Week 6 NFL Defense (DEF) Fantasy Football Rankings: Washington’s Defense Is Ready To Rebound

Week 6 Team Defense Rankings & Projection

There were some monster performances this past week and a lot of D/ST touchdowns. The Ravens were the big winners holding Joe Burrow to three points but also generated 25 fantasy points off a touchdown and sacks. The Rams were able to limit Washington despite the move to Alex Smith halfway through the game. Miami, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Dallas also posted strong scores. There are four teams on bye this week, the Chargers, Raiders, Seahawks, and Saints. Not a bad week for bye defenses given most of them have been slipping or are not usable anyway. The Week 6 schedule did shift around this week, and overall there are not a lot of defenses in good spots. With the amount of offense being put up this year, the options remain limited each week. In fact, only five teams project for over nine fantasy points this week.

Week 6 Top Options

Not a lot of changes this week as the Steelers will get the Browns. While Cleveland has put up some points of late, this Steelers defense continues to be one of the best in the business. While most of the league is getting pummeled they rank top five in yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. Pittsburgh has a ton of guys who can get to the quarterback and Baker Mayfield struggles tremendously under pressure. I doubt we see another 30+ point game from this group. Staying in the same division, Baltimore is coming off the high score of the week and will face the Eagles. While Philadelphia managed to put up 29 points against the Steelers, they still allowed five sacks and two interceptions. They have a good pass rush and secondary that will be able to duplicate similar results from the Eagles. The lack of options remains a major concern for this group and Zach Ertz hasn’t been himself either.

The New England Patriots had their Week 5 matchup pushed back a week, so they will now play the Broncos again in Week 6. I like the Patriots offense a lot last week, and the same could be said for the Broncos. However, with Cam Newton likely back I am off the Broncos defense. Denver should get Drew Lock back, but this is a Patriots defense that will be able to lock in on a young name. They might also have Stephon Gilmore back, who tested positive last week. Denver has allowed 13 sacks through four games, eight turnovers, and one defensive touchdown. Opposing defenses are averaging the most fantasy points per game against them so far this season.

After watching last week’s 49ers performance, the Rams have to be licking their chops. The 49ers played some of the worst football we have seen them play and that was with Jimmy Garoppolo back alongside some of their offensive weapons. Quarterback play has been an issue but the offensive line has been up and down throughout the season as well. Los Angeles’s defense continues to play well and Aaron Donald with Jalen Ramsey is unfair for most opposing offenses.

Streaming Options

Both streaming options are from the same game this week as Washington and New York square off in a game that oddly has divisional implications this early in the season. Both are widely available but Washington is the team I prefer the most because their defense is simply better than New York’s. The Giants have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season. Daniel Jones is a turnover machine and we saw a good example of how they can supply defenses with points even if they put up some points. They were able to get to Jones twice and forced a turnover leading to a touchdown. Washington has a far better defensive line and we saw Chase Young get back to full health as well.

As for the Giants, Washington is going through quarterbacks like pairs of socks. While I have a ton of admiration for Alex Smith returning to the field, it is obvious he is nowhere close to game ready. Given Kyle Allen and Dwayne Haskins have had zero success, this offense is just all up for blame outside of Terry McLaurin. The Giants defense has played pretty poorly for the most part, outside of the Rams game. They have some nice pieces and I like them enough to be able to use against Washington this week.

Defenses To Avoid

With all the injuries to the San Francisco 49ers defense, they are droppable for me right now. They have topped eight points just once this season and will face, the Rams, Patriots, Seahawks, Packers, and Saints before going on bye. There is not a single matchup I would start them in with that stretch of games and the defense is not going to be able to overcome the injuries to turn things around. Tampa Bay is one of the hottest defenses around this season and has produced some big games. They get the Packers this week, and this is a matchup I don’t love for any defense. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t turn the ball over and the Packers just don’t give up a ton of sacks. Davante Adams is back this week and everything is clicking in this offense right now. While the week is thin with options, I would still try and look another direction.

The Monday Night Football game between the Bills and the Chiefs is not a game I want defensive exposure to. While Buffalo is coming off a long week and the Chiefs offense struggled in the second half against Las Vegas, this should be one of those high scoring battles. Now the Chiefs have more of an upside out of the two because Josh Allen is more turnover prone, but it isn’t something I want to bank on if you have some other options. A low defensive score can certainly make or break lineups right now. The Bills will be back in play in Week 7 when they take on the Jets. Kansas City will get the Broncos and will be back in play as well.