Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit

Early season: only 2 weeks of 2026 data so far, so these projections lean on last season's numbers. Confidence is marked on every player and improves each week.

Defenses swing hard from week to week on sacks, takeaways and touchdowns, so most leagues stream them: pick the best matchup available rather than holding one all year. Scoring is the same in every format, so the scoring switch above doesn't change these.

1Seahawks D/STD/ST · SEA@WASMUST STARTWAS expected to score only ~16, a good spot1.0
scored · proj 11.1MUST START
Recent form
13
8
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
@WASGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
SEA favored by 8.5
Game total
40.5
WAS offense
7% fewer points to defenses
Wind
13 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 11.1 points, #1 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- WAS's offense is expected to score only about 16 points, a good spot for the defense.
- SEA is favored by 8.5, so WAS may have to take risks, which is good for sacks and takeaways.
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 11.1 · High confidence · Team page →
2Panthers D/ST▲D/ST · CAR@CLEMUST STARTScored 25 last game, typical 64.0
scored · proj 9.4MUST START
Recent form
0
25
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.0 a game
This week's matchup
@CLEGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
CAR favored by 2.5
Game total
41.5
CLE offense
53% more points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 9.4 points, #2 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 25 points last game against a typical 6 (trending up).
- CLE's offense has given defenses 53% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 3 takeaways a game.
Projection 9.4 · High confidence · Team page →
3Vikings D/ST▲D/ST · MIN@TBMUST STARTScored 17 last game, typical 7.117.0
scored · proj 9.2MUST START
Recent form
8
17
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
@TBGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
MIN favored by 1.5
Game total
42.5
TB offense
13% more points to defenses
Why we say must start
- Projected 9.2 points, #3 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 17 points last game against a typical 7.1 (trending up).
- Averaging 4 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 9.2 · High confidence · Team page →
4Steelers D/STD/ST · PITvsCINMUST STARTCIN offense gives defenses 29% more points5.0
scored · proj 8.3MUST START
Recent form
18
8
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsCINGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
PIT underdogs by 3.5
Game total
42.5
CIN offense
29% more points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 8.3 points, #4 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- CIN's offense has given defenses 29% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 3.5 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 8.3 · High confidence · Team page →
5Chiefs D/ST▼D/ST · KC@MIASTARTMIA offense gives defenses 35% more points8.0
scored · proj 8.2START
Recent form
11
1
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.3 a game
This week's matchup
@MIAGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
KC favored by 10
Game total
45.5
MIA offense
35% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 8.2 points, #5 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- MIA's offense has given defenses 35% more fantasy points than the league average.
- MIA's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Concern: Scored 1 points last game against a typical 5.3 (trending down).
- Averaging 1.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 8.2 · High confidence · Team page →
6Jaguars D/ST▼D/ST · JAXvsNESTARTProjected 8.1 · #6 among defenses15.0
scored · proj 8.1START
Recent form
13
3
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsNEGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
JAX favored by 3
Game total
46.5
NE offense
1% fewer points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 8.1 points, #6 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: Scored 3 points last game against a typical 7.7 (trending down).
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 8.1 · High confidence · Team page →
7Saints D/STD/ST · NOvsLVSTARTLV offense gives defenses 64% more points1.0
scored · proj 8.1START
Recent form
2
8
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.1 a game
This week's matchup
vsLVGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
NO favored by 3.5
Game total
43.5
LV offense
64% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 8.1 points, #7 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- LV's offense has given defenses 64% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 8.1 · High confidence · Team page →
8Bills D/STD/ST · BUFvsLACSTARTLAC offense gives defenses 44% more points5.0
scored · proj 7.5START
Recent form
6
3
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.1 a game
This week's matchup
vsLACGame page →
Expected team score
~29 pts
Vegas line
BUF favored by 7
Game total
50.5
LAC offense
44% more points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say start
- Projected 7.5 points, #8 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- LAC's offense has given defenses 44% more fantasy points than the league average.
