Oct 3, 2026, 10:41 AM ET

The Chicago Bears D/ST is an intriguing fantasy stream in Week 4 when they take on the visiting New York Jets. Chicago's defense was a sieve in Week 1, yielding 37 points and nearly 500 total yards (478) on the road to the Panthers. Since then, though, the unit has allowed a mere 16 points combined to the Eagles and Vikings. Quarterback Geno Smith and the Jets have played well so far, ranking thirteenth (329) and seventeenth (21.3) in yards and points per game, respectively. That said, New York will be without its RB1 in Breece Hall (quad), and also missing wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) and tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) - softening the outlook of what's been a capable offense. There is some risk here, but owners in a pinch for a high-upside stream can look to Chicago in an advantageous spot. The unit ranks as RotoBaller's D/ST8 for Week 4.--Alex Ciulla
Source: ESPN

Oct 3, 2026, 8:44 AM ET

The Denver Broncos' defense faces a tall task in Week 4 as it prepares to take on a vaunted San Francisco 49ers offense that has scored 32.7 points per game through the season's first three weeks, which is second-best in the NFL behind the Buffalo Bills. Last week, the 49ers put up 36 points while racking up 437 total yards during a win over the Arizona Cardinals, while Denver gave up a whopping 482 yards during a win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Broncos' defense has allowed -0.02 EPA per play, according to Next Gen Stats, which is tied for 20th in the NFL. Denver is RotoBaller's 20th-ranked defense and is projected to score seven fantasy points in Week 4.--Alex Brasky
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 8:08 AM ET

The Houston Texans D/ST has still made plays this season, despite the team's 0-3 start. This week, they're at home in a desperation game against the Cowboys, making them still a strong option to start in most formats. In three games, the Texans forced three turnovers last week against the Colts and stacked up four sacks while allowing 19 points. They have multiple sacks in each of their three games this season and have held the Bengals and Colts in check after struggling with the Bills in Week 1. The Cowboys have only allowed three sacks in three games this year and only have two turnovers. They are not a great D/ST matchup for the Texans, but the elite playmakers in Houston's defense still make it the No. 10 D/ST unit in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings. Temper expectations in the tough matchup, but the Texans should still be started in most formats this week.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 7:15 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers defense enters Week 4 with an appealing matchup as Tampa Bay turns to undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels for his first career NFL start. The Buccaneers have allowed a league-high 13 sacks through three games, while Green Bay has recorded eight. That gives the Packers a favorable setup for pressure and turnovers. The concern comes from last week's loss to Atlanta, when Green Bay surrendered 498 total yards and 35 points. Atlanta also ran for 242 yards, exposing a weakness Tampa Bay could try to attack. A successful rushing attack would help the Buccaneers avoid obvious passing situations and limit Green Bay's chances to get after Daniels. RotoBaller ranks Green Bay D/ST5 in Tier 1 for Week 4, making the Packers defense a strong top-five fantasy option across all formats.--Ryan Pederson
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 6:44 AM ET

The Arizona Cardinals D/ST unit fell on hard times after its surprising showing in Week 1. Against the Chargers in the season opener, Arizona held their opponent to 14 points, registered three sacks, and collected two turnovers for a top-10 finish that week. The Cardinals gave up at least 31 points in their subsequent matchups against the Seahawks and 49ers, and had just one more sack and two turnovers in those two games. A Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants could prove lucrative. Giants quarterback Jameis Winston is known for being turnover-prone and has already taken five sacks on 55 dropbacks, and the team is averaging just 15.3 points per game. Arizona's D/ST makes for a solid streamer in Week 4 and is projected for a top-12 finish.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com

Oct 3, 2026, 4:54 AM ET

The San Francisco 49ers' D/ST had back-to-back top-10 finishes to open 2026 but took a step back in Week 3. The 49ers came away with the win against the Cardinals last week but gave up 30 points in the process. In Week 4, the 49ers' defensive line and linebacker corps have been dealt multiple injuries that will tarnish the unit's outlook against the Broncos. Nick Bosa (knee/calf) is out, and three other linemen are listed as out or questionable. Linebackers Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps) and Jaden Duggar (shoulder) are both questionable. When not facing pressure, Bo Nix's EPA per dropback goes from the second-lowest in the NFL to the ninth-highest. With San Francisco's D/ST at risk of getting tied up in a high-scoring affair, fantasy managers might be better served by seeking another unit better suited to sniff out sacks and turnovers in Week 4.--Dan Stephens
Source: 49ers.com

Oct 2, 2026, 9:55 PM ET

The Detroit Lions defense has struggled mightily to open 2026, allowing an average of 31.7 points per game through the first three weeks. Detroit has been a mid-pack unit against the run, but the Lions currently rank dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed (979) and second-to-last in passing touchdowns allowed (nine). The Lions could be in for another long game in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers, who lead the NFL in total passing yards (939) through three games. While Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) is questionable to play on Sunday, top Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (rib) is also listed as questionable due to a rib injury. The Lions defense could get some help from the weather, as the forecast in Charlotte on Sunday currently calls for rain and wind. Still, fantasy managers should avoid starting the Lions D/ST in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:30 PM ET

