2025 Team Defense & Defense by Committee Thread (4 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

2024 NFL Defensive Backs - Lowest Passer Rating Allowed when nearest defender - min 20 targets

• 20.5 Kerby Joseph DET (leads league with 7 INT)
• 37.4 Brian Branch DET (4 INT t3rd)
• 47.2 Reed Blankenship PHI
• 49.2 Josh Jobe SEA
• 50.2 Patrick Surtain II DEN
• 53.1 Jaylon Johnson CHI
• 55.6 Nate Wiggins BAL

 

[FarFromHome]

2024 NFL Defensive Backs - Lowest Passer Rating Allowed when nearest defender - min 20 targets

• 20.5 Kerby Joseph DET (leads league with 7 INT)
• 37.4 Brian Branch DET (4 INT t3rd)
• 47.2 Reed Blankenship PHI
• 49.2 Josh Jobe SEA
• 50.2 Patrick Surtain II DEN
• 53.1 Jaylon Johnson CHI
• 55.6 Nate Wiggins BAL

Damn. Maybe i won't spot start Richardson this week.

 

[Faust]

The Cowboys' tough transition from Quinn to Zimmer as DC

 

[The Dude]

Got bucs off waivers due to their easy ros schedule but truth is they are not a good defense for fantasy,

Hold or drop ?

 

[Insein]

Running with Cleveland tonight. Hoping the weather and rivalry keeps the score low and maybe some turnovers.

 

[BearsFan4Life]

Got bucs off waivers due to their easy ros schedule but truth is they are not a good defense for fantasy,

Hold or drop ?

I did as well to fill Jets bye week. I am starting this week and think they are a hold, but will see once this weekend is over.

 

[urbanhack]

Running with Cleveland tonight. Hoping the weather and rivalry keeps the score low and maybe some turnovers.

same

 

[Runkle]

Got bucs off waivers due to their easy ros schedule but truth is they are not a good defense for fantasy,

Hold or drop ?

They're getting key pieces of the defense back. They're getting Mike Evans back to give the offense a boost. They're facing Tommy Cutlets who takes sacks. Why not hold?

 

[Runkle]

I'm looking at the Buc's DST schedule. They did poorly in many games this year... against Washington, Detroit, Denver, Atlanta, Baltimore, Kansas City, and San Francisco. Those are all currently playoff teams. They did fine against a weakened New Orleans and even Philly. In context they're worth a gamble.

Personally there's nothing else on my waiver wire... 21 defenses are rostered. They look well above any other choices this week and going forward.

 

[Ray Barboni]

I'm looking at the Buc's DST schedule. They did poorly in many games this year... against Washington, Detroit, Denver, Atlanta, Baltimore, Kansas City, and San Francisco. Those are all currently playoff teams. They did fine against a weakened New Orleans and even Philly. In context they're worth a gamble.

Personally there's nothing else on my waiver wire... 21 defenses are rostered. They look well above any other choices this week and going forward.

Adding Tampa D to supplement my Denver D’s week 14 bye.

Arizona also has a very sneaky nice late season schedule. Something to look at.

 

[Insein]

So far so good for Cleveland.

 

[DirtyCashDylan]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

 

[jobarules]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

 

[Pietaster2]

GB with Purdy out?

 

[the spanker]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

ARI/Sea game is never a slam dunk rather go with Cincy schedule but trying to decide between Bengals and Bucs ROS.

Any opinion who's the the better option?

 

[jobarules]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

ARI/Sea game is never a slam dunk rather go with Cincy schedule but trying to decide between Bengals and Bucs ROS.

Any opinion who's the the better option?

Geno smith leads league in ints and Seattle are 4 easiest team against defenses in my league.

 

[FarFromHome]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

ARI/Sea game is never a slam dunk rather go with Cincy schedule but trying to decide between Bengals and Bucs ROS.

Any opinion who's the the better option?

Geno smith leads league in ints and Seattle are 4 easiest team against defenses in my league.

