October 5, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars offense on Monday night in Week 5. These two teams are nearly evenly matched on paper, which could produce a very competitive game. The Chiefs defense is allowing 19.0 points per game, while the Jaguars defense is allowing 18.0 points per game. The Kansas City offense is averaging 24.3 points per game, and the Jacksonville offense is averaging 24.0 points per game this season. The emerging Jaguars offense, led by Liam Coen, could pose a threat to the Chiefs in a game that could turn into a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. The Kansas City Chiefs defense is ranked the ninth-best defense in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a start-worthy unit. That said, the Chiefs defense could have a lower ceiling this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
October 4, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders defense has experienced an uneven start to the 2025 season, and Week 5 could bring another difficult outing. The Colts enter the matchup with one of the league's most balanced and explosive offenses, ranking fifth in total yards and tied for fourth in scoring. Led by star running back
Jonathan Taylor and a resurgent
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis has the personnel to attack the Raiders both on the ground and through the air. While Maxx Crosby remains a dominant force up front, the lack of consistent support around him has made it challenging for Las Vegas to contain top-tier offenses. Unless the Raiders can generate turnovers or multiple sacks, fantasy managers should avoid this defense in Week 5, as they project to struggle against one of the NFL's more efficient attacks.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
October 4, 2025
The Buffalo Bills defense has quietly been one of the league's most effective units this season, combining steady pressure with opportunistic playmaking. Buffalo has forced turnovers on 10% of opponent possessions while holding teams to an NFL-best 125.8 passing yards per game. Although the Bills have shown some vulnerability against the run, that weakness may not be exploited this week, as the Patriots rank just 26th in rushing offense. This matchup sets up as a strength-on-strength battle that favors Buffalo across the board. If
Josh Allen and the offense can build an early lead, the Bills' defense should be able to attack aggressively, forcing quarterback
Drake Maye into mistakes. They should be viewed as a top-five fantasy defense heading into Week 5, with strong potential for sacks and turnovers.
--Shaun AlbinSource: BuffaloBills.com
October 4, 2025
The New York Jets defense/special teams won't be a viable fantasy option in Week 5 when they take on the visiting Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. New York has been one of the better teams against the pass this season, yielding just under 200 yards per game through the air (199.8) - a top 12 figure in the league. Conversely, they've had a difficult time against the run, affording opponents the eighth-most rushing yards per outing (130.5). Moreover, the Jets have yet to record a takeaway through the season's first four weeks, an aspect they also struggled with in 2024 (17 total). With Dallas' offense rolling (28.5 ppg), New York can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes. The unit ranks as RotoBaller's DST25 for this weekend.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
October 4, 2025
Facing likely the worst roster in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals D/ST is a fantasy must-start in Week 5 against the struggling Tennessee Titans. Independently of the matchup, the Cards have been solid defensively in 2025, ranking sixth in points allowed, sixth in first downs allowed, and 11th in passer rating against, and now they take on Titans team that borders on helpless offensively. Tennessee is at or near the bottom of the league in points scored (32nd), scoring percentage (30th), net yards per passing attempt (32nd), first downs (29th), and offensive penalties (30th). Until rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward and the Titans turn the corner, betting against them with an above average defense is a smart lineup decision.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 4, 2025
The Houston Texans defense is coming off a shutout against the Titans last week, and they'll get a decent matchup on the road against the Ravens, who won't have quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) and will start
Cooper Rush instead. In last week's shutout of the hapless Titans, the Texans had two sacks and an interception, and they have multiple sacks in every game they have played this season, along with a total of three takeaways. The Ravens' offense will clearly be less potent without Jackson, but Rush will likely manage the game just fine. He completed 9-of-13 passes last week for 52 yards, no touchdowns, and no turnovers after coming in for Jackson last week. On the road this week, the Texans are the No. 14 D/ST in the RotoBaller rankings and a solid starting option, even though they don't have an elite matchup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
