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Exports omit players projected for zero — anyone out, on reserve or on bye.

How accurate are they?Week 1 results How these are built

Week 1 Defense Rankings

32 defenses ranked · PPR scoring · Updated Sep 7, 2026, 8:27 AM EDT

Past week — Week 7 is current.

Week 1 baseline. No 2026 games have been played yet, so these rankings are built from current depth charts, last season's usage, and Vegas Week 1 totals — not from observed play. They are replaced by the full usage model once Week 1 is complete.

Jacksonville Defense is the number one fantasy defense in Week 1 at home against CLE, an offense implied for 16.5 points, projected for 8.9 points. 5 defenses project above six points this week, and everything below that line is a coin flip you should be streaming rather than rostering. The best streaming option outside the top eight is Carolina Defense at DST9 vs CHI (24.8 implied) at 5.5 projected points — the matchup, not the unit, is doing the work.

Scored against what actually happened. Each player is graded against the last board published before his own game kicked off. how this works

RankPlayerProjVerdictActualResult

Tier 1

DST1

Jacksonville Defense

vs CLE

vs CLE · 16.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

CLE is implied for just 16.5, heavy sack and turnover production.

8.9Projstart11.0DST3+2

Tier 2

DST2

Atlanta Defense

@ PIT

@ PIT · 23.0 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

PIT implied for 23.0, heavy sack and turnover production.

8.0Projstart2.0DST19+17

Tier 3

DST3

Denver Defense

@ KC

@ KC · 23.3 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

KC implied for 23.2, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

6.8Projstart3.0DST16+13

DST4

Chicago Defense

@ CAR

@ CAR · 21.8 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

CAR implied for 21.8, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

6.4Projstart2.0DST21+17

DST5

Houston Defense

vs BUF

vs BUF · 23.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

BUF implied for 23.0, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

6.1Projstart-2.0DST31+26

DST6

Las Vegas Defense

vs MIA

vs MIA · 18.5 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

MIA is implied for just 18.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

6.0Projstart11.0DST4-2

DST7

Pittsburgh Defense

vs ATL

vs ATL · 19.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

ATL implied for 19.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

5.9Projstart18.0DST1-6

DST8

Minnesota Defense

vs GB

vs GB · 22.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

GB implied for 22.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

5.9Projstart6.0DST10+2

DST9

Carolina Defense

vs CHI

vs CHI · 24.8 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

CHI implied for 24.8, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

5.5Projstream0.0DST27+18No snaps recorded

DST10

Los Angeles Chargers Defense

vs ARI

vs ARI · 18.8 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

ARI is implied for just 18.8.

5.4Projstream1.0DST26+16

DST11

Cleveland Defense

@ JAX

@ JAX · 24.0 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

JAX implied for 24.0, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

5.3Projstream0.0DST28+17No snaps recorded

DST12

Los Angeles Rams Defense

vs SF

vs SF · 22.5 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

SF implied for 22.5.

5.1Projstream2.0DST22+10

DST13

Cincinnati Defense

vs TB

vs TB · 23.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

TB implied for 23.5.

5.0Projstream4.0DST14+1

DST14

Kansas City Defense

vs DEN

vs DEN · 20.3 opponent implied · high confidence· —

DEN implied for 20.2.

4.8Projstream9.0DST5-9

DST15

Philadelphia Defense

vs WAS

vs WAS · 20.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

WAS implied for 20.0.

4.8Projsit3.0DST17+2

DST16

Baltimore Defense

@ IND

@ IND · 22.3 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

IND implied for 22.2.

4.7Projsit4.0DST13-3

DST17

New Orleans Defense

@ DET

@ DET · 28.3 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

DET is implied for 28.2, a tough draw, solid pressure and takeaway rate.

4.6Projsit0.0DST29+12No snaps recorded

DST18

Detroit Defense

vs NO

vs NO · 21.3 opponent implied · high confidence· —

NO implied for 21.2.

4.6Projsit8.0DST7-11

DST19

Washington Defense

@ PHI

@ PHI · 24.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

PHI implied for 24.5.

4.3Projsit3.0DST18-1

DST20

Seattle Defense

vs NE

vs NE · 20.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

NE implied for 20.5.

