Rent-a-Defense is for the fantasy player who didn't overspend for an elite fantasy defense. Each week, we'll look at last week's results and mention the defenses we should have hit on. Then, we'll cover this week's waiver-wire defenses that should excel and be worth starting. Finally, we'll look at future weeks to help you beat the rush for upcoming targets.
Week 6 Results
Philadelphia (vs Cleveland) - 5 sacks
Deshaun Watson is still one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, but it’s not resulting in turnovers. The Browns are still a matchup to target, especially in leagues that score points and yards allowed.
A Look Ahead: @NYG @CIN JAX - The Eagles defense hasn’t been very fearsome, so we’ll move on from them.
Houston (at New England) - 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT
The Texans defense was everything we wanted them to be in Drake Maye’s debut.
A Look Ahead: @GB IND @NYJ - There are no plum matchups over the next three weeks, but we will come back to the Texans D/ST before the end of the season.
Atlanta (at Carolina) - 2 INT
Andy Dalton and the Panthers offense got their bearing after getting mauled by the Bears in Week 5.
A Look Ahead: SEA @TB DAL - The Falcons have a chance to get out to a lead on the Seahawks, who turned the ball over three times last week. We’ll consider them in Week 7.
Tampa Bay (at New Orleans) - 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
A Chris Olave fumble was returned for a score, and the Bucs were able to get after Spencer Rattler in the rookie’s first NFL start as they built a lead in the second half, making for the best D/ST play of the week.
A Look Ahead: BAL ATL @KC - We won’t use the Bucs for the next three weeks, but we will come back to them.
Indianapolis (at Tennessee) - 1 INT
Will Levis didn’t throw a pick-six, but he did have an unexplainable deep throw that was picked and greatly hurt the Titans' chances to win. Unfortunately, the importance of giveaways doesn’t equal extra points in fantasy leagues.
A Look Ahead: MIA @HOU @MIN - The Colts D/ST has gone cold in divisional matchups and might not be a great play even though they are facing Tyler Huntley.
LA Chargers (at Denver) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
The Chargers defense was dominant in the first half and softer in the second half after building a big lead, so this was only a modest success.
A Look Ahead: @ARI NO @CLE - Sticking with the Chargers against Kyler Murray to have them for the Saints and Browns matchups is worth considering.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Detroit (at Dallas) - 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 INT
The Lions D/ST thrust themselves into weekly consideration with this performance, but they also lost their best player when Aidan Hutchinson went down with a compound fracture in his lower leg.
New Orleans (vs Tampa Bay) - 1 sack, 3 INT, 1 ST TD
The Saints D/ST fought hard to keep the team in the game. They picked off Baker Mayfield three times, including two deflected passes, and Rashid Shaheed returned a punt for a touchdown.