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Fantasy football rankings - updated defense (DST) Week 4 rankings for 2025. Read the top-accuracy fantasy football DEF rankings for NFL team defenses.
Finding the best fantasy football defense each week can make the difference between winning and losing fantasy matchups, so use updated Week 4 fantasy football defense (DST) rankings for 2025 to pinpoint the best team defense for your lineups. In the rankings below, you will see where the Chargers, Packers, Texans, Patriots, Steelers, Eagles, Bears, and Colts defenses stand, among all other D/STs.
Our defense fantasy football rankings for Week 4 are put together by Nick Mariano. Below the rankings, you will also find key fantasy football outlooks from our RotoBaller staff, as well as the "Who to Start?" tool. Also, be sure to check our fantasy football news for this week. There are always key injuries and developments to keep track of, so check back throughout the week for updates.
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Week 4 Defense (DST) Rankings for Fantasy Football
Bookmark our PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, and standard (non-PPR) rankings
| D/ST Tier | D/ST Rank | D/ST Name | Position |
| 1 | 1 | Buffalo Bills | DST |
| 1 | 2 | Denver Broncos | DST |
| 1 | 3 | Los Angeles Chargers | DST |
| 1 | 4 | Houston Texans | DST |
| 2 | 5 | Detroit Lions | DST |
| 2 | 6 | New England Patriots | DST |
| 3 | 7 | Green Bay Packers | DST |
| 3 | 8 | Minnesota Vikings | DST |
| 3 | 9 | Philadelphia Eagles | DST |
| 3 | 10 | New York Jets | DST |
| 4 | 11 | Chicago Bears | DST |
| 4 | 12 | San Francisco 49ers | DST |
| 4 | 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | DST |
| 4 | 14 | Washington Commanders | DST |
| 4 | 15 | Tennessee Titans | DST |
| 5 | 16 | Seattle Seahawks | DST |
| 5 | 17 | Arizona Cardinals | DST |
| 5 | 18 | Baltimore Ravens | DST |
| 5 | 19 | Los Angeles Rams | DST |
| 5 | 20 | Carolina Panthers | DST |
| 5 | 21 | Atlanta Falcons | DST |
| 5 | 22 | Cleveland Browns | DST |
| 6 | 23 | Jacksonville Jaguars | DST |
| 6 | 24 | Las Vegas Raiders | DST |
| 6 | 25 | Indianapolis Colts | DST |
| 6 | 26 | New York Giants | DST |
| 6 | 27 | Kansas City Chiefs | DST |
| 7 | 28 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DST |
| 7 | 29 | Cincinnati Bengals | DST |
| 7 | 30 | Miami Dolphins | DST |
| 7 | 31 | Dallas Cowboys | DST |
| 7 | 32 | New Orleans Saints | DST |
Week 4 Defense (DST) Rankings Outlooks
Buffalo Bills D/ST
The Buffalo Bills' defense has not been a reliable fantasy option in 2025. The unit got off to a brutal start in a season-opening victory over the Baltimore Ravens before faring far better in a win against the New York Jets in Week 2.
The Bills improved to 3-0 in beating the Miami Dolphins last week, but aside from a game-sealing Terrel Bernard interception in the fourth quarter, their defense underwhelmed. Despite that, the Bills' D/ST may be hard for fantasy managers to ignore going into a favorable matchup in Week 4.
Buffalo will host the 0-3 New Orleans Saints, who will walk into a hostile environment, averaging a meager 15.7 points per game. While the Saints' offense doesn't score much or move the ball well (20th in yards per game), the group has only committed two turnovers and allowed six sacks to quarterback Spencer Rattler. For their part, the Bills haven't racked up a ton of takeaways (three) or sacks (six).
That may limit their ceiling this week, especially with two top defenders (tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano) out with injuries. Nevertheless, with the Bills entering as heavy favorites against a much weaker opponent, their D/ST should at least have a high floor in Week 4.
Carolina Panthers D/ST
The Carolina Panthers' defense/special teams unit is widely considered a decent defensive streamer for Week 4 against the New England Patriots. Coming off a decisive shutout of the Falcons, the Panthers proved they have the necessary playmakers to capitalize against weak offenses.
In Week 3, they forced a total of four turnovers. This week, they travel to face a Patriots team that just committed a massive five turnovers in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots' severe ball-security issues elevate Carolina from a bench stash to a decent-floor, high-ceiling streamer for fantasy managers this weekend.
Detroit Lions D/ST
The Detroit Lions' defense allowed 30 points in Week 3 to the Baltimore Ravens, but the unit also forced a fumble and sacked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times. Detroit now gets an easier matchup on paper in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns.
Through their first three games, the Browns have scored just 46 points and rank last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt (five). Additionally, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown four interceptions. Heading into Week 4, the Lions' defense profiles as a must-start unit.
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST
Following a brutal start to the campaign, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense bounced back in a Week 3 win, holding the New England Patriots to 14 points while piling up five turnovers and five sacks.
The debut of rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon helped open lanes for Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt, who each notched their first sacks of the year. Now the Steelers will head to Dublin, Ireland, to take on the Minnesota Vikings on an international stage in Week 4.
The Vikings hung 48 points on the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but Pittsburgh should fare better against the Minnesota offense led by backup quarterback Carson Wentz. Although EDGE Alex Highsmith (ankle) has been ruled out, the Steelers are getting healthier with safety DeShon Elliott (knee) returning and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) questionable after a limited practice on Friday.
With reinforcements on the way and a low-scoring game script expected, Pittsburgh's DST profiles as a strong streaming candidate this week.
Houston Texans D/ST
The Houston Texans' defense has been forced to carry the load for the team's struggling offense, and they have played well overall despite three close losses that have them 0-3. They have allowed only an average of 17 points per game and have multiple sacks in each game.
Will Anderson Jr. leads the way with three sacks in three games, while Danielle Hunter has two sacks from the other side as well. The team has forced two turnovers in three games, but they may be without star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), who is questionable.
Even if Stingley isn't 100% or even out, the team is in a great spot against the Titans, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to DST this season. The Titans have four turnovers in three games, and they have given up 15 sacks in three games.
It should be a spot that the Texans DST dominates and stacks up plenty of sacks to help them get their first win of the season. The Texans are the No. 4 DST this week because of their strong play and great spot at home Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota Vikings D/ST
The Minnesota Vikings' defense/special teams has a playable matchup when taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in an early Sunday game in Ireland. Coming off what is likely to be the No. 1 defensive performance of the season last week, with five turnovers forced, four sacks, and two defensive touchdowns against Cincinnati, the Vikings now turn their attention to a Steelers offense that ranks 27th in first downs gained, 26th in yards per play, and 31st in rushing yards per attempt.
Though on a different team, Minnesota's defense picked off Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers three times in last year's meeting with the New York Jets, and returned one of them for a touchdown. Additionally, Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren (knee) is not at full health and questionable to play. Fantasy managers who roster the Vikings have a lot to like in this matchup.
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Popular Week 4 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
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