Week 16 NFL Defense (DEF) Fantasy Football Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers Come In On Top

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.

Well Philip Rivers has really hit the end of his career, and served up another big outing. Minnesota scored 20+ this week, and the Patriots joined the party again after some down weeks with a 20 burger of their own. Tampa Bay capitalized on a weak Detroit offense, and both the Steelers and Bills put up strong games as well. The Chiefs, Packers, and Falcons are all honorable mentions. The 49ers were a let down and they might continue to be given the injuries they have. You can find our season long rankings here.

Week 16 Team Defense Rankings, Stats, Projection

Week 16 Top Options

There is no Thursday game this week, but three Saturday games are looming. The only real defensive game looks to be the Bills-Patriots for that day. It was a low scoring affair earlier this season, and I would expect much more of the same. New England’s lack of offense continues to be a major problem, and the Bills offense isn’t quite capable of beating this Patriots defense. While they are not quite projected as high as normal, but are expected to produce solid fantasy numbers. Baltimore was a little lackadaisical against the Jets at times last week, but a long week and a continued chance to lock up the AFC, they should be able to take advantage of a Browns team with little to play for. The Cardinals have allowed the 9th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season, and the most over the last five weeks. Seattle at home is in a good spot to produce.

The Saints are on the road against Tennessee with a lot to play for still. Tennessee’s offense has been solid over the second half of the season, but they are a team that still have allowed over 50 sacks on the year. New Orleans has some upside this week. Pittsburgh needs to keep winning, and a road game against the Jets is a good spot. New York is allowing the 7th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season. The Steelers have been one of the top scoring fantasy defenses this season, and are the main reason they are a wild card team at the moment. The Steelers are currently averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game, which is the most in the league. Denver has a home matchup against Detroit, who will struggle on the road with the offense in the shape they are in. Denver hasn’t been relevant as a fantasy defense for most of the year, but they are a good streaming option this week.

Fantasy Football Strategy Podcast Week 16 (Free)

Streaming Options

Seattle is about 50% owned around the industry, and will get that matchup against the Cardinals I mention above. This is a strong spot for them if you are in a more shallow league where they are like still available. The Chargers are back at home against Oakland this week, who saw their playoff chances dashed already. Los Angeles has gotten healthier on the defensive side, and they will get Oakland who have been trending downwards on the offensive side over the last few weeks. Over the last five games, they are allowing defenses to score nine fantasy points per game. As far as deeper options, the Broncos are less than 20% owned and are a strong floor play against the Lions, who don’t have much of a ground game and are dealing with a third string quarterback. It will be a tough matchup for Kenny Golladay against this secondary as well. Detroit is allowing the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in the last five weeks, and a whopping 18 sacks.

Fantasy Viable Defenses In Tough Spots

Both the Rams and 49ers are in an interesting spot, I have my doubts with San Francisco this week mainly due to the injuries. They will be missing a few defensive starters again against a Rams team that looks to have figured things out a bit. For the most part there are not a ton of good defenses in tough spots. Although the Bears are playing the Chiefs, who have allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season. Chicago has also been not a good fantasy defense of late, scoring just 17 fantasy points in the last five weeks. I want to be able to trust Dallas this week given the Eagles have struggled on offense with a lack of playmakers, but they seemed to have figured things out a bit with multiple tight end sets and the running game. Dallas has not been good defensively of late, and if you have other options, I would go that way.

Top Rest Of Season Matchups

Weeks 16, 17

Patriots: Buffalo, Miami

Bills: New England, New York Jets

Ravens: @Cleveland, Pittsburgh

Eagles:  Dallas, @New York Giants

Packers: @Minnesota, @Detroit