Fantasy football is basically just a high-stakes game of "who can I trick into starting a bad player this week?" Honestly, defenses (D/ST) are the ultimate trap. You spend a high draft pick on a unit like the San Francisco 49ers, thinking you're safe, and then Week 6 rolls around and suddenly your "elite" squad is staring down a nightmare matchup or a plague of injuries.
If you're still holding onto the idea that you can "set it and forget it" with your defense, you've probably already lost a few games you should have won. Week 6 is particularly messy. We have major teams on bye (Houston and Minnesota), and the injury report for offensive lines across the league looks like a receipt from a pharmacy.
Basically, the fantasy football week 6 defense rankings are less about who has the best players and more about who is playing against the most incompetent quarterback.
The No-Brainer Tier (Start Them if You Have Them)
Look, I’m not going to tell you to bench the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Cleveland Browns. That’s just common sense. The Steelers are coming off a bye, they’re fresh, and they rank second in the NFL in turnover rate. Meanwhile, the Browns are yielding the third-most points to opposing D/STs. If T.J. Watt doesn't have at least two sacks by halftime, I’d be shocked.
Then you have the Denver Broncos. They’re traveling to London to face the Jets. Usually, London games are a mess of jet lag and missed tackles, but Denver is first in the league in pressure rate. Aaron Rodgers is a legend, but he’s also a statue behind a Jets offensive line that's been more of a "suggestion" than a barrier lately.
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The Philadelphia Eagles are also in this top bucket. They get the Giants. The Giants just lost Malik Nabers to a concussion and might be without Darius Slayton. Without playmakers, Daniel Jones is basically a sitting duck. Philly hasn't been a statistical monster this year, but this matchup is just too juicy to pass up.
Why the Rams are Suddenly the Smart Play
It feels weird to say, right? The Los Angeles Rams defense has been... fine? Sorta. But this week they’re playing the Baltimore Ravens, and the Ravens are currently a dumpster fire because Lamar Jackson is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
When Lamar is out, the Ravens' offense loses its identity. They’re rolling with Cooper Rush. Now, Rush had a decent run in Dallas a while back, but last week against Houston, he tossed three interceptions and the team only managed 207 total yards. The Rams rank 7th in the NFL in turnover rate and 10th in pressure. They’re going to eat.
Streaming Gems for the Desperate
If you're one of those people who streams defenses every week (which is the correct way to play, by the way), you're looking for the Las Vegas Raiders. I know, I know. They just let the Colts hang 40 on them. It was ugly.
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But they play the Titans this week. The Titans' offense is arguably the worst in the league, averaging a measly 14.6 points. Their quarterback, Cam Ward, has been taking a beating, absorbing 19 sacks already. With Maxx Crosby coming off the edge, this is a prime "get right" game for Vegas.
Don't sleep on the Indianapolis Colts either. They’re hosting Arizona. Kyler Murray is officially out, which means the Cardinals' rushing game—already struggling without James Conner—is basically non-existent. The Colts have posted double-digit fantasy points in three of their first five games. They aren't flashy, but they're consistent.
The "Do Not Touch" List
Sometimes the best move in fantasy is the one you don't make.
- San Francisco 49ers: They’re playing Tampa Bay. The Bucs' offense is humming, and Mac Jones (filling in for injuries) has actually been protecting the ball better than expected. The Niners' pass defense is currently ranked 25th in the league. That is not a typo. They're allowing 232 yards per game through the air.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Just don't. They’re 31st in total defense. They’re playing the Packers at Lambeau. It’s a recipe for a negative score.
- Washington Commanders: They play the Bears. Caleb Williams is starting to find his rhythm, and Washington’s defense is a literal sieve, ranking dead last in total yards allowed.
The Strategy Moving Forward
If you want to win your league, you need to stop looking at "season-long" stats. They’re a lie.
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Fantasy is about the now. In Week 6, the "now" says that the Packers are a top-tier play because they’re facing Jake Browning. It says the Raiders are startable because the Titans can't block.
Check the weather reports on Sunday morning. If it’s windy in Baltimore, upgrade the Rams even more. If the turf in London is slick, the Broncos' pass rush might actually be slightly slowed down, but their floor remains high.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your waiver wire for the Raiders or Colts if you’re starting a unit like the 49ers or Bengals.
- Verify the status of the Ravens' offensive line before locking in the Rams.
- Drop your backup tight end to stash the Steelers if someone in your league was dumb enough to drop them during their bye week.
Rankings change. Injuries happen. But a bad offensive line is forever (or at least for this season). Target the struggle, and you'll find the points.