4.1Projsit13.0DST2-18

DST21

New York Giants Defense

vs DAL

vs DAL · 25.8 opponent implied · high confidence· —

DAL implied for 25.8.

4.1Projsit2.0DST23+2

DST22

Miami Defense

@ LV

@ LV · 22.0 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

LV implied for 22.0.

3.8Projsit4.0DST15-7

DST23

Buffalo Defense

@ HOU

@ HOU · 21.5 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

HOU implied for 21.5.

3.8Projsit2.0DST20-3

DST24

New England Defense

@ SEA

@ SEA · 24.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

SEA implied for 24.0.

3.8Projsit6.0DST11-13

DST25

Tennessee Defense

vs NYJ

vs NYJ · 19.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

NYJ is implied for just 19.0, little big-play production.

3.6Projsit0.0DST30+5No snaps recorded

Tier 4

DST26

San Francisco Defense

@ LA

@ LA · 26.0 opponent implied · medium confidence· —

LA is implied for 26.0, a tough draw, little big-play production.

2.5Projsit6.0DST12-14

DST27

Dallas Defense

@ NYG

@ NYG · 22.8 opponent implied · high confidence· —

NYG implied for 22.8, little big-play production.

2.5Projsit1.0DST24-3

DST28

Tampa Bay Defense

@ CIN

@ CIN · 27.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

CIN is implied for 27.0, a tough draw, little big-play production.

2.1Projsit8.0DST8-20

Tier 5

DST29

Indianapolis Defense

vs BAL

vs BAL · 25.3 opponent implied · high confidence· —

BAL implied for 25.2, little big-play production.

1.5Projsit-2.0DST32+3

DST30

New York Jets Defense

@ TEN

@ TEN · 20.5 opponent implied · high confidence· —

TEN implied for 20.5, little big-play production.

1.4Projsit7.0DST9-21

DST31

Green Bay Defense

@ MIN

@ MIN · 24.0 opponent implied · high confidence· —

MIN implied for 24.0, little big-play production.

1.2Projsit1.0DST25-6

DST32

Arizona Defense

@ LAC

@ LAC · 28.8 opponent implied · high confidence· —

LAC is implied for 28.8, a tough draw, little big-play production.

1.1Projsit8.0DST6-26

VerdictActualResult

Tier 1

DST1—
start
Jacksonville Defense
vs CLE
CLE is implied for just 16.5, heavy sack and turnover production.
vs CLE · 8.9 PROJ · 16.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 11.0 · DST3 +2

Tier 2

DST2—
start
Atlanta Defense
@ PIT
PIT implied for 23.0, heavy sack and turnover production.
@ PIT · 8.0 PROJ · 23.0 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 2.0 · DST19 +17

