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Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season continues on Sunday, and deciding which team defense (D/ST) to start is always difficult. If you didn't draft a top-tier defense and are playing the streaming game, our NFL team's Week 1 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings are here to guide you in setting the best optimal lineup.
The Bengals, Buccaneers, and Seahawks have plus matchups and are ranked in the top 10 in RotoBaller's Week 1 DST rankings. Check out where other defenses, such as the 49ers, Jets, Cowboys, Bills, and Raiders rank, among others.
Our Week 1 defense (DST) fantasy football rankings are put together by Nick Mariano, Brandon Murchison, Andersen Pickard, and Scott Engel. In addition to our staff rankings, below you will find a summary of this week's important fantasy football injury news.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 1 Defense (D/ST) Fantasy Football News
- Avoid Arizona D/ST At All Costs In Week 1
- Bears Defense Poised To Build On Last Season's Momentum Against Titans
- Giants Defense May Surprise In Week 1
- Patriots Defense Tough To Trust Amidst Matchup Questions
- Steelers D/ST In Play Against Falcons
- Browns Defense Draws Tough Week 1 Matchup
- Jalen Ramsey Questionable To Play In Week 1
- Montez Sweat Questionable For Bears Defense
- Titans Rule Out Jamal Adams For Week 1
Week 1 Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) Rankings
Rankings are updated until kick-off. Be sure to bookmark our weekly PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, Standard rankings
| D/ST Tier | D/ST Rank | D/ST Name | Position |
| 1 | 1 | Cincinnati Bengals | DST |
| 1 | 2 | Seattle Seahawks | DST |
| 1 | 3 | Chicago Bears | DST |
| 1 | 4 | New Orleans Saints | DST |
| 2 | 5 | San Francisco 49ers | DST |
| 2 | 6 | Dallas Cowboys | DST |
| 3 | 7 | Minnesota Vikings | DST |
| 3 | 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers | DST |
| 3 | 9 | Cleveland Browns | DST |
| 3 | 10 | New York Jets | DST |
| 4 | 11 | Atlanta Falcons | DST |
| 4 | 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DST |
| 4 | 13 | Houston Texans | DST |
| 4 | 14 | Los Angeles Chargers | DST |
| 4 | 15 | Buffalo Bills | DST |
| 5 | 16 | Kansas City Chiefs | DST |
| 5 | 17 | Detroit Lions | DST |
| 5 | 18 | New York Giants | DST |
| 5 | 19 | Las Vegas Raiders | DST |
| 5 | 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | DST |
| 5 | 21 | Tennessee Titans | DST |
| 6 | 22 | Denver Broncos | DST |
| 6 | 23 | Carolina Panthers | DST |
| 6 | 24 | Baltimore Ravens | DST |
| 6 | 25 | Miami Dolphins | DST |
| 6 | 26 | New England Patriots | DST |
| 6 | 27 | Green Bay Packers | DST |
| 6 | 28 | Washington Commanders | DST |
| 6 | 29 | Jacksonville Jaguars | DST |
| 6 | 30 | Indianapolis Colts | DST |
| 6 | 31 | Los Angeles Rams | DST |
| 6 | 32 | Arizona Cardinals | DST |
Week 1 Defense Outlooks for Fantasy Football
Seattle Seahawks D/ST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams will get a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix when the Denver Broncos visit Seattle in Week 1. The Seahawks' defense should be improved in 2024, especially with head coach Mike Macdonald coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle in the NFL, although Nix has more college experience than most rookie quarterbacks.
However, his first matchup is in one of the most hostile and difficult stadiums to visit in the NFL. The Seahawks D/ST will be without pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu (knee), but linebacker Jerome Baker (hamstring) seems on track to return from his absence. It is possible that the Seahawks D/ST was not drafted in your fantasy draft. If they hit waivers, they should be an automatic add-and-start for your team.
- Quincy Milton III, RotoBaller
Chicago Bears D/ST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams look to continue the upward trajectory they showed toward the end of last season against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. After acquiring defensive end Montez Sweat (toe), the Bears improved significantly, moving from 28th to 20th in points allowed, 23rd to 12th in yards allowed, and 22nd to 3rd in takeaways. Sweat has shown up on the injury report for Sunday's game as questionable, with a toe injury.
In their Week 1 matchup, Chicago faces a Titans offense featuring notable playmakers like Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd, with second-year quarterback Will Levis at the helm. Adding head coach Brian Callahan plus all the new talent new talent should benefit the Titans, but the significant scheme changes may lead to some growing pains.
If you have the Bears' defense on your roster, feel confident starting them this week. Additionally, having Velus Jones Jr. returning kicks could provide added value.
- Martin Grisko, RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense/special teams were great for fantasy purposes last season and will kick off the 2024 campaign in Atlanta against the Falcons. The Steelers allowed the eighth-fewest points in the NFL in 2023, and although the Falcons scored just under 19 points per contest, Atlanta's offense should be much improved this season with Kirk Cousins under center.
Nonetheless, Sunday will be Cousins' first game action since tearing his Achilles last October, and it may take some time for the new-look Falcons offense to find its rhythm. The Steelers boast the most expensive defense in the league and have the talent to show for it. Fantasy managers should feel confident rolling with the Steelers D/ST in their lineups this week.
- Jorden Hill, RotoBaller
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More Fantasy Football Analysis
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