- BUF is favored by 7, so LAC may have to take risks, which is good for sacks and takeaways.
- Averaging 3.5 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 7.5 · High confidence · Team page →
9Buccaneers D/STD/ST · TBvsMINSTARTMIN offense gives defenses 43% more points5.0
scored · proj 6.9START
Recent form
8
2
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsMINGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
TB underdogs by 1.5
Game total
42.5
MIN offense
43% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.9 points, #9 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- MIN's offense has given defenses 43% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 1.5 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Team page →
10Packers D/STD/ST · GBvsATLSTARTATL offense gives defenses 64% more points-2.0
scored · proj 6.9START
Recent form
1
5
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsATLGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
GB favored by 4.5
Game total
43.5
ATL offense
64% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.9 points, #10 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- ATL's offense has given defenses 64% more fantasy points than the league average.
- ATL's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 3.5 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Team page →
11Broncos D/STD/ST · DENvsLASTARTProjected 6.6 · #11 among defenses14.0
scored · proj 6.6START
Recent form
3
8
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsLAGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
DEN favored by 1.5
Game total
43.5
LA offense
33% fewer points to defenses
Wind
10 mph
Why we say start
- Projected 6.6 points, #11 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: LA's offense has given defenses 33% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.6 · High confidence · Team page →
12Lions D/ST▼D/ST · DETvsNYJSTARTNYJ offense gives defenses 25% more points7.0
scored · proj 6.6START
Recent form
10
-2
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsNYJGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
DET favored by 7
Game total
49.5
NYJ offense
25% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.6 points, #12 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- NYJ's offense has given defenses 25% more fantasy points than the league average.
- DET is favored by 7, so NYJ may have to take risks, which is good for sacks and takeaways.
- Concern: Scored -2 points last game against a typical 5.7 (trending down).
- Averaging 3.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.6 · High confidence · Team page →
13Giants D/STD/ST · NYGvsTENFLEXTEN offense gives defenses 36% more points8.0
scored · proj 6.6FLEX
Recent form
3
4
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsTENGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
NYG favored by 2.5
Game total
37.5
TEN offense
36% more points to defenses
Wind
10 mph
Why we say flex
- Projected 6.6 points, #13 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- TEN's offense has given defenses 36% more fantasy points than the league average.
- TEN's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 0.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.6 · High confidence · Team page →
1449ers D/STD/ST · SFvsARIFLEXSF favored by 7.5, ARI may take risks1.0
scored · proj 6.6FLEX
Recent form
8
8
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.6 a game
This week's matchup
vsARIGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
SF favored by 7.5
Game total
48.5
ARI offense
9% more points to defenses
Why we say flex
- Projected 6.6 points, #14 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- SF is favored by 7.5, so ARI may have to take risks, which is good for sacks and takeaways.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.6 · High confidence · Team page →
15Rams D/STD/ST · LA@DENFLEXProjected 6.4 · #15 among defenses2.0
scored · proj 6.4FLEX
Recent form
2
11
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
@DENGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
LA underdogs by 1.5
Game total
43.5
DEN offense
23% fewer points to defenses
Wind
10 mph
Why we say flex
- Projected 6.4 points, #15 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- Concern: DEN's offense has given defenses 23% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 1 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.4 · High confidence · Team page →
16Bengals D/ST▲D/ST · CIN@PITFLEXScored 11 last game, typical 4.53.0
scored · proj 6.2FLEX
Recent form
12
11
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.5 a game
This week's matchup
@PITGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
CIN favored by 3.5
Game total
42.5
PIT offense
1% fewer points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say flex
- Projected 6.2 points, #16 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- Scored 11 points last game against a typical 4.5 (trending up).
- PIT's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 4 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.2 · High confidence · Team page →
17Patriots D/ST▲D/ST · NE@JAXBENCHJAX offense gives defenses 34% fewer points-1.0
scored · proj 6.1BENCH
Recent form
6
15
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.8 a game
This week's matchup
@JAXGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
NE underdogs by 3
Game total
46.5
