I hope everyone had a great season. Congratulations to all of the fantasy football champions out there. With that said, there is one more week in the NFL season. If you have a fantasy matchup this week, we’ve got you covered. Given the lack of motivation for several teams, this week will focus on the top five defenses you’d want to start.
1) Baltimore Ravens (vs. CLE)
Don’t look now, but the Baltimore Ravens have been playing much better defensively after a disastrous first half of the season. Over their past three games following the bye week, the Ravens have 11 sacks and four turnovers. They just shut out the Texans.
I suspect it won’t be Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 18 after yet another embarrassing display by a guy whose days under center in the NFL may be numbered. At home against possibly Bailey Zappe, though, is just fine.
The Ravens still need a win to secure the division, so they will be going all out against a team that’s mostly just going through the motions.
2) Denver Broncos (vs. KC)
Following their overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday afternoon, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a must-win Week 18 matchup. Their path to the postseason is simple: beat the Chiefs.
Fortunately, the Chiefs have the No. 1 seed locked up. That means we aren’t going to see Patrick Mahomes or potentially any other key starters. The Broncos at home against Carson Wentz throwing to backups makes this defense a prime target.
3) Los Angeles Chargers (at LV)
There’s some risk that the Los Angeles Chargers may not care much about seeding. The Chargers clinched a Wild Card spot but are not locked into their specific seed. With the No. 5 seed and a date with a Texans team that is in danger of getting bounced in the first round, let’s hope the Chargers are interested in going after that matchup.
The Chargers just limited the Patriots to seven points while accumulating four sacks and recovering a fumble.
When these teams met back in Week 1, the Chargers sacked Gardner Minshew II four times and forced three turnovers, while holding the Raiders to 10 points. In a week where motivation is an issue for many teams, a motivated Chargers team against a Raiders team that can’t really even play spoiler is a great spot.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NO)
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi is coaching for his job. He’s heavily motivated to win, which is why Derek Carr has not been ruled out for the season just yet. But with one game left, I’d be surprised if he came back. That gives us another week of attacking Spencer Rattler (or Jake Haener).
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just held the Panthers to 14 points and recorded five sacks. The Saints scored 10 points at home against the Raiders. One of these teams is playing out a lost season. The other needs a win to hopefully win the division. The Bucs are an extremely strong option.
5) Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU)
The Texans are coming off a game where they scored zero offensive points. It’s possible that head coach DeMeco Ryans decides his team needs to play to get some momentum. However, with the Texans locked into the No. 4 seed, they have nothing to gain by playing starters. We will roll the dice on a Tennessee Titans defense at home potentially against Davis Mills without Joe Mixon or Nico Collins.
6) Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)
7) Miami Dolphins (at NYJ)
8) Washington Commanders (at DAL)
9) New England Patriots (vs. BUF)
10) Green Bay Packers (vs. CHI)
11) San Francisco 49ers (at ARI)
12) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)
13) Houston Texans (at TEN)
14) Indianapolis Colts (vs. JAX)
15) Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
16) Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
17) Arizona Cardinals (vs. SF)
18) Jacksonville Jaguars (at IND)
19) New York Giants (at PHI)
20) New York Jets (vs. MIA)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CIN)
22) Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
23) Minnesota Vikings (at DET)
24) Dallas Cowboys (vs. WAS)
25) Buffalo Bills (at NE)
26) Houston Texans (vs. BAL)
27) Kansas City Chiefs (at DEN)
28) Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
29) Carolina Panthers (at ATL)
30) Las Vegas Raiders (vs. LAC)
31) Cleveland Browns (at BAL)
32) New Orleans Saints (at TB)