Week 14 NFL Defense (DEF) Fantasy Football Rankings: Saints Defense To Stay Hot

Week 14 Team Defense Rankings & Projection

We saw a very high scoring week for offenses, but a few defenses were able to take advantage of their matchups. Miami was one of them with a 16 point performance and while the Jags and Vikings both put up points, both defenses scored double-digit fantasy points. Indy had some timely takeaways as well. Chicago and New Orleans were pretty mediocre this week and the Raiders put up an average score despite facing the Jets. However, there are some defenses in good spots that I expect to produce, as Baltimore and Pittsburgh still have to play. Looking at Week 14 there are a lot of good matchups, but a lot of the defenses that are off the waiver wire. I do have a couple of streaming options this week that you can rely on.

Week 14 Top Options

As mentioned above the Ravens and Steelers both have games in hand as I write this article. Facing the Cowboys and Washington I expect them both to have strong weeks. Baltimore has a really nice schedule down the stretch. They get Cleveland this week and face Baker Mayfield who has generally provided their defense with big upside weeks. The plus side here is that the Ravens are getting healthier in their front seven and will be more in line to stop the Browns rushing attack which has been their go-to this season. Baltimore ranks 2nd in scoring this season among defenses and can generate a pass-rush to make Mayfield uncomfortable. I also expect the Ravens to push offensively this week with the Browns secondary in rough shape. As for the Steelers, they are the top-scoring fantasy defense and while they face a Buffalo offense that has put up numbers, the turnover and sack numbers generally cover them if they give up some points. The linebacking core took a hit with another season-ending injury but there is still a lot of talent on the field.

I love the Saints this week as they face the Eagles. There is no turning around this offense right now. It is bad from the playcalling to the production on the field. New Orleans is now a top-ten scoring defense and they have been able to get after the quarterback. Philadelphia’s offensive line is in shambles and I would expect another multi-sack game for Carson Wentz. The Rams rank high this week against a Patriots offense that is not built to put up many points. They have a nonexistent passing attack and whatever is left of it is negated against this Rams secondary. Los Angeles also ranks 7th against the run and can shut down this run-heavy Pats team. Seattle was picked up last week by many and you can use them again this week. They face the Jets at home and the Jets are allowing the 9th most fantasy points per game to defenses this season.

Streaming Options

The Chiefs (55%) take on Tua and the Dolphins this week. He remains very dependent on the defense being able to hold offenses to under 20 points to be able to play his style of game. Overall this Miami offense isn’t potent under him compared to Ryan Fitzpatrick. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a change at some point during the game once this one kicks off. The Chiefs defense has been excellent this season and are an opportunistic bunch. Miami isn’t built to play from behind with Tua and the offensive line continues to struggle. Kansas City is a great option this week. If the Buccaneers (59%) are out there we can always target them against a turnover-prone Kirk Cousins. Tampa has a tremendous run defense and that bodes well for stopping a team that heavily relies on Dalvin Cook. While the secondary will have a tough task, I still like this defense and the upside they bring against Cousins.

Arizona Cardinals (21%) are out there in 80% of leagues and face the Giants this week, who may not have Daniel Jones again and start Colt McCoy. Arizona’s defense has looked better, especially with Isaiah Simmons starting to gel with his role. New York has allowed the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. For deeper leagues, you can look at the Cowboys (9%). The Bengals are helpless and the offensive line is in shambles. While Dallas is not a good defense they have enough in the front seven to cause some pressure and should be able to keep the Bengals in a heavy pass set with their offense.

Defenses To Avoid

Not that many of these need to be said this week, but if you have carried the Eagles defense you can let them go unless you are holding onto them for final weeks. Otherwise, they get the Saints who are running an offense that makes it tough to generate fantasy points against them. You should be avoiding the next few weeks. Denver gets the Panthers this week and this is not a good spot if you were looking to stream some options, and have limited teams like Denver. Opposing defenses are only averaging 4.0 fantasy points per game against the Panthers this season. Denver has also struggled to even be a play in these middling matchups. Washington projects for an average stat line this week and I understand why given the 49ers are using a backup quarterback and the offensive line has been shaky but middle of the road defenses have not done well against them where the Saints and Rams racked up fantasy points.