The D/ST position can be overlooked at times in [fantasy football](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/fantasy), but it can be the difference between a win and a loss.
In Week 7, there are plenty of great matchups you can target for a good performance.
You should never start a good NFL defense in a bad match, which does not equate to fantasy points. The best way to address the D/ST position is purely based on matchups.
Here are our Week 7 D/ST fantasy rankings, best starts, sleepers, and some matchups to avoid.
Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 7: Who to start, sit at D/ST
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**Track our weekly fantasy football rankings for every position's lineup tips.**
Note: Players who have already had their game are in _italicized, strikethrough font_.
**Rk**
**Team Defense**
**OPP**
1
Pittsburgh Steelers
@CIN
2
Green Bay Packers
@ARI
3
Denver Broncos
NYG
4
Philadelphia Eagles
@MIN
5
Cleveland Browns
MIA
6
New England Patriots
@TEN
7
Arizona Cardinals
GB
8
Seattle Seahawks
HOU
9
Carolina Panthers
@NYJ
10
San Francisco 49ers
ATL
11
Los Angeles Rams
@JAX
12
Kansas City Chiefs
LV
13
Los Angeles Chargers
IND
14
Jacksonville Jaguars
LAR
15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
@DET
16
Detroit Lions
TB
17
Minnesota Vikings
PHI
18
Indianapolis Colts
@LAC
19
New York Jets
CAR
20
New York Giants
@DEN
21
Las Vegas Raiders
@KC
22
Tennessee Titans
NE
23
Chicago Bears
NO
24
Atlanta Falcons
@SF
25
Washington Commanders
@DAL
26
Dallas Cowboys
WAS
27
Houston Texans
@SEA
28
New Orleans Saints
@CHI
29
Miami Dolphins
@CLE
30
Cincinnati Bengals
PIT
BYE
Buffalo Bills
BYE
BYE
Baltimore Ravens
BYE
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 7?
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Pittsburgh is at the top of the list as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals on TNF. The Bengals' offense is the furthest thing from explosive, and Joe Flacco is still getting used to things. On top of this, Flacco cannot move well, and the Bengals' offensive line has struggled. There should be plenty of sacks in a fairly low-scoring game.
Green Bay takes on Arizona, which, regardless of whether Kyler Murray plays or not, is a good matchup. There is also a potential for no Marvin Harrison Jr., which only benefits the Packers.
Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers in Week 7?
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Carolina is certainly a slept-on team for Week 7. While they're defensive unit is not elite, targeting those great matchups is how you play fantasy.
In Week 6, the Jets did not score a TD, and Justin Fields was sacked as many times as he completed a pass, nine times. The Panthers should be able to take advantage of this struggling Jets team and walk away with a good outing for fantasy.
Defenses to avoid in fantasy Week 7
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The Titans face a New England offense that is starting to look dangerous under Drake Maye. The Titans have had their struggles, and this one could get ugly.
While Cleveland did look putrid on offense in Week 6, there is still no reason to start the Miami Dolphins against them. Some defenses are bad enough that the matchups do not matter.