Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 5, 6, 7, 8) - Defense Streamers and Starts (2025)

Joey's best fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for Weeks 5, 6, 7, 8 in 2025. NFL team defense streamers and starts based on strength of schedule.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the 2025 season. Every week of the fantasy football season, we will go through the best defensive streaming options that fantasy managers have to consider picking up weeks in advance. 

In last week's article, we recommended fantasy managers should pick up either the New England Patriots or the Los Angeles Chargers for Week 4 and beyond. The Patriots went on to score 12 fantasy points against the Panthers, and the Chargers scored seven fantasy points behind a six-sack performance against the Giants.

For this week, we will look at several defense targets for the next four weeks of the fantasy season (Weeks 5, 6, 7, 8). If you want our D/ST fantasy football draft rankings, be sure to check out that link. So, let's dive in and analyze the best defensive streamers and starts for the coming weeks.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 5-8

This weekly series will focus on defenses fantasy managers should consider picking up for the coming weeks. We will look at defenses fantasy managers should pick up for one week, and some defenses to pick up for the coming weeks. Sometimes, rostering two defenses isn't the worst strategy in most leagues that have a deeper bench.

So, we will break down the best defensive streamers into a few categories (Temporary, Part-Time, Recruit, and Fool's Gold) in this article below. You can see the description of each of those streamer types down below:

• “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 5
• “Part-Time” Streamer: D/ST with multiple nice matchups in a row
• “Recruit” Streamer: D/ST with an easy upcoming schedule that you pick up earlier to stash on your bench
• “Fool’s Gold” Streamer: D/ST that on paper looks like a good option, but should be avoided 

Week 5 D/ST Streamers

Since this is a streamer D/ST article, we will only look at defenses that are rostered in under 60% of ESPN leagues. There are other great D/ST matchups as well for this week, so check out our Week 5 defense streamers and tiered rankings article to see the full list:

Arizona Cardinals D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 5 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• ESPN Rostership: 24.6%
• Over-Under: 40.5 points 
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 15.5

The Cardinals have a prime opportunity in front of them in Week 5 against the Titans. Cam Ward has been sacked 17 times through four weeks, and this Tennessee offensive line ranks in the bottom 10 in both pressure rate allowed and pass block win rate. As a result, this Arizona D/ST will be a must-start in Week 5.

This defense has totaled at least three sacks in two of its last three games and has yet to allow one team to score over 23 points so far this season. That works in the Cardinals' favor, considering the Titans currently rank 32nd in points scored. As a result, this D/ST will be ranked inside the top three in most rankings this week.

Unfortunately, this unit is only a temporary streamer. After facing the Titans in Week 5, the Cardinals will play the Colts in Week 6 and the Packers in Week 7 before going on a bye in Week 8. So, if you need a defense for only this week, Arizona is a nice pickup.

Cleveland Browns D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 5 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
• ESPN Rostership: 3.6%
• Over-Under: 36.5 
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.25

The Browns have had one of the best defenses in the early going. Even though this group struggled to stop Detroit's offense last week, fantasy managers should be looking to pick up this D/ST ahead of Week 5. The Browns have totaled at least three sacks in three of four different games, and currently rank in the top 10 in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate through four weeks.

On top of the defense's strong play to begin the season, the Browns have an extremely favorable schedule upcoming. In Week 5, Cleveland will go up against a Vikings offense that has allowed the most sacks in the NFL (18) through four weeks. In two games with Carson Wentz under center, Minnesota has let up nine sacks.

.@packers @Browns nobody who has watched the Browns play defense needs any STAT SHEET! This is the best defense in the NFL. Just ask #gopackgo #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Rk7Xs30AeE

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 22, 2025

Following this matchup in Week 5 against the Vikings, the Browns D/ST could also be used in Weeks 6-8. Cleveland will play the Steelers in Week 6, the Dolphins in Week 7, and the Patriots in Week 8. Given how well Cleveland has played on this side of the ball to begin the year, fantasy managers could easily roll this unit out in four straight weeks.

