Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit

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.

On bye: CAR, KC

1Texans D/STD/ST · HOU@TENMUST STARTTEN offense gives defenses 36% more points10.3
6–14 rangeMUST START
Recent form
-2
6
11
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.0 a game
This week's matchup
@TENGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
HOU favored by 6.5
Game total
39.5
TEN offense
36% more points to defenses
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.3 points, #1 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- TEN's offense has given defenses 36% more fantasy points than the league average.
- TEN's offense is expected to score only about 17 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 3.7 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 10.3 · High confidence · Team page →
2Broncos D/ST▲D/ST · DEN@LACMUST STARTLAC offense gives defenses 39% more points10.2
6–14 rangeMUST START
Recent form
3
8
14
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.9 a game
This week's matchup
@LACGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
DEN favored by 2.5
Game total
43.5
LAC offense
39% more points to defenses
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.2 points, #2 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- LAC's offense has given defenses 39% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Scored 14 points last game against a typical 7.9 (trending up).
- Averaging 2.7 sacks and 1.3 takeaways a game.
Projection 10.2 · High confidence · Team page →
3Vikings D/ST▲D/ST · MIN@NOMUST STARTScored 17 last game, typical 7.110.2
6–14 rangeMUST START
Recent form
8
17
17
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
@NOGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
MIN favored by 2.5
Game total
44.5
NO offense
40% more points to defenses
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.2 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).
- NO's offense has given defenses 40% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 4.7 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 10.2 · High confidence · Team page →
4Patriots D/ST▼D/ST · NEvsLVMUST STARTLV offense gives defenses 51% more points9.0
5–13 rangeMUST START
Recent form
6
15
-1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsLVGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
NE favored by 3.5
Game total
44.5
LV offense
51% more points to defenses
Why we say must start
- Projected 9.0 points, #4 among defenses this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- LV's offense has given defenses 51% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Concern: Scored -1 points last game against a typical 6.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 9.0 · High confidence · Team page →
5Jaguars D/ST▲D/ST · JAXvsPHISTARTScored 15 last game, typical 7.78.7
4–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
13
3
15
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsPHIGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
JAX favored by 3
Game total
44.5
PHI offense
14% fewer points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 8.7 points, #5 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Scored 15 points last game against a typical 7.7 (trending up).
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 8.7 · High confidence · Team page →
6Bengals D/STD/ST · CIN@MIASTARTMIA offense gives defenses 35% more points7.9
4–11 rangeSTART
Recent form
12
11
3
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.5 a game
This week's matchup
@MIAGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
CIN favored by 8.5
Game total
46.5
MIA offense
35% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 7.9 points, #6 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 19 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 3.3 sacks and 1.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 7.9 · High confidence · Team page →
7Browns D/STD/ST · CLE@NYJSTARTNYJ offense gives defenses 24% more points7.7
3–11 rangeSTART
Recent form
0
6
6
9
W1W2W3W4
Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
@NYJGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
CLE underdogs by 1.5
Game total
40.5
NYJ offense
24% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 7.7 points, #7 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- NYJ's offense has given defenses 24% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 7.7 · High confidence · Team page →
8Steelers D/STD/ST · PITvsINDSTARTProjected 6.8 · #8 among defenses6.8
3–10 rangeSTART
Recent form
18
8
5
6
W1W2W3W4
Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsINDGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
PIT favored by 1.5
Game total
44.5
IND offense
24% fewer points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.8 points, #8 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: IND's offense has given defenses 24% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.5 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.8 · High confidence · Team page →
9Seahawks D/ST▼D/ST · SEAvsSFSTARTProjected 6.7 · #9 among defenses6.7
2–10 rangeSTART
Recent form
13
8
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsSFGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
SEA favored by 3
Game total
47.5
SF offense
43% fewer points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.7 points, #9 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: SF's offense has given defenses 43% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 1.3 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.7 · High confidence · Team page →
10Ravens D/STD/ST · BAL@ATLSTARTATL offense gives defenses 46% more points6.7
2–10 rangeSTART
Recent form
6
3
4
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 5.4 a game
This week's matchup
@ATLGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
BAL favored by 6
Game total
49.5
ATL offense
46% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.7 points, #10 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- ATL's offense has given defenses 46% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.7 · High confidence · Team page →
11Bears D/ST▲D/ST · CHI@GBSTARTScored 12 last game, typical 6.56.3
2–10 rangeSTART
Recent form
6
7
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.5 a game
This week's matchup
@GBGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
CHI underdogs by 2.5
Game total
45.5
GB offense
20% fewer points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.3 points, #11 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Scored 12 points last game against a typical 6.5 (trending up).
