Week 15 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 15 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 15 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 15 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

The first round of the fantasy football playoffs is finally here. It's win or go for most fantasy managers in Week 15. That means picking the right defenses for this week could be the difference between a first-round exit and a chance to win the fantasy football championship.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 15. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for the first round of the playoffs. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 15

1. Houston Texans D/ST vs. ARI

The Houston Texans are the best defense in the NFL. They have held the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs to under 20 points in three consecutive games while totaling 11 sacks and forcing six turnovers during this span. Therefore, the Texans will come in as the overall No. 1 D/ST this week against the Arizona Cardinals.

OFF KELCE'S HANDS INTO AL-SHAAIR'S GRASP.

HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/An7H5798nE

— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025

Houston's defense has scored at least 10 fantasy points in three of its last four games and ranks in the top 10 in both total sacks (36) and pass rush win rate this season. So, the Texans' D/ST should be started in every format this week. Jacoby Brissett has been sacked at least three times in five of his last seven starts, and the Cardinals have scored more than 24 points once since Week 6.

2. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. IND

With Daniel Jones (Achilles) officially out for the season and Riley Leonard dealing with a strained knee ligament, the Colts could be turning to Brett Rypien in Week 15. That's great news for a Seahawks defense that has been on another level over the past two weeks. Seattle has given up just nine points, totaled five sacks, and forced eight turnovers across its past two games against the Vikings (Week 13) and Falcons (Week 14).

As a result, the Seahawks' D/ST will be a must-start fantasy option this week. Leonard/Rypien is a big downgrade at quarterback for the Colts, and the offense really struggled to move the ball with the rookie under center last week. Given that the Colts' offensive line also ranks 27th in pass block win rate, Seattle's defense should be in all lineups.

3. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. LV

It remains to be seen if Geno Smith (hand) will be healthy enough to play after leaving last week's game early due to a hand injury. If he can't go, Kenny Pickett will likely draw his first start of the season. Whoever starts for the Raiders under center in Week 15, though, doesn't really matter. The Eagles' D/ST will be a must-start option this week.

The Raiders have given up the most sacks (50) in the NFL through 14 weeks, and the offensive line has allowed 29 sacks over the last five games. Considering the Eagles rank eighth in pressure rate, they should be in for a strong defensive performance. Philadelphia just sacked Justin Herbert seven times in last week’s game.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. NYJ

At this point, the Jets quarterback situation remains a mystery. Justin Fields is dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss last week's game, and Tyrod Taylor left last week's contest early due to a groin injury. That resulted in undrafted rookie Brady Cook seeing the majority of reps under center for the Jets in Week 14. He completed just 46% of his passes for 163 yards and two interceptions in his first career action.

.@gnewsii with his first INT as a Jag today 😤

RT to #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/XKzpr7mIUF

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 7, 2025

While Fields or Taylor could be healthy enough to start in Week 15, the Jaguars' D/ST will be a top-5 play in all formats. Jacksonville has allowed under 20 points in four straight games and has totaled 13 sacks during this four-game span. As a result, this group could have a strong defensive day on Sunday. The Jets have also allowed 47 sacks this season (tied for the third-most in the NFL).

5. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. TEN

The San Francisco 49ers' defense has played well against inconsistent offenses in recent weeks. This unit allowed nine points, totaled one sack, and forced two turnovers against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12 and then held the Cleveland Browns to only eight points in Week 13. So, fantasy managers can trust this 49ers' D/ST in all leagues this week.

Although the 49ers rank toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate, the Titans are a great matchup for them. Tennessee ranks 31st in sacks allowed (49), 32nd in yards per game (246.2), and 31st in points scored per game (15.5). That's enough reason to start this San Francisco D/ST in Week 15. Cam Ward has been sacked at least three times in seven of his last eight contests.

6. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. CLE

After a career performance from Shedeur Sanders last week, some fantasy managers might be hesitant to play the Bears' D/ST this week. Sanders threw for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception against the Titans last week. However, this Chicago defense will still be a top play in the first round of the fantasy football playoffs.

No defense has forced more turnovers than the Bears through 14 weeks (27), and this defense has forced a turnover in six straight games. Given that the Browns' offensive line also ranks 22nd in pass block win rate, Chicago's D/ST is a solid option this week. The Bears have totaled multiple sacks in six of their last nine contests.

7. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs. MIN

The Dallas Cowboys have been an inconsistent defense throughout the 2025 season. They just allowed 44 points to the Detroit Lions last week and have given up at least 28 points in back-to-back games. However, the Cowboys' D/ST has some potential this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas ranks third in pressure rate (44.7%) and has totaled at least three sacks in two of the four games since acquiring Quinnen Williams.

