D/ST Fantasy Football Playoffs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Defenses With Easy/Tough Matchups

Andy's D/ST fantasy football playoffs start 'em, sit 'em picks for Weeks 15, 16, 17 (2025). His top defense streamers, starts, cuts with easy/tough matchups.

With the fantasy playoffs now underway, many managers will search the waiver wire weekly for defenses that have the best matchups. However, some managers may have consistently relied on one unit throughout the entire season and will look to ride out the final stretch with their go-to option.

During the regular season, top-defensive units like the Seattle Seahawks or the Houston Texans were typically "set-it-and-forget-it" options, which begs the question: Should managers drop them for a streamer with an elite matchup?

In this piece, we will spotlight the five most rostered defensive units on Yahoo! and determine if managers should continue to ride the hot hand in the postseason or pivot to a streamer with more favorable matchups.

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Defenses to Consider Cutting for the Fantasy Playoffs

Cleveland Browns DEF - 90% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

The first defense we could look to cut ahead of the playoffs is the Cleveland Browns. Like other team defenses in this article, the Browns have been a viable top-10 option this season, averaging the eighth-most FPTS/G.

Myles Garrett beats Trent Williams to get his 19th sack of the season 💪

SFvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/OrQ4Dq80b2

— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025

However, managers may already be getting a bit tired of this defense following their very underwhelming showing in Week 13. They were viewed as a top streamer facing the Tennessee Titans, who have scored the second-fewest PPG this season (15.5). In this game, the Titans put up a season-high 31 points in Cleveland.

Rookie QB Cam Ward tossed two passing scores, and running back Tony Pollard broke out of his season-long slump, totaling 161 yards and two scores.

It won't get much easier for them in the fantasy playoffs, facing top offenses like the Bears, Bills, and Steelers. Given how they struggled to defend Pollard last week, a run-heavy Chicago offense could be another tough matchup for them. The Bills enter Week 15 averaging the fifth-most PPG (28.9) while the Steelers have scored at least 27 points in three of their past four.

Verdict:

Given their massive, disappointing showing last weekend, the Browns are a safe cut ahead of the fantasy playoffs. Facing three potent offenses, the Browns enter high-bust territory for the remainder of the season.

Tough Calls - Top Defenses with Harder Playoff Matchups

Seattle Seahawks DEF - 95% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

The Seahawks have been the top unit in fantasy this season. Through 14 weeks of action, Seattle is averaging a stellar 11.6 FPTS/G, which is the highest mark in the sport. In fact, they are the only defensive unit that is averaging double-digit fantasy points per game. While they have been nothing short of dominant all season long, they have taken their level of play up a notch down the stretch.

In Week 13, they shut down the Max Brosmer-led Minnesota Vikings, shutting them down in a 26-0 victory. In this game, the Seahawks forced four interceptions and tallied four sacks. Then in Week 14, they held the Falcons to just nine points. They sacked Kirk Cousins once and continued to force turnovers, tallying two interceptions.

Quick hesitation step followed by swipe and rip combo by Leonard Williams as he destroys Will Fries off the snap for a quick sack. Nobody is doing it better right now than Big Cat. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/aTvL8qiclo

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) December 3, 2025

In Week 15, they potentially have one of the best matchups on the slate, facing the Colts, who enter this game with major questions at the QB position. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season and Riley Leonard (knee) in jeopardy of sitting out, they could turn to retired Philip Rivers to lead the offense.

However, in Week 16, they have a very difficult matchup against the Rams. The Rams are led by MVP favorite Matthew Stafford, who averages the fourth-most total yards per game and the fourth-most PPG (29.2). When they faced them back in Week 11, they had their lowest output of the season, scoring just 5.0 FPTS in standard leagues with no sacks and no interceptions.

In the fantasy championship, they have another plus matchup against the inconsistent Carolina offense.

Verdict:

Given their elite matchup in Week 15 and solid matchup in Week 17, managers in all formats should hold them ahead of Week 15. However, due to their rough matchup against the Rams in Week 16, savvy managers should look to target a top Week 16 streamer this week to plan ahead.

Houston Texans DEF - 85% Rostered

Remaining Schedule

Coming just below the Seahawks in regular-season production have been the Texans. Led by their dominant secondary, the Texans have averaged the second-most FPTS/G (9.7). Houston has forced the second-most interceptions this season (15) and added the sixth-most sacks (36).

Since allowing a hefty 29 points to the Jaguars back in Week 10, they have held their opponents to under 20 points in each game. Since Week 11, they have tallied an eye-catching 14 sacks, which is the second-most in football, only behind the Jaguars. Their top showing during this four-game stretch was back in Week 12 against the Bills.

In this victory, they contained Josh Allen to just 253 yards through the air and the Bills to 19 points. They forced two interceptions and sacked Allen eight times.

They begin the fantasy playoffs facing the Arizona Cardinals. While they sit at the bottom of the league standings, their offense has been very effective with Jacoby Brissett under center. Since taking over the starting job, Brissett is averaging 307.4 passing yards per game with a 16:5 TD:INT, which could spell some damage for this daunting defense.

