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A dominant display from last season’s number one fantasy defense on Monday Night Football meant the Bears were the top scoring defense of Week 3. They now face another of the NFL’s top defenses in Week 4 as they take on the Vikings in a crucial early season divisional match-up. The Patriots continue to be a defensive juggernaut as they beat up on bad opponents but face a stiffer test in the form of divisional rivals, the also undefeated Bills in Buffalo. Facing a mobile quarterback in Josh Allen is a different test for the Pats, but does anyone believe Bill Belichick won’t be able to find a way to stop Allen’s 2019 ascension?
The rankings have been updated with the latest owned percentage (from ESPN) 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 already got ‘em, then start ‘em.
Note: 49ers and Jets on bye week.
Week 4 Defense Rankings
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Fantasy Rank | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Fantasy Rank | Comment |
| 1 | Patriots | @ Bills | 96.9% | 1 | The NFL's number 1 defense still dominates against stiffer competition |
| 2 | Chargers | @ Dolphins | 68.4% | 22 | The Dolphin's are the league's worst offense. Enough said. |
| 3 | Packers | vs Eagles | 65.3% | 4 | The Packers dominate a misfiring Eagles offense |
| 4 | Rams | vs Buccaneers | 92.6% | 7 | Rams defense is the real deal in 2019 |
| 5 | Vikings | @ Bears | 89.0% | 8 | The Vikings win a defensive battle on the road |
| 6 | Titans | @ Falcons | 67.5% | 6 | The Titans are a top 10 fantasy defense and a nust start, even on the road |
| 7 | Bears | vs Vikings | 98.5% | 5 | Strength on strength, can the Bears stifle the Vikes strong running game? |
| 8 | Bills | vs Patriots | 89.2% | 9 | Bills give the Patriots all they can handle with their strong all round defense |
| 9 | Seahawks | @ Cardinals | 15.8% | 14 | A bounceback week for the Seahawks defense against a struggling Cardinals offense |
| 10 | Steelers | vs Bengals | 15.8% | 25 | A great potential spot start against a poor Bengals offense |
| 11 | Bengals | @ Steelers | 0.9% | 26 | Similar to the Steelers, the Bengals defense faces a disappointing Steelers offense |
| 12 | Ravens | vs Browns | 51.6% | 21 | Ravens defense at home is always a solid flex option |
| 13 | Cowboys | @ Saints | 80.0% | 16 | The Cowboys get after Teddy Bridgewater on the road |
| 14 | Texans | vs Panthers | 32.9% | 19 | Texans defense has struggled early in the season but are a strong home option this week |
| 15 | Panthers | @ Texans | 25.4% | 11 | Strong against the pass, the Panthers give Deshaun Watson a stern test |
| 16 | Colts | vs Raiders | 20.9% | 20 | Raiders offense has been better than expected but the Colts should still overcome them at home |
| 17 | Jaguars | @ Broncos | 78.1% | 17 | After a get healthy week for the Jags, the Broncos pose a tougher test |
| 18 | Buccaneers | @ Rams | 8.9% | 10 | Despite being surprisingly stingy through three weeks, the Bucs can't handle the Rams' offensive firepower |
| 19 | Falcons | vs Titans | 4.1% | 18 | The Keanu Neal injuty hurts, but the Titans offense is still a stagnant mess |
| 20 | Broncos | vs Jaguars | 27.6% | 27 | Better against the pass than run so far in 2019, the Broncos defense needs to step up |