- Concern: GB's offense has given defenses 20% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.3 · High confidence · Team page →
12Saints D/ST▼D/ST · NOvsMINSTARTMIN offense gives defenses 37% more points6.0
2–10 rangeSTART
Recent form
2
8
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.1 a game
This week's matchup
vsMINGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NO underdogs by 2.5
Game total
44.5
MIN offense
37% more points to defenses
Why we say start
- Projected 6.0 points, #12 among defenses this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- MIN's offense has given defenses 37% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Concern: Scored 1 points last game against a typical 6.1 (trending down).
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 6.0 · High confidence · Team page →
13Jets D/STD/ST · NYJvsCLEFLEXCLE offense gives defenses 41% more points5.9
2–9 rangeFLEX
Recent form
9
6
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 3.4 a game
This week's matchup
vsCLEGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NYJ favored by 1.5
Game total
40.5
CLE offense
41% more points to defenses
Why we say flex
- Projected 5.9 points, #13 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- CLE's offense has given defenses 41% more fantasy points than the league average.
- CLE's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, a good spot for the defense.
- Averaging 2.7 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.9 · High confidence · Team page →
14Chargers D/ST▲D/ST · LACvsDENFLEXScored 14 last game, typical 6.35.6
1–9 rangeFLEX
Recent form
1
4
14
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.3 a game
This week's matchup
vsDENGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
LAC underdogs by 2.5
Game total
43.5
DEN offense
27% fewer points to defenses
Why we say flex
- Projected 5.6 points, #14 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- Scored 14 points last game against a typical 6.3 (trending up).
- Concern: DEN's offense has given defenses 27% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 2 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.6 · High confidence · Team page →
15Raiders D/ST▲D/ST · LV@NEFLEXScored 12 last game, typical 4.75.6
1–9 rangeFLEX
Recent form
13
12
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.7 a game
This week's matchup
@NEGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
LV underdogs by 3.5
Game total
44.5
NE offense
13% more points to defenses
Why we say flex
- Projected 5.6 points, #15 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- Scored 12 points last game against a typical 4.7 (trending up).
- Averaging 3.3 sacks and 3 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.6 · High confidence · Team page →
16Commanders D/ST▲D/ST · WASvsNYGFLEXScored 11 last game, typical 4.85.5
1–9 rangeFLEX
Recent form
3
-2
11
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsNYGGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
WAS favored by 2.5
Game total
43.5
NYG offense
8% more points to defenses
Why we say flex
- Projected 5.5 points, #16 among defenses this week: a flex-range play (straight starts run through #12).
- Scored 11 points last game against a typical 4.8 (trending up).
- Averaging 1.7 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.5 · High confidence · Team page →
17Cowboys D/ST▼D/ST · DALvsTBBENCHScored -1 last game, typical 3.95.2
1–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
3
3
-1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 3.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsTBGame page →
Expected team score
~29 pts
Vegas line
DAL favored by 9.5
Game total
47.5
TB offense
28% more points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.2 points, #17 among defenses this week, 0.3 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Scored -1 points last game against a typical 3.9 (trending down).
- Upside: TB's offense has given defenses 28% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 0.7 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.2 · High confidence · Team page →
18Lions D/STD/ST · DET@ARIBENCHProjected 5.1 · 0.4 behind #165.1
1–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
10
-2
7
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 5.7 a game
This week's matchup
@ARIGame page →
Expected team score
~29 pts
Vegas line
DET favored by 5.5
Game total
52.5
ARI offense
League average
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.1 points, #18 among defenses this week, 0.4 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 4 sacks and 1.3 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.1 · High confidence · Team page →
19Rams D/ST▼D/ST · LAvsBUFBENCHBUF offense gives defenses 39% fewer points5.1
1–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
2
11
2
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
vsBUFGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
LA favored by 2.5
Game total
52.5
BUF offense
39% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.1 points, #19 among defenses this week, 0.4 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- BUF's offense has given defenses 39% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Scored 2 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending down).
- Averaging 1 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 5.1 · High confidence · Team page →
20Giants D/STD/ST · NYG@WASBENCHProjected 4.2 · 1.3 behind #164.2
0–8 rangeBENCH
Recent form
3
4
8
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.5 a game
This week's matchup
@WASGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NYG underdogs by 2.5
Game total
43.5
WAS offense
14% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 4.2 points, #20 among defenses this week, 1.3 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 0.3 sacks and 1.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 4.2 · High confidence · Team page →
21Titans D/STD/ST · TENvsHOUBENCHHOU offense gives defenses 19% fewer points4.1
0–8 rangeBENCH
Recent form
0
7
7
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsHOUGame page →
Expected team score
~17 pts
Vegas line
TEN underdogs by 6.5
Game total
39.5
HOU offense
19% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 4.1 points, #21 among defenses this week, 1.4 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- HOU's offense has given defenses 19% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 4.1 · High confidence · Team page →
22Colts D/STD/ST · IND@PITBENCHProjected 4.0 · 1.5 behind #164.0
0–8 rangeBENCH
Recent form
0
1
4
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 5.6 a game
This week's matchup
@PITGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
IND underdogs by 1.5
Game total
44.5
PIT offense
League average
Why we say bench
- Projected 4.0 points, #22 among defenses this week, 1.5 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 0.3 takeaways a game.
