September 27, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. The Chiefs defensive unit held
Russell Wilson and the New York Giants to just nine points in Week 3 while collecting two interceptions and two sacks. Kansas City had a history of success against Wilson heading into last week's matchup, and history repeated itself. The Chiefs defense will have a much harder time keeping points off the board this week against the Ravens. The Ravens are the highest scoring offense in football this season, averaging 37 points per game. Steve Spagnuolo's defense allowed 20 or more points with zero takeaways in its first two games this season, so we may see a similar performance this week. The Kansas City defense is ranked 27th in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a unit to avoid this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
September 27, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST can be avoided in most fantasy leagues ahead of Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. While the Rams have been respectable on defense this year, limiting rushing yards in particular, they'll get a whole new test this week in the Colts, who have been cruising thanks to the great play of
Daniel Jones,
Jonathan Taylor, and others. In fact, among all 32 teams, the Colts have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing defensive units. Usually a top-10 D/ST, the Rams have slipped down to No. 18 in this week's RotoBaller expert rankings. Managers in leagues with 12 or fewer teams can find better short-term replacements on the waiver wire, such as the Commanders, Texans, or Patriots.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 27, 2025
The New York Giants defense is a unit to avoid in all fantasy formats for their Week 4 home matchup against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers. The Giants have been one of the league's worst defensive units, ranking 31st in yards allowed per game (405.3) and 29th in the red zone, where they allow a touchdown on a staggering 80% of opponent drives. They now face a formidable Chargers offense, led by quarterback
Justin Herbert, that comes in undefeated and ranks 6th in the NFL in total yards per game (362.3). The Giants' inability to stop teams or generate consistent pressure (15th in sacks) makes them a low-floor fantasy option.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
September 27, 2025
The New England Patriots D/ST is trending upward for their Week 4 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Specifically, the Patriots should perform quite well against quarterback
Bryce Young, who is averaging 201 passing yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 1.7 turnovers per game so far. Carolina's offense as a whole has surrendered the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units. Furthermore, the Patriots could get a huge reinforcement as Christian Gonzalez (hamstring, questionable) has a chance to suit up for his season debut. Finally, Carolina could be shorthanded with offensive standouts
Tetairoa McMillan (calf) and
Chuba Hubbard (calf) questionable, albeit trending in the right direction. All in all, this game has the potential to be low-scoring with several turnovers. As a result, our RotoBaller experts have the Patriots D/ST ranked No. 6 in Week 4.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 27, 2025
The Tennessee Titans defense/special teams has emerged as a potential streaming option for Week 4 against the Houston Texans. It has been a slow start to the season for the Texans, who are 0-3 and have been underwhelmed by the play of quarterback
C.J. Stroud. The Titans are also 0-3, but they've faced three solid teams who are a combined 6-3 this year. Tennessee may fare better against a team with a subpar offense, which is what they'll face this week in Houston. To its credit, Tennessee's defense has shown flashes of potential at times, including when it forced four turnovers through the first two games. Houston's offense has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units, so this could be a perfect get-right opportunity for Tennessee. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable starting the Titans D/ST in leagues with at least 12 teams. They're currently listed 15th in the latest RotoBaller expert rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 26, 2025
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.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 26, 2025
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.
--Jorden HillSource: ESPN
September 26, 2025
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.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 26, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys defense is getting a timely boost as it braces for Sunday night's matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark (ankle), who has been nursing a minor ankle injury, logged a full practice this week and says he's eager to face his former team. Clark's interior pressure could be key against the Packers' balanced attack, and Dallas coaches are counting on his familiarity with Green Bay's blocking schemes to disrupt the front. Adding to the intrigue, former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is set to make his Cowboys debut. Clowney insists he has "plenty left in the tank," and his presence off the edge should immediately bolster a unit that's been battling injuries and inconsistency through three weeks. DaRon Bland (foot) is returning, and this will be the fifth time he and Trevon Diggs have played together. With the Cowboys' offense shorthanded, a pass rush featuring Clark and Clowney could be critical to controlling the game's tempo and giving Dallas a chance to steal a prime-time win. However, despite the returns, the Cowboys DST can be avoided in Week 4.
--Tipp MajorSource: nfl
September 26, 2025
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit have been very productive so far this season and look to continue that run when Green Bay matches up with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. The main producer in the Cowboys' offense,
CeeDee Lamb, is out for this week's iteration of Sunday Night Football. Even with Lamb out, the Cowboys' passing game is still strong with
Dak Prescott, plus
George Pickens and
Jake Ferguson. The Packers have put up 10 sacks this season, good for sixth-best in the NFL through three weeks, and allow a league-low four touchdowns by opposing offenses this season. A defense that stymied the potent Detroit Lions offense in Week 1 should have a solid day at the office in Micah Parsons' return to Dallas. Fire up the Packers as a starting D/ST in Week 4.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
September 26, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles defense/special teams unit had one of the best fantasy performances at their position in Week 3, in large part thanks to a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in the dying moments of the game. Before that, it was looking like another disappointing day for this unit, allowing 26 points and recording just one sack. However, they did have a redeeming moment when they forced
Matthew Stafford into throwing an interception in the game's opening drive. Their upcoming game is against the Buccaneers, who are averaging 24 points per game on offense and are one of three teams yet to turn the ball over. Meanwhile, Philly is allowing an average of 21 points per game to opposing offenses. It's also worth noting that star Tampa Bay WR
Mike Evans (hamstring) will miss the game, while fellow stud wideout
Chris Godwin (ankle) and starting QB
Baker Mayfield (right biceps) are listed as questionable. It's a dangerous game to bet on the Eagles' defense, but they're still worth starting against the banged-up Bucs in Week 4.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
September 26, 2025
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.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 26, 2025
The Cleveland Browns defense has been dominant through the first three weeks of the season. Fresh off of holding the Green Bay Packers offense to just 10 points in Week 3, Cleveland will travel on the road to face off against a red-hot Detroit Lions offense in Week 4. Detroit's offense has historically played better at home and has scored 90 total points over its past two games. Cleveland's defense faces its toughest test yet and will be tough to trust in a Week 4 matchup that has the Lions listed as 10-point favorites. Fantasy managers should consider streaming a D/ST with a better matchup in Week 4.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 26, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams unit enters Week 4 on the road as a top-tier fantasy option against a struggling New York Giants offense. Despite defensive end Khalil Mack (elbow) being placed on IR, the unit remains strong, with safety Derwin James recently earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his 12-tackle, one-sack performance against the Denver Broncos. The Giants will start rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart for the first time. Dart could be dangerous with his legs, and Giants' rookie running back
Cam Skattebo also runs aggressively, so the Chargers' defense should aim to stop the run first and try to force the rookie quarterback into mistakes with his arm. The Chargers D/ST is ranked D/ST3 by RotoBaller, making them a strong start this week against an inconsistent and inexperienced offense.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 26, 2025
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.
--Connor ByrneSource: RotoBaller
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