Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 14, 15, 16, 17) - Defense Streamers and Starts (2025)

Joey's best fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for Weeks 14, 15, 16, 17 in 2025. NFL team defense streamers and starts based on strength of schedule.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the 2025 season. Each week, we will go through the best defensive streaming options that fantasy managers should pick up for the next four weeks. 

With the fantasy football playoffs just one week away in most leagues, picking up the right defenses could be the difference between a championship and a first-round exit. In this article, we will highlight the top defenses to pick up for Week 14 as well as all three weeks of the fantasy football playoffs (Week 15 to Week 17).

So, let's look at several defensive targets for the next four weeks (Weeks 14, 15, 16, 17). If you want our D/ST fantasy football draft rankings, be sure to check that out. So, let's dive in and look at the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 14 and beyond.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 14-17

This weekly series will focus on defenses fantasy managers should consider picking up for the coming weeks. We will look at defenses fantasy managers should pick up for one week, and some defenses to pick up for the fantasy football playoffs. Rostering two defenses at this point in the season might be a smart strategy.

So, we will break down the best defensive streamers into a few categories (Temporary, Part-Time, Recruit, and Fool's Gold) in this article below. You can see the description of each of those streamer types down below:

• “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 14
• “Part-Time” Streamer: D/ST with multiple nice matchups in a row
• “Recruit” Streamer: D/ST with an easy upcoming schedule that you pick up earlier to stash on your bench
• “Fool’s Gold” Streamer: D/ST that on paper looks like a good option, but should be avoided 

Week 14 D/ST Streamers

Since this is a streamer D/ST article, we will only look at defenses that are rostered in under 60% of ESPN leagues. There are other fantastic D/ST matchups as well for this week, so check out our Week 14 defense streamers and tiered rankings article to see the full list:

Miami Dolphins D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: New York Jets
• ESPN Rostership: 13.7%
• Over-Under: 41.5
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.5

If you are in need of a defense for this week, look no further than the Miami Dolphins. This defensive unit has played better in recent weeks, resulting in three straight games of holding opponents to under 18 points. Last week, the Dolphins had one of their best defensive outings of the season. They totaled a season-high four sacks and forced two turnovers in a win over the New Orleans Saints.

Big-time play 😤

RT to #ProBowlVote @astronaut pic.twitter.com/KC38n9YSV6

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 30, 2025

As a result, fantasy managers can trust this D/ST in a pivotal Week 14 clash against the New York Jets. Tyrod Taylor has been sacked multiple times in all five of his games this season, and New York's offensive line ranks in the bottom half of the league in pass block win rate. That should help a Miami pass rush that has totaled 10 sacks over the last four games.

Although this defense has a semi-solid matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, it's best to roll with another defense for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. That makes this Dolphins' D/ST only a temporary streamer.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
• Week 15 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
• ESPN Rostership: 23.1%
• Over-Under: 43 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.5

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the top defenses to pick up for the next two weeks of the fantasy season. They'll play the New Orleans Saints in Week 14 and then the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. Both of these are favorable matchups for a Buccaneers defense that has played well against bottom offenses this year.

Back in Week 8, the Buccaneers' D/ST scored 28 fantasy points behind a five-sack, four-turnover, one-touchdown performance against the Saints. Although Spencer Rattler started that game for New Orleans, Tyler Shough didn't exactly light it up when he relieved Rattler in that contest (128 yards, one touchdown, two sacks). As a result, Tampa Bay's defense is a top-5 play in Week 14.

The @Buccaneers defense forces the fumble and recovers!

TBvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6Py4SnGoRK

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Fantasy managers can then use this D/ST in the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. Kirk Cousins has struggled in his three starts, and this Tampa Bay defense ranks toward the top of the league in pressure rate. Given that the Buccaneers also rank seventh in pass rush win rate, they are a strong start in Week 15.

Playoffs D/ST Targets (Week 15 to Week 17)

Philadelphia Eagles D/ST

• Week 15 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 16 Opponent: Washington Commanders
• ESPN Rostership: 53.5%

The Philadelphia Eagles' defense has one of the better schedules for the first two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. This unit will play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15 and the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Those are two potential solid matchups for a defense that is starting to figure things out.

The Eagles have totaled multiple sacks in eight of their last nine games while forcing a turnover in four straight contests. Those should play a major factor in Week 15 against a Raiders offense that ranks 31st in sacks allowed and 31st in interceptions thrown. Then, fantasy managers can trust this D/ST again in Week 16 if Jayden Daniels is still out.

