NFL Fantasy Football Week 8: Defense rankings

The fantasy football Week 8 defense rankings can be vital for managers looking to score extra points in close matchups. Fantasy football is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, yet defenses are now far more prevalent in deciding close matchups. Week 7 saw a dramatic shift in the fantasy football rankings with regards to defenses, although a lot of this was down to the Buffalo Bills' bye week.

Week 8 will be entirely different with all five of the top defenses in the NFL in action, which could give you the edge in your own fantasy football matchups. Individual players are beginning to take over as the season enters the halfway point, with generational talents like Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa propping up their respective teams on defense.

Who are the best available fantasy football defenses ahead of Week 8?

Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys v New York Giants

The Dallas Cowboys are the new leading fantasy football defense, having hit a total of 81 points after seven games. Micah Parsons has led the line with yet another Pro Bowl-caliber season. In seven starts, he already has seven sacks, which puts him on course to beat his 2021 return of 13 sacks.

An easy 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 7 saw the Cowboys’ defense lead the league in fantasy football points scored with 22. In Week 8 the Cowboys face a potentially tricky matchup at home to the Chicago Bears. The Bears are fresh off scoring 33 points against the third-ranked New England Patriots defense on Monday.

Whilst the Cowboys were red-hot in Week 7, there are more favorable matchups for you to choose from in Week 8.

Buffalo Bills vs. Green Bay Packers

Buffalo Bills defense v Carolina Panthers

The Buffalo Bills are the most complete team in the NFL. They excel in every department, and their defense is no different. Von Miller’s arrival has been a game-changer for Buffalo and he has six sacks in six starts. He could continue his excellent season in Sunday’s game against an ailing Green Bay Packers team.

Aaron Rodgers has lost all command of his young offense, and their season appears to be heading towards disaster. With that being said, he didn’t get sacked or throw an interception in a loss to the Washington Commanders, so this isn’t a lock.

Buffalo have scored 11 fantasy football points less than the Cowboys, having played a game fewer. This places them perfectly to regain top spot in Week 8.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets

New England Patriots v Las Vegas Raiders

Week 7 was a week to forget for the quickest-rising fantasy football defense in 2022. Bill Belichick’s Patriots shipped 33 points to the Bears, but remain the third-ranked D-Line in the sport in terms of fantasy points. A rivalry game against the New York Jets is usually enough to get players motivated, but they need to recapture the lights-out defensive play that has put them in this position.

Fortunately, the Jets have given up the ninth-highest number of sacks in the NFL in 2022. The Patriots can get to Zach Wilson on Sunday and rack up vital fantasy football points.

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams

San Francisco 49ers v Carolina Panthers

The San Francisco 49ers defense didn’t even play badly in Week 7. They just came up against a Kansas City Chiefs offense that was unstoppable. After conceding 44 points to the Chiefs, the Niners recorded their second successive week with just one fantasy football point on defense.

This is a run of form that can’t and won’t continue. DeMeco Ryans’ defense is too talented for that. They will bounce back in Week 8, and with fantasy players dumping the 49ers defense like Blockbuster stock after two awful weeks, you can pick up a bargain.

In terms of protecting their QB, the Los Angeles Rams are the worst team in the NFL. In six games, they have allowed 22 sacks, but the four teams who have allowed more have all played seven games. Had the Rams not had a bye week, the stats suggest they would have allowed the most sacks.

This is music to the ears of Nick Bosa, who is due a big day on Sunday. Everyone should get the Niners’ defense in their fantasy football teams for Week 8.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Philadelphia Eagles v Arizona Cardinals

Consistency has been key to the Philadelphia Eagles’ unbeaten start to the 2022 NFL season. Their defense has been steady and reliable, without the eye-catching playmakers of their rivals. With 58 fantasy football points so far this season, the Eagles are the fifth-ranked defense going into Week 8, but are facing the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Neither Kenny Pickett nor Mitchell Trubisky have shown any much quality and the Eagles are expected to flock around them in Week 8.

Philly ranked second in the NFL in terms of defensive interceptions, whilst the Steelers are the worst ranked team with regards to throwing them.

Pickett will have a difficult game on Sunday, that is clear. His interceptions are understandable for a rookie, but that won’t stop the Eagles from benefitting. This is another smart fantasy football selection if you don’t quite trust the Niners.

Top 15 Fantasy Football Defenses in Week 8

This list is ranked by fantasy points scored.

1. Dallas Cowboys – 81 points

2. Buffalo Bills – 70 points

3. New England Patriots – 67 points

4. San Francisco 49ers – 66 points

5. Philadelphia Eagles – 58 points

6. Baltimore Ravens – 58 points

7. New York Jets – 58 points

8. Arizona Cardinals – 57 points

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 56 points

10. Seattle Seahawks – 55 points

11. Denver Broncos – 53 points

12. Carolina Panthers – 52 points

13. Jacksonville Jaguars – 50 points

14. Chicago Bears – 48 points

15. Tennessee Titans – 44 points