As the fantasy football playoffs approach, the focus shifts to defense (DST) rankings for Weeks 15-17, with many managers strategizing their rosters. This time of year requires careful planning, particularly regarding which defenses to roster for the upcoming weeks. To assist with this, a “Playoff Score” has been created, which combines a formula that ranks defenses based on performance over the last six weeks with a detailed analysis of each defense’s upcoming matchups. This score helps fantasy players choose defenses not only by recent form but also based on the quality of upcoming opponents.
The rankings incorporate a formula known as BOD (Breakdown of Defense) which evaluates key defensive metrics such as pass rush production, forced incompletion rate, turnover rate, and the efficiency of the defense’s allowed points. By combining these factors with the strength of the opponents’ offenses, the Playoff Score is designed to help fantasy managers assess defenses’ potential over the final weeks of the regular season.
Each week’s ranking may change due to the evolving performance of offenses, and the rankings reflect how teams have played in the past month. For example, the Saints have become a more favorable matchup with Taysom Hill’s absence, whereas the Falcons, despite recent struggles, were not downgraded excessively. The formula also adjusts for injuries, such as the 49ers’ diminished performance due to key offensive injuries, impacting the ranking of teams like the Rams and Lions, who benefit from these adjustments.
The top-ranked defenses include the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. The Eagles, with an average of 9.6 fantasy points over the past six weeks, lead the rankings, largely due to favorable matchups against the Steelers and Commanders in Weeks 15 and 16. The Rams also boast a promising schedule with matchups against San Francisco and Arizona, while the Lions and Bills offer strong performances, especially when healthy.
While the top-tier defenses offer a higher degree of confidence, the next-tier defenses, like the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Indianapolis Colts, present a mix of solid performances and tough matchups. These defenses can be used strategically, rotating based on the week’s matchups.
Teams with unfavorable matchups, like the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders, rank the lowest, making them unreliable for the playoffs. For fantasy managers, this means the key to success lies in carefully evaluating matchups each week and potentially pairing strong defenses for flexibility, ensuring optimal performance throughout the fantasy postseason.