To be fair Geno is tied for the lead in interceptions with Mahomes and Love. Add in Love has played 2 less games and Geno has more passing yards then both. Heck, Geno is 4th in the league in passing yards, on pace for 4600 yards. So although he is throwing picks the dude is gaining yards. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you I'm just adding a little context..

 

[Faust]

Falcons' pass rush threatens promising season

Falcons Defensive Fix? As Simple as 'Overall Execution'

 

[Faust]

Packers get a boost from second-year DE Brenton Cox Jr.

With 49ers Up Next, Packers’ Defense Shows Signs of Trouble

 

[Krilons Resa]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

ARI/Sea game is never a slam dunk rather go with Cincy schedule but trying to decide between Bengals and Bucs ROS.

Any opinion who's the the better option?

Geno smith leads league in ints and Seattle are 4 easiest team against defenses in my league.

To be fair Geno is tied for the lead in interceptions with Mahomes and Love. Add in Love has played 2 less games and Geno has more passing yards then both. Heck, Geno is 4th in the league in passing yards, on pace for 4600 yards. So although he is throwing picks the dude is gaining yards. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you I'm just adding a little context..

He's also 4th in the league in sacks taken but ARI is at the bottom of the league in pressure rate. I've been torn between ARI and MIA but went with ARI due to the coinflip nature (imo) and ARI's upcoming schedule/other available DEF in my league.

However, someone just dropped PHI in said league and now my head is spinning on how to fit them onto my team come next week without playing them (vs BAL).

 

[FarFromHome]

Looking ahead, I snagged Ten Def for the schedule but they're currently 30th in scoring. Oof. but the final 4 weeks they go:
JAX
CIN
@IND
@Jax
That's pretty juicy imo.

Someone just dropped SD and they've been great but they finish
@KC
TB
DEN
@NE

You want juicy, everybody keeps mentioning TB schedule but nobody is mentioning Cincy or Arizona.

Cincy has Dal, Ten, and Cle weeks 14-16

Arizona has sea, ne, car weeks 14-16

ARI/Sea game is never a slam dunk rather go with Cincy schedule but trying to decide between Bengals and Bucs ROS.

Any opinion who's the the better option?

Geno smith leads league in ints and Seattle are 4 easiest team against defenses in my league.

To be fair Geno is tied for the lead in interceptions with Mahomes and Love. Add in Love has played 2 less games and Geno has more passing yards then both. Heck, Geno is 4th in the league in passing yards, on pace for 4600 yards. So although he is throwing picks the dude is gaining yards. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you I'm just adding a little context..

He's also 4th in the league in sacks taken but ARI is at the bottom of the league in pressure rate. I've been torn between ARI and MIA but went with ARI due to the coinflip nature (imo) and ARI's upcoming schedule/other available DEF in my league.

However, someone just dropped PHI in said league and now my head is spinning on how to fit them onto my team come next week without playing them (vs BAL).

Its my favorite time of year. Its when we look at bad defenses and force them to make sense. Ha ha. Tampa is horrible. I forced them to make sense. It makes so much sense.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Packers get a boost from second-year DE Brenton Cox Jr.

With 49ers Up Next, Packers’ Defense Shows Signs of Trouble

What are we even doing? Brenton Cox was a UDFA who has 24 career defensive snaps in two years.

I did get a kick out of the (stale) second article, because the writer was so flummoxed by the Packers D v the Bears he could no longer write coherent sentences.

After falling flat against the feeble Bears on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers’ defense had been crank it up a notch for the stretch run.

 

[Mitchie]

Can't find the post but someone warned to stay away from KC, I wish I listened, they blow.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Bucs did OKish

Cowboys, Seahawks & Dolphins were stellar

Steelers were meh

 

[FarFromHome]

Can't find the post but someone warned to stay away from KC, I wish I listened, they blow.

Except they play the Raiders at home next week. Ha ha

 

[FarFromHome]

Bucs did OKish

4 sacks. 1 turnover. 7 pts allowed. They have been a horrible defense. Today was tremendous and they have a wonderful schedule to finish season.

