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Well they did it again. The Patriots’ defense finished as the number 1 fantasy defense for the 4th time this season and it was the 7th week in a row they have finished in the top 3. The Patriots now sit 60 points ahead of the second place 49ers and an incredible 97 points ahead of the hird place Steelers. This week they face their first formidable test in the well-rested Ravens, but with allcomers having been brushed aside so far in NFL in 2019, they will remain my number 1 defense.
Elsewhere the rankings follow the patterns of the surging teams over recent weeks, with the Cowboys being the team I’m tipping to overperform this week as they travel to east coast to face off against Daniel Jones and the Giants who are ranked just 25th in offense through 8 weeks.
Note: Falcons, Bengals, Rams and Saints on bye week.
Top 20 Defenses Week 9
| Rank | Team | Opponent | Owned % | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Opponent | Owned % | Comments |
| 1 | Patriots | @ Ravens | 99.1% | The Patriots' first real test but they remain the number 1 fantasy defense |
| 2 | 49ers | @ Cardinals | 86.7% | Short week and on the road but the 49ers' defense has their tail up |
| 4 | Titans | @ Panthers | 56.7% | The 49ers set the blueprint on how to stop Kyle Allen and the Titans follow suit |
| 3 | Bills | vs Redskins | 87.5% | The Bills defense overwhelms the Redskins' bottom 3 offense |
| 5 | Cowboys | @ Giants | 28.8% | The Cowboys' potent offense supports the strong defensive numbers and is the must stream of week 9 |
| 6 | Panthers | vs Titans | 49.6% | A slip against the surging 49ers in week 8 but back on track against an underwhelming Titans offense |
| 7 | Eagles | vs Bears | 42.2% | The Eagles are a top 5 run defense and will force Mitch Trubisky to beat them (and he can't) |
| 8 | Vikings | @ Chiefs | 83.1% | A tough test even without Patrick Mahomes but the Vikings' defense is playoff ready |
| 9 | Steelers | vs Colts | 82.1% | Steelers are a top 3 defense but face a tough test against the Colts |
| 10 | Browns | @ Broncos | 16.2% | No Flacco may not be a bad thing for the Broncos offense but the Browns will take advantage |
| 11 | Jets | @ Dolphins | 10.8% | Jets defense is the latest to take advantage of the tanking Dolphins |
| 12 | Jaguars | vs Texans | 80.6% | A tough test against Watson and Hopkins but the Jags are an elite pass defense, even without Jalen Ramsey |
| 13 | Broncos | vs Browns | 21.4% | The Broncos are a listless team, but then so is the Browns offense |
| 14 | Bears | @ Eagles | 96.2% | The Bears' defense is a top 10 talent but haven't put it together in 2019 |
| 14 | Ravens | vs Patriots | 36.6% | At home, the Ravens could be the outfit to truly shut down a shaky Patriots offense |
| 16 | Packers | @ Chargers | 34.4% | The Packers continue to be weak against the run and the Chargers rush offense can't get a better match up |
| 17 | Seahawks | vs Buccaneers | 35.6% | The Seahawks can't quite put it together on defense, even at home and the Bucs are dangerous |
| 18 | Colts | @ Steelers | 55.9% | Below average Defense vs below average Offense but the Colts are making enough plays to supprt the offense |
| 19 | Buccaneers | @ Seahawks | 3.6% | Still the top rush defense in the league but faces a tough road test in Seattle |
| 20 | Chiefs | vs Vikings | 14.9% | Tough match up but the Chiefs' defense makes enough plays to be fantasy relevant |