Defenses to start: Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers - These defenses get to play some struggling offenses, while they continue to improve as the season goes on.
Defenses to avoid: St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns - On the other hand, these defenses get to play offenses that are on fire and at home. Find someone else to start this week.
All 32 team DEF/ST ranked following the jump.
| Team | Opp. |
| 1. Pittsburgh Steelers | JAX |
| 2. Green Bay Packers | STL |
| 3. New York Jets | MIA |
| 4. Detroit Lions | SF |
| 5. Cincinnati Bengals | IND |
| 6. Baltimore Ravens | HOU |
| 7. Washington Redskins | PHI |
| 8. Minnesota Vikings | CHI |
| 9. Houston Texans | BAL |
| 10. New Orleans Saints | TB |
| 11. San Francisco 49ers | DET |
| 12. Philadelphia Eagles | WAS |
| 13. Chicago Bears | MIN |
| 14. New York Giants | BUF |
| 15. Oakland Raiders | CLE |
| 16. New England Patriots | DAL |
| 17. Buffalo Bills | NYG |
| 18. Indianapolis Colts | CIN |
| 19. Miami Dolphins | NYJ |
| 20. Carolina Panthers | ATL |
| 21. Jacksonville Jaguars | PIT |
| 22. Atlanta Falcons | CAR |
| 23. Dallas Cowboys | NE |
| 24. Cleveland Browns | OAK |
| 25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NO |
| 26. St. Louis Rams | GB |