 

[Runkle]

Bucs did OKish

4 sacks. 1 turnover. 7 pts allowed. They have been a horrible defense. Today was tremendous and they have a wonderful schedule to finish season.

Tho they may have just lost Whitehead for the remainder of the season in the secondary

 

[BobbyLayne]

Bucs did OKish

4 sacks. 1 turnover. 7 pts allowed. They have been a horrible defense. Today was tremendous and they have a wonderful schedule to finish season.

Unfortunately they don’t play Tommy DeVito any more...

• Panthers/Bryce Young playing well rn
• Cooper Rush looked competent today (weird game); 1 sack, 1 turnover
• Chargers are not a good start
• But yeah, how about that Raiders matchup eh? (369 yards but only 1/5 in the red zone & whoever their QB was is broken now)

I’m sure it will all work out fine. Probably no worries, you're starting them with confidence.

 

[Runkle]

I have the Bucs, wouldn't mind a second option though. Just beat the Cardinals owner and eliminated him from the playoffs, if he drops them as he finishes out the season, I'd be happy to pick them up, but, if not at least they'll be off the board for my opponents in the postseason. The only other teams on waivers are the Bengals, Jets, Titans, and Colts... might have to snag Cincy for that Dallas/Tennessee/Cleveland stretch because the other teams I don't have much confidence in at all.

 

[FarFromHome]

Bucs did OKish

4 sacks. 1 turnover. 7 pts allowed. They have been a horrible defense. Today was tremendous and they have a wonderful schedule to finish season.

Unfortunately they don’t play Tommy DeVito any more...

• Panthers/Bryce Young playing well rn
• Cooper Rush looked competent today (weird game); 1 sack, 1 turnover
• Chargers are not a good start
• But yeah, how about that Raiders matchup eh? (369 yards but only 1/5 in the red zone & whoever their QB was is broken now)

I’m sure it will all work out fine. Probably no worries, you're starting them with confidence.

Other than do you ever start a fantasy defense with confidence? Outside of kicker it's the most unpredictable position in this weird hobby we enjoy.

 

[VikingFrog]

Have Minnesota and eagles were dropped this week. Locked into a playoff spot and possibly first round bye.

Thinking about adding them this week to pair up.

That pairing would give you…

Week 13 MIN vs AZ
Week 14 PHI vs CAR
Week 15 MIN vs CHI or PHI vs PIT
Week 16 MIN @ SEA or PHI @ WAS
Week 17 PHI vs DAL

 

[Golden Gopher]

Have Minnesota and eagles were dropped this week. Locked into a playoff spot and possibly first round bye.

Thinking about adding them this week to pair up.

That pairing would give you…

Week 13 MIN vs AZ
Week 14 PHI vs CAR
Week 15 MIN vs CHI or PHI vs PIT
Week 16 MIN @ SEA or PHI @ WAS
Week 17 PHI vs DAL

I'm in a similar position, heading into the FFPC playoffs as the #1 seed with MIN as my only defense. Top four playoff in Weeks 13/14 (with waivers), followed by no waivers playoff between all leagues in Weeks 15-17. MIN's schedule in Week 13-17 isn't terrible all the way through (4 home games plus @SEA), but there are a bunch of defenses available. Trying to decide if it makes more sense to grab a second defense or just add another RB/WR option for depth (since rosters lock for those last three weeks). Maybe even a 2nd kicker, just to cover all bases.

MIN - ARI, ATL, CHI, @SEA, GB

Others available - SEA, SF, IND, NYG, NYJ, BAL, CLE, CIN, MIA, JAC, NE, TEN, ATL, LVR, CAR

 

[Golden Gopher]

Have Minnesota and eagles were dropped this week. Locked into a playoff spot and possibly first round bye.

Thinking about adding them this week to pair up.

That pairing would give you…

Week 13 MIN vs AZ
Week 14 PHI vs CAR
Week 15 MIN vs CHI or PHI vs PIT
Week 16 MIN @ SEA or PHI @ WAS
Week 17 PHI vs DAL

For what it's worth, depending on what you have to drop/give up, I would absolutely grab the PHI defense if they're out there. They are trending in a great direction, and having those two DEF's to choose from would be ideal.

