Defenses are an underrated position in fantasy football. They can make or break your week. Sometimes they’ll get you 15+ and give you that boost you desperately need, and sometimes they’ll score you negative points and completely break your back.

Figuring out which defense to start isn’t a perfect science, but when you really dive into the matchups, there are usually quite a few you can take advantage of. Today, I’ll be ranking the top 15 defenses to start in fantasy football this week.

15. Washington Commanders

Matchup: Miami Dolphins

I don’t love Washington’s defense, but they are playing a very bipolar Miami offense. The Dolphins either score 24+ or in the single digits. There’s pretty much no in between (seriously, they’ve scored between 10 and 23 points once this year). Miami’s coming off a very good offensive performance, which is a bit scary, but I don’t really trust them to string back-to-back performances together. Plus, offenses don’t always travel to Europe, so it’s a risky start, but could pay off.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders

The Dallas Cowboys and good defenses aren’t usually mentioned in the same sentence, but really have no faith in the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense. They have some guys like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers who can do some damage, but overall, they’re just not very good. I’d avoid Dallas if you can, but they made some really good additions at the trade deadline, so maybe they’ll be better in the back half of the year.

13. Cleveland Browns

Matchup: Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns’ defense is overhyped this year. They’re giving up 23.4 points per game this year, which ranks 17th, and now they face a really good Baltimore offense that’s headed by Lamar Jackson. I don’t see this going well for Cleveland.

12. Carolina Panthers

Matchup: Atlanta Falcons

Carolina’s defense has been pretty stingy this year, especially in recent weeks, and now they play an Atlanta offense that’s struggled this season. Michael Penix hasn’t looked great and Bijan Robinson is struggling (to his standards). All you have to do is find a way to slow down Drake London and you’re good.

11. Chicago Bears

Matchup: Minnesota Vikings

Dennis Allen’s defense has been a bit underwhelming this year, but they’ve played well at times and I don’t love Minnesota’s offense. I think they’re a pretty average unit and can put 20ish points on the board, but they’re not a big threat to have a massive 40-point game and completely wreck your week.

10. Detroit Lions

Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles

I think the Detroit Lions are going to surprise people this week. We all know what their offense can do, but their defense will get their chance to show off against a struggling Philadelphia offense in primetime on Sunday night. The entire Eagles offense is out of whack right now, and I don’t think they get right this week.

9. Denver Broncos

Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs

The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in football, but they have a really tough task against a potent Kansas City offense. I still think they’ll have a pretty good game and finish as a top 10 defense, but Kansas City is going to score some points. There are other better starts this week, but Denver should still be a viable option.

8. San Francisco 49ers

Matchup: Arizona Cardinals

I think Arizona has a pretty good offense with Jacoby Brissett under center, but their ceiling isn’t really that high. I don’t think there’s a world where they score more than 24 points in this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s closer to 17. San Francisco’s defense isn’t as good as it’s been in year’s past, but they should be a solid start this week.

7. Minnesota Vikings

Matchup: Chicago Bears

I’ve been on record as saying I think this is the week the Chicago Bears begin to crumble. I think they’re a fraudulent team, and I believe Minnesota’s going to have their way with them on both sides of the ball. Minnesota’s defense is another one that’s not as good as it’s been the past couple of years, but they’re solid enough to stop the Bears this weekend.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Matchup: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have been one of the worst offenses in the league over the past few weeks. While the Atlanta Falcons’ defense hasn’t been great, they’ve been good enough to stop Carolina. All they need to do is stop the run and force Bryce Young to throw it, and their offense becomes very easy to stop.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Matchup: Cleveland Browns

Baltimore’s defense has turned itself around as they’ve gotten healthier these past few weeks. Now, they get to face one of the worst offenses in football in the Cleveland Browns. Dillon Gabriel’s not the answer in Cleveland, and I just don’t see the Browns scoring more than 13 points in this game.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Matchup: Denver Broncos

I love this matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos’ offense has been wildly inconsistent this season, and Bo Nix is in a bit of a slump right now. Add on the fact that they’re going to be without J.K. Dobbins, and the Chiefs’ job just got a little bit easier. I feel a big day coming for KC’s defense.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Matchup: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Los Angeles Chargers have asserted themselves as one of the best defenses in the league in recent weeks. They haven’t given up more than 20 points in three straight games, and now they face an inconsistent Jacksonville offense. I think the Chargers run away with this game, and the Jags might not even score 14 points.

2. Green Bay Packers

Matchup: New York Giants

The Green Bay Packers have an elite defense. They proved that on Monday night. Now they get to face a New York Giants offense that will be without Jaxson Dart and starting Jameis Winston. I love Jameis as much as the next guy, but we all know he’s good for a couple bad sacks and interceptions a game. The Packers should feast on Sunday.

1. Houston Texans

Matchup: Tennessee Titans

Our top defense of the week is undoubtedly going to be the Houston Texans. They’re the best defense in football, and they play arguably the worst offense in the league. Is there really a question of who the top dog should be?