How in the world is it already Week 9? Why can’t time move this fast when it’s late February, the football season has come and gone, and I’m waiting on post-5:00 sunsets and being able to go outside without six layers on?
Week 8 is just about behind us, and the theme of the week was very simple: blowouts. Aside from some late drama in Cincinnati as the Jets finally got their first win of the year, every other game this week has been decided by double-digit points. Not exactly a recipe for an exciting day of football, but at least you got some solid fantasy production if your guys were on the right side of a blowout.
Looking at our picks from last week, I’m gonna give us a solid B. The Bills and Chargers were the number two and three DST scorers through Sunday’s games, finishing with 19 and 12 points, respectively. Unfortunately, the Falcons eliminated any chance we had of back to back three-for-three weeks, putting up a goose egg with no turnovers and one sack as they were demolished by the lowly Dolphins.
Looking ahead to Week 9, teams like the Chargers, Lions, Packers, and Rams are all on letdown watch, being favorited by more than a touchdown against an inferior opponent. And, of course, we have another chapter in the Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen saga as the Chiefs head to western New York to face the Bills in the late window.
As I come to terms with hitting the midway point on another NFL season, let’s take a look at the best fantasy football Week 9 defense streamers (D/ST) that should be available on the waiver wire.
TEAMS TO AVOID IN WEEK 9
Buffalo Bills (79% rostered) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (77%): For the first time in a few weeks, our two defenses to avoid will face off in the same game. The Bills and Chiefs have both been around the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy scoring and both are coming off double-digit showings in their last game (Kansas City plays on MNF tonight but should have a solid night against a Jayden Daniels-less Commanders team), but I cannot start either defense with confidence in this matchup.
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have given us plenty of explosive games already in their young careers, and this is shaping up to be another one on Sunday afternoon. The Vegas total for the game is set at 51.5, one of the highest numbers of the week, and you can always count on a flurry of late scoring when these two teams face off. Both teams have had some early-season woes as they sort things out on offense, but both appear to be headed in the right direction. Yes, both defenses are top ten in scoring and top three against the pass, but those types of numbers can be thrown out the window in this matchup. Both teams are near the bottom of the league in turnovers and sacks allowed, and both quarterbacks have shown they are more than able to get out of the pocket and extend plays while limiting dangerous throws that result in interceptions.
If you have either of these defenses on your roster, they’re definitely ones you want to hold onto, especially with Buffalo following this game up with a matchup with the Dolphins. However, they should be on your bench this week in what should be one of the more exciting matchups of the year so far.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 9 DEFENSE STREAMERS (D/ST)
LOS ANGELES RAMS (33% ROSTERED)
The Rams are a great example of a team that is strictly in streamer territory because they are coming off a bye. The DST7 in scoring so far this year, they had two straight double-digit showings in Weeks 6 and 7, allowing a combined ten points in those contests with 11 sacks and three turnovers. They were idle in Week 8 after back to back road wins, and will now return home to face the Saints in Week 9.
Despite an abysmal 1-7 record, the Saints had actually done a solid job of limiting opponent DST scoring this season — that is, until Week 8 against Tampa. The Bucs defense had their best performance of the year on Sunday, holding New Orleans to three points and recording five sacks and four turnovers, including a pick six off Spencer Rattler that, combined with a lost fumble, led to him taking a seat on the bench and giving rookie Tyler Shough an opportunity.
Shough wasn’t able to turn the tide at all, but he also didn’t have much help. His first career INT was due to a true block-handed moment from Chris Olave (see post above), and Alvin Kamara managed just 45 yards from scrimmage on the day on only eight touches.
I would be surprised if Rattler isn’t the Saints starting QB in Week 9, but regardless of what the team decides, it’s clear that quarterback is far from the only problem with New Orleans’ offense. And with trade rumors swirling around with names like Olave and Rashid Shaheed at the forefront, it seems like things will undoubtedly get worse before they get better.
