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As is usually the case, streaming defenses can be extremely valuable in fantasy and week 1 was no exception. The San Francisco 49ers were the highest scorers in week 1, totalling a massive 27 points as they returned two Jameis Winston interceptions for touchdowns, sacked him three times and forced a fumble. The 49ers are currently just 4% owned in ESPN leagues and are a top-10 streaming option in week 2 against a Cincinnati Bengals team that gave up five sacks and three fumbles to the Seahawks last week.
I’ve updated this week’s rankings with the owned percentage so you can see the teams you’re most likely to be able to find on the waiver wire this week, though obviously if you’ve got ‘em, start ‘em.
Week 2 Defense Rankings
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
| 1 | Patriots | @ Dolphins | 74.4% | Patriots snuffed out the Steelers in week 1 and will squish the fish in Miami |
| 2 | Ravens | vs Cardinals | 50.5% | A rude awakening for Kyler Murray on the road in Baltimore |
| 3 | Bills | @ Giants | 91.1% | The Bills' swarming defense will eat up Eli and the Giants |
| 4 | Bears | @ Broncos | 99.5% | Dominant in week 1, the Bears will give Flacco a rough time |
| 5 | Vikings | @ Packers | 90.6% | Vikings D smothers the Packers offense in a defensive battle |
| 6 | Titans | vs Colts | 40.1% | Titans D backs up their week 1 performance against the Colts |
| 7 | Cowboys | @ Redskins | 27.2% | Cowboys D steps up in week 2 to match their offensive force |
| 8 | Packers | vs Vikings | 3.2% | Packers show week 1 was no fluke and suffocate the Vikings rushing attack |
| 9 | 49ers | @ Bengals | 4.0% | It will be a long day for the weak Bengals line against the 49ers pass rush |
| 10 | Chargers | @ Lions | 89.7% | Chargers' pass rush give Stafford a tough time in Detroit |
| 11 | Texans | vs Jaguars | 26.4% | The Texans will get after Garnder Minshew in his first NFL start |
| 12 | Jets | vs Browns | 24.2% | The Jets get after Baker on Monday Night Football like the Titans did |
| 13 | Seahawks | @ Steelers | 19.9% | Clowney will have a full week of practice under his belt and will lead a tough Seahawks defense |
| 14 | Browns | @ Jets | 67.9% | A better showing from the Browns in week 2 after the shambles in the home opener |
| 15 | Broncos | vs Bears | 50.2% | After a poor start in Oakland, the Broncos have the chance to get healthy against Mitchell Trubisky |
| 16 | Panthers | vs Buccaneers | 10.8% | The Panthers will be all over Jameis on TNF after his nightmare opener |
| 17 | Bengals | vs 49ers | 0.4% | Bengals D-line showed up against Seattle and will nullify the 49ers ground game |
| 18 | Chiefs | @ Raiders | 13.1% | The Chiefs' offense remains their best defense |
| 19 | Eagles | @ Falcons | 79.9% | The Eagles' strength remains in the run game so expect Matt Ryan to have a better week 2 |
| 20 | Jaguars | @ Texans | 94.7% | Jaguars improve after a rough opener |