Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 9 (2025): Best Fantasy Football Streaming Options

Shaun Albin analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 9 (2025) of the NFL season, and provides his best fantasy football streaming options.

Navigating bye weeks and injuries makes streaming defenses a key strategy entering Week 9 of the fantasy football season. While most elite D/ST options are already rostered, there are still several waiver-wire defenses in favorable matchups that can deliver starter-level production.

The goal when streaming is simple: target defenses that can force turnovers and pressure the quarterback. Matchups matter more than talent at this position, and several vulnerable offenses on the Week 9 slate create strong opportunities for fantasy value.

Below are the Best D/ST Streaming Options for Week 9, featuring units with turnover upside, favorable matchups, and strong fantasy floors. If you're searching for a reliable plug-and-play defense this week, these teams should be at the top of your list.

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Best DST Streaming Options For Week 9

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals

The Chicago Bears' defense has quietly developed into one of the most opportunistic fantasy units in 2025, and they enter Week 8 as a strong streaming option for fantasy managers.

Chicago leads the NFL with a 24.2% turnover rate, consistently flipping field position and creating scoring opportunities for their offense. Veteran safety Kevin Byard has been a difference-maker on the back end, recording a league-leading four interceptions while serving as the tone-setter for a physical secondary.

The veteran Kevin Byard III picks it off

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— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025

The Bears have surrendered yardage at times and don’t always dominate statistically between the 20s, but their defensive identity revolves around forcing key mistakes. Despite ranking middle of the pack in defensive pressure rate, Chicago continues to generate turnovers by disguising coverages and playing disciplined assignment football.

Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Noah Sewell have been reliable in coverage and run support, while Montez Sweat leads a pass rush that applies just enough disruption to get quarterbacks off their spots. That pressure doesn’t always show up in sack totals, but it consistently leads to hurried decisions, exactly what this ball-hawking defense is built to exploit.

This week’s matchup sets up well for another turnover-fueled outing as the Bears take on Joe Flacco and a Bengals offense that loves to force the ball to Ja'Marr Chase.  Flacco is coming off a thrilling win over Pittsburgh and has shown he can still push the ball, but he also brings turnover volatility when pressured. That aggressive mentality plays directly into the Bears’ defensive strengths. Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson, along with Byard, have been playmakers in the secondary, giving Chicago multiple threats to capitalize on errant throws.

With a favorable matchup against a high-risk quarterback, the Chicago Bears D/ST profiles as a top-10 streaming option in Week 9 and should be added in all formats where available.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders

The Jacksonville Jaguars' defense has quietly emerged as a strong fantasy unit in 2025 and is firmly on the streaming radar heading into a favorable Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jacksonville has been stout against the run this season, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry, consistently winning at the line of scrimmage and forcing opponents into long down-and-distance situations. Their weakness has come through the air, surrendering 245.7 passing yards per game, but this week’s matchup against Geno Smith presents an opportunity for a bounce-back.

Jacksonville ranks second in the NFL with a 17.7% turnover rate, and its defensive identity is built around creating takeaways. The Jaguars' secondary has been particularly opportunistic, recording 10 interceptions through seven games. Smith, meanwhile, has been careless with the football this season, throwing a league-high 10 interceptions, including several costly mistakes in tight windows. His aggressive style could spell trouble against a Jaguars defense that thrives on jumping routes and forcing errant throws.

Linebacker Devin Lloyd has been electric as a playmaker in the middle of the defense. He leads all linebackers with four interceptions for 129 return yards and a touchdown, while also recovering a fumble. Jacksonville isn’t racking up sacks, tied for last in the NFL with just eight to this point, but that number is a bit misleading. The Jaguars still rank fifth in hurry rate at 10%, showing they can pressure quarterbacks even when it doesn’t result in sacks.

DEVIN LLOYD PICK-6!

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— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2025

The Raiders limp into this matchup fresh off a Week 8 bye and a blowout loss to the Chiefs before the break. With Smith forcing throws behind a struggling offensive line and few reliable weapons outside Tre Tucker, this is a high-upside spot for the Jaguars D/ST. Jacksonville profiles as a strong streaming option in Week 9 and should be prioritized in leagues by owners seeking bye week replacements.

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

The 2025 Baltimore Ravens defense has been nearly unrecognizable compared to the dominant units we’ve grown accustomed to over the years. Traditionally one of the league’s most disciplined, physical, and opportunistic groups, this year’s version has struggled mightily. Through eight weeks, Baltimore ranks 30th in total yards allowed (380.8 per game) and sits 30th in turnover rate (4.6%), forcing just three takeaways all season.

They have also struggled to get off the field, allowing more than 35 points in four of their six contests. On paper, this looks like a defense fantasy managers should avoid, but Week 9 presents a rare opportunity.

Baltimore draws a road matchup against the Miami Dolphins, who have been a turnover machine in 2025. Miami leads the NFL with a 16.9% offensive turnover rate, consistently giving opponents extra possessions. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been at the center of those struggles, throwing 10 interceptions while also leading the league with six fumbles. His decision-making has been shaky under pressure, and Miami’s offensive line has contributed to those issues by allowing frequent backfield penetration.

This matchup gives Baltimore something they’ve desperately needed: a get-right spot. The Ravens still have elite personnel on defense, even if the production hasn’t reflected it. Roquan Smith continues to anchor the middle of the field as one of the best linebackers in football, and Kyle Hamilton remains a difference-maker in coverage and run support. If the Ravens can simply play with discipline and force Tagovailoa into third-and-long situations, turnovers should follow.

While Baltimore’s defensive floor is low, their Week 9 matchup offers sneaky streaming appeal in deeper leagues. Managers desperate for a bye-week fill-in or upside play can take a chance on the Ravens D/ST, banking on Miami’s turnover woes to carry the day.

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos

The Houston Texans' defense has been one of the most dominant and consistent units in football this season, carrying the team while the offense struggles to find its rhythm. Houston ranks top five in total yards allowed per game and leads the NFL in scoring defense at just 14.7 points per game.

This unit has been disciplined, physical, and exceptionally well-coached, consistently dictating tempo against a wide range of offensive styles. Their ability to limit explosive plays while staying sound in their assignments has made them one of the safest weekly D/ST options in fantasy football.

The Texans also boast a strong 14.9% turnover rate, which ranks fifth in the league. They’ve generated takeaways in five of six games and now enter a favorable matchup against a run-heavy Denver Broncos offense that has struggled to create chunk plays in the passing game.

With Denver leaning on J.K. Dobbins and the ground attack to move the chains, this matchup plays directly into Houston’s defensive strength. Their aggressive front seven has been outstanding against the run, setting the tone early and forcing opposing offenses into obvious passing situations.

The pass rush remains a major factor as well. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter lead the team with four sacks each, while eight different Texans defenders have recorded at least half of a sack this year. Their pressure has been steady even without blitzing heavily, and that balance allows Houston to stay versatile with coverages on the back end.

If they execute similarly to their Week 7 performance against Seattle, where they dominated the line of scrimmage and created turnovers, fantasy managers can expect another top-tier defensive outing. The Texans D/ST is a must-start option in Week 9 and remains one of the most reliable defenses in fantasy football.

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