Copyright Essentially Sports
Week 9 of the 2025 season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to set your fantasy football lineups. We’ve already ranked our top QBs, RBs and WRs for this week, so now it’s time to give you our top defenses for Week 9. There are quite a few great matchups at the top, but once you get into double digits, things start getting a bit trickier. Here are my rankings for the top 15 defenses in Week 9. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad 15. Las Vegas Raiders Matchup: Jacksonville Jaguars I didn’t love putting the Las Vegas Raiders on here, because I don’t think their defense is that good, but they had my favorite matchups of the rest of the teams left outside the top 14. I just don’t trust Jacksonville’s offense. It’s not very consistent, so while I wouldn’t start the Raiders, somebody had to slide into the 15 spot, and I’m betting on Jacksonville’s offense being a bit inconsistent after a week off. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad 14. Kansas City Chiefs Matchup: Buffalo Bills Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports It’s hard to put the Kansas City Chiefs on this list because of their matchup, but their defense is so good that it’s hard to not put them on here. I think this will be a fairly high-scoring game, but of the two, I believe Kansas City’s defense will be the best one in this game. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad 13. New York Giants Matchup: San Francisco 49ers Mac Jones’s magic seems to have faded, and the New York Giants have one of the best pass rushes in football. Sacks alone should score them a good amount of points, but I’m a bit worried about Christian McCaffrey running right through them and having a big day. If they can just slow him down, they should have some success defensively. 12. Indianapolis Colts Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offenses poses a bit of a threat to the Indianapolis Colts, but not as big of one as everyone behind them. The Colts have a pretty solid run defense, so they should be able to shutdown Jaylen Warren, and the Steelers don’t have the receivers to throw it around the yard all day. 11. Chicago Bears Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals I didn’t know what to do with the Chicago Bears‘ defense. This whole thing rests on if Joe Flacco plays or not. If he does, then they would drop to the fringe of this list. But if he doesn’t, they’re easily a top five defense in fantasy football this week. We’ll have to see wha the final decision is later this week, so for now, they’re in the middle of where I’d have them once that decision is made. 10. San Francisco 49ers Matchup: New York Giants I don’t love San Fran’s defense without Fred Warner leading it, but I think the New York Giants are going to struggle a bit offensively without Cam Skattebo. We saw it a bit last week once he exited the game, and while Jaxson Dart is great, I don’t think he’s ready to lead a Skattebo-less offense to more than 21 points. 9. Seattle Seahawks Matchup: Washington Commanders This is where we get into the defenses I think will perform really well. Seattle has to travel across the country to face the Jayden Daniels-led Washington Commanders, but I’m not that worried. I like Seattle’s defense, and Washington’s offense really hasn’t been all that good this year, even with Daniels healthy. 8. Houston Texans Matchup: Denver Broncos Houston has one of the top defenses in the league, but it was hard for me to put them much higher than this because of their opponent. If Denver’s on, they’re really good offensively, but they have also been really bad for stretches. It all depends on what Denver team shows up this weekend, so I’m playing it safe and putting them eighth. 7. New England Patriots Matchup: Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons’ offense as been very underwhelming this season. They’re stuck in the mud right now, and if it weren’t for Bijan Robinson, this would arguably be the least-fun team to watch. I think the Pats should have a good game defensively and keep the Falcons’ offense in check. 6. Denver Broncos Matchup: Houston Texans 5. Detroit Lions Matchup: Minnesota Vikings This is a matchup I really like for the Detroit Lions. Minnesota is another offense that has been very lackluster. They get J.J. McCarthy back, but he’s going to be rusty, and we have to remember he has two NFL starts to his name. I think Kelvin Sheppard is going to dial up some blitzes to try and make him uncomfortable, and I think it’ll work. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders If it weren’t for a team we’ll talk about later, the Las Vegas Raiders would have the worst offense in the NFL. They turn the ball over at an extremely high rate, and Geno Smith just doesn’t move me as a passer. Jacksonville doesn’t have an elite defense, but they have one of the best matchups of the week. 3. Green Bay Packers Matchup: Carolina Panthers While the Jags have a decent defense and a great matchup, the Green Bay Packers have a great defense and a great matchup. The Carolina Panthers’ offense is not very good unless they’re playing one of the worst defenses in the league, and this week they play one of the best. Green Bay should be able to shut them down fairly easily. 2. Los Angeles Rams Matchup: New Orleans Saints The Los Angeles Rams’ defense is going to have a field day against the New Orleans Saints, who are starting a rookie quarterback this week. Tyler Shough could be great, but this is his first NFL start, and I just don’t see the Saints scoring more than 14 points, and that’s being generous. 1. Los Angeles Chargers Matchup: Tennessee Titans
