Week 9 · 2026

Week 9 DST Rankings

Defense/special teams ranks built on projected sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Opponent matchup matters more here than anywhere else.

Rankings updated Nov 8, 6:51 PM EST Week 9 · 2026 season On bye: PIT, TEN

Source: Sleeper projections (RotoWire), ranked and tiered by our model · data checked every 6 hours (last check Nov 8, 7:01 PM EST) · How rankings work

Filter players Sort by

30 players

Week 9 DST Rankings — PPR

1	Houston TexansDST · HOU · @ LAC	HOU	@ LAC	8.6	NEW	T1	W8	2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways · Top-5 matchup Why #1? Houston Texans ranks DST1 in PPR this week, projected for 8.6 PPR / 8.6 half-PPR / 8.6 standard points on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. LAC has allowed 12.3 PPR points per game to defenses, the most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 6.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6). The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
2	Seattle SeahawksDST · SEA · vs ARI	SEA	vs ARI	8.6	▲6	T1	W11	2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways Why #2? Seattle Seahawks ranks DST2 in PPR this week, projected for 8.6 PPR / 8.6 half-PPR / 8.6 standard points at home against the Arizona Cardinals. ARI has allowed 6 PPR points per game to defenses, 21st-most in the league. Recent form: 5.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.6). The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
3	Kansas City ChiefsDST · KC · vs NYJ	KC	vs NYJ	8.5	▲6	T1	W5	2.7 sacks, 1.3 takeaways Why #3? Kansas City Chiefs ranks DST3 in PPR this week, projected for 8.5 PPR / 8.5 half-PPR / 8.5 standard points at home against the New York Jets. NYJ has allowed 6.5 PPR points per game to defenses, 19th-most in the league. Recent form: 5.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.4). The projection calls for 2.7 sacks, 1.3 takeaways.
4	Denver BroncosDST · DEN · @ CAR	DEN	@ CAR	8.3	▲6	T1	W10	2.6 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #4? Denver Broncos ranks DST4 in PPR this week, projected for 8.3 PPR / 8.3 half-PPR / 8.3 standard points on the road against the Carolina Panthers. CAR has allowed 8.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 8th-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 5 PPR points per game over the last 3, down from a 8 season average. The projection calls for 2.6 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
5	New Orleans SaintsDST · NO · vs CLE	NO	vs CLE	8.3	NEW	T1	W8	3.1 sacks, 1.4 takeaways · Top-5 matchup Why #5? New Orleans Saints ranks DST5 in PPR this week, projected for 8.3 PPR / 8.3 half-PPR / 8.3 standard points at home against the Cleveland Browns. CLE has allowed 10.3 PPR points per game to defenses, 2nd-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 7.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 5.9). The projection calls for 3.1 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
6	New York GiantsDST · NYG · @ PHI	NYG	@ PHI	8.0	NEW	T2	W8	2.7 sacks, 1.4 takeaways Why #6? New York Giants ranks DST6 in PPR this week, projected for 8 PPR / 8 half-PPR / 8 standard points on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. PHI has allowed 6.6 PPR points per game to defenses, 18th-most in the league. Recent form: 5.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6.8). The projection calls for 2.7 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
7	Buffalo BillsDST · BUF · @ MIN	BUF	@ MIN	8.0	▲13	T2	W7	2.6 sacks, 1.4 takeaways Why #7? Buffalo Bills ranks DST7 in PPR this week, projected for 8 PPR / 8 half-PPR / 8 standard points on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. MIN has allowed 6.7 PPR points per game to defenses, 16th-most in the league. Recent form: 6 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 5.7). The projection calls for 2.6 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
8	Chicago BearsDST · CHI · vs TB	CHI	vs TB	7.8	▲10	T2	W10	2.6 sacks, 1.3 takeaways Why #8? Chicago Bears ranks DST8 in PPR this week, projected for 7.8 PPR / 7.8 half-PPR / 7.8 standard points at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. TB has allowed 8.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 10th-most in the league. Recent form: 8 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.4). The projection calls for 2.6 sacks, 1.3 takeaways.
9	New England PatriotsDST · NE · vs GB	NE	vs GB	7.6	▼5	T2	W11	2.3 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #9? New England Patriots ranks DST9 in PPR this week, projected for 7.6 PPR / 7.6 half-PPR / 7.6 standard points at home against the Green Bay Packers. GB has allowed 6.6 PPR points per game to defenses, 17th-most in the league. Recent form: 5.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.3). The projection calls for 2.3 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
