Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 9, 10, 11, 12) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 9, 10, 11, and 12 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. If you like to stream defenses weeks in advance or are looking for a defense to pick up and play this week, you have come to the right place. 

This article will look at the best defenses to start in Week 9 and beyond. Some of the defenses on this list can only be used this week, while others can be used for multiple weeks.

So here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 9 through Week 12. If you want only specific Week 9 D/ST fantasy football rankings, be sure to check that link out.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 9-12

When looking at which defenses to target on waivers, fantasy managers should be trying to identify which defenses have the best upcoming schedule. If you can pick up a defense that has multiple nice matchups in a row, it makes streaming defenses a whole lot easier.

Targeting defenses that are also playing the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants will continue to work wonders for fantasy managers. Opposing defenses facing those offenses are averaging over 10.5 fantasy points per game. Even the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots are good offenses to target when looking to stream a defense.

Each defense on this list will be broken down into four categories (temporary streamer, part-time streamer, recruit streamer, and fool's gold streamer) to help you make the best decision. The description of each category can be found below, and all defenses on this list will be rostered in 50% or less of ESPN leagues. 

• “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 9
• “Part-Time” Streamer: D/ST with multiple nice matchups in a row
• “Recruit” Streamer: D/ST with an easy upcoming schedule that you pick up earlier to stash on your bench
• “Fool’s Gold” Streamer: D/ST that on paper looks like a good option but should be avoided 

Week 9 D/ST Streamers

Chicago Bears D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 9 Opponent: Arizona Cardinals (10th)
• Week 10 Opponent: New England Patriots (25th)
• ESPN Rostership: 46.7%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 23

The Chicago Bears defense should be rostered in more than 47% of ESPN leagues. It is averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game and just held the Commanders to a season-low 18 points. Now, Chicago's upcoming schedule might draw fantasy managers away from adding this defense, considering this unit has to play the Packers (twice), Lions (twice), Vikings (twice), and 49ers in seven of the final eight weeks.

However, the Bears should be picked up for next week's matchup against the Patriots. New England has allowed the second-most sacks (27) this season, and Chicago has totaled at least three sacks in five of seven games. This defense has also forced 13 takeaways while ranking second in pass-rush win rate (54%). So pick it up before the Week 10 matchup. 

Some Bears defense ranks...
Red zone - 1st
Goal to go - 2nd
Third down - 6th
Success % (via @TruMediaSports) - 1st
Defensive EPA per snap - 3rd

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) October 29, 2024

Chicago could also be used against the Cardinals in Week 9. While this isn't the best matchup for it this week, Arizona has been one of the more inconsistent offenses this season. This Kyler Murray-led offense has scored 17 points or less in four of the past six games. Given that the Bears rank fourth in points allowed per game (17), they are a top-12 play this weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 9 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (31st)
• ESPN Rostership: 38.9%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.5

If you need a defense for this week, the Bengals are the best play of Week 9. Opposing defenses are averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game against the Raiders offense, and Gardner Minshew II has surely had his struggles through the air this year. Minshew has thrown eight interceptions across his seven games this season, including five across the last three contests.

As a result, this defense is a strong play this week. Las Vegas has allowed the fourth-most sacks (25), and the Bengals have totaled six sacks while forcing three turnovers across the last three games. After this game, Cincinnati doesn't have another solid matchup for a couple of weeks. However, it does play the Titans (Week 15) in the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. So keep an eye on it over the next few games.

Miami Dolphins D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 9 Opponent: Buffalo Bills (3rd)
• ESPN Rostership: 28.2%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

You aren't picking up the Dolphins to play them in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills. But if you have the next two weeks figured out and have an extra bench spot, Miami should be picked up in most leagues. This defense will go up against the Raiders and Patriots in Week 11 and Week 12, respectively, two offenses that have had their troubles protecting the quarterback this season.

