3 Best Defenses to Add for the Fantasy Football Playoffs

The fantasy football playoffs are here, and fantasy managers can't take their foot off the gas now. Every start/sit decision can be the difference between a championship and a first-round exit, and defense is typically one of the easiest positions to upgrade on the waiver wire.

Fantasy Football Playoffs Advice

Looking ahead at the postseason matchups, here are three of the best defenses to add for the fantasy football playoffs.

4. Honorable Mention: Jacksonville Jaguars

Look, obviously this is only for deeper leagues, or if you're really desperate. But the Jacksonville Jaguars just lost football's most unintentionally hilarious coach in Urban Meyer, and that could be a galvanizing force for this team. Plus, anyone facing the New York Jets in Week 15 and Houston Texans in Week 16 should be on the streaming radar.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

You won't start the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. But they'll be a great play after that. LAC should be a top-five play in Week 16 against the Texans, who turn the ball over at a top-12 rate while being the league's worst scoring offense. That's a recipe for a huge week. They should be just fine against an unimposing Denver Broncos' offense in Week 17, too. If you can afford to burn a bench spot, go pick up the Chargers a week before they're really in demand.

2. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are also unplayable in Week 15. But they have week-winning potential in the fantasy championships in Week 17. NO will take on the Carolina Panthers, who haven't topped 21 points in their last three weeks. Cam Newton has also thrown 3 interceptions and put the ball on the ground twice in that three-game span. New Orleans has been a top-12 fantasy defense this season and should be primed to feast in the biggest game of the year. Plus, they'll be a top-12 against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 as well. If you're on a bye this week, the Saints are a great team to target. Even if you're not, you should be able to burn a bench spot in Week 15 to set yourself up in Week 16 and 17.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles defense is pretty average. Philly is the league's 16th-best scoring defense and ranks No. 22 in defensive DVOA. But they have one of the best schedules you could ever ask for. The Eagles will face the Washington Football Team twice with a matchup against the New York Giants sandwiched in the middle. Not only are both teams bottom-10 scoring offenses, but both teams might be trotting out backup quarterbacks, as Taylor Heinicke and Daniel Jones are banged up. The Eagles are only 37% rostered but are a top-seven play this week and will likely remain one the rest of the way.

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Max Staley is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Max Staley also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username mstaley1212. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.