Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 4 (2025): Best Fantasy Football Streaming Options

September 22, 2025

Shaun Albin analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 4 (2025) of the NFL season, and provides his best fantasy football streaming options.

Finding the right defense to stream each week can be just as important as nailing your skill-position starters. Fantasy defenses are highly matchup-dependent, and with several teams already showing weaknesses on offense, there are exploitable spots for managers to take advantage of in Week 4.

This week’s streaming slate offers a mix of opportunistic defenses and vulnerable opposing quarterbacks. Injuries, young quarterback growing pains, and uneven offensive line play have created prime opportunities for fantasy points through sacks and turnovers. By targeting the right matchups, managers can squeeze value from defenses that may otherwise be sitting on waivers.

Below, we’ll break down four of the best streaming options for Week 4: the Falcons against the banged-up Commanders, the Seahawks testing Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, the Patriots facing a mistake-prone Panthers offense, and the Raiders lining up against Caleb Williams and the Bears. Each of these defenses has a path to fantasy relevance this week, and depending on your roster needs, one could be the difference in securing a win.

Best DST Streaming Options For Week 4

Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders

The Atlanta Falcons defense showed it is not to be written off after a shaky Week 1 performance. Following a high-scoring shootout with the Buccaneers, Atlanta bounced back in Week 2 with one of the more dominant defensive showings of the young season.

The Falcons smothered the Vikings, racking up six sacks and forcing four turnovers in a statement win. For fantasy managers who streamed them last week, the Falcons delivered in a big way, showing that their revamped pass rush and opportunistic secondary can swing matchups.

The Falcons defense pressured J.J. McCarthy 16 times, including 6 sacks. They generated pressure on 53.3% of dropbacks, the highest rate by Atlanta in a game since Week 15 of 2018.

Six different pass rushers recorded at least 3 pressures.

Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/p8yCxgecjq

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 15, 2025

Looking ahead to Week 4, the Falcons get a favorable draw against the Washington Commanders. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) took a beating in Week 2 and is already banged up heading into Washington’s Week 3 game against the Raiders.

Even if he plays through it, Daniels may not be at full strength by the time the Commanders face Atlanta. If he’s still limited, the Falcons’ relentless pass rush could feast on the second-year QB, creating plenty of sack and turnover upside.

From a fantasy perspective, managers need to recognize this might be the last prime spot to deploy Atlanta’s defense for a while. The Falcons are on bye in Week 5, and when they return, they’ll run headlong into one of the toughest matchups in football against the red-hot Buffalo Bills in Week 6.

That makes Week 4 a perfect window to stream them one more time before looking ahead to other defenses on the waiver wire. If you’re searching for an option to maximize sacks and turnovers this week, Atlanta is firmly on the radar.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

The Seahawks defense has opened the season playing aggressive, turnover-driven football. Seattle has forced two interceptions in each of its first two games and added four sacks along the way. It now draws a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who have started 2-0 but haven’t faced stiff competition yet.

Arizona’s early wins came against the Saints and Panthers -- two of the league’s weakest rosters -- so this will be the Cardinals’ toughest test to date. Kyler Murray is always dangerous with his dual-threat ability, but the Seahawks defense has shown enough discipline and opportunism to cause problems. Expect Seattle to pressure Murray consistently and force him into mistakes.

From a fantasy perspective, Seattle has been a steady option, scoring eight points in Week 1 against the 49ers and 14 in Week 2 against the Steelers. It has also held both opponents to just 17 points apiece, showing consistency in limiting damage on the scoreboard. With another favorable matchup on tap, the Seahawks defense should be firmly in streaming consideration for Week 4.

New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers

The New England Patriots defense has been one of the more reliable fantasy options to open the season, averaging 10 points per game through the first two weeks. The front has been aggressive, racking up nine sacks and keeping opposing quarterbacks under constant pressure. In Week 4, it'll face a Panthers offense led by Bryce Young, who has struggled to generate consistent production.

One wrinkle for this matchup: Carolina has allowed just a 4.3% sack rate so far, showing that its offensive line has at least limited pure pass-rush opportunities. That said, the Panthers have still given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, largely because of turnovers and their inability to sustain drives. Even if New England doesn’t pile up sacks, its defense should be able to keep Young off balance and force mistakes.

FINAL: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27

Dolphins drop to 0-2 in what could be a long season. Silver lining is great games from Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.

However, Tagovailoa's interception in crunch time won't help his cause. First time Pats have won in Miami since 2019, wow. pic.twitter.com/diqWxGpEOJ

— Andrew Powell (@AndrewPow3ll) September 14, 2025

Individually, Harold Landry III has set the tone with a league-leading 3.5 sacks, while Milton Williams has added two of his own. Combined with an improved secondary that has already picked off two passes, this defense has multiple avenues to generate fantasy points. The Patriots should be viewed as a strong Week 4 streamer with a solid floor and the potential for more if they can turn Carolina’s stalled possessions into turnovers.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Chicago Bears

The Raiders defense opened the year with a strong showing against the Patriots, forcing an interception while sacking Drake Maye four times. Week 2 brought a tougher test against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, who moved the ball effectively, but Las Vegas still managed to produce two sacks and a turnover.

Maxx Crosby absolutely wrecked this play for the turnover 😤

LACvsLV on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Pq5XxRxbzo

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2025

Through two weeks, the Raiders have been stout against the run, ranking fourth in the league by allowing just 70.5 rushing yards per game. That will be tested in Week 4 against a Bears offense averaging 126.5 rushing yards per contest. If the Raiders can control the ground game, they’ll force second-year quarterback Caleb Williams into more obvious passing situations, which plays into their defensive strengths.

Williams is still adjusting to the pro level, completing just 61.5% of his passes compared to Herbert’s 72.1%. That drop-off should make it easier for the Raiders to pressure him into mistakes. If the Las Vegas offense can sustain drives and keep the defense fresh, this matchup sets up as a prime opportunity for a bounce-back fantasy week. Managers in need of a streaming option should keep the Raiders in mind.

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