sacks in their last two games. If Bryce Young is forced into long third-down situations, the "kooky hijinks" (as some analysts call them) will start. Young hasn't thrown a touchdown since Week 7. That's a staggering stat.
Why Matchups Matter More Than Talent
Look, the Seattle Seahawks are a great real-life defense. They lead the league in several categories. But in fantasy defense rankings week 11, they are almost unstartable. Why? Because they're playing the Rams.
Matthew Stafford is on a legendary tear. Over his last six games, he has 20 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Zero. You don't play a defense against a quarterback who doesn't turn the ball over and doesn't get sacked. It’s a recipe for a three-point fantasy performance.
👉 See also: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
On the flip side, you have the Pittsburgh Steelers. They face Joe Flacco and the Bengals. Flacco is a statue. While the Bengals score points, Flacco is prone to the "DGAF" interception and will take four sacks a game because he can't move. You're chasing the events (sacks, picks, fumbles) rather than the points allowed.
The Injury Factor
You have to check the reports before kickoff.
- Pittsburgh: Alex Highsmith is dealing with a pec strain. If he’s out, that pass rush loses its teeth.
- NY Giants: Bobby Okereke and Kayvon Thibodeaux are both banged up. If they sit, the Packers defense becomes a top-3 play.
- Baltimore: Missing Marlon Humphrey is a big deal against a Cleveland team that might just try to chuck it deep every play.
Actionable Strategy for Week 11
Don't just chase last week's points. That is the fastest way to lose your matchup. Here is how you should actually handle your D/ST slot this week:
- Check the Titans/Jets/Browns/Giants opponents. If the Texans, Patriots, Ravens, or Packers are available, you spend the FAAB. No questions asked.
- Pivot from "Good" teams in "Bad" spots. Bench the Seahawks against the Rams. Bench the Lions against the Eagles. High-scoring games kill defense scores even if the defense plays "well."
- Monitor the Giants' QB situation. If Jaxson Dart is out and they’re starting a backup behind that offensive line, the Packers are a "smash play."
- Look ahead to Week 12. If you have a bench spot, grab the New York Jets or Baltimore Ravens now. The Jets get the Browns in Week 12, and the Ravens get the Jets. The cycle of targeting bad offenses continues.
Basically, stop rooting for "stops" and start rooting for "chaos." Chaos is where the fantasy points live. Look for the backup quarterbacks and the crumbling offensive lines. In Week 11, that’s your safest path to a win.