1. Seattle Seahawks
The NFL’s best defense is the No. 1 fantasy defense this week against the abysmal Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. The 0-7 team is 26th in the league in passing offense and 21st in rushing, and the team is overall struggling without running back Doug Martin. The Seahawks have to start slowing down eventually, heading into their ninth straight game, but they are playing too good to allow any more than 10 points to the Bucs.
Projected Statistics: Six points allowed, one interception, three sacks
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Much like the Seahawks, the Chiefs fantasy outlook rides just as much on their opponent as their performance thus far in the season. The Buffalo Bills quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has yet to throw for more than 234 yards in his three starts, and they have only had a 100-yard rusher once this season. Kansas City ranks fourth in the NFL in passing defense and 11th in rushing defense, and the Chiefs have been leaning on their defense to win most of their games this season, and this one should be no different.
Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, one interception, four sacks
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Thursday night games have been generally low-scoring this season, and the Bengals game against the Miami Dolphins should be no different. Since starting out 3-0, the Dolphins are on a four-game skid, scoring 23 points or less in each of those losses. Their quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, has thrown four interceptions in the last two games, and hasn’t eclipsed 200 passing yards in those contests as well. After slipping up in Weeks 6 and 7 fantasy-wise, the Bengals rebounded nicely against the New York Jets, and could approach the 13 point mark in this one.
Projected Statistics: 17 point allowed, two interceptions, two sacks, one fumble recovery
4. Carolina Panthers
Since Week 2, the Panthers defense has scored 23, 11 and 20 fantasy points, and will get over the double-digit mark in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan has remained surprisingly effective despite losing Julio Jones and missing out on a fully healthy Roddy White. However, they only scored 13 points last week against the Arizona Cardinals, as their running attack has been incredibly ineffective. Carolina has 22 sacks through seven games, and five different players have at least one interception. Although they’re available in 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues, don’t look past the Panthers D this week.
Projected Statistics: 20 points allowed, two interceptions, four sacks
5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are 20th in the league in rushing defense, and have only broken double-digit fantasy points three times this season, but should have a good week against the New York Jets. Quarterback Geno Smith is on pace to throw 10 more interceptions than touchdowns this season. Smith has also given up six fumbles in eight games. However, with the way Drew Brees is playing this one could be high-scoring. But what New Orleans will lose in points allowed they’ll make up for in turnovers.
Projected Statistics: 25 points allowed, two interceptions, two sacks, one fumble recovery