As a result, this defense should get to J.J. McCarthy in this contest. Minnesota ranks 24th in pass block win rate, and the offensive line has given up 47 sacks through 14 weeks (third-most in the NFL). Even though McCarthy is coming off the best game of his career in Week 14, the potential pressure from the Cowboys' defensive line could rattle the young QB.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 15

8. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. GB

The Denver Broncos were one of the hardest defenses to rank in Week 15. No team has totaled more sacks through 14 weeks than the Broncos (55), but the Packers' offensive line has done a good job at preventing sacks this season. Jordan Love has only been sacked 11 times since Week 4. Still, fantasy managers can trust this Denver D/ST in most formats this week.

GOT 'EM 😤#ProBowlVote + @nikkkkbonitto pic.twitter.com/Uh0aFxQu1S

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 7, 2025

This Broncos defense has totaled at least five fantasy points in 11 straight games and has a better chance to boom than most of the other defenses ranked below them this week. With a top-10 pressure rate, this D/ST is a solid start. This unit has both a high-floor and a high-ceiling against the Packers.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. ATL

Some fantasy managers might look to avoid the Buccaneers' defense after last week's showing. Tampa Bay's D/ST only scored five fantasy points and allowed the New Orleans Saints to score 24 points. However, this defense is still a top-10 play against a Falcons offense that has looked all out of sorts with Kirk Cousins under center.

Atlanta only scored nine offensive points last week, and Cousins has thrown three interceptions over his last three games. With Drake London's status still up in the air for Week 15, this Tampa Bay D/ST can be trusted in most leagues. The Buccaneers should be able to pressure Cousins in this game, given that they rank sixth in pressure rate and seventh in pass rush win rate.

10. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. LAC

The Chiefs' defense hasn't been the best fantasy option in recent weeks. This unit has scored under five fantasy points in five straight contests and has only totaled five sacks since Week 11. However, Kansas City's D/ST can be started in some formats in Week 15 against a Chargers offensive line that has struggled to protect Justin Herbert this season.

Herbert has been sacked 23 times over the last five weeks, and the offensive line has given up 47 sacks through 14 weeks (tied for the third-most in the NFL). That should help the Chiefs tally some sacks in this game, as they rank seventh in pressure rate on the year. Getting pressure on a banged-up Herbert could lead to a solid fantasy day.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 15

11. Carolina Panthers D/ST at NO

While the Panthers haven't been able to get a ton of pressure on quarterbacks this season, this defense has played better in recent weeks. Carolina forced Brock Purdy to throw three interceptions in Week 12 and then forced Matthew Stafford to have his worst game of the season in Week 13. The secondary forced three turnovers (including a pick-six) in that contest against the Rams.

Therefore, the Panthers' D/ST will come in at the top of Tier 3 this week. Tyler Shough has been sacked 12 times over the past three games, and the Saints' offensive line ranks 32nd in pass block win rate.

12. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. CAR

No one knows which version of the Panthers' offense will show up in Week 15. However, the Saints D/ST is worth a look in some 12-plus team leagues. New Orleans has totaled multiple sacks in five of its past six games, and the Carolina offensive line ranks in the bottom 10 in pass block win rate. Given that the Saints' defense just scored 12 fantasy points against the Panthers back in Week 10, this unit can be started in some formats.

13. Green Bay Packers D/ST at DEN

The Packers' D/ST will come in at the bottom of Tier 3 this week. The Broncos have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, and they don't allow many sacks. Bo Nix has only been taken down eight times since Week 8. For that reason, Green Bay's defense is a riskier option this week. Denver ranks fourth in pass block win rate this season.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 15

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in deeper leagues. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups this week (Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (New York Giants and Miami Dolphins). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Browns might be your best bet. Cleveland ranks first in pressure rate and first in pass rush win rate through 14 weeks. The only reason this D/ST isn't ranked higher this week is that Caleb Williams doesn't turn over the ball much or take many sacks. Williams hasn't been sacked more than two times in a game since Week 5.

As for the Steelers, Giants, Dolphins, and Falcons, it's best to avoid these defenses. Pittsburgh has only totaled four sacks since Week 11. New York has allowed over 30 points in five of its last seven games. Aaron Rodgers gets the ball out so quickly that Miami might not be able to tally many sacks, and Atlanta has a tough matchup against the Buccaneers.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 15

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with for Week 15.

More Waiver Wire Analysis