NFL Fantasy Football Week 10: Defense Rankings

Fantasy football leagues are becoming more competitive, especially with the playoffs in sight, and your defensive selection could steer you to victory. Week 9 saw the New England Patriots defense put up 26 points, making them the best performing defensive line. Bill Belichick’s unit are on the rise, however, they will not partake in Week 10 as they are on a bye.

This will definitely impact fantasy selections, with the Patriots defense being seen as a guaranteed point scorer. Individual talent makes all the difference on defense. Micah Parsons will once again be in action after the Dallas Cowboys’ bye in Week 9, and he is going to score you points.

Who are the best available fantasy football defenses in Week 10?

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

The Dallas Cowboys top the list for fantasy football defenses in Week 10

The Dallas Cowboys are the highest scoring defense available in Week 10. Micah Parsons has been a disruptive presence at linebacker, and it’s no surprise the Cowboys lead the NFL in sacks. They have recorded 33 sacks and nine forced fumbles, making them one of the most prolific playmaking defenses around.

Week 10 sees Dallas travel to Wisconsin to take on the ailing Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers has incredible problems at the moment. He can’t find a rhythm with his offense and the team has suffered.

Based on their Week 9 display in a loss to the Detroit Lions, the Packers’ offense is going to get dominated on Sunday. Rodgers threw three interceptions against the Lions and he was sacked once. You can’t give this Cowboys D that scent of blood. They will sense weakness and blitz you to death.

Barring a miraculous Rodgers recovery, you can safely bet on the Cowboys defense scoring you big fantasy football points in Week 10.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

Jacksonville Jaguars v Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia is the city that just doesn’t stop winning. Having started the season with an 8-0 record, the defense in Philly has soared. Allowing just 135 points, they sit fourth in terms of points allowed on the field. This is just two points more than their divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles’ defense isn’t as playmaking centric as other high-ranking teams. It has been much more of a collective, play-stopping effort rather than producing sacks. It’s for this reason that they have just 80 fantasy football points, a whole 12 behind the Cowboys who have 92 through Week 9. This is even further behind the playmaking Patriots. Bill Belichick’s team have 102 fantasy football points on defense this term.

Philadelphia only ranks sixth in terms of sacks but leads the league in interceptions. This is particularly important as the Washington Commanders’ offense has thrown the second-highest number of picks in 2022. Such mistakes will be punished by the Eagles, as they were in their previous meeting in 2022. It was one of the rare occasions where Philly dominated through sacks.

They got to Carson Wentz nine times in one game, forcing two fumbles from the QB. It was the highest-scoring week in fantasy terms for the Eagles, as they scored 15 points.

Buffalo Bills vs. Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay Packers v Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s defense is still a formidable unit, but they’ve slipped recently. The team is so well balanced that it hasn’t totally ruined the results, but the drop in production has been noted.

The Bills were the 15th ranked defense in Week 9, scoring just five fantasy points. They managed just two sacks and no interceptions against the New York Jets. It was a landmark win for the Jets as they showed they can compete against the top teams. However, it highlighted the fact that the Bills’ defense isn’t playing as well.

In each of their last three games, the Bills haven’t managed to score 10 fantasy points. Their production has ground to a halt. The Minnesota Vikings’ offense is so strong that you worry it could be another lean week for the Bills in fantasy football terms. It might be wise to drop them from your team.

Seattle Seahawks @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers *IN GERMANY

Chicago Bears v Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s defense has improved as the season has progressed. Pete Carroll has to be delighted with their efforts and their success has translated into fantasy football. They currently rank fifth with a haul of 76 points, and are rapidly closing in on the ailing Bills.

Seattle’s defense is tough, physical and determined. What they do isn’t pretty, but it’s effective. They lead the league in forced fumbles with 13. They really do hit hard. Carroll is always looking to recreate his infamous Legion of Boom, and the 2022 line is as close as he has come in years.

Tom Brady showed he can still win games with the ball in his hands against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. However, it was a struggle. Seattle’s defense will buzz around him like wasps, looking to force a mistake. Brady will need to improve on his wider performance to avoid a pounding in Munich.

Without Ryan Jensen, Aaron Stinnie and Shaq Mason on the offensive line, Brady is going to lack protection. For fantasy football managers, the Seahawks D could be in for a season-high day in Germany.

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams

Arizona Cardinals v Minnesota Vikings

Bye weeks for the Jets and Baltimore Ravens have propelled the Arizona Cardinals onto this list. A mixed season in terms of results hasn’t been down to their defensive play. The Cardinals have really stepped up their defensive efforts of late. Through Week 9 they have a tally of 72 fantasy points and in their most recent matchup, they scored nine points.

The Los Angeles Rams choked against the Bucs on Sunday. They threw away a victory that was there for them. It has been a theme for the defending Super Bowl champions this season and could continue on Sunday.

The Cardinals aren’t prolific sackers. They have the sixth-lowest number of sacks through Week 9. However, they do find the endzone. Arizona have the most defensive touchdowns in the NFL with five. That is where their fantasy football points come from.

Luckily for the Rams, Stafford hasn’t thrown an interception in his last two games. That could limit the Cardinals' effectiveness. This is a difficult matchup to predict, so it might be wise to avoid the Cardinals D in Week 10.

Top 15 Fantasy Football Defenses in Week 10

This list is ranked by fantasy football points scored. An * indicates a bye week.

1. New England Patriots* - 102 points

2. Dallas Cowboys – 92 points

3. Philadelphia Eagles – 80 points

4. Buffalo Bills – 80 points

5. Seattle Seahawks – 76 points

6. New York Jets* – 76 points

7. Baltimore Ravens* – 73 points

8. Arizona Cardinals – 72 points

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 69 points

10. San Francisco 49ers – 69 points

11. Denver Broncos – 60 points

12. Jacksonville Jaguars – 60 points

13. Tennessee Titans – 60 points

14. Minnesota Vikings – 60 points

15. Atlanta Falcons – 57 points