Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 5 (2025): Best Fantasy Football Streaming Options

September 28, 2025

Shaun Albin analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 5 (2025) of the NFL season, and provides his best fantasy football streaming options.

Finding the right defense to stream each week can make all the difference in fantasy football. While top-tier units like the Vikings and Seahawks are usually locked into starting lineups, sharp managers know that matchups are king. Targeting defenses facing turnover-prone quarterbacks, shaky offensive lines, or teams struggling to move the ball consistently can often yield week-winning results.

Week 5 offers several intriguing opportunities for managers in need of a defense. A handful of underrostered units find themselves in favorable situations against offenses that have stumbled out of the gates. Whether it’s a rookie quarterback still adjusting to the NFL, a banged-up offensive line that can’t keep the pocket clean, or a team with no run game to keep defenses honest, multiple DSTs could deliver strong fantasy value.

In this article, we’ll break down four of the best streaming options for Week 5: the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns. Each of these defenses is available in a majority of fantasy leagues and comes with the right mix of matchup advantage, turnover upside, and sack potential. Let’s dive into why they deserve your attention this week.

Best DST Streaming Options For Week 5

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans

The Titans are still searching for their first win under rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, and opposing defenses have feasted -- Tennessee is currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to defenses this season. That sets up the Cardinals as a sneaky streaming option in Week 5.

Budda Baker’s way of getting up off the ground is smooth af 😂 pic.twitter.com/6LgYldkmcp

— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) September 8, 2025

Arizona’s defense has been intriguing through three games. It has produced five sacks, three turnovers, and one defensive touchdown while holding opponents to just 17 points per game -- a mark that ranks among the league’s best. Against a mistake-prone Titans offense, those numbers could climb even higher.

Statistically, the Cardinals profile as a bend-don’t-break unit. They rank 23rd in total yards allowed and 30th against the pass, but they’re fourth against the run and tied for the fifth-fewest points allowed.

They don’t blitz much (25th at 18%), but their 10% turnover rate and top-10 hurry rate (6%) show they can generate pressure when needed. Veteran Calais Campbell and Josh Sweat lead the pass rush with two sacks apiece, and this matchup gives them an excellent chance to add more.

Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins

The Panthers defense has been quietly solid this season, and Week 5 brings a favorable matchup against a struggling Dolphins offense. Miami has turned the ball over on a whopping 20.8% of its drives, while scoring on just 33% of possessions -- ranking 25th in the NFL. It also sits just 23rd in total offense, making this a matchup to exploit for desperate fantasy managers.

Carolina’s defense is far from perfect, but it has shown disruptive tendencies. The Panthers own a 17.2% turnover rate, and they’ve allowed opponents to score on just 34.5% of drives (ninth-best). Their secondary, led by Michael Jackson and Jaycee Horn, has been the team’s strength, keeping it eighth in points allowed at just 17.7 per game.

Our guys 😤@budlight | #FortheCelly pic.twitter.com/9FM5WYMX8I

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 23, 2025

The big question is whether Carolina’s pass rush can show up. The Panthers have just one sack through three games, blitz at a modest 18.7% rate, and own the lowest pressure rate in the league (7.5%). If they can dial up more pressure against Tua Tagovailoa, who has struggled to find rhythm, this unit could surprise as a deep league streaming defense.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Indianapolis Colts defense has quietly become one of the more consistent fantasy units this season, yet it remains available in most leagues. Through three games, Indianapolis has allowed the seventh-fewest yards per game, ranking in the top 10 against both the pass and the run.

Its balance across all levels of the defense has been impressive, and it has also shown a knack for creating turnovers and forcing opponents into mistakes at a 20% turnover rate, which ranks third-best in the league. That type of efficiency gives it a strong floor, even in tougher matchups.

This week’s opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders, presents an ideal opportunity for fantasy production. The Raiders are 16th in total offense, but their numbers are skewed by a heavy reliance on the passing game, where they rank sixth. On the ground, they’ve been among the worst teams in football, sitting 30th in rushing offense. That lack of balance has made them predictable and easier to defend, particularly against disciplined defenses like the Colts.

PICK! Camryn Bynum gets the ball back for the @Colts

DENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/fYLGSrscs2

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

Perhaps the biggest concern for Las Vegas is its pass protection. The offensive line has surrendered 12 sacks already, the second-highest total in the NFL. Combine that with a 3.8% interception rate (fourth-highest), and it’s clear this is an offense vulnerable to both negative plays and turnovers. The Colts are well-positioned to capitalize on those weaknesses with their steady front four and opportunistic secondary.

One player to watch is safety Camryn Bynum, who already has two interceptions this season. His ability to make plays on the back end reflects the aggressive, ball-hawking identity Indianapolis has built. With Las Vegas struggling to sustain drives and protect its quarterback, the Colts have both a solid floor and legitimate upside as a Week 5 streaming defense.

Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Cleveland Browns defense has once again emerged as one of the most dominant units in the NFL. Through three weeks, it ranks first in the league in total yards allowed. It has been outstanding across the board, sitting fourth against the pass and first against the run, making it extremely difficult for opponents to move the ball consistently.

The centerpiece of this unit remains superstar edge-rusher Myles Garrett, who has already collected four sacks in just three games. But it’s not just Garrett carrying the load -- the supporting cast has stepped up as well, helping the Browns record 11 team sacks, one of the top totals in the NFL. This relentless pressure makes them one of the most dangerous fantasy defenses, particularly when facing weaker offensive lines.

Week 5 brings a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have yet to get their offense on track. With Carson Wentz now under center, the passing game showed slight improvement in Week 3, but the team has still failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in a game. Facing a defense as disciplined and aggressive as Cleveland’s, the Vikings will likely be forced into obvious passing situations -- a dangerous formula against this pass rush.

If there’s one area where the Browns haven’t dominated yet, it’s turnovers. They’ve generated just one interception so far, though that should improve as their pass rush continues to force hurried throws and poor decisions. Quarterbacks under constant pressure can’t avoid mistakes for long.

Available in just 5% of fantasy leagues, the Browns are a must-add streaming defense. With elite yardage prevention, top-tier sack potential, and a vulnerable opponent in Minnesota, this is exactly the type of matchup where they could deliver a breakout fantasy performance.

For fantasy managers in need of a streaming defense, Cleveland checks every box: elite sack upside, an opponent prone to offensive stalls, and a rostered rate of just 5%. This is the type of matchup where the Browns could deliver a breakout fantasy performance.

Myles Garrett (#95) being absurd once again. Look how much ground he covers on that stride to beat the OT inside. pic.twitter.com/gTRjwNc7NG

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 22, 2025

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