September 5, 2025
The Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams has one of the tougher matchups in Week 1. They take on the reigning MVP,
Josh Allen, and the Buffalo Bills, who put up 27 points on them with no turnovers. The Ravens did add two highly touted rookies to the defense in Mike Green and Malaki Starks, while adding veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was cleared from the injury report. While RotoBaller has the Ravens ranked as the fourth-best defense heading into this season, they're only projected to get 4.0 points. Fantasy managers may just have to take the gamble and look towards better matchups throughout the season.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
The Cleveland Browns defense will open up the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. The Browns hope to bounce back on the defensive side of the ball after a disappointing 2024 season, but they draw a tough matchup against an explosive Cincy offense to kick off the season. The Bengals should have little trouble moving the ball and putting points on the board in Week 1, making the Browns D/ST a unit to avoid heading into the first weekend of the season.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 5, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was a great fantasy asset in 2024 and will look to repeat its success in Week 1 against the New York Jets. This is an ideal matchup to target for fantasy DST purposes as the Jets averaged fewer than 20 points per game last season and are not expected to run a high-powered offense in 2025. Led by star EDGE T.J. Watt and bolstered by additions Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey in the secondary, the Steelers remain a threat to rack up sacks and takeaways. Fire up the Pittsburgh DST in all fantasy formats on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: NFL.com
September 5, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders defense enters Week 1 as a sneaky streaming option against a Patriots offense led by second-year quarterback
Drake Maye. New England turned the ball over 23 times last season and, despite adding
Stefon Diggs and rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson, still lacks overall firepower. Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce should generate consistent pressure off the edge, creating chances for Jeremy Chinn and a young secondary to capitalize on mistakes. While the Raiders are unlikely to rank as a top-tier fantasy defense over the course of the season, their Week 1 matchup is favorable. They should be rostered and considered a strong starting option to open the year.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 5, 2025
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit have a challenging task ahead of them as they will welcome the division-rival Detroit Lions to Lambeau Field for the Week 1 opener. The Packers' big news on the defensive side happened recently as they traded two first-round picks for star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who should inject some ferocity into the Packers' defensive front. Green Bay is no slouch in their secondary either, with last season's free-agent splash Xavier McKinney handling the strong safety spot and young defenders like Evan Williams and Javon Bullard showing a ton of promise. The Packers D/ST isn't a recommended start this week, matching up with
Jahmyr Gibbs,
Amon-Ra St. Brown,
Jameson Williams, and the rest of the Detroit Lions offense that is capable of 30+ points scored each game.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
The Detroit Lions' defense was in tatters by the end of the 2024 season, allowing at least 31 points in four out of the team's final six games, including the postseason. Detroit is much healthier coming into 2025 and welcomes back star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who is full-go after missing most of 2024 with a broken tibia and fibula. The Lions have a tough matchup in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, who finished eighth in the NFL in scoring and fifth in total yardage last season. Green Bay also finished 2024 with the 11th-fewest turnovers in the league, although they did cough it up twice in two games against the Lions. Detroit also has a new defensive play-caller this year with Kelvin Sheppard taking over for the departed Aaron Glenn, which could lead to an early-season adjustment period. The Lions D/ST profiles outside the top 12 in Week 1 and should be avoided in fantasy if possible.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams unit will draw an interesting test when the 49ers visit on Sunday. Seattle's defense had a huge turnaround over the second half of the 2024 season under head coach Mike Macdonald's tutelage. The defense has added more pieces up front with an already great secondary in place. In two games against San Francisco in 2024, the Seahawks' unit allowed 36 points and 17 points, respectively. The latter game was around the time Seattle turned around its defense. With so many injuries on offense in San Francisco, they will not carry the same firepower into Seattle that they are used to. On top of that, 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey (calf) popped up on Thursday's injury report. With his status for Sunday up in the air, Seattle's D/ST could have an even bigger game. Keep an eye on the health of the 49ers' offensive players headed into the weekend. This unit could be playable.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Seahawks
September 5, 2025
Although the Buffalo Bills put most of their offseason focus into improving their defense, the group is banged up going into a Week 1 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens' elite offense this Sunday. Injured first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston (knee) won't play. Fellow corner and ex-Raven Tre'Davious White (groin) is also trending toward sitting out, which would leave either Ja'Marcus Ingram or sixth-round rookie Dorian Strong to start opposite No. 1 CB Christian Benford (groin). While Benford is also dealing with an injury, indications are that he'll play. Even with Benford, the Bills' issues in the secondary could spell trouble going into a meeting with the Ravens'
Lamar Jackson-led passing attack. As if that's not enough, the Bills will also have to try to contain the two-headed monster of Jackson and
Derrick Henry in the running game. All of that is to say fantasy managers seeking DST help shouldn't have trouble finding a safer option than Buffalo in Week 1.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 4, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The former first-round pick was ejected from the contest before logging a snap as he was seen spitting on Dallas quarterback
Dak Prescott. The 24-year-old is slated to have a significant role on the Eagles defensive line this season. In 2024, the former Georgia standout totaled 4.5 sacks with a career-high 42 tackles. In his rookie season in 2023, Carter tallied 6.0 sacks and 33 total tackles. Fantasy managers should expect Gabe Hall to see an increase in snaps during the remainder of their season opener.
