Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 15 (2025): Best Fantasy Playoffs Streaming Options

Frank analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 15 (2025), and provides his best fantasy football playoffs D/ST streaming options and schedules.

If you want an overlooked way to get ahead of your opponent in the fantasy playoffs, it's a good idea to look towards next week to find defense/special teams (DST) streamers. These DSTs are often widely available on your waiver wire, since your leaguemates are focused on the week at hand.

In this column, we'll break down some of my favorite DST streamers for Week 15. You can also check out our favorite Week 14 defense streamers and tiered rankings.

These selections are based on the likelihood of a team playing with a lead and shutting down the opposing offense, providing opportunities to rack up sacks and turnovers. We're going to focus on DSTs that are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo! formats.

• 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

Best D/ST Streaming Options For Week 15

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets (45% Rostered)

The Jaguars are averaging 8.2 fantasy points per game, which ranks as DST5 on the season. This is a unit that has put up 11+ fantasy points in three of its last four games. During this stretch, the Jaguars have racked up 12 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and one return touchdown.

What's good about stashing the Jaguars in Week 14 is that the matchup isn't that bad for that week either, as they're taking on a banged-up Daniel Jones, who is nowhere near 100% right now.

You have to love the Jags' Week 15 matchup against Tyrod Taylor and the New York Jets. This could be a spot where Jacksonville limits New York to 17 points or fewer.

Given the pass rush we've seen in the last four weeks, the Jags look like a terrific streamer for Week 15. This could be the type of stream that swings the matchup in your favor for the first-round matchup.

Josh Hines-Allen since the Jaguars' bye week:

🐆 34 pressures (1st)
🐆 5.5 sacks (5th)
🐆 20.3% win rate (4th) pic.twitter.com/H7AiQ4Vroh

— PFF (@PFF) December 1, 2025

Josh Hines-Allen and company could have a field day in this matchup.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans (26% Rostered)

The 49ers are averaging only 4.7 fantasy points per game, which ranks as DST26. However, we've seen some improvement in recent weeks, where they've put up 11, 9, and six points.

During this stretch, the 49ers have four sacks, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. That's exactly what you want to see when targeting a defense in fantasy football.

San Francisco's Week 15 matchup looks highly appealing against Cam Ward and the lowly Titans. The rookie quarterback has been sacked at least three times in seven straight games.

This is a spot where we could see the Niners win in a blowout, especially since they're fighting for a playoff spot. Tennessee has shown virtually no improvement all year long, giving the Niners' defense a terrific opportunity to pad their stats in this one.

With San Francisco on the bye in Week 14, that means it'll be easy for you to pick up this defense, since your opponents are focused on Week 14. Stay ahead of the game by looking at Week 15 by picking up the Niners.

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns (22% Rostered)

The Bears are putting up 6.6 fantasy points per game, which is tied for 13th among DSTs. The good news here is that this defense is starting to get fully healthy, so we could see some improvement from Dennis Allen's group. This is huge because they've been limited to five fantasy points or fewer in four of their last six games.

You have to be excited about the matchup against the lowly Browns. It could be a spot where the Bears allow only 10 points, racking up sacks and turnovers against Shedeur Sanders and company.

Simply put, Cleveland has one of the worst offenses in the NFL. In a December game in Chicago, where weather could also be a factor, it's a great time to get ahead of your leaguemates by picking up the Bears.

We've seen Allen confuse first-year starters in the past. Just look what he did against J.J. McCarthy in Week 1. Don't be surprised if that happens again with Sanders.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings (11% Rostered)

The Cowboys are averaging only 4.4 fantasy points per game, which ranks 27th among DSTs. With that in mind, you may be wondering why I'd suggest this group as a DST for this week.

The reason is simple: Quinnen Williams. Since acquiring the defensive tackle from the Jets, the Cowboys are 3-0. They look like a different team, which means they're more likely to play with a lead. That's exactly what we want in targeting a DST, since when a team plays ahead, that gives them more chances to rack up sacks and turnovers.

Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams in three games with the team: 21 pressures and 1.5 sacks

In eight games with the Jets this season: 19 pressures and 1.0 sack pic.twitter.com/lXIKTPCPpz

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) December 2, 2025

Even with the minimal production from this defense from a fantasy standpoint, you have to love the spot against McCarthy, who has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this season.

While the Cowboys put up only two and five points in the last two weeks, we have to remember that these were games against Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. When Dallas faced Geno Smith (nine points) and Jacoby Brissett (13 points), they performed well.

With the Cowboys facing the Lions in Week 14, you won't have to worry about your leaguemates picking them up before you. No one is going to want them for that matchup, so make the move now if you have room on your bench.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (5% Rostered)

The final pick on my Week 15 DST streamers list is the Panthers. While the popular choice here would be the Saints, I'm going with the Panthers for a couple of reasons.

For one, this team is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, while the Saints are just playing out the season, so there's more at stake here.

Secondly, we've seen the Panthers put up seven and 13 points in the last two weeks. In a game where they're projected to play with a lead against the Saints, that could mean opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

We also have to mention that Tyler Shough is still a first-year starter, which makes him more vulnerable to sacks and turnovers.

Carolina is on the bye this week, making them easier to pick up, so act now to get ahead of your opponents.

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