10	Jacksonville JaguarsDST · JAX · @ BAL	JAX	@ BAL	7.4	▼8	T2	W7	2.3 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #10? Jacksonville Jaguars ranks DST10 in PPR this week, projected for 7.4 PPR / 7.4 half-PPR / 7.4 standard points on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. BAL has allowed 7.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 15th-most in the league. Recent form: 10.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 9.6). The projection calls for 2.3 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
11	Philadelphia EaglesDST · PHI · vs NYG	PHI	vs NYG	7.3	▲10	T2	W10	2.1 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #11? Philadelphia Eagles ranks DST11 in PPR this week, projected for 7.3 PPR / 7.3 half-PPR / 7.3 standard points at home against the New York Giants. NYG has allowed 8.9 PPR points per game to defenses, 6th-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 3.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 3.9). The projection calls for 2.1 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
12	San Francisco 49ersDST · SF · vs LV	SF	vs LV	7.1	NEW	T3	W8	2.7 sacks, 1.4 takeaways · Bottom-5 matchup Why #12? San Francisco 49ers ranks DST12 in PPR this week, projected for 7.1 PPR / 7.1 half-PPR / 7.1 standard points at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. LV has allowed 2.9 PPR points per game to defenses, 32nd-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 8.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.1). The projection calls for 2.7 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
13	Detroit LionsDST · DET · @ MIA	DET	@ MIA	6.9	▲3	T3	W6	2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways Why #13? Detroit Lions ranks DST13 in PPR this week, projected for 6.9 PPR / 6.9 half-PPR / 6.9 standard points on the road against the Miami Dolphins. MIA has allowed 8.7 PPR points per game to defenses, 7th-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6.1). The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.4 takeaways.
14	Los Angeles RamsDST · LAR · @ WAS	LAR	@ WAS	6.7	▼9	T3	W11	2.3 sacks, 1.1 takeaways Why #14? Los Angeles Rams ranks DST14 in PPR this week, projected for 6.7 PPR / 6.7 half-PPR / 6.7 standard points on the road against the Washington Commanders. WAS has allowed 5 PPR points per game to defenses, 23rd-most in the league. Recent form: 9.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6.7). The projection calls for 2.3 sacks, 1.1 takeaways.
15	Cleveland BrownsDST · CLE · @ NO	CLE	@ NO	6.6	▲4	T3	W11	2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #15? Cleveland Browns ranks DST15 in PPR this week, projected for 6.6 PPR / 6.6 half-PPR / 6.6 standard points on the road against the New Orleans Saints. NO has allowed 8.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 9th-most in the league. Recent form: 7.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.6). The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
16	Cincinnati BengalsDST · CIN · @ ATL	CIN	@ ATL	6.5	▼15	T3	W6	2.7 sacks, 1.3 takeaways · Top-5 matchup Why #16? Cincinnati Bengals ranks DST16 in PPR this week, projected for 6.5 PPR / 6.5 half-PPR / 6.5 standard points on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. ATL has allowed 9.8 PPR points per game to defenses, 4th-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 9). The projection calls for 2.7 sacks, 1.3 takeaways.
17	Minnesota VikingsDST · MIN · vs BUF	MIN	vs BUF	6.3	▼4	T4	W6	2.2 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #17? Minnesota Vikings ranks DST17 in PPR this week, projected for 6.3 PPR / 6.3 half-PPR / 6.3 standard points at home against the Buffalo Bills. BUF has allowed 3.9 PPR points per game to defenses, 26th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 9.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 11.7). The projection calls for 2.2 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
18	Carolina PanthersDST · CAR · vs DEN	CAR	vs DEN	6.3	▲4	T4	W5	2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways Why #18? Carolina Panthers ranks DST18 in PPR this week, projected for 6.3 PPR / 6.3 half-PPR / 6.3 standard points at home against the Denver Broncos. DEN has allowed 4.3 PPR points per game to defenses, 24th-most in the league. Recent form: 2.3 PPR points per game over the last 3, down from a 5.4 season average. The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
19	Green Bay PackersDST · GB · @ NE	GB	@ NE	6.2	▼5	T4	W11	2.2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways Why #19? Green Bay Packers ranks DST19 in PPR this week, projected for 6.2 PPR / 6.2 half-PPR / 6.2 standard points on the road against the New England Patriots. NE has allowed 7.8 PPR points per game to defenses, 11th-most in the league. Recent form: 9.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 7.6). The projection calls for 2.2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways.
20	Dallas CowboysDST · DAL · @ IND	DAL	@ IND	6.2	▼3	T4	W14	2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways · Top-5 matchup Why #20? Dallas Cowboys ranks DST20 in PPR this week, projected for 6.2 PPR / 6.2 half-PPR / 6.2 standard points on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. IND has allowed 10 PPR points per game to defenses, 3rd-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 6.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 4.2). The projection calls for 2.4 sacks, 1.2 takeaways.