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Temporary/Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 5 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
• ESPN Rostership: 40.1%
• Over-Under: 48
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 20.75

The Colts should be a popular defensive pickup this week. Even though this unit ranks in the bottom 10 in pressure rate, there are plenty of reasons why fantasy managers should stream this defense for Week 5. Indianapolis ranks top 15 in pressure-to-sack rate, around league average in pass rush win rate, and has totaled at least three sacks in three of four different games this year.

Now, this defense will go up against a Raiders offense that has had a hard time protecting Geno Smith across the first four weeks. This unit allowed 51 pressures in the first three games and currently ranks 25th in pressure rate allowed. Additionally, Smith currently leads the league in interceptions thrown with seven. That'll make this D/ST a top-12 play in Week 5.

defense snaps 📸 pic.twitter.com/8ly1pIFK6U

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 21, 2025

After this matchup against the Raiders, Indianapolis likely can't be used again in both Week 6 (Cardinals) and Week 7 (Chargers). However, this defense will have a favorable matchup against the Titans in Week 8. So, keep this defense on your radar. The Colts scored 15 fantasy points against Tennessee back in Week 3.

Planning Ahead

New England Patriots D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 5 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
  
• Week 6 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
• Week 7 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• Week 8 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
• ESPN Rostership: 56.6%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

Although the Patriots were featured on last week's list, they deserve to be talked about again since they are rostered in under 60% of leagues. Fantasy managers obviously aren't going to start this defense in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. However, New England has a fantastic upcoming schedule.

The Patriots will play the Saints in Week 6, the Titans in Week 7, and the Browns in Week 8. As a result, you can start this D/ST in three of the next four weeks. In all three of those weeks, New England's defense is really a must-start. This unit has totaled at least four sacks in two of four different games this season, and its pressure rate ranks around league average.

Jack Gibbens says faster starts are a huge point of emphasis for the Patriots defense moving forward, which starts with better execution against opponents’ scripted plays. pic.twitter.com/Qb4ndGHBAc

— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) September 29, 2025

That should help this Patriots defense total solid fantasy numbers during this stretch. New Orleans has allowed at least three sacks in two of its last three games, Tennessee ranks 32nd in points scored and second in sacks allowed through four weeks, and Joe Flacco ranks second in interceptions thrown this season. So, pick up this New England D/ST one week early.

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. Houston Texans

• Week 5 Opponent: Houston Texans
• ESPN Rostership: 67.7%

Some fantasy managers might think it's a good idea to start the Ravens' defense in Week 5 against the Texans. The offensive line has struggled to protect C.J. Stroud for most of the year, and the offense as a whole hasn't looked great. Houston currently ranks 25th in total offense and 30th in points per game.

However, it's not the best idea to start this Ravens D/ST this weekend. This defense is extremely beaten up, with players like Roquan Smith (hamstring), Marlon Humphrey (calf), and Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) all out. After giving up over 35 points in three of four games this season, there are a handful of other defenses to roll with this week. The Ravens also have just four sacks through four contests.

Recruit Streamers

If you have Week 5 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 6:

• Philadelphia Eagles (62.4% rostership) - Week 6 opponent: New York Giants
• New England Patriots (56.6% rostership) - Week 6 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
• New Orleans Saints (8.1% rostership) - Week 6 opponent: New England Patriots
• Las Vegas Raiders (0.8% rostership) - Week 6 opponent: Tennessee Titans

D/ST Streaming Action Plan

Planning out your fantasy D/ST might require some work, but it might be necessary to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams across the first four weeks.

• Week 5: Stream the Cardinals versus the Titans
• Week 6: Stream the Patriots versus the Saints
• Week 7: Stream the Patriots versus the Titans
• Week 8: Stream the Colts versus the Titans

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