NFL Fantasy Football Week 18: Defense rankings

With the passing of Week 18, fantasy football leagues will come to an end, and defense could provide you with the points needed to triumph over your friends and colleagues.

Through Week 17, the New England Patriots had the best fantasy defense. The Pats' defense, led by Matt Judon, has been astoundingly good, more than making up for their terrible offense.

Micah Parsons remains one of the NFL's most dominant pass rushers, and he is a big reason why the Dallas Cowboys' defense is second in the league.

Fletcher Cox and the Philadelphia Eagles continue to dazzle, albeit in defeat in Week 17, and they lead the NFL with 68 sacks.

Nick Bosa has been a candidate for the NFL MVP award in 2022, though a defender winning the award is extremely unlikely.

He is, however, on track to win Defensive Player of the Year and is two sacks away from breaking the San Francisco 49ers franchise record for single-season sacks.

As is clear, the Buffalo Bills’ fixture against the New England Patriots on Sunday is in doubt.

Whilst this match may still be played, the condition of Damar Hamlin is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The Bills and Patriots are two of the NFL’s best fantasy defenses, which could cause a run of panic dropping if that game isn’t played.

Who are the best available fantasy football defenses for Week 18?

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

Matt Judon is the reason why the Patriots defense is ranked #1

The New England Patriots are second in terms of sacks with a return of 52. Matt Judon has been crucial to their campaign, getting to the quarterback.

New England leads the NFL in interceptions with 18 and this could be of note ahead of the Week 18 matchup as Josh Allen has been picked off 13 times in 2022.

Furthermore, the prodigious QB has also been sacked on 31 occasions. Whilst it remains unclear if this game goes ahead on Sunday, the Pats defense has the weapons to cause Josh Allen problems.

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders

Fantasy Football players have earned a lot of points from Dallas' defense

Dallas are in the playoffs, but are unlikely to win the NFC East. They can only finish with the same record as the Eagles, but their chances aren’t slim enough for starters to be rested in Washington.

The Commanders have had an awful season and still don’t quite know who their quarterback will be moving forward. Carson Wentz is likely to start against the Cowboys, which will give Parsons plenty of chances to cause chaos.

Washington has been abysmal at protecting their QB in 2022, allowing 45 sacks through Week 17. Dallas’ defense is going to have a field day against them and will earn plenty of fantasy football points.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

Philadelphia's defense has the most sacks in the NFL

Fletcher Cox and Ndamukong Suh have proven to be quite the one-two punch since being paired together in Philadelphia.

The Eagles’ have stuttered in recent weeks but still have 68 sacks as a defensive unit. This has contributed to their tally of 148 fantasy points this term.

The New York Giants have guaranteed their post-season spot and have no chance of improving. This is likely going to mean key players on the offensive line will be rested.

There is even a chance that Daniel Jones doesn’t play. The Eagles will be at full strength and are likely to score a lot of fantasy points against a weakened Giants team.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Nick Bosa is eyeing the 49ers' single-season sack record

Nick Bosa is desperate to get beyond the franchise record of 19.5 sacks in a single season. While he struggled to make any real impact against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17, the Arizona Cardinals are much weaker opponents.

Bosa has been ably supported by Fred Warner throughout the 2022 season and he is on course to record a profitable day in Week 18.

Arizona’s weakness without Kyler Murray is in the passing game. San Francisco has been brilliant in the backfield, recording 17 interceptions through Week 17, and they will expect to add to this against the Cardinals and David Blough.

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots

Buffalo's defenders have to recover from a truly harrowing week for the franchise

Prior to Week 17, the Buffalo Bills defense was in a strong place despite the absence of Von Miller.

Damar Hamlin’s situation has thrown the Bills’ preparations for Week 18 into chaos, not that it matters with the condition of the safety still considered critical.

New England’s offense is weak. Mac Jones isn’t the quarterback who can lead a team… yet. Under normal circumstances, the Bills’ defense would have a tremendous time against them.

However, the Bills can’t be in a strong place mentally after the pain they’ve had to go through this week. You will have to wait to hear whether this game will be played before making your fantasy football picks. It may be wise to leave the Bills defense out.

Top 15 Fantasy Football Defenses in Week 18

This list is ranked by fantasy points scored

1. New England Patriots – 182 points

2. Dallas Cowboys – 164 points

3. Philadelphia Eagles – 148 points

4. San Francisco 49ers – 148 points

5. Buffalo Bills – 133 points

6. Baltimore Ravens – 130 points

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – 124 points

8. Green Bay Packers – 115 points

9. New York Jets – 113 points

10. Seattle Seahawks – 109 points

11. Kansas City Chiefs – 107 points

12. Cleveland Browns – 105 points

13. Arizona Cardinals – 103 points

14. Indianapolis Colts – 103 points

15. Carolina Panthers – 103 points