However, expect them to be a top play in Week 16, when they face the Las Vegas offense that could be without their QB Geno Smith (shoulder). In the championship, they will have another tough showing against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, who just welcomed back their starting running back, Omarion Hampton, from the IR.

Verdict:

Despite being a top play throughout most of the season, they have a rough schedule in the fantasy playoffs. While they are still a viable top-12 play in Week 15, managers in shallower leagues should look to target another option with higher upside, like the Jaguars. Managers in 12-team+ leagues should continue to hold them through Week 16 as they have a top play during that week. In Week 17, they are a safe cut facing the Chargers.

Los Angeles Rams DEF - 81% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

The No. 3 DEF in terms of points per game has been the Los Angeles Rams. Their 36 total sacks place them tied for sixth in terms of total sacks (alongside the previously mentioned Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers). They sit sixth in terms of interceptions as well as seventh in terms of forced fumbles.

Recently, the Rams have not been very effective and could have cost managers their match. In Week 13, they were viewed as a top streamer against the Panthers, but surrendered a high 31 points. Then last week, they were able to somewhat turn the corner, allowing just 17 points to high-flying Brissett-led Cardinals. In this game, they forced three sacks and added an interception.

Fantasy managers should not expect them to return to form in the opening week of the playoffs, as they will face the potent Detroit Lions offense. The Lions enter this game averaging 30.3 PPG, the only team in the league that averages more than 30.0 points per game. In Week 16, they will have a rematch against the Seahawks. Back in Week 11, they forced four interceptions against Sam Darnold but still allowed 19 points.

In championship week, they will have a matchup with the Falcons, who are coming off a rough showing against Seattle, but scored at least 24 points in each of their last three.

Verdict:

Unlike the top units above, the Rams are safe to cut in standard formats. Their matchups throughout the playoffs are not a difference maker and could end up hurting your team's output, especially in Week 15. Managers with extra bench spots could look to stash them for Week 17.

Denver Broncos DEF - 98% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

Sitting at nearly the 100% rostership mark are the Denver Broncos. The Broncos enter the fantasy playoffs averaging the fifth-most FPTS/G (8.2). Much of their production has come from their defense line as they have sacked opposing QBs 55 times, the most in the sport by a significant margin, as the Browns sit second, with only 44.

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

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 7, 2025

The Broncos enter the fantasy playoffs riding high on a 10-game winning streak. Last weekend, they held the Raiders to just 17 points. In this game, they forced four sacks. While they had a bit of an underwhelming output against the Commanders in Week 13, they held their opponents to under 20 points in each of their last three (from Weeks 9 through 11).

In Week 15, they will face the Green Bay Packers, who are coming off two of their most impressive victories of the season. During these two games, Jordan Love has led them to victories over the Lions and Bears and totaled seven passing scores. In Weeks 16 and 17, their matchups won't get much easier, facing the Jaguars, who have scored the 10th-most PPG, and the Chiefs, who sit just behind them, with the 11th-most PPG.

When they faced the Chiefs back in Week 11, they scored 8.0 FPTS but surrendered a high 311 yards of offense, suggesting regression could be coming in the rematch.

Verdict:

This may be the toughest call to make. While the Broncos have been nothing short of stellar in the regular season, their playoff matchups are less than ideal and among the toughest in the sport. Managers in shallow leagues should look to cut them in favor of a top streamer to provide more upside. Managers in deep 12+ team leagues will likely not find a "high-end" streamer that could be worth dropping the Broncos for. If you can switch the Broncos for the Jaguars in Week 15 (facing the Jets), managers should make that swap.

Top D/ST Streamers to Start for Fantasy Playoffs

New Orleans Saints DEF - 8% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

The managers who are cutting ties with the Browns and Broncos ahead of the playoffs should look to praise the Saints. In terms of matchups, the Saints are one of the few teams that have elite matchups in each week of the playoffs. In Week 15, they will face the Panthers again. In their first meeting, they held Bryce Young and company to just seven points.

In this game, Young totaled 124 yards with an interception and was sacked twice.

Over the final two weeks, they will face the New York Jets, who have major questions in their QB room with Tyrod Taylor (groin) exiting early in Week 14. In relief, Brady Cook went 14-for-30 with 163 yards and no cores. Then in Week 17, they will face the sport's second-lowest scoring offense.

Dallas Cowboys DEF - 11% Rostered

Remaining Schedule:

The other defense to consider picking up is the Dallas Cowboys. They had two rough showings in Weeks 13 and 14, allowing 28 and 44 points to the Chiefs and Lions. However, they have a smash matchup for those who roster the Texans and Rams, who may want a short-term option. This weekend, they will face J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings.

While McCarthy is coming off the best showing of the season, tossing three passing scores, he is averaging just 157.0 yards and posting a poor 5:7 TD:INT over his last four games, suggesting the upside is there for Dallas to have a bounce-back showing. In Week 16, they are not recommended, but in championship week, they will face a Commanders offense that has been decimated by injuries and will have viable upside in 12+ team leagues.

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