Unless most of the teams in your league carry a backup defense, more than half of the league should be available to you every week. Perhaps instead of playing one above average defense every week, regardless of matchup, we should instead target the widely available waiver wire defenses with the best matchups in any particular week? You can always make exceptions if your rent-a-defense gets hot - heck, you might find a team worth starting all year by accident. Even if you don't, good matchups will continue to get greater in number as more QBs get injured or yanked as the season goes on. You can steal some points from bad weather come December. Each week I'll list the startable fantasy defenses on most waiver wires and rank them.
**Baltimore has a great matchup but is assumed to be rostered**
Week 8 Results
NY Jets (at NY Giants) - 4 sacks
This one went a lot better if you are in leagues that score for yardage allowed. The Jets D/ST is still one we should consider every week.
A Look Ahead: LAC @LV @BUF - Justin Herbert isn’t a quarterback we usually target, but we’ll definitely want to have the Jets for Week 10, so if it takes holding them on the bench or starting them this week to get that matchup, do it.
New Orleans (at Indianapolis) - 2 sacks, 1 INT
Gardner Minshew wasn’t as reckless with the ball in this game, so even though the Saints led down the stretch, it was a dud.
A Look Ahead: CHI @MIN BYE - We’ll still play the Saints this week and next week.
Detroit (vs Las Vegas) - 6 sacks, 1 INT
It was the Raiders who had the pick six in this one, but the Lions pass rush was still strong enough to make a good fantasy showing for the Lions.
A Look Ahead: BYE @LAC CHI - We’ll come back to the Lions in Week 11.
Atlanta (at Tennessee) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
Will Levis was a revelation throwing to DeAndre Hopkins in his NFL debut. The Titans side was the better D/ST this time around.
A Look Ahead: MIN @ARI BYE - We may stay with the Falcons since another rookie will be making his first NFL start against them this week.
Houston (at Carolina) - 6 sacks
It wasn’t a bad showing by the Texans defense, but Bryce Young was safe with the ball in a close win.
A Look Ahead: TB @CIN ARI - The Texans D/ST has been solid, but they probably aren’t a preferred Week 9 option.
LA Chargers (vs Chicago) - 1 sack, 2 INT
The Chargers got two picks against UDFA rookie Tyson Bagent in a lopsided win, but their pass rush was held in check.
A Look Ahead: @NYJ DET @GB - Always consider a D/ST facing Zach Wilson.
NY Giants (vs NY Jets) - 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
Kayvon Thibodeaux was a one-man wrecking crew in this one.
A Look Ahead: @LV @DAL @WAS - Always consider a D/ST facing the Raiders.
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
Denver (vs Kansas City) - 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 INT
When Patrick Mahomes II is questionable with an illness in the future, we may consider playing the opposing D/ST.
Las Vegas (at Detroit) - 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, 1 DEF TD
Any time Marcus Peters is on the field, you’ve got a shot at a pick-six (and a long offensive passing touchdown).