Fantasy Defense rankings Week 2: Who to start, sit at D/ST in fantasy football | Sporting News (2024)

It's easy to overlook D/ST on a weekly basis, especially early in the season, but our Week 2 fantasy defense rankings are here to help with your start 'em, sit 'em decisions, especially if you're already looking for a waiver wire streamer.

The easiest part of D/ST rankings is listing the top-tier teams. Buffalo (vs. Titans) showed up and showed out on opening night, demonstrating to the reigning-champion Rams exactly why they hold the top spot in the Super Bowl odds boards. Tampa Bay (@ Saints) and Dallas (vs. Bengals) stifled each other for the majority of the game of Sunday Night Football. It seems hard to imagine any of these D/STs falling outside the top 12 — in rankings or weekly finishes — even against above-average offenses. The Cowboys face a good offense this week, but after the Bengals' turnover-fest in Week 1, we still think Dallas is a worthwhile starter.

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The same can be said for the 49ers (vs. Seahawks) and Patriots (@ Steelers), who both took losses in Week 1 but also both surrendered 20 or fewer points. Similarly, the Colts (@ Jaguars) allowed 20 points but were disappointed to record the first tie of the season against Houston. Against bottom-tier offenses in Week 2, these squads — as well as a healthy Broncos D (vs. Texans) — will be the cream of the crop. We especially like Indianapolis because they're likely to get Shaquille Leonard (back) back.

WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
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Who else rises to the top this coming weekend? The Browns (vs. Jets) and Steelers (vs. Patriots) are both making big leaps compared to their preseason rankings. Led by perennial DPOY candidate Myles Garrett, Cleveland held the Panthers to 261 total yards in Week 1 — including just 57 total yards to Christian McCaffrey. Pittsburgh turned the AFC-champion Bengals over five times, registering seven sacks on Joe Burrow and picking him off four times. The Steelers will miss stud LB T.J. Watt (pec), but they should still wallop a Patriots squad that failed to get into any kind of groove against Miami last weekend.

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Speaking of not doing anything, that will be the Falcons (@ Rams) this weekend. Los Angeles will be looking to rebound from a horrendous season-opener against the Bills, and they won't be nearly as generous to Atlanta's ground game as New Orleans was in Week 1.With a passing game that looks JV compared to Buffalo's varsity, ATL will have a lot more trouble moving the chains in L.A. against Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and the pissed-off champs.

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Another squad that will probably enter Week 2 pissed off is the Packers (vs. Bears), who were shellacked by Justin Jefferson and the division-rival Vikings in Minnesota. A Lambeau tilt with the Bears — who needed just 105 yards passing and 99 rushing to beat the 49ers in rainy conditions — should help this Green Bay defense bounce back quickly.

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You want upside plays? Give the Panthers (@ Giants) a shot. They looked solid against the Browns and should have plenty of takeaway opportunities against Daniel Jones. You would be accepting a bit of risk with Saquon Barkley, though — the Giants back logged 18-164-1 against the Titans, and Carolina surrendered 22-141-0 to the Browns' Nick Chubb. Still, the Panthers allowed just 138 passing yards, and Daniel Jones loves playing catch with the other team.

Speaking of turnover machines, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins (@ Ravens) must travel to Baltimore this weekend. The Ravens held the Jets to nine points in Week 1 in the Meadowlands, limiting former Baltimore QB Joe Flacco and Gang Green to 2-of-14 on third downs. The Dolphins looked good against New England, but things might be different on the road.

Quick-hitting a few stream candidates, you could do worse than a rebounding Washington (@ Lions) against Jared Goff and a still-evolving Lions' offense. The Jets -- yes, the Jets -- have boom-or-bust upside against Jacoby Brissett and the Browns, and the Bengals have a lot of upside against Cooper Rush and a stagnant Cowboys' offense.

Now for fades. Don't let the Eagles (vs. Vikings) put you under a spell because they did well against the Lions in Week 1. Justin Jefferson is a bad, bad man. Stay away from the Chargers (@ Chiefs), too...obviously.

Good luck in Week 2, and come back throughout the week for the latest updates and player movement.

Week 2 fantasy defense rankings

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