Kate Magdziuk shares her Week 13 defense rankings and highlights several streaming options that could be available in your leagues.
After a week where we had six total teams out on bye, Week 13 is suddenly feeling like a smörgåsbord of options at D/ST. There’s a full 16-game slate this week, including four days of football between Thanksgiving, Black Friday, the Sunday slate and “Monday Night Football,” so it’s time to hydrate, buckle up and set those fantasy football lineups.
To help you sort through the extended game slate this week (and extended list of options for your Week 13 fantasy D/ST), here’s a look at several streaming options and Week 13 defense rankings.
Week 13 defense streamers
Washington Commanders D/ST vs. TEN
Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis had an abundantly solid performance against the Houston Texans in Week 12 … but this was still a prime matchup for the Texans’ D/ST in terms of fantasy scoring. Despite the Titans dropping 30 against Houston, Levis continued to be plagued by the same old mistakes, taking eight total sacks against Danielle Hunter & Co. (who had three of his own!), throwing an interception (returned by Jimmy Ward for a 65-yard pick-six) while also losing a fumble on a botched snap. Even when they’re able to post yardage, their consistent issues with turnovers have been a problem — an intriguing spot for a defense that is tied for the sixth-most fumble recoveries in the league, even if they aren’t a lockdown defense. The Commanders D/ST has had two games of 13+ fantasy points — one against the Cleveland Browns and the other against the Carolina Panthers, both teams that have been advantageous to stream against so far this season.
Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. NO
The Rams’ defense just gave up 37 total points to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, but don’t be fooled — this is a better-than-you’d-expect unit on many fronts; last week was an outlier. Since their Week 6 bye, the Rams rank fourth in pressure rate (39.4%), fifth in sacks (22) and third in interception rate (4.2%) per PFF. Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske have been perfect complements to second-year EDGE Byron Young, with 19 total sacks between the three of them. In that span, they are tied for the second-most turnovers forced (11) and will now get a matchup against a depleted New Orleans Saints offense in Week 13 that will be without its top-two receiving options in Chris Olave (IR, concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (out for the season, knee).
Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. NYJ
Mike Macdonald’s Seattle Seahawks defense has had its ups and downs throughout the 2024 NFL season, but they’re coming off their best fantasy day all season, having managed to hold the Kyler-Murray-led Arizona Cardinals to just six total points. Is there a chance this unit has made a leap coming out of their Week 10 bye? In Weeks 11 and 12, the Seahawks have tallied seven total sacks, two interceptions (including one pick-six from CB Coby Bryant), holding the Cardinals and 49ers to a combined 23 points. It’s no secret that the New York Jets are a mess offensively (and defensively, for that matter); this unit has scored more than 24 points just once all season (Week 12 vs. Colts), lacking consistency in a major way. The Jets rank 26th in yards per play (5.0) and scoring-drive percentage (31.6%) per PFF, while ranking 28th in first downs gained (178). They haven’t been particularly prone to turnovers, but if you’re in need of a spot start at D/ST, the Seahawks could be a solid option.
Fantasy football: Week 13 defense rankings
| # | Player (team) | Matchup | ECR | vs. ECR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Broncos (DEN) | vs. CLE | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Houston Texans (HOU) | at JAC | 3 | +1 |
| 3 | Detroit Lions (DET) | vs. CHI | 4 | +1 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB) | at CAR | 7 | +3 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) | at CIN | 9 | +4 |
| 6 | Washington Commanders (WAS) | vs. TEN | 5 | -1 |
| 7 | Kansas City Chiefs (KC) | vs. LV | 2 | -5 |
| 8 | Minnesota Vikings (MIN) | vs. ARI | 6 | -2 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Chargers (LAC) | at ATL | 8 | -1 |
| 10 | Cleveland Browns (CLE) | at DEN | 14 | +4 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins (MIA) | at GB | 17 | +6 |
| 12 | Seattle Seahawks (SEA) | at NYJ | 12 | 0 |
| 13 | Arizona Cardinals (ARI) | at MIN | 11 | -2 |
| 14 | New York Giants (NYG) | at DAL | 16 | +2 |
| 15 | Dallas Cowboys (DAL) | vs. NYG | 10 | -5 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans (TEN) | at WAS | 21 | +5 |
| 17 | Green Bay Packers (GB) | vs. MIA | 15 | -2 |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (PHI) | at BAL | 20 | +2 |
| 19 | Buffalo Bills (BUF) | vs. SF | 13 | -6 |
| 20 | New England Patriots (NE) | vs. IND | 19 | -1 |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts (IND) | at NE | 22 | +1 |
| 22 | San Francisco 49ers (SF) | at BUF | 24 | +2 |
| 23 | Los Angeles Rams (LAR) | at NO | 18 | -5 |
| 24 | New York Jets (NYJ) | vs. SEA | 23 | -1 |
| 25 | Atlanta Falcons (ATL) | vs. LAC | 28 | +3 |
| 26 | Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) | vs. PIT | 27 | +1 |
| 27 | New Orleans Saints (NO) | vs. LAR | 26 | -1 |
| 28 | Baltimore Ravens (BAL) | vs. PHI | 25 | -3 |
Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.