 

[Insein]

Preemptively picked up Buffalo since they have SF next week. If purdy and Trent Williams are out again, it could be a smash play. If you have a droppable player, Bills can be picked up for free right now.

 

[kyoun1e]

Preemptively picked up Buffalo since they have SF next week. If purdy and Trent Williams are out again, it could be a smash play. If you have a droppable player, Bills can be picked up for free right now.

I did the same thing last night.

Also, BUF D faces NE and NYJ in weeks 16 and 17. At home (hopefully in snow/cold).

 

[Pietaster2]

Preemptively picked up Buffalo since they have SF next week. If purdy and Trent Williams are out again, it could be a smash play. If you have a droppable player, Bills can be picked up for free right now.

Thanks for this. Bye bye Gus Edwards, hello Bills DST! I’m a Bucs holder, but this is just too juicy to pass up.

 

[Doubles]

Minnesota holders staying put? I could drop for Arizona who faces Minny, Seattle again ( 11 points), NE, then CAR.

 

[Gottabesweet]

I have Baltimore for W15 (At Giants)

I’d hate to drop GB but may have to. Philly best D available. Cowboys likely best matchup for this week. I’ve clinched a playoff spot.

 

[The Dude]

Little help

Rams at NO. Rams D was rolling prior to last week
Tampa at Carolina. Buccs had a better matchup last week and underperformed; lost MLB in that game
Indy at Pats
LAC at Atlanta

 

[wilked]

Have a choice between Chiefs (Panthers) or Cowboys (Giants). Thoughts?

 

[kyoun1e]

Have a choice between Chiefs (Panthers) or Cowboys (Giants). Thoughts?

I could have picked up either this morning and grabbed Dallas. Just think there's a lot of upside against Devito and a NYGs team that looks like it's given up.

Don't understand why KC continues to be ranked so high. LV is terrible but they actually moved the ball ok in their previous meeting.

 

[irish eyes]

Have a choice between Chiefs (Panthers) or Cowboys (Giants). Thoughts?

I could have picked up either this morning and grabbed Dallas. Just think there's a lot of upside against Devito and a NYGs team that looks like it's given up.

Don't understand why KC continues to be ranked so high. LV is terrible but they actually moved the ball ok in their previous meeting.

Agree, I have had KC & GB all year and KC has done nothing.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Little help

Rams at NO. Rams D was rolling prior to last week
Tampa at Carolina. Buccs had a better matchup last week and underperformed; lost MLB in that game
Indy at Pats
LAC at Atlanta

That's a tough call, for sure

IMO ()

• LAR (ecr 21) - Rams were doing well against some not very good offenses prior to getting buzz sawed by the Eagles. But the Saints have won 2 straight, coming off a bye, at home - not giving up yet. If you overlook what PHI did to them, playing the best of your four options.
• TB (ecr 8) - people in this thread have been hyping up their schedule, but they're not a good defense. Young and the Panthers have turned things around. I like the Bucs to have a strong final third of the season and overtake ATL but it will be Baker leading them - if the defense is good enough to keep them in games.
• IND (ecr 14) - 31st in yards allowed but decent at creating turnovers (17) and they stiffen in the red zone. Only 2 games were not 1-score affairs, 20-30 v the Bills and 6-24 v Lions. Middle class D for FF but they have some talent, just shoot themselves in the foot way too much. Still not out of it if they can go on a run. Drake Maye has played well except when he's facing a good defense. Colts are hard to read, they play hard but not seeing results yet - the offense is a bit of a hot mess and puts pressure on the defense. Should be low scoring so that's a plus.
• LAC (ecr 11) - IMO this is the best IRL and FF defense you are considering. This is a rough stretch, coming off a short week, flying cross country. I think the Falcons are going to fade hard down the stretch, along with the Commanders they have a very predictable offense. I like Harbough and Minter to have their boys ready in an adverse situation, but check the practice reports.