--Andy SmithSource: Ari Meirov
September 4, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers' D/ST faces a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. Although the Chargers' defense was a top-tier unit in 2024, finishing first in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.7), they will face a high-powered Chiefs offense led by All-Pro quarterback
Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has hinted at a more aggressive, down-the-field passing attack this year, which could exploit even the strongest secondary. Despite being led by veteran All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack and strong preseasons from backups Caleb Murphy, Jamaree Caldwell, and rookie Eric Rogers, the Chargers' D/ST is still projected as the D/ST24 this week. Given the Chiefs' offensive firepower, fantasy managers likely have better streaming options in Week 1.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 3, 2025
In 2024, the Carolina Panthers' defense was the worst unit in the NFL. While their passing defense ranked 25th in the league, their run defense was particularly abysmal, ranking last by a significant margin and allowing an average of 179.8 rushing yards per game. To address these issues, the Panthers have completely overhauled their defense. They drafted pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen and signed defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III. These new faces are complemented by the return of star defensive lineman Derrick Brown from injury. They also upgraded the secondary with the addition of safety Tre'von Moehrig. Despite these significant changes, the Panthers' defense faces a tough Week 1 test against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Given the many new faces and the uncertainty of how they will gel, the Panthers' defense should be left on the bench and the waiver wire in Week 1.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 2, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie two-way star
Travis Hunter is listed as a starting wide receiver and backup cornerback on the team's initial depth chart. Hunter and
Brian Thomas Jr. are listed in the first-team offense, along with
Dyami Brown. The Colorado product exploded for 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns last year, cementing his status as a top prospect. He was ultimately drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who traded up to select him. He was just as dominant on the defensive side of the ball at school, totaling 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended during his final collegiate season. He won the Heisman Trophy and was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. There is still some uncertainty about whether Hunter can stay healthy for a full season while playing on both sides of the ball, but if he can, the sky is the limit. He's a solid low-end WR3 option heading into the 2025 fantasy season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jacksonville Jaguars
September 2, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys kick off the post-Micah Parsons era on Thursday, and they'll do it against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. This divisional showdown will test the Cowboys defense's ability to contain a mobile quarterback, break through an elite offensive line, and slow down one of the decade's most dominant running backs. Fantasy defenses scored the eighth-fewest fantasy points against the Eagles last year, so managers should be concerned about the Cowboys D/ST this week. They could certainly make some stops in garbage time, but it's hard to envision this unit steamrolling the Eagles on the road. Turnovers will be hard to come by, and Philadelphia could easily run up the score. Fantasy managers should stay away from the Cowboys defense, which will likely end up in the bottom third of the D/ST fantasy leaderboard this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
Heading into the opening game of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles defense/special teams unit has some lofty expectations. In 2024, they allowed the fewest yards per game (278.4, the only team below 300) and the second-fewest points per game (17.8) to opposing offenses. Their most recent display in the Super Bowl saw them keep the Chiefs scoreless for almost three full quarters while forcing three turnovers on the biggest stage in football. Their upcoming matchup against the Cowboys seems like another great opportunity for Philly's defense to show out, with
Dak Prescott throwing two interceptions in four of eight of his appearances last season. This unit is one of the highest-rated going into the new NFL year, and for good reason. Even with the addition of
George Pickens for Dallas, the Eagles are a top choice for a defense to start in Week 1.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
September 2, 2025
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that the team is being "smart" and "conservative" with how they manage linebacker Dre Greenlaw's workload. Greenlaw has a lengthy injury history, so Payton and his staff have decided that it's in their best interest to take some of the load off him before the season even begins. The veteran defender missed most of 2024 with a torn Achilles, and he also battled a quadriceps issue this summer. Now, it appears the 28-year-old is healthy, but Denver is still going to be careful with his involvement. Levelle Bailey, Justin Strnad, and Drew Sanders are all candidates to earn more defensive snaps if Greenlaw sees a reduced workload in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Tomasson
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