Targets Include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and Others

Congratulations, fantasy football managers — we have made it to the end of the season! But it is not quite over; you still need to pick the right defensive matchup to exploit in Week 18. Remember that you are not just looking at a defense to start for yourself; you are looking at defenses to play and keep away from your opponent.

What are some defenses to target to close out the 2023 fantasy football season in Week 18?

Fantasy Football DST Streamers for Week 18

Green Bay Packers (vs.CHI) – 46% Rostered

The Chicago Bears have officially locked down the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft, so how they attack the last week of the season is anybody’s guess. Even if nothing changes, Justin Fields is always a good bet to throw an interception or get sacked while scrambling, and the Green Bay Packers should be playing hard, with the playoffs still a possibility.

Heading into Week 17, the Packers’ defense has recorded a sack in every week except one, and I expect them to log at least one in Week 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars (@ TEN) – 59% Rostered

The Jaguars’ defense looked great on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, scoring 18 fantasy points and recording six sacks and one interception. They head to Tennessee in Week 18 in a must-win game if they have a shot at the playoffs.

With QB Will Levis battling injury, it might be Ryan Tannehill under center, and a matchup against a team beat up by injury and playing for very little is one fantasy managers should want to exploit.

Denver Broncos (@ LV) – 69% Rostered

The Broncos are more on the heavily rostered side, and it is easy to see why — they have been performing well over the last few weeks and are playing aggressively. Now they head to Las Vegas to close out the season, and the Raiders have allowed the tenth most points to opposing defenses this season.

The Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention, and the Broncos’ defense should continue to play hard — they have 38 QB sacks on the season, and they are playing against Aidan O’Connell, who has been sacked 20 times.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ CAR) – 37% Rostered

Death, taxes, and starting the defense playing the Carolina Panthers — this is what fantasy managers have learned in 2023.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

Carolina has allowed the fourth most points to opposing defenses, with QB Bryce Young having a tough season. He has thrown nine interceptions and has been constantly running for this life. The Bucs are great options in Week 18.

New England Patriots (vs. NYJ) – 21% Rostered

If you cannot roster the defense playing against the Panthers, another fantastic option is the defense playing against the New York Jets. In Week 18, that is the New England Patriots. Whoever the Jets put under center doesn’t seem to matter; they average the most fantasy points defensively scored against them.

This could be a bad weather game; January in New England often brings snow, which makes the Patriots’ defense an even more attractive start.

Early Fantasy Football Week 18 DST Rankings

1) San Francisco 49ers | DST | (vs. LAR)
2) Cleveland Browns | DST | (@ CIN)
3) Kansas City Chiefs | DST | (@ LAC)
4) New York Jets | DST | (@ NE)
5) Baltimore Ravens | DST | (vs. PIT)
6) Philadelphia Eagles | DST | (@ NYG)
7) Dallas Cowboys | DST | (@ WAS)
8) Jacksonville Jaguars | DST | (@ TEN)
9) New England Patriots | DST | (vs. NYJ)
10) New Orleans Saints | DST | (vs. ATL)
11) Denver Broncos | DST | (@ LV)
12) Green Bay Packers | DST | (vs. CHI)
13) Buffalo Bills | DST | (@ MIA)
14) Chicago Bears | DST | (@ GB)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DST | (@ CAR)
16) Houston Texans | DST | (@ IND)

17) Indianapolis Colts | DST | (vs. HOU)
18) Miami Dolphins | DST | (vs. BUF)
19) Seattle Seahawks | DST | (@ ARI)
20) Las Vegas Raiders | DST | (vs. DEN)
21) Atlanta Falcons | DST | (@ NO)
22) Minnesota Vikings | DST | (@ DET)
23) Detroit Lions | DST | (vs. MIN)
24) Pittsburgh Steelers | DST | (@ BAL)
25) Carolina Panthers | DST | (vs. TB)
26) Arizona Cardinals | DST | (vs. SEA)
27) Tennessee Titans | DST | (vs. JAX)
28) Los Angeles Chargers | DST | (vs. KC)
29) Los Angeles Rams | DST | (@ SF)
30) Cincinnati Bengals | DST | (vs. CLE)
31) New York Giants | DST | (vs. PHI)
32) Washington Commanders | DST | (vs. DAL)

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!