The Dolphins have had their problems getting to the quarterback this season and haven't totaled a sack in back-to-back games. However, they do rank 12th in pass-rush win rate (44%) and have some solid players in the secondary (Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland). As a result, they'll have a high fantasy floor in both Week 11 and Week 12 against two bottom offenses.

Buffalo Bills D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 9 Opponent: Miami Dolphins (28th)
• ESPN Rostership: 46.9%
• Over-Under: 49.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 21.5

The Bills have been a reliable defensive option this year and are currently averaging nine fantasy points per game. While they have some tougher opponents coming up, Buffalo's defense could still be a solid play over the next two weeks. This defense will go up against the Dolphins in Week 9 and the Colts in Week 10.

Despite Miami looking great with Tua Tagovailoa last week, the Pro Bowl quarterback has had his fair share of problems against this Bills defense in his career. Over his past three meetings against them, Tagovailoa has thrown six interceptions, and the offense averaged only 14.7 points per game. Buffalo's defense also scored over 10 fantasy points in all three of those contests.

Given the way the Bills have played defensively in recent weeks, they are a top-12 play against the Dolphins this week. This unit can also be used next week against the Colts. Even though Joe Flacco will likely be starting, Buffalo could still be a solid option. In Flacco's two starts this year, he has turned over the ball twice while being sacked four times.

New Orleans Saints D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 9 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (25th)
• ESPN Rostership: 38.5%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.75

Through the first four weeks, the Saints defense looked like a set-it-and-forget-it option. It held the Cowboys, Eagles, and Falcons to under 20 points while also scoring 15 fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 1. Things, though, have changed for this unit, as New Orleans has allowed 124 points while totaling only six sacks over the last four games. 

However, given this team's upcoming schedule, it should be picked up in some leagues. The Saints will play the Panthers in Week 9, the Browns in Week 11, and the Giants in Week 14. If Bryce Young starts for Carolina this weekend, New Orleans' defense will be a top-7 play this weekend.

They could also be used in two weeks against the Browns. Despite Cleveland's offense looking solid last week against the Ravens, this is still an offensive line that has allowed the most sacks (37) this season. With the Saints also ranking tied for seventh in takeaways (13), this unit will have a solid fantasy floor in Week 11.

Recruit Streamers

If you have Week 9 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 10:

• Los Angeles Chargers (60.8% rostership)- Week 10 opponent: 32nd-ranked Titans
• New York Giants (4.6% rostership)- Week 10 opponent: 25th-ranked Panthers

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. Denver Broncos

• Week 9 Opponent: Denver Broncos (17th)
• ESPN Rostership: 78.5%

On paper, this might seem like a great matchup for the Ravens. However, Baltimore should not be started in most cases in Week 9 against a much improved Broncos offense. Opposing defenses are averaging only 6.5 fantasy points per game against that offense this year, and Denver's offensive line ranks toward the top of the league in several categories. 

Three minutes of @KurtBenkert showing the Ravens' "unsound" defense that is repeatedly "out of alignment" or "out of position" because of failed pre-snap disguises.

"The Ravens defense has some serious question marks, and it's not even so much talent. It's scheme. ...

"The… pic.twitter.com/OSDKz2hiJw

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) October 28, 2024

Bo Nix has also played much better in recent weeks. Nix has thrown just one interception over the last six games, and Baltimore's secondary will enter this game banged up. Marlon Humphrey (knee) didn't play in last week's loss and could miss this weekend's game as well. Given that this defense has given up at least 29 points in three of the past four games, the Ravens are a riskier option in Week 9 against the Broncos.

D/ST Streaming Action Plan

Planning out your fantasy D/ST might require some work, but it might be necessary to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams over the next four weeks. 

• Week 9: Stream the Bengals versus the 31st-ranked Raiders
• Week 10: Stream the Bears versus the 25th-ranked Patriots
• Week 11: Stream the Dolphins versus the 31st-ranked Raiders
• Week 12: Stream the Texans versus the 32nd-ranked Titans

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