Think my ranking would be LAC > LAR > IND > TB

YMMV, I'm just a random guy on the innerwebs

 

[BobbyLayne]

Anyone considering the Seahawks?

Were stellar vs the Cardinals last week. On the road, but the NYJ have failed to score 20 5x and gained <300 7x.

Over the last 4 Weeks, Seattle is DT5 in our format. We account for yards allowed, 3 n Outs forced, 4th down stops and TFL, in addition to all the standard scoring settings with respect to Points Allowed, FR, INT and Sacks.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Breece Hall - coming off a bye - has soreness in his knee. Interim HC is “hopeful he’ll play.”

Jets can’t go a week without drama. Think I’m gonna roll with the Seahawks.

 

[kyoun1e]

For those starting the Dallas D, looks like it could be D Lock tmrw. Not sure if that’s good or bad. One of their lineman out too.

 

[Pietaster2]

For those starting the Dallas D, looks like it could be D Lock tmrw. Not sure if that’s good or bad. One of their lineman out too.

Lock will give up fewer sacks and score more points than Devito but might have more turnovers. He’s more aggressive than Devito and will make the offense move the chains and sustain longer drives. I think the key here is that the Giants are missing a couple of tackles and that will keep the Dallas DST stay a strong play.

Have to admit that @BobbyLayne ‘s post above has me considering the Seahawks over Dallas though, now that Hall’s probably out.

 

[kyoun1e]

For those starting the Dallas D, looks like it could be D Lock tmrw. Not sure if that’s good or bad. One of their lineman out too.

Lock will give up fewer sacks and score more points than Devito but might have more turnovers. He’s more aggressive than Devito and will make the offense move the chains and sustain longer drives. I think the key here is that the Giants are missing a couple of tackles and that will keep the Dallas DST stay a strong play.

Have to admit that @BobbyLayne ‘s post above has me considering the Seahawks over Dallas though, now that Hall’s probably out.

Yeah I’m starting to lean Buffalo now…hopefully in a blizzard.

 

[VikingFrog]

I somehow am locked into playoff spots in both my leagues.

So now carrying two defenses in both after picking up Philly off the wire yesterday.

Buffalo/Philly
Minnesota/Philly

I think these two combos should be able to carry me to the promised land.

 

[Golden Gopher]

So, I did a little "analysis" of sorts, simply looking at what offenses give up the most sacks, as well as most INT's thrown. Based simply on these two things, here are a couple of teams that might be flying somewhat under the radar, in terms of defenses facing error-prone offenses. Not saying I'd bench a top defense for either one, but if you're desperate and looking for options....

JAC - HOU, @TEN, NYJ, @LV, TEN...... They face TEN twice, who is 3rd in the league in sacks allowed AND leads the league in picks thrown. On top of that, Houston is 4th in sacks allowed and T10th in INT's thrown, and LVR is 6th in sacks allowed and 2nd in INT's thrown. That's four pretty decent matchups in the next five weeks, against teams that like to throw the ball away and give up sacks. And, their 5th game (against a reeling Jets team at home) doesn't feel like a terrible matchup, either.

CIN - PIT, @DAL, @TEN, CLE, DEN..... Home game in Week 16 against CLE, who leads the league in sacks allowed (they're also T10 in INT's thrown). Road games in Weeks 14/15 against the aforementioned TEN (top three in both metrics) and DAL (top 10 in both). Home games vs PIT and DEN in the other two remaining games, neither of which seem horrible. PIT is top 10 in sacks allowed, but has only thrown 3 picks all year. DEN is bottom 10 in sacks allowed and middle of the pack in INT's.

Bottom line.... If you need a dart throw defense and can't roster more than one (or if you can and like having that second option), you could do much worse (at least on paper) than JAC and CIN.

* Obviously, every league has its own scoring system, and I would probably beware of using JAC if you get penalized for pts/yards allowed. While I think they could get their share of sacks against the upcoming few opponents, I could still see them giving up a fair amount of both points and yardage. So, keep your scoring system in mind.