The Rams will be well-rested heading into this matchup with two weeks to prepare for an offense that you could realistically be ready for in 20 minutes with a copy of “Defensive Game Planning for Dummies.” They’re my favorite pick of the week, and even though their upcoming schedule isn’t too enticing, you can likely hold them for the remainder of the season and get some solid production.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (30%)
After dropping three of four games following a 3-0 start, the Chargers emphatically returned to the win column on Thursday Night Football, bullying the Vikings and pummeling Carson Wentz on their way to a 37-10 win. They finished with twelve fantasy points on the night, their second double-digit performance of the year, allowing just ten points with five sacks and an interception.
Jim Harbaugh’s squad immediately follows up one victory with another, as they are the newest winners of the “Gets to Play the Titans” sweepstakes.
Since parting ways with head coach Brian Callahan, the Titans are 0-2 and have been outscored 69-27 in those two contests. They’re currently sitting at 1-7, tied with New Orleans and the Jets for the worst record in the league, and seem headed for yet another top draft pick. Not that they’ll do anything worthwhile with it.
Tennessee also appears to be headed towards a wire-to-wire title of the most points allowed to opposing fantasy defenses, as they remain in the top spot with over 12 points allowed per game. Their 13 turnovers are the most in the league, as are their 34 sacks allowed, and their 13.8 points scored per game has them in dead last there as well. Turnovers, sacks, and points are the holy trinity of fantasy defense stats, and Tennessee is more than generous in all three.
LA’s schedule gets a lot tougher the rest of the way, so they’re mainly a one-week option here with Pittsburgh and Jacksonville on deck, but they should be in for a big day if Tennessee continues to struggle as they have all year long.
DETROIT LIONS (47%)
Like the Rams, the Lions have creeped into streamer territory solely due to a Week 8 bye. They’re the DST4 in scoring so far in 2025, averaging just under ten points per game this season, and most recently put up 14 in a big win over the Buccaneers in Week 7.
Aidan Hutchinson has been huge for Detroit up front this year, recording six sacks and four forced fumbles through seven games. As a result of the effort of himself and his teammates up front, the Lions are eighth in total defense and fourth against the run, and they’re tied for fifth with 23 sacks on the year. Those sack totals could be in for a big boost come Sunday afternoon, as the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota will likely be turning back to JJ McCarthy this week with the multitude of injuries Carson Wentz was battling through on Thursday night. Regardless of who has been under center for the Vikes this year, they’ve had a ton of trouble keeping them off the ground. Through Week 8 they’ve allowed 28 sacks, tied for the third-most in the league, and their offensive line has been a revolving door due to injuries with double digit different players taking snaps on the front lines this season.
All told, the Vikings have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2025, as they’re also tied for second in turnovers with 12 and are scoring just 22 points per game. Justin Jefferson always remains a threat, but he has just one touchdown on the year and yardage-wise is on pace for potentially the worst full-season total of his career. Aaron Jones returned from injury on Thursday night and immediately took back the starting job from Jordan Mason, but the two backs combined for just 18 yards on nine carries as Minnesota went down early and the game script moved them away from the run game.
Minnesota’s run game should continue to struggle against a strong defensive front for Detroit, which will force McCarthy to make plays with his arm, something I don’t believe he’s ready for against a talented secondary. Detroit’s schedule the rest of the way is no cake walk, but they’ll be startable in most matchups provided they continue to play as well as they have through eight weeks.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jacksonville Jaguars (9%): Coming off a bye, the Jaguars will travel to Vegas to face the Raiders and Geno Smith, who is still tied for the league lead in interceptions despite being idle in Week 8.
San Francisco 49ers (32%): The Niners are dealing with injuries and struggled to contain the Texans in Week 8, but they’ll be in a good spot to turn things around against the Giants without Cam Skattebo, who suffered a season-ending leg injury on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Seattle Seahawks (42%): The DST9 in 2025, Seattle comes off a bye and heads to Washington to face the Commanders and their injured offense.
