You’re staring at your roster. It’s Week 11. Maybe you’ve got a defense that’s been coasting on name value alone—looking at you, San Francisco—or maybe you’re just sick of getting burned by "safe" plays that give up 30 points to a backup quarterback. Honestly, the week 11 def rankings are less about who has the best jersey and more about who is playing the biggest mess of an offense.
By this point in the season, the sample size is huge. We know who can’t block, we know which quarterbacks see ghosts under pressure, and we definitely know which coaches have basically checked out. If you aren't streaming, you're probably losing ground.
Why the Houston Texans Own the Top Spot
If you managed to grab the Houston Texans defense, you're probably feeling pretty smug right now. They aren't just good; they're statistically suffocating. Leading the NFL by allowing only 277.2 yards per game isn't a fluke. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have turned into a two-headed monster that ruins offensive game plans before the first quarter even ends.
This week, they get the Tennessee Titans. It’s almost unfair. The Titans have been a gold mine for fantasy points all year, mostly because they take sacks at a rate that defies logic. When you pair an elite pass rush with an offense that leads the league in fantasy points allowed to defenses, you don't overthink it. You start them. Period.
The Drake Maye Factor in New England
People were laughing at the Patriots early on, but that defense is actually legit. They are currently sitting at 8-2 and just dismantled the Jets in a game that felt like a localized disaster for New York. Drake Maye has given the offense enough life that the defense isn't spending 45 minutes on the field every Sunday.
They are allowing just 17.9 points per game. That’s top-three material. When they face a Jets team that is bottom-eight in sack and giveaway rate, the floor is incredibly high. It’s one of those rare weeks where a "bad" real-life team has a defense that can actually carry your fantasy matchup.
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Streaming Targets You Actually Have a Chance to Get
Not everyone has the Texans or the Ravens. I get it. If you’re digging through the waiver wire like a scavenger, there are a few units that are probably sitting there at 15% or 20% ownership.
- The Atlanta Falcons: They’ve been weirdly inconsistent, but the pass rush has suddenly woken up. They’ve notched 13 sacks in their last two games. They face Bryce Young and the Panthers this week. Bryce hasn't thrown a touchdown since Week 7. If he has to drop back 30 times, someone is getting an interception.
- The Chicago Bears: J.J. McCarthy has been better than expected for Minnesota, but he’s still a rookie. The Bears secondary is built to prey on young QBs. They lead the league in turnover rate over the last six weeks. Even if they give up some yards, those splash plays (picks and fumbles) keep their fantasy score afloat.
- The Dallas Cowboys: Look, I know the "real" defense is a disaster. They are 30th in yards allowed. But they just traded for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson. More importantly, they play the Raiders on Monday night. Las Vegas is basically a turnover machine at this point. If you’re desperate, "start and pray" against the Raiders is a legitimate strategy.
The Defenses to Bench (No Matter What)
Don't fall for the trap. Some big-name defenses have brutal matchups that make them unplayable in Week 11. The Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are facing each other in what looks like a total shootout. Neither unit is likely to stop the other from scoring 30.
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Similarly, the Buffalo Bills might be 6-3, but their fantasy production has been nonexistent. They've only hit double digits twice all year. Facing a Tampa Bay offense that can put up points in bunches is a recipe for a zero-point (or negative) outing.
Digging Into the Real Numbers
When you look at the week 11 def rankings, you have to separate "Total Defense" from "Fantasy Value." Sometimes a team that gives up a lot of yards is actually better for you because they play aggressively.
| Stat Category | Top Team | Value for You |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Yards Allowed | Buffalo Bills (156.9) | High Floor, Low Ceiling |
| Rush Yards Allowed | Jacksonville (85.6) | Great for real life, boring for fantasy |
| Points Allowed | Seattle (16.6) | The gold standard for consistency |
| EPA per Pass | Houston (-0.26) | This is why they get sacks and picks |
Seattle has been the biggest surprise of the 2025 season. They allow a league-best -0.18 EPA per rush. If you can stop the run that effectively, you force teams to become one-dimensional. That's when the interceptions start happening. They are a must-start against almost anyone right now, including the Rams.
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Actionable Strategy for Your Lineup
Don't just look at the projected points. Projections are usually garbage because they don't account for game flow.
- Check the Over/Under: If a game has a total of 48 or higher, avoid both defenses. You want the ugly, 37-point total games.
- Target the "Sack-Prone": The Titans, Raiders, and Jets are the holy trinity of fantasy defense targets. If a defense is playing them, they are a top-10 play by default.
- Watch the Injury Report: If a key offensive lineman is out, that defense moves up three spots in my rankings instantly.
The biggest mistake people make in Week 11 is holding onto a defense "just in case" for the playoffs. If you need a win now, drop that depth piece and grab the best matchup available. Volume and opportunity win championships, not loyalty to a unit that was good in September.
Pick your unit based on the opposing quarterback's tendency to panic. If you do that, you'll usually end up on the right side of the scoreboard. Focus on the Texans, Ravens, or Patriots if you have them, but don't be afraid to pull the trigger on a streamer like the Falcons or Bears if the matchup is too good to pass up.