Week 9 Top 9 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

The 2020 fantasy football season is quickly approaching which means it’s time to get a start on your research. We have you covered with our fantasy football rankings as well as projections for the upcoming season. If you are interested in the defensive side of the ball we have you covered there as well. Leave no stone unturned and check out everything we have to offer.

The top three fantasy teams are continuing to solidify as the season progresses. Like always, the Patriots, Panthers, and 49ers are the most productive defense in the NFL due to their ability to accumulate turnovers and sacks while limiting teams to a low point total. Something worth noticing is that the Bears have fallen out of the top nine fantasy defenses in terms of overall fantasy point production. However, due to bye weeks and matchups that more productive defenses are going against, Chicago still qualifies as a defense worth starting in week nine. There are not many excellent fantasy options in week nine, but that shouldn’t stop you from maximizing your fantasy options at the defensive position. I will discuss my top nine defenses for this week, analyzing the offense they will be facing and giving some insight about what to expect as an outcome.
Week 9 Top 9 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

New England Patriots

Opponent: Baltimore Ravens
At this point, the Patriots will always be a must-start in fantasy. For the third consecutive week, the Patriots finished as the highest-scoring defensive unit, according to Yahoo Fantasy Football. The Patriots have 71 more fantasy points than the next closest group, and lead the league in terms of interceptions, sacks and points allowed. Baltimore will mark the first time since week one that the Patriots will compete against a top ten offense. Still, their ability to cover receivers tightly and force turnovers will allow them to handle the Ravens soundly.

San Francisco 49ers

Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Like the Patriots, the 49ers are one of the few defenses that are a must-start regardless of matchup. The Niners allow the fewest amount of passing yards a game and are currently top five amongst sack totals due to their stellar play of rookie DE, Nick Bosa. According to Yahoo Fantasy, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has the eighth-lowest passer rating in the NFL. Kyler will struggle against a formidable Niners defense that is allowing the second-lowest passer rating in the league.

Buffalo Bills

Opponent: Washington Redskins
The Buffalo Bills have an extremely favorable matchup against the dysfunctional Redskins. According to Yahoo, Washington has thrown for the second least passing yards per game while the Bills have third-fewest passing yards against opposing offenses. Furthermore, the Redskins carousel of quarterbacks has thrown the fifth-most interceptions in the NFL, which gives the Bills secondary a great chance to feast in week nine. Regardless of whether Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, or Colt McCoy get the majority of snaps this Sunday, the Bills will be domineering in week nine.

Carolina Panthers

Opponent: Tennessee Titans
Despite giving up a whopping 51 points against the Niners last week, the Panthers‘ defense is still a top three in the NFL. They are currently second in the league at sacking the QB, forcing interceptions and first in terms of forcing safeties. The Panthers are allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards a game, which is excellent news considering Titans quarterback, Ryan Tannehill has only thrown for 200+ yards three times in his last eleven starts dating back to 2018. Week nine gives the Panthers a great opportunity to have a bounce-back performance.

Seattle Seahawks

Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Seattle Seahawks defense is a reliable option in week nine against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Seahawks are currently generating the tenth most interceptions in the league, and are likely to climb that list against Bucs QB, Jameis Winston, who is tied for the most interceptions in the NFL. Even more enticing, Jameis is tied for the second most fumbles amongst signal-callers in the NFL, which is magnificent for an opportunistic Seahawks defense that is third best at recovering fumbles.

New York Jets

Opponent: Miami Dolphins
The Jets are in for a great matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are currently tied with the Browns and Buccaneers for the most interceptions in the league this season. Miami is also struggling to throw the ball through the air or on the ground, as they are a bottom-three team in terms of passing and rushing yards per game. The Jets defense excels at creating defensive touchdowns, as they are tied for second in the NFL in that category.

Dallas Cowboys

Opponent: New York Giants
As an Eagles fan, it is incredibly challenging to give Dallas credit for anything, but they are certainly a reliable and safe fantasy option in week nine against the Giants. According to Yahoo, Giants QB, Daniel Jones struggles immensely against pressure, turning the ball over on 9% of plays in which he’s pressured. Jones is going to flounder against an aggressive Cowboys defense that pressures QBs on nearly 17% of passing plays. Dallas is a top-five unit in terms of limiting opponent point totals, and they will continue their defensive success on Sunday.

Chicago Bears

Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
After being the NFL’s scariest defense in 2018, the Bears have witnessed a significant regression in 2019. Nevertheless, Chicago is still a stout, top ten defense, especially when it comes to limiting opponent point totals. The Bears have only allowed 20+ points in two games this year and have a somewhat favorable contest against the Eagles. Eagles QB, Carson Wentz, has struggled against tough defenses, like Chicago’s, throwing for less than 200 yards in four of his last five games. The Bears are a quality fantasy choice in week nine.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
The Steelers have seen a drastic drop on this list due to their performance against the Dolphins. While they were able to score an impressive 13 fantasy points on Sunday, they allowed two touchdowns by Dolphins QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, which is dreadful considering Miami is actively trying to lose games. However, they stay on this list due to their ability to force fumbles and the Colts’ inability to create plays of 20+ yards (fifth-lowest in the NFL).