JAX offense
34% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #17 among defenses this week, 0.1 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- JAX's offense has given defenses 34% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Upside: Scored 15 points last game against a typical 6.8 (trending up).
- Averaging 3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Team page →
18Eagles D/STD/ST · PHI@CHIBENCHCHI offense gives defenses 33% fewer points0.0
scored · proj 6.1BENCH
Recent form
3
3
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
@CHIGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
PHI favored by 3.5
Game total
42.5
CHI offense
33% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #18 among defenses this week, 0.1 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- CHI's offense has given defenses 33% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Upside: CHI's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 1.5 sacks and 0 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Team page →
19Raiders D/ST▲D/ST · LV@NOBENCHProjected 6.1 · 0.1 behind #1612.0
scored · proj 6.1BENCH
Recent form
13
12
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.7 a game
This week's matchup
@NOGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
LV underdogs by 3.5
Game total
43.5
NO offense
34% more points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #19 among defenses this week, 0.1 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 4.7 (trending up).
- Averaging 4 sacks and 2.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Team page →
20Browns D/STD/ST · CLEvsCARBENCHProjected 6.1 · 0.1 behind #166.0
scored · proj 6.1BENCH
Recent form
0
6
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
vsCARGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
CLE underdogs by 2.5
Game total
41.5
CAR offense
4% more points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #20 among defenses this week, 0.1 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Team page →
21Texans D/STD/ST · HOU@INDBENCHIND offense gives defenses 35% fewer points11.0
scored · proj 5.9BENCH
Recent form
-2
6
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 8.0 a game
This week's matchup
@INDGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
HOU favored by 1.5
Game total
41.5
IND offense
35% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.9 points, #21 among defenses this week, 0.3 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- IND's offense has given defenses 35% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 3.5 sacks and 0 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.9 · High confidence · Team page →
22Bears D/STD/ST · CHIvsPHIBENCHPHI offense gives defenses 26% fewer points12.0
scored · proj 5.4BENCH
Recent form
6
7
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsPHIGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
CHI underdogs by 3.5
Game total
42.5
PHI offense
26% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.4 points, #22 among defenses this week, 0.8 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- PHI's offense has given defenses 26% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.4 · High confidence · Team page →
23Titans D/STD/ST · TEN@NYGBENCHProjected 5.2 · 1.0 behind #167.0
scored · proj 5.2BENCH
Recent form
0
7
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.9 a game
This week's matchup
@NYGGame page →
Expected team score
~18 pts
Vegas line
TEN underdogs by 2.5
Game total
37.5
NYG offense
8% more points to defenses
Wind
10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.2 points, #23 among defenses this week, 1.0 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 1.5 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.2 · High confidence · Team page →
24Falcons D/ST▼D/ST · ATL@GBBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 6.76.0
scored · proj 4.4BENCH
Recent form
5
1
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
@GBGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
ATL underdogs by 4.5
Game total
43.5
GB offense
22% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 4.4 points, #24 among defenses this week, 1.8 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 6.7 (trending down).
- GB's offense has given defenses 22% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 4.4 · High confidence · Team page →
25Colts D/ST▼D/ST · INDvsHOUBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 5.64.0
scored · proj 3.8BENCH
Recent form
0
1
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.6 a game
This week's matchup
vsHOUGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
IND underdogs by 1.5
Game total
41.5
HOU offense
18% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.8 points, #25 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 5.6 (trending down).
- HOU's offense has given defenses 18% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.8 · High confidence · Team page →
26Ravens D/STD/ST · BAL@DALBENCHDAL offense gives defenses 51% fewer points4.0
scored · proj 3.1BENCH
Recent form
6
3
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.4 a game
This week's matchup
@DALGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
BAL favored by 3
Game total
53.5
DAL offense
51% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.1 points, #26 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- DAL's offense has given defenses 51% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- DAL's offense is expected to score about 25 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.1 · High confidence · Team page →
27Commanders D/ST▼D/ST · WASvsSEABENCHScored -2 last game, typical 4.811.0
scored · proj 1.9BENCH
Recent form
3
-2
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsSEAGame page →
Expected team score
~16 pts
Vegas line
WAS underdogs by 8.5
Game total
40.5
SEA offense
26% fewer points to defenses
Wind
13 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.9 points, #27 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- Scored -2 points last game against a typical 4.8 (trending down).
- SEA's offense has given defenses 26% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 0 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.9 · High confidence · Team page →
28Chargers D/STD/ST · LAC@BUFBENCHBUF offense gives defenses 57% fewer points14.0
scored · proj 1.8BENCH
Recent form
1
4
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 6.3 a game
This week's matchup
@BUFGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
LAC underdogs by 7
Game total
50.5
BUF offense
57% fewer points to defenses
Wind
12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.8 points, #28 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- BUF's offense has given defenses 57% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- BUF's offense is expected to score about 29 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 1.5 sacks and 0.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.8 · High confidence · Team page →
29Cardinals D/STD/ST · ARI@SFBENCHSF offense gives defenses 34% fewer points-2.0
scored · proj 1.8BENCH
Recent form
10
2
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 4.0 a game
This week's matchup
@SFGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
ARI underdogs by 7.5
Game total
48.5
SF offense
34% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.8 points, #29 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- SF's offense has given defenses 34% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- SF's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 1.5 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.8 · High confidence · Team page →
30Cowboys D/STD/ST · DALvsBALBENCHBAL expected to score ~28, a rough spot-1.0
scored · proj 1.7BENCH
Recent form
3
3
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 3.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsBALGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
DAL underdogs by 3
Game total
53.5
BAL offense
14% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.7 points, #30 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- BAL's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 1 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.7 · High confidence · Team page →
31Dolphins D/ST▼D/ST · MIAvsKCBENCHScored -4 last game, typical 5.52.0
scored · proj 1.7BENCH
Recent form
4
-4
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 5.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsKCGame page →
Expected team score
~18 pts
Vegas line
MIA underdogs by 10
Game total
45.5
KC offense
13% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.7 points, #31 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- Scored -4 points last game against a typical 5.5 (trending down).
- KC's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 0 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.7 · High confidence · Team page →
32Jets D/STD/ST · NYJ@DETBENCHDET offense gives defenses 38% fewer points1.0
scored · proj 1.2BENCH
Recent form
9
6
W1W2
Dashed line: the usual 3.4 a game
This week's matchup
@DETGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NYJ underdogs by 7
Game total
49.5
DET offense
38% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.2 points, #32 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- DET's offense has given defenses 38% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- DET's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.2 · High confidence · Team page →

How we rank

Each player starts from how he scored per game last season, then we shift toward this season's games as they pile up (a few games in, this season counts as much as last). That gives a base rate for the format you picked.

We then adjust for this week's game: how many points the opponent has allowed to that position compared with the league average, how many points Vegas expects the team to score, wind for passing games, and the injury report. Players ruled out are marked Out. Doubtful and questionable players are discounted, and their confidence drops.

The verdict comes from where he ranks at his position. "Must start" and "Start" are the players you should be starting in a typical 12-team league, "Flex" is a fair depth play, and "Bench" means look elsewhere. The range is the middle half of likely outcomes, so about half of his scores should land inside it. Running backs, receivers and tight ends swing more than quarterbacks. Our scorecard checks all of this against what really happened.

Projections are estimates, not guarantees. Player stats from nflverse (CC-BY 4.0), betting lines from the NFL schedule data, injuries from ESPN's public injury report. Kicker and defense stats come from the same source and scoring is the common default.