21	Atlanta FalconsDST · ATL · vs CIN	ATL	vs CIN	5.8	▼6	T4	W11	2.2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways Why #21? Atlanta Falcons ranks DST21 in PPR this week, projected for 5.8 PPR / 5.8 half-PPR / 5.8 standard points at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. CIN has allowed 5.3 PPR points per game to defenses, 22nd-most in the league. Recent form: 6 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6.1). The projection calls for 2.2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways.
22	Tampa Bay BuccaneersDST · TB · @ CHI	TB	@ CHI	5.6	▼15	T4	W10	2.2 sacks, 1 takeaways Why #22? Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranks DST22 in PPR this week, projected for 5.6 PPR / 5.6 half-PPR / 5.6 standard points on the road against the Chicago Bears. CHI has allowed 7.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 14th-most in the league. Recent form: 16.7 PPR points per game over the last 3, trending up from a 10 season average. The projection calls for 2.2 sacks, 1 takeaways.
23	Los Angeles ChargersDST · LAC · vs HOU	LAC	vs HOU	5.5	▲1	T4	W7	2.3 sacks, 1.1 takeaways Why #23? Los Angeles Chargers ranks DST23 in PPR this week, projected for 5.5 PPR / 5.5 half-PPR / 5.5 standard points at home against the Houston Texans. HOU has allowed 4 PPR points per game to defenses, 25th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 4 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 5.9). The projection calls for 2.3 sacks, 1.1 takeaways.
24	Baltimore RavensDST · BAL · vs JAX	BAL	vs JAX	5.4	▲2	T4	W13	1.9 sacks, 1 takeaways · Bottom-5 matchup Why #24? Baltimore Ravens ranks DST24 in PPR this week, projected for 5.4 PPR / 5.4 half-PPR / 5.4 standard points at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. JAX has allowed 3.3 PPR points per game to defenses, 31st-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 0.7 PPR points per game over the last 3, down from a 4.6 season average. The projection calls for 1.9 sacks, 1 takeaways.
25	Washington CommandersDST · WAS · vs LAR	WAS	vs LAR	5.2	▼19	T4	W7	2.2 sacks, 1 takeaways Why #25? Washington Commanders ranks DST25 in PPR this week, projected for 5.2 PPR / 5.2 half-PPR / 5.2 standard points at home against the Los Angeles Rams. LAR has allowed 6.1 PPR points per game to defenses, 20th-most in the league. Recent form: 8.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 6.9). The projection calls for 2.2 sacks, 1 takeaways.
26	Arizona CardinalsDST · ARI · @ SEA	ARI	@ SEA	4.7	▲1	T5	W14	2 sacks, 0.9 takeaways · Top-5 matchup Why #26? Arizona Cardinals ranks DST26 in PPR this week, projected for 4.7 PPR / 4.7 half-PPR / 4.7 standard points on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. SEA has allowed 9.3 PPR points per game to defenses, 5th-most in the league — a favorable draw. Recent form: 3.7 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 4.4). The projection calls for 2 sacks, 0.9 takeaways.
27	Indianapolis ColtsDST · IND · vs DAL	IND	vs DAL	4.4	▼4	T5	W13	2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways · Bottom-5 matchup Why #27? Indianapolis Colts ranks DST27 in PPR this week, projected for 4.4 PPR / 4.4 half-PPR / 4.4 standard points at home against the Dallas Cowboys. DAL has allowed 3.4 PPR points per game to defenses, 30th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 6 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 3.9). The projection calls for 2 sacks, 1.1 takeaways.
28	Miami DolphinsDST · MIA · vs DET	MIA	vs DET	3.5	▼3	T5	W6	2 sacks, 0.8 takeaways Why #28? Miami Dolphins ranks DST28 in PPR this week, projected for 3.5 PPR / 3.5 half-PPR / 3.5 standard points at home against the Detroit Lions. DET has allowed 3.7 PPR points per game to defenses, 27th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 5.3 PPR points per game over the last 3 (season average 3.4). The projection calls for 2 sacks, 0.8 takeaways.
29	Las Vegas RaidersDST · LV · @ SF	LV	@ SF	3.4	▼17	T5	W13	1.8 sacks, 0.8 takeaways · Bottom-5 matchup Why #29? Las Vegas Raiders ranks DST29 in PPR this week, projected for 3.4 PPR / 3.4 half-PPR / 3.4 standard points on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. SF has allowed 3.7 PPR points per game to defenses, 28th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 4 PPR points per game over the last 3, down from a 7.5 season average. The projection calls for 1.8 sacks, 0.8 takeaways.
30	New York JetsDST · NYJ · @ KC	NYJ	@ KC	3.3	▼19	T5	W13	1.9 sacks, 0.8 takeaways · Bottom-5 matchup Why #30? New York Jets ranks DST30 in PPR this week, projected for 3.3 PPR / 3.3 half-PPR / 3.3 standard points on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. KC has allowed 3.4 PPR points per game to defenses, 29th-most in the league — one of the tougher draws on the slate. Recent form: 1 PPR points per game over the last 3, down from a 5.9 season average. The projection calls for 1.9 sacks, 0.8 takeaways.