Tier 3

DST3—
start
Denver Defense
@ KC
KC implied for 23.2, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
@ KC · 6.8 PROJ · 23.3 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 3.0 · DST16 +13
DST4—
start
Chicago Defense
@ CAR
CAR implied for 21.8, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
@ CAR · 6.4 PROJ · 21.8 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 2.0 · DST21 +17
DST5—
start
Houston Defense
vs BUF
BUF implied for 23.0, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
vs BUF · 6.1 PROJ · 23.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual -2.0 · DST31 +26
DST6—
start
Las Vegas Defense
vs MIA
MIA is implied for just 18.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
vs MIA · 6.0 PROJ · 18.5 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 11.0 · DST4 -2
DST7—
start
Pittsburgh Defense
vs ATL
ATL implied for 19.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
vs ATL · 5.9 PROJ · 19.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 18.0 · DST1 -6
DST8—
start
Minnesota Defense
vs GB
GB implied for 22.5, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
vs GB · 5.9 PROJ · 22.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 6.0 · DST10 +2
DST9—
stream
Carolina Defense
vs CHI
CHI implied for 24.8, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
vs CHI · 5.5 PROJ · 24.8 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 0.0 · DST27 +18No snaps recorded
DST10—
stream
Los Angeles Chargers Defense
vs ARI
ARI is implied for just 18.8.
vs ARI · 5.4 PROJ · 18.8 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 1.0 · DST26 +16
DST11—
stream
Cleveland Defense
@ JAX
JAX implied for 24.0, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
@ JAX · 5.3 PROJ · 24.0 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 0.0 · DST28 +17No snaps recorded
DST12—
stream
Los Angeles Rams Defense
vs SF
SF implied for 22.5.
vs SF · 5.1 PROJ · 22.5 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 2.0 · DST22 +10
DST13—
stream
Cincinnati Defense
vs TB
TB implied for 23.5.
vs TB · 5.0 PROJ · 23.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 4.0 · DST14 +1
DST14—
stream
Kansas City Defense
vs DEN
DEN implied for 20.2.
vs DEN · 4.8 PROJ · 20.3 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 9.0 · DST5 -9
DST15—
sit
Philadelphia Defense
vs WAS
WAS implied for 20.0.
vs WAS · 4.8 PROJ · 20.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 3.0 · DST17 +2
DST16—
sit
Baltimore Defense
@ IND
IND implied for 22.2.
@ IND · 4.7 PROJ · 22.3 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 4.0 · DST13 -3
DST17—
sit
New Orleans Defense
@ DET
DET is implied for 28.2, a tough draw, solid pressure and takeaway rate.
@ DET · 4.6 PROJ · 28.3 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 0.0 · DST29 +12No snaps recorded
DST18—
sit
Detroit Defense
vs NO
NO implied for 21.2.
vs NO · 4.6 PROJ · 21.3 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 8.0 · DST7 -11
DST19—
sit
Washington Defense
@ PHI
PHI implied for 24.5.
@ PHI · 4.3 PROJ · 24.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 3.0 · DST18 -1
DST20—
sit
Seattle Defense
vs NE
NE implied for 20.5.
vs NE · 4.1 PROJ · 20.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 13.0 · DST2 -18
DST21—
sit
New York Giants Defense
vs DAL
DAL implied for 25.8.
vs DAL · 4.1 PROJ · 25.8 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 2.0 · DST23 +2
DST22—
sit
Miami Defense
@ LV
LV implied for 22.0.
@ LV · 3.8 PROJ · 22.0 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 4.0 · DST15 -7
DST23—
sit
Buffalo Defense
@ HOU
HOU implied for 21.5.
@ HOU · 3.8 PROJ · 21.5 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 2.0 · DST20 -3
DST24—
sit
New England Defense
@ SEA
SEA implied for 24.0.
@ SEA · 3.8 PROJ · 24.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 6.0 · DST11 -13
DST25—
sit
Tennessee Defense
vs NYJ
NYJ is implied for just 19.0, little big-play production.
vs NYJ · 3.6 PROJ · 19.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 0.0 · DST30 +5No snaps recorded

Tier 4

DST26—
sit
San Francisco Defense
@ LA
LA is implied for 26.0, a tough draw, little big-play production.
@ LA · 2.5 PROJ · 26.0 OPP IMP · medium confidence
Actual 6.0 · DST12 -14
DST27—
sit
Dallas Defense
@ NYG
NYG implied for 22.8, little big-play production.
@ NYG · 2.5 PROJ · 22.8 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 1.0 · DST24 -3
DST28—
sit
Tampa Bay Defense
@ CIN
CIN is implied for 27.0, a tough draw, little big-play production.
@ CIN · 2.1 PROJ · 27.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 8.0 · DST8 -20

Tier 5

DST29—
sit
Indianapolis Defense
vs BAL
BAL implied for 25.2, little big-play production.
vs BAL · 1.5 PROJ · 25.3 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual -2.0 · DST32 +3
DST30—
sit
New York Jets Defense
@ TEN
TEN implied for 20.5, little big-play production.
@ TEN · 1.4 PROJ · 20.5 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 7.0 · DST9 -21
DST31—
sit
Green Bay Defense
@ MIN
MIN implied for 24.0, little big-play production.
@ MIN · 1.2 PROJ · 24.0 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 1.0 · DST25 -6
DST32—
sit
Arizona Defense
@ LAC
LAC is implied for 28.8, a tough draw, little big-play production.
@ LAC · 1.1 PROJ · 28.8 OPP IMP · high confidence
Actual 8.0 · DST6 -26

Underlying NFL data via nflverse. Betting lines from Lee Sharpe's games file. Rankings are FantasyWeek.us originals.