NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Defenses for Week 9

We are picking on the Raiders until they give us a reason not to. In each of their last five games, the opposing defense has scored at least eight fantasy points. Those Ds reached 11 four times and got to 17 twice. The Raiders have taken sacks at the ninth-highest rate and allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. The Bengals have played better on defense as of late. They are in play due to the matchup this week. 

The Saints have struggled on defense this season, but this is a highly favorable matchup. Carolina has allowed the eighth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Even more than that, we have seen the Panthers allow week-altering performances multiple times this season -- with both of their QBs. That alone is reason enough to stream against them. 

Washington has surprised on both sides of the ball this season. They have recorded multiple sacks in six straight games and have a takeaway in five straight. Now they get the Giants, who have taken the third-most sacks this season. Plus, Daniel Jones has not thrown a touchdown pass in New York since New Year's Day … of 2023.

This is a battle of offenses you can stream against in fantasy. The Titans have allowed the most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. They have taken a sack at the eighth-highest rate in the NFL. With Mason Rudolph starting for Tennessee last Sunday, Detroit was able to finish as the top-scoring fantasy defense. The D/ST unit scored two touchdowns, one of which came on a very Will Levis-like interception. The Patriots are very much in play this week. 

The Titans will also fully be in play as a streaming option if Jacoby Brissett starts for the Patriots. You could still use them if Drake Maye (concussion protocol) plays, but the odds of a dud certainly increase. The Patriots have taken the second-most sacks this season. They have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. We have seen the Brissett-led Pats allow some big performances to defenses. The upside is worth chasing. 

Denver might be an elite defense, but the Ravens are an elite offense. They take sacks at the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL and have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. You might have heard they're pretty good at scoring touchdowns, as well. They have MVP candidates at both QB and RB. Get away from Denver in this one. 

The Lions have scored more than 30 real-life points in four straight games. They have more than 40 in three of those. They're an elite offense that can put up points with the best of them. They can beat you in a multitude of ways -- including special teams. In total, they have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing D/STs. The Packers have been a tough defensive unit, but I would play it safe this week. 

Hey, don't call me biased! Bo Nix has been playing better and better every week. We have seen him step up as both a passer and a runner. He should be able to give the Ravens some difficulty, as they've really struggled to stop the pass this season. Nix has also taken sacks at the lowest rate in the NFL. Denver has allowed just four fantasy PPG to opposing defenses in the last month. I would get away from the Ravens this week in fantasy. 

Some doubted Jayden Daniels last week against a tough Bears defense -- and they certainly had their reasons. He went out and threw for more than 300 yards, ran for more than 50 and hit on a game-winning Hail Mary. The Giants' defense is definitely underrated -- the unit has played much better than it gets credit for -- but Daniels is an MVP candidate for a reason. Washington has allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Bench Big Blue this week.

The Rams' offense is elite when Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are all healthy. We saw the change immediately last week, with Stafford throwing more touchdown passes on that Thursday night than he had all season to that point. Meanwhile, Williams has a touchdown in every game. Get away from the Seahawks, who have been torched as of late anyway.