If you’re still holding onto that big-name defense you drafted back in August, honestly, it might be time to let go. Fantasy football is cruel like that. Week 10 is here, and with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Bengals, and Titans all on bye, the waiver wire is looking a little thin. But thin doesn't mean empty.
Finding the right D/ST this late in the year is less about "who is good at football" and more about "who is playing the Jets or the Raiders." Seriously. Matchups are everything right now.
Week 10 Defense Rankings Fantasy Football: The Must-Starts
If you have any of these three units, you aren't overthinking it. You're clicking "start" and going to get a coffee.
1. Cleveland Browns (at New York Jets)
The Browns are basically the gold standard for Week 10. Coming off a bye, they are fresh, healthy, and heading to MetLife to face a Jets team that has been a total disaster. The Jets have been giving up sacks at the fourth-highest rate in the league. Meanwhile, Cleveland generates pressure at the second-highest rate. It's a nightmare for Justin Fields, who tends to hold the ball way too long. Expect five-plus sacks and a high chance of a defensive touchdown here.
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2. Denver Broncos (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Denver leads the NFL in sacks. Period. They are relentless. This Thursday night matchup against the Raiders is a "smash play." Vegas is turning the ball over at the third-highest rate in the league, and with the short week, it’s hard to imagine their offensive line holding up against the Broncos’ pass rush.
3. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Atlanta Falcons - Berlin)
Don't let the travel to Germany scare you. The Colts have been a top-tier fantasy unit lately because they just don't give up big plays. They face an Atlanta team that has struggled with consistency. While Daniel Jones has been better lately, the Colts' secondary is finally healthy, making this a high-floor play in a game that could get ugly in the international spotlight.
The Streaming Tier: Diamonds in the Rough
Maybe you don't own the Broncos. That's fine. Most of us are digging through the trash to find a streamer that won't give us negative points.
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The Carolina Panthers are actually a viable start this week. I know, it sounds fake. But they are playing the one-win New Orleans Saints at home. The Saints' offense is decimated by injuries; they just lost their starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga to a high-ankle sprain. Carolina has been playing much better "real-life" defense lately, and against a Saints team that is giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to D/STs, they are a sneaky top-10 play.
The Buffalo Bills are another solid option against the Dolphins. Historically, Buffalo owns Miami. With Tua Tagovailoa's status always being a question mark and the Dolphins' offense looking completely out of sync, the Bills’ pass rush should have a field day. They are rostered in about 43% of Yahoo leagues, so check your wire.
Rankings for the Rest of the Pack
Here is how the mid-tier and "stay away" units shake out for the week.
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- Baltimore Ravens (at Vikings): This is risky. Lamar is back, which helps the game script, but the Vikings’ offense can still put up points. Start them if you must, but don't expect a ceiling game.
- Chicago Bears (vs. Giants): The Bears lead the league in turnover rate. Even if they give up some yards, they usually make up for it with a pick-six or a fumble recovery. Facing the Giants is always a plus for a defense.
- Green Bay Packers (vs. Eagles): Honestly? Sit them. The Eagles have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to defenses this year. Saquon Barkley is a nightmare to tackle, and the Packers haven't shown enough sack upside to justify the risk.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at Chargers): The Steelers' pass rush is back to its old self, but they’re facing a Chargers line that—despite losing Joe Alt—still protects Justin Herbert reasonably well. This will be a low-scoring slog, making Pittsburgh a "safe" play with a low ceiling.
What Most People Get Wrong About D/ST Rankings
The biggest mistake fantasy managers make is chasing "good teams" instead of "bad offenses." A mediocre defense playing a backup quarterback is almost always better than a great defense playing Patrick Mahomes.
Look at the Detroit Lions. They are a fantastic real-life team, ranking 3rd in EPA per play allowed. But they're playing the Commanders. Even without Jayden Daniels (who is sidelined for the foreseeable future), Marcus Mariota has shown he can move the ball. The Lions are a "start" because of their talent, but they aren't the locks that the Browns or Broncos are this week.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Roster
- Check the Waiver Wire immediately for the Browns or Broncos. If they are there, drop your kicker or your worst bench player to grab them now.
- Monitor the Saints' injury report. If their offensive line remains a mess, the Panthers become a legitimate top-tier streamer for those in deep leagues.
- Plan for the playoffs. If you have the bench space, look at the Houston Texans. They have a great run of matchups coming up (vs. Jacksonville this week, then Arizona later), and they are currently the number one scoring defense in several formats.
- Avoid the "International Game" trap. While the Colts are a good play, international games are notorious for weird, low-scoring outcomes. Don't start any Falcons players if you can help it.
Bottom line: target the sacks. In modern fantasy scoring, sacks and interceptions are more predictable than "points allowed." Target the offensive lines that are crumbling, and you'll find your way to a Week 10 win.