New Orleans Saints D/ST

• Week 15 Opponent: Carolina Panthers
• Week 16 Opponent: New York Jets
• Week 17 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• ESPN Rostership: 4.6%

The New Orleans Saints are one of the most interesting defenses in fantasy right now. They aren't particularly a great defensive unit, but their schedule in the fantasy football playoffs is juicy. They will play the Carolina Panthers in Week 15, the New York Jets in Week 16, and the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. All three matchups work in New Orleans' favor.

So, if you are looking to rock with one defense for the entire fantasy playoffs, this Saints' D/ST has some appeal. New Orleans held the Panthers to just seven offensive points the last time these two teams played back in Week 10. The Jets have allowed the fifth-most sacks through 13 weeks, and the Titans rank dead last in sacks allowed, points per game, and yards per game.

Given that the Saints have tallied at least three sacks in three of their last five games, this defense could be started in some formats in all three weeks. However, it might be best to play the matchup game and only start this D/ST in Week 17 against the Titans because this defense has had some struggles this year.

San Francisco 49ers D/ST

• Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• ESPN Rostership: 41.7%

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the best defensive stashes for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. After watching what this defense has done to inconsistent offenses like the Panthers (nine points allowed, one sack, two interceptions) and the Browns (eight points allowed, three sacks, one fumble recovery) over the past two weeks, this D/ST will be a must-start against the Titans next week.

The Titans have allowed the most sacks through 13 weeks (48), and Cam Ward has been sacked at least three times in seven straight games. That's enough reason to roll with this D/ST in most formats in Week 15.

Chicago Bears D/ST

• Week 15 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
• ESPN Rostership: 14.4%

The Chicago Bears are another great defense to target for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. They lead the league in takeaways (26) and will play a Browns offense that has had poor quarterback play for most of the year. It doesn't really matter if Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel starts next week; this Chicago defense should have a solid day. The Browns' offensive line also ranks 22nd in pass block win rate.

Kevin Byard picks off JJ McCarthy for his league-leading 5th INT!

CHIvsMIN on FOX/FOX One+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/314cxCU8SZ

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

Kansas City Chiefs D/ST

• Week 16 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• ESPN Rostership: 28.3%

The Chiefs have had some struggles on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks. Although they have totaled just two sacks since Week 10, Kansas City's D/ST should be picked up in every league for the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. The Titans rank last in sacks allowed (48), last in points scored, and last in yards per game. Therefore, there might not be a better defense to start in Week 16.

Buffalo Bills D/ST

• Week 16 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
• ESPN Rostership: 48%

The Bills' defense can't be used in Week 15 against the Patriots or in Week 17 against the Eagles. However, this unit has a fantastic matchup in Week 16 against the Browns. The Browns have given up the 10th-most sacks this season (33), and the offensive line currently ranks 22nd in pass block win rate. Therefore, Buffalo's D/ST will be a top-5 play in the second round of the fantasy playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST

• Week 17 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
• EPN Rostership: 60%

Earlier this year, the Pittsburgh Steelers totaled six sacks and held the Browns to just nine points back in Week 6. While the quarterback situation could be different this time around, fantasy managers can easily trust this Pittsburgh defense in the fantasy football championship. The Steelers rank tied for sixth in total sacks this year, making them a must-stash for Week 17.

Fool’s Gold D/ST Streamers

New York Jets D/ST vs. Miami Dolphins

• Week 14 Opponent: Miami Dolphins
• ESPN Rostership: 8.8%

Fantasy managers searching for a defense this week might glance at the Jets' D/ST. The Miami Dolphins have been very inconsistent on offense this year, and we all know that Tua Tagovailoa has struggled in the cold in his career. With the high at MetLife Stadium expected to be just 38 degrees on Sunday, this defense could be an option for some managers.

However, it's best to find another defense for this week. The Jets traded away two of their best defensive players at the deadline (Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner) and have gone six straight games without forcing a turnover. On top of that, New York has totaled just four sacks over the last three weeks.

D/ST Streamers for Week 14 (Recruit Streamers)

If you have Week 14 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 15:

• Philadelphia Eagles (53.5% rostership) - Week 15 opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
• San Francisco 49ers (41.7% rostership) - Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
• Dallas Cowboys (13% rostership) - Week 15 opponent: Minnesota Vikings

D/ST Streaming Action Plan: Next Four Weeks

Planning out your fantasy D/ST might require some work, but it might be necessary to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams across the first four weeks.

• Week 14: Stream the Buccaneers versus the Saints
• Week 15: Stream the Eagles versus the Raiders
• Week 16: Stream the Chiefs versus the Titans
• Week 17: Stream the Steelers versus the Browns

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