Unfortunately, our Week 16 D/ST rankings are stacked with most of the familiar faces at the top. Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Tampa your best bets for streams, though there are a few teams outside of our top 12 who could provide a decent bang for your buck, too. Let’s check out the full fantasy D/ST rankings to spot some sleeper matchups and help you make those tough start/sit lineup decisions. 

MORE: Week 16 fantasy football rankings:Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Kickers

Week 16 fantasy football rankings, Defenses

  1. Seahawks vs. Rams. The Seahawks haven’t been world beaters this year, but a matchup at home against Case Keenum could easily cure what ails them.

  2. Chiefs vs. Browns. Few D/STs are as hot as the Chiefs right now, and Johnny Manziel and the Browns (third-most fantasy points allowed to D/STs) won’t find Arrowhead too hospitable in December.

  3. Broncos vs. Bengals. Denver’s armor got a little dented in Pittsburgh last week, but now back at home, expect them to take out their frustrations on an A.J. McCarron-led Bengals team.

  4. Panthers at Falcons. We all saw what the Panthers did to Atlanta just two weeks ago (five sacks, four takeaways, shutout), and while we can’t expect that dominant of a performance again, we can expect another good performance, even in the Georgia Dome.

  5. Texans at Titans. The Texans have been playing better lately, but this ranking is mainly about matchup. No team allows more fantasy points per game (FPPG) to D/STs than the Titans, who will be without Marcus Mariota (knee). Sometimes, you just have to play the numbers.

  6. Steelers at Ravens. The Steelers’ pass defense isn’t very good, but against Jimmy Clausen, Matt Schaub or Ryan Mallett, does it matter? This game is always chippy, and the Steelers should be able to bully the Ravens into several mistakes.

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  1. Bengals at Broncos. Since Brock Osweiler took over as Denver’s starter, the Broncos have allowed at least eight fantasy points to D/STs in four of five games, including 17 points two weeks ago. Cincinnati ranks ninth among fantasy D/STs this year, thanks in part to their 38 sacks. Denver has given up 34 QB takedowns, so expect a good amount of opportunities for the Bengals.

8. Patriots at Jets. The Jets have been solid against D/STs this year (8 FPPG allowed), and they really held their own against the Pats in Week 7 (6). Yet, the Patriots’ D/ST seems to find a way to get points more often than not (45 the past two weeks). New England’s ceiling isn’t as high as usual, but it has a fairly high floor.

9. Bills vs. Cowboys. Buffalo has been a major disappointment this season, but they have one more chance to get back in fantasy owners’ good graces against a Dallas team that’s allowed 12.5 FPPG to D/STs and is starting Kellen Moore. Take advantage.

10. Cardinals vs. Packers. The Packers limit fantasy points to D/STs about as well as anyone (6.1 per game), but Arizona’s D/ST is averaging 13.2 FPPG at home. 

  1. Eagles vs. Redskins. Philadelphia thrives off big plays, and Kirk Cousins has been known to give up big plays on the road, where he has just a 6:9 TD-to-INT ratio and is throwing for almost 30 fewer yards per game than at home.

12. Buccaneers vs. Bears. Tampa was a popular stream last week against St. Louis and it didn’t do much, but with extra rest and a favorable matchup against the Bears, who allow 11.6 FPPG to D/STs (seventh most), the Bucs are back in play. It helps that Alshon Jeffery (calf, hamstring) is out.

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Best of the rest

  1. Rams at Seahawks 14. Giants at Vikings.  15. Dolphins vs. Colts 16. Vikings vs. Giants 17. Lions vs. 49ers 18. Jets vs. Patriots 19. Packers at Cardinals 20. Colts at Dolphins 21. Saints vs. Jaguars 22. Jaguars at Saints 23. Raiders vs. Chargers 24. Titans vs. Texans 25. Redskins at Eagles 26. Ravens vs. Steelers 27. Bears at Buccaneers 28. 49ers at Lions 29. Cowboys at Bills 30. Browns at Chiefs 31. Falcons vs. Panthers 32. Chargers at Raiders