Projection 4.0 · High confidence · Team page →
23Eagles D/ST▼D/ST · PHI@JAXBENCHScored 0 last game, typical 7.53.7
0–7 rangeBENCH
Recent form
3
3
0
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
@JAXGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
PHI underdogs by 3
Game total
44.5
JAX offense
42% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.7 points, #23 among defenses this week, 1.8 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- Scored 0 points last game against a typical 7.5 (trending down).
- JAX's offense has given defenses 42% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 1 sacks and 0 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.7 · High confidence · Team page →
2449ers D/STD/ST · SF@SEABENCHSEA offense gives defenses 16% fewer points3.5
0–7 rangeBENCH
Recent form
8
8
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.6 a game
This week's matchup
@SEAGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
SF underdogs by 3
Game total
47.5
SEA offense
16% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.5 points, #24 among defenses this week, 2.0 points behind #16, the last one we'd start.
- SEA's offense has given defenses 16% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- SEA's offense is expected to score about 25 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.5 · High confidence · Team page →
25Bills D/STD/ST · BUF@LABENCHLA offense gives defenses 18% fewer points3.5
0–7 rangeBENCH
Recent form
6
3
5
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.1 a game
This week's matchup
@LAGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
BUF underdogs by 2.5
Game total
52.5
LA offense
18% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.5 points, #25 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- LA's offense has given defenses 18% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- LA's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 3 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.5 · High confidence · Team page →
26Falcons D/STD/ST · ATLvsBALBENCHBAL offense gives defenses 24% fewer points3.3
0–7 rangeBENCH
Recent form
5
1
6
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsBALGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
ATL underdogs by 6
Game total
49.5
BAL offense
24% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 3.3 points, #26 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- BAL's offense has given defenses 24% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- BAL's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 1.7 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 3.3 · High confidence · Team page →
27Packers D/ST▼D/ST · GBvsCHIBENCHScored -2 last game, typical 4.92.8
0–6 rangeBENCH
Recent form
1
5
-2
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsCHIGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
GB favored by 2.5
Game total
45.5
CHI offense
39% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 2.8 points, #27 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- Scored -2 points last game against a typical 4.9 (trending down).
- CHI's offense has given defenses 39% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 2.3 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 2.8 · High confidence · Team page →
28Dolphins D/STD/ST · MIAvsCINBENCHCIN expected to score ~28, a rough spot2.5
0–6 rangeBENCH
Recent form
4
-4
2
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 5.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsCINGame page →
Expected team score
~19 pts
Vegas line
MIA underdogs by 8.5
Game total
46.5
CIN offense
25% more points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 2.5 points, #28 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- CIN's offense is expected to score about 28 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Upside: CIN's offense has given defenses 25% more fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 0 sacks and 1 takeaways a game.
Projection 2.5 · High confidence · Team page →
29Buccaneers D/STD/ST · TB@DALBENCHDAL offense gives defenses 49% fewer points1.8
0–5 rangeBENCH
Recent form
8
2
5
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 5.8 a game
This week's matchup
@DALGame page →
Expected team score
~19 pts
Vegas line
TB underdogs by 9.5
Game total
47.5
DAL offense
49% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 1.8 points, #29 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- DAL's offense has given defenses 49% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- DAL's offense is expected to score about 29 points, a rough spot for the defense.
- Averaging 2 sacks and 0.7 takeaways a game.
Projection 1.8 · High confidence · Team page →
30Cardinals D/ST▼D/ST · ARIvsDETBENCHScored -2 last game, typical 40.5
0–4 rangeBENCH
Recent form
10
2
-2
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 4.0 a game
This week's matchup
vsDETGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
ARI underdogs by 5.5
Game total
52.5
DET offense
42% fewer points to defenses
Why we say bench
- Projected 0.5 points, #30 among defenses this week, outside the top 16.
- Scored -2 points last game against a typical 4 (trending down).
- DET's offense has given defenses 42% fewer fantasy points than the league average.
- Averaging 1.3 sacks and 1.3 takeaways a game.
Projection 0.5 · 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.