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13 hours ago
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The D/ST position in fantasy football can be underappreciated at times. However, starting the right defense can be the difference between a win and a loss on any given week.
Fantasy managers are facing a true "byepocalypse" with six teams being on a bye in Week 8. This, of course, limits the number of options, but there are still great matchups to target.
You should never start a good NFL defense in a bad match, which does not equate to fantasy points. The best way to address the D/ST position is purely based on matchups.
Here are our Week 8 D/ST fantasy rankings, best starts, sleepers, and some matchups to avoid.
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Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at D/ST
Week 8 Fantasy Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | Half-PPR Cheat Sheet
Updated Oct. 24:
| Rk | Team Defense | OPP | Rk Chg |
| 1 | Atlanta Falcons | MIA | |
| 2 | Indianapolis Colts | TEN | ⬆️ 1 |
| 3 | New England Patriots | CLE | |
| 4 | Los Angeles Chargers -TNF | MIN | |
| 5 | Green Bay Packers | @PIT | |
| 6 | Chicago Bears | @BAL | ⬇️ 2 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Steelers | GB | ⬇️ 1 |
| 8 | Philadelphia Eagles | NYG | |
| 9 | San Francisco 49ers | @HOU | ⬆️ 2 |
| 10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | @NO | |
| 11 | Kansas City Chiefs | WAS | ⬆️ 2 |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | @NE | ⬆️ 1 |
| 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | NYJ | |
| 14 | Buffalo Bills | @CAR | |
| 15 | Minnesota Vikings -TNF | @LAC | |
| 16 | Carolina Panthers | BUF | |
| 17 | Denver Broncos | DAL | |
| 18 | Houston Texans | SF | ⬆️ 3 |
| 19 | New York Giants | @PHI | |
| 20 | Tennessee Titans | @IND | |
| 21 | Washington Commanders | @KC | |
| 22 | New York Jets | @CIN | |
| 23 | New Orleans Saints | TB | |
| 24 | Baltimore Ravens | CHI | |
| 25 | Miami Dolphins | @ATL | |
| 26 | Dallas Cowboys | @DEN | |
| BYE | Detroit Lions | BYE | |
| BYE | Seattle Seahawks | BYE | |
| BYE | Las Vegas Raiders | BYE | |
| BYE | Arizona Cardinals | BYE | |
| BYE | Jacksonville Jaguars | BYE | |
| BYE | Los Angeles Rams | BYE |
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 8 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em | Week 8 Sleepers | Week 8 Busts | Week 8 Waiver Wire
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 8?
The Atlanta Falcons find themselves at the top of this week's rankings, in large part due to their matchup. They will face off against the Miami Dolphins, who are crumbling before our eyes.
Tua Tagovailoa has played so badly in the last two weeks that there might be a chance we see Quinn Ewers start at QB. Either way, the Falcons are a must-start.
The Patriots and Colts should both handle their matchups with ease. Neither the Browns nor the Titans has a juggernaut offense, and the favorites should control the pace of the game.
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Who are the best fantasy D/ST sleepers in Week 8?
The Chargers did just get smacked by the Colts, but they should still have no problem getting plenty of sacks against the Minnesota Vikings.
While the Bengals are still bad on defense, the Jets truly may be worse on offense. Only start the Bengals D/ST with extreme caution.
Defenses to avoid in fantasy Week 8
Avoiding Denver this week feels like the right move. This is the point I've consistently tried to hammer home. Good defenses are not an every-week start in fantasy football. The Cowboys are incapable of having a game not result in high scores.
It goes without saying, but don't play the Cowboys or Dolphins D/ST ever, no matter the matchup.
📋 More Week 8 fantasy tips:
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