NFL Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 9: Sleepers And Top Picks, Who To Start, Sit

With two of fantasy’s top and most balanced defenses sitting out for the bye week in the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, owners will have to scan the wire for a quick sub.

The 49ers have so far been responsible for three touchdowns, nine interceptions, and 17.0 sacks. While the upstart Cardinals ripped down 12 picks, 23 sacks, and a touchown through the first eight games of the year.

That kind of even and steady production would typically result in a solid 10 important points that could swing a weekly matchup.

The below teams could make up that production and be your Week Nine MVP.

New Orleans Saints

Fourth in the league allowing 17.1 points a game, the Saints meet a New York Jets squad coming off their worst loss in three years. Quarterback Geno Smith can bleed turnovers and keep the Jets out of the end zone, resulting in lots of points for Saints owners.

Cleveland Browns

All bets are typically off when division rivals clash, especially when you’ve never beaten the rival quarterback. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco is a perfect 11-0 against the Browns, but their young defense led by defensive back Buster Skrine and d-end Barkevious Mingo should terrorize the Ravens all afternoon.

Indianapolis Colts

Another division game, but the Colts likely won’t be in trouble against a Houston team that has serious injury concerns at running back. Indianapolis is 29th against the run, but Houston’s Arian Foster and Ben Tate are banged up even if they did both practice on Thursday.

Tennessee Titans

They’ve lost three straight to three of the league’s top teams (Kansas City, Seattle, 49ers) and now meet reeling St. Louis. Kellen Clemens (7 TDs to 15 INTs in eight years) will be under center for St. Louis, and the Rams haven't scored a single rushing touchdown all season.

Green Bay Packers

Career backup Josh McCown is in for Jay Cutler, meaning Chicago will hand off to running back Matt Forte plenty. The Packers are fourth against the run, and in four career games have only given up one touchdown to receiver Brandon Marshall.