Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season featured some surprising upsets by underdog teams saving their seasons. Which fantasy football defenses can capitalize on great matchups for Week 8?
Will the Philadelphia Eagles defense go crazy against sack vending machine Sam Howell and the Commanders? Will the Ravens continue their hot streak defensively by shutting down the flailing Cardinals? Can the Lions bounce back against whoever Josh McDaniels decides to take off the field to kick field goals?
We'll answer all those questions and more in the fantasy football defense rankings, but for now, let's get to the deep sleepers and viable fantasy defense streaming options for Week 8.
Streaming Week 8 DEF options
Seattle Seahawks D (vs CLE): For those of you keeping score at home, the Browns could be down to their backup quarterback (PJ Walker) and third-string running back (Kareem Hunt) on the road against a defense that over the last three games has averaged 6 sacks per game and just 10 points allowed. The Seahawks have been great against the run and allow just 3.5 yards per carry this season, which should spell doom for a Browns offense that has to run to survive.
Houston Texans D (@ CAR): Houston is fresh off the bye week, and gets the gift of playing against an offense that's been boosted by mostly garbage time stats. Houston's defense isn't one we typically stream, but they've allowed just a little over 14 points per game over the last four weeks and have done a great job bending but not breaking. Until Bryce Young starts to look more comfortable, he's an easy streaming target for the winless Panthers.
Favorite Week 8 FanDuel DFS plays
San Francisco 49ers (vs CIN) – FD $4200: Do we buy that the Bengals are back? The Bengals offense put up another stinker before the bye against the Seahawks, with Joe Burrow throwing for just 185 yards. The 49ers are reeling a bit after two straight upset losses and should be ready to buckle down at home to stop the losing streak against an offensive line that might have a hard time holding up. We'll take the discount here on FanDuel's main slate as well.
Baltimore Ravens (@ ARI) – FD $4800: After dismantling the Lions, it's time to put some respect on Baltimore's name in fantasy football. The Ravens have allowed less points than any team in the league through the first seven weeks and have only given up four passing touchdowns on the season. The Cardinals couldn't get anything going against the Rams or Seahawks the last two weeks, and that should continue here in a battle of the birds.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles D (@ WAS)
2. Baltimore Ravens D (@ ARI)
3. New York Jets D (@ NYG)
4. Buffalo Bills D (vs TB)
5. Kansas City Chiefs D (@ DEN)
6. San Francisco 49ers D (vs CIN)
7. Cleveland Browns D (@ SEA)
8. Detroit Lions D (vs LV)
9. Seattle Seahawks D (vs CLE)
10. Miami Dolphins D (vs NE)
11. Dallas Cowboys D (vs LAR)
12. Houston Texans D (@ CAR)
Week 8 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Notes
Sam Howell and the Commanders are on pace to smash the single-season sacks taken record by over 20 sacks, and the Eagles D has a grown man pass rush that does not play around…The Cardinals are who we thought they were, and the Ravens D hasn't been letting any team off the hook this season…Whether it's Daniel Jones or Tyrod Taylor, the Jets D has been solid despite being banged up in the secondary…
You never quite know what you're going to get from Bills D, but Tampa Bay struggles against the league's better units and the Bills have been much better than their 4-3 record indicates…Chiefs D punked Russell Wilson and the Broncos in the first meeting, and Denver's play offensively since then hasn't exactly inspired confidence…The 49ers D was shredded in the secondary by Kirk Cousins on Monday night, but Cincinnati's shaky offensive line shouldn't hold up as well as Minnesota's did…
The Browns D showed they're human after all, but the Seahawks will likely trot out a very conservative game plan and not let Myles Garrett tee off every other down…The Lions D got down early and couldn't recover against the Ravens, but the Raiders almost never play with a lead…The Seahawks D will force Cleveland to throw by stacking the box, which could get really ugly no matter which quarterback they go with…
The Dolphins D gets Mac Jones, who seems primed to turn back into a pumpkin after last week's perfect performance…The Cowboys D hasn't been as fearsome as of late, but the Rams tend to struggle when you can consistently put pressure on Matthew Stafford, and the Cowboys have the means with Micah Parsons…The Texans D has been quietly very productive lately under DeMeco Ryans, and we love picking on rookies with two weeks of preparation time.
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