As the fantasy football playoffs arrive, checking every corner for spare points can be the difference between victory and defeat. That means you need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to your kickers and defenses. Some are still battling it out for a coveted playoff position and can’t afford the roster space to stash a special teamer, but if you’re light on depth or have the room, here are the defenses worth stashing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When evaluating defensive units, managers must choose between talented groups facing tough opponents or mediocre defenses with favorable schedules. Neither approach guarantees success. The decision depends on your roster construction and risk tolerance.
Tampa Bay falls into the latter category as the DEF16 overall or DEF12 by weekly average, but their remaining schedule looks exceptional. Their upcoming opponents include Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, Bryce Young, and Tua Tagovailoa. Each contest takes place outdoors with potential weather impacts that could benefit the defense.
The return of Jamel Dean would significantly bolster this unit. If the offense can escape their recent struggles and put opponents in difficult situations, Tampa Bay becomes a much more dangerous fantasy option.
Per Ian Hartitz on X, the Buccaneers continue generating havoc for opposing offenses, which directly translates to fantasy scoring opportunities.
New Orleans Saints
Remaining in the NFC South, New Orleans represents another middle-tier unit benefiting from an ideal playoff schedule. Their postseason matchups feature weaker offenses: the Panthers, Jets, and Titans. This makes them an excellent stash option both to deny opponents and to pair with a stronger defense during a bad matchup week.
The Saints have posted solid performances against the Falcons and Panthers over their last two games with Tyler Shough starting at quarterback. The opportunity exists for them to extend that success given the favorable remaining schedule. While far from elite, an average defense facing weak offenses provides a safe floor for the playoffs.
New York Giants
Make no mistake, this defense has been bad. One of the worst in the league to be exact. So, why the stash? Championship weeks.
It would take nearly perfect opponent matchups to consider starting the Giants with your season at stake, but that’s precisely what they have. Week 16 brings J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings at home, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17. It’s somewhat cruel that such an underwhelming defense receives this gift schedule, but fantasy managers must make the difficult call on whether they’re worth deploying.
The Giants are worth monitoring if you have roster space. They’d be a viable play against the Vikings even if you avoid them against the Raiders. Keep watching Las Vegas to see if they improve without Chip Kelly calling plays. If the Raiders show marked improvement, the Giants lose appeal as both a stash and a start.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This is one of my favorite stashes. The Steelers’ defense has been one of the better fantasy units this season when given a good matchup, but may find themselves on the waiver wire with upcoming games against the Bills and Ravens. Find the room for them if you have the space available.
As the third-ranked D/ST this season, Pittsburgh faces a very favorable playoff schedule featuring Miami and Cleveland. While they meet Detroit in between, having excellent matchups in two separate playoff rounds creates tremendous value. Pair them with a strong Week 16 defense, and you’re set for the postseason run.
Kansas City Chiefs
This isn’t the dominant Chiefs team or defense from previous seasons. They’ve struggled in games they typically control and dropped contests they usually win. Regression has appeared on both sides of the ball, creating legitimate questions about their reliability.
However, we’ve witnessed the Chiefs elevate their play around December in recent years, demonstrating their capability to reach another level. For the first time during this era, we’ll see how they respond when desperation enters the equation.
Their remaining schedule still offers solid opportunities. They’re a spot start against the Chargers in Week 15 if better options aren’t available. Facing Justin Herbert isn’t ideal, but the Chargers’ offense has regressed significantly from its peak form.
The Week 16 matchup against Tennessee looks excellent. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo facing a rookie quarterback with limited weapons feels like a potential explosion spot during championship week. While the Broncos in Week 17 don’t appear fantastic on paper, betting against Bo Nix at Arrowhead during what will likely be a frigid December night seems wise.
Despite the down year, trusting a championship-caliber team like the Chiefs during your championship feels like the right bet.