Start & sit of the week

Start of the week WR20

Omar Cooper Jr.

WR · NYJ · @ KC · 13.4 proj PPR pts

Projected as the WR20 this week (13.4 PPR points) despite a season-average finish of WR63. KC allows the 31st-most PPR points per game to wide receivers (24.9).

Sit of the week RB25

Derrick Henry

RB · BAL · vs JAX · 11.9 proj PPR pts

Averaging a RB15 finish this season but projected only as the RB25 this week (11.9 PPR points). JAX allows the 32nd-most PPR points per game to running backs (16.8).

Picked automatically: the biggest gap between a player's projected rank this week and their season-average finish, with matchup as a tiebreaker. Compare any two players →

More rankings

FAQ

How are these fantasy rankings made?

Each player is ranked by projected fantasy points for Week 9 (projections from RotoWire via Sleeper), then grouped into tiers where the projections drop off. Matchup grades come from how many fantasy points each defense has allowed to the position this season. Full details are on the methodology page.

How often are the rankings updated?

The data is checked every 6 hours, all week. Projections move with injury news, depth chart changes and practice reports, so check back before kickoff. A new week's board goes live once the previous week's games are final, usually on Tuesday.

What do the tiers mean?

Players in the same tier have similar projected outcomes. When deciding between two players in one tier, lean on matchup, health and your gut rather than the exact rank number.

What is the difference between PPR, half-PPR and standard?

PPR awards one point per reception, half-PPR awards half a point, and standard awards none. Pass catchers gain value as reception points increase.