The Baltimore Ravens DST looks to move on from its narrow 34-31 Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys as it hosts the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. The DST will be without star outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger), who has 17 pressures this season, tied for the league's fourth-most, and was ruled out Friday after a procedure for his broken finger. This puts a slight damper on the Ravens' pass rush, which has the league's fastest average time to pressure (2.39 seconds), and the unit ranks eighth-highest in quarterback pressure rate (39.3%). The Ravens DST will need to find ways to stress the struggling Sophomore Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who led the league in sacks taken (55) last season, without Hendrickson for the unit to meet its number two overall Week 4 projected ranking. Although the Ravens DST ranks 14th in yards allowed (321.3) and 21st in points (26) per game, the Titans offense is in a worse spot, ranking 30th in points (12.3) and 31st in yards (249.3). Nonetheless, the Titans have one of the week's lowest implied point totals, and the Ravens defense, according to cornerback Marlon Humphrey, has urgency to "get [the defense] fixed this game." The Ravens DST is a top-tier streaming option this week with high potential for turnovers and sacks at home against a low-scoring offense.--Matt McCauley
Source: Ryan Mink & Clifton Brown - Baltimore Ravens

Oct 2, 2026, 5:01 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders' defense has been surprisingly stout to start 2026, but will face an uphill battle against a hot Kansas City Chiefs offense in Week 4. Vegas ranks 10th in the NFL with just 316.7 total average yards allowed through Week 3. However, their first three opponents in 2026 also have a combined 1-8 record. Kansas City visits Sin City with a 3-0 record and the second-most total offensive yards per game (416.3). History isn't on the Raiders' side either, since the Chiefs starters haven't lost on the road to the Silver and Black since the team moved to Las Vegas in 2020. (Last season's 14-12 Raiders win at Allegiant Stadium was against Kansas City's second-stringers.) Fantasy managers are better off streaming a different defense in Week 4.--Chelena Goldman
Source: FOX Sports

Oct 2, 2026, 4:43 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers defense is in for a rude awakening in Week 4 when it hosts a potent Detroit Lions offense on Sunday Night Football. Carolina is already allowing a league-high 193.3 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns on the ground this season. Now both nose tackles Lee Hunter (foot) and Cam Jackson (knee) are listed as questionable for Sunday, which will make it even harder to contain the Jahmyr Gibbs-led Lions ground game. The Panthers have been good at containing the pass, but the Lions will surely lean on the ground game and exploit the host's weaknesses in Week 4. Sit Carolina's defense for this rough matchup in Charlotte.--Chelena Goldman
Source: Joe Person via X.com

Oct 2, 2026, 4:35 PM ET

With the winless Miami Dolphins set to visit U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings D/ST is the top-ranked option in fantasy football this week. The Vikings have been an absolute force on defense so far this season, recording pressures on an absurd 40% of passing downs through three games. Minnesota has compiled 14 sacks and allowed a completion percentage of 50.6%, both of which lead the NFL. Additionally, the Vikings' return game has shown life, as Myles Prices' punt return for a touchdown last week proved invaluable in a victory at Tampa Bay. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have scored just three offensive touchdowns and finished 28.6% of their possessions with points, which ranks tied for 28th in the league. Miami also lost their only star offensive player to injury, as running back De'Von Achane (knee) is out for the season. The Vikings should be locked in as a starter in any format that plays a defense.--Nick Piotrowicz
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 4:28 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals defense will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 4. The Bengals just came off a game where they gave up 30 points in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They will now face a strong Jaguars offense while being banged up on defense. Swayze Bozeman, Bryan Cook, and B.J. Hill are all questionable to play this Sunday. Safety Kyle Dugger has been listed out for the matchup. The Jaguars have scored at least 34 points twice this season and they may be in line to do it again. In a game with the highest over/under of the week, it will be difficult to trust the Bengals defense in lineups. The Cincinnati defense is ranked 24th in our RotoBaller Week 4 rankings, making them an avoidable unit this Sunday.--Joshua Costello
Source: Bengals.com

Oct 2, 2026, 3:28 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs defense will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. The Chiefs defense helmed by Steve Spagnuolo has been mostly strong, outside of the 30 points given up to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. The Kansas City unit has come away with one interception in every game this season and will look to extend that streak against Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Raiders have put up at least 26 points in every game this season, making this a difficult matchup for the Chiefs. L'Jarius Sneed was listed on the injury report with a knee injury this week, but logged limited practices before a full practice on Friday. With the removal of Sneed from the injury report, the entire Chiefs defense should be at full strength to take on a division rival. The Chiefs defense is ranked ninth in our RotoBaller Week 4 rankings, making it a top-10 option at the position this week.--Joshua Costello
Source: Chiefs.com

Oct 2, 2026, 12:38 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks D/ST could be in for a field day against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. This defense is fresh off a game in which it allowed 27 points from the Washington Commanders' offense. This unit takes a lot of pride in itself and should bounce back this week against a struggling Chargers offense. The Chargers have yet to score more than 16 points in a game this season. They have also turned the ball over six times and allowed eight sacks in three games. Seattle should have no problem forcing more turnovers and getting to quarterback Justin Herbert. Seattle is also getting healthier in its defensive secondary, something that hurt them in Week 3. As such, fantasy managers can expect good things from this unit in Week 4. RotoBaller has the Seahawks D/ST ranked at No. 4 on the week, which is about on par with where they should finish.--Quincy Milton III - RotoBaller
Source: Seattle Seahawks