Top 12 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for Week 15 (Chiefs BBQ Texans)

Defenses are usually just an afterthought in fantasy football. That's leaving points on the board though. Savvy fantasy managers will be scouring the waiver wire to capitalize on the best defensive matchups each and every week, especially with fantasy playoffs starting up this week.

With that in mind, here are the top 12 fantasy football defenses for Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season.

Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 15

12. Cleveland Browns (vs BAL)

Cleveland's defense has been a major letdown this season, giving up the sixth-most points per game in the NFL at 24.8. The unit has begun to turn things around recently, however, yielding just 18 points per game over its last three contests. They'll look to maintain that momentum in this week's divisional home game against the Baltimore Ravens, who could be on their third-string quarterback if Tyler Huntley is unable to clear concussion protocol in time. The Ravens turned to Anthony Brown after Huntley exited last week even though Brown is a converted cornerback who had never thrown a pass in the NFL before. Regardless of who's under center for Baltimore, the offense is struggling and has scored fewer than 17 points in three of its last four games.

11. Carolina Panthers (vs PIT)

For all their issues on offense, the Panthers have continued to be solid on defense this year. Carolina's unit is giving up the 13th-fewest points per game in the NFL this year (22.3) and has allowed fewer than 16 points in three of its last four games. The Panthers are also coming off a solid defensive effort against the Seattle Seahawks in which they picked off Geno Smith twice and sacked him three times. They could also be facing a backup QB in Week 15 if Kenny Pickett doesn't return from his second concussion of the season in time, setting Carolina up to face the notoriously turnover-prone Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky threw 3 interceptions in relief of Pickett last week and Pittsburgh's offense is already poor as it is, ranking bottom seven in both points and yards per game.

10. Washington Commanders (vs NYG)

9. Buffalo Bills (vs MIA)

8. Seattle Seahawks (vs SF)

7. Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)

6. Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU)

The Chiefs came up huge for fantasy managers against the Denver Broncos in Week 14, tallying 6 sacks, 2 interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Bank on another big performance from this group against the lowly Houston Texans in Week 15, as the Texans rank 30th in points per game and 31st in yards per game. Houston has been an easy target for opposing defenses all season, and now it's Kansas City's turn to feast.

5. San Francisco 49ers (at SEA)

4. New England Patriots (at LV)

3. Dallas Cowboys (at JAX)

2. Denver Broncos (vs AZ)

1. Philadelphia Eagles (at CHI)

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