October 4, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts defense has been a solid unit to start the season, ranking 11th in the league in points allowed per game (20.8) and fourth with just 269.5 yards allowed per game while notching 10 sacks. They will look to stay hot in a Week 5 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders, and
Geno Smith especially, have been generous to opposing fantasy defenses through the first four games of the season, as Smith has thrown seven interceptions already while also taking 12 sacks. The Colts are installed as seven-point home favorites and should enjoy another productive fantasy outing in Week 5. Treat them as a top-six fantasy D/ST for this weekend.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
October 4, 2025
The Miami Dolphins defense has a favorable matchup against the 1-3 Panthers, who will be without starting running back
Chuba Hubbard (calf) in Week 5. The Panthers have been the sixth-best matchup in the league for opposing defenses, allowing six sacks and turning the ball over six times. They have allowed a pair of DST touchdowns as well in just four games, so the Dolphins should have chances to make plays on the road in Carolina. Miami had three takeaways and two sacks last Monday against the Jets, and will look to put together another strong showing on Sunday. They are the No. 17 D/ST in RotoBaller's rankings for this week and can be used as a bye-week fill-in in an emergency in deep leagues
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
October 4, 2025
The Cleveland Browns defense has been a team strength to start the NFL season. They will look to keep it going against the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Cleveland's defense ranks seventh in the league with 11 sacks thus far, while the Vikings' offensive line has struggled with
Carson Wentz under center, allowing him to take nine sacks over the past two games. Fantasy managers can trust the Browns D/ST as a top-10 option heading into Week 5.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
October 4, 2025
The New York Giants defense profiles as a streaming option in Week 5 in deeper leagues, despite their own struggles through the first four games. While the unit has performed poorly on paper, ranking 23rd in points allowed (25.3) and 29th in total yards allowed per game (388.5), they benefit from a premier matchup. They travel to New Orleans to face a winless Saints offense that has been one of the league's worst. The Saints rank 28th in the NFL in scoring, averaging just 16.5 points per game, and have scored the second-fewest touchdowns in the league with only seven, making the Giants DST a high-floor play this week.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
October 4, 2025
The Carolina Panthers defense/special teams has an appealing matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, but the unit can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues. The Dolphins limped to an 0-3 start before winning last Monday, and they're likely going to continue in the wrong direction with
Tyreek Hill (knee) done for the year. However, Miami has still managed to allow just the 17th-fewest fantasy points to opposing D/ST units -- right near the league median. Furthermore, the Jets allowed a concerning 300 yards and 27 points to the Dolphins in Week 4. Finally, the Panthers aren't exactly an imposing matchup, as they allowed 42 points to the Patriots last weekend. While a matchup against
Tua Tagovailoa may seem appealing, the Panthers should really be avoided this week. They're 19th in RotoBaller's latest D/ST rankings for Week 5.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 3, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams is in for a tough challenge in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After getting several key defensive players back in Week 4, the Seahawks will again be depleted in Week 5. Notable absences this week include cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (quadricep). On a promising note, this unit has been battling substantial injuries since Week 2, yet they have turned in three straight double-digit fantasy efforts. The Buccaneers have a quality offense that just pushed an excellent Eagles defense to the brink in Week 4. While this game will occur in Seattle, the Bucs should still be able to move up and down the field. The Seahawks D/ST is still a low-end starting option in fantasy this week, but they do carry risk. The overall quality of the defense should minimize the chance for a catastrophic week, but if you have another quality option at D/ST, it may be best to look elsewhere in Week 5.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: Brady Henderson
October 3, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles defense/special teams unit was able to find the end zone for the second week in a row against Tampa Bay, blocking a punt for a house call on the opening drive of the game. They also forced two turnovers, with a fumble recovery and an interception later on in the contest. In Week 5, Philly hosts the Broncos, who sport a middle-of-the-pack offense scoring 24 points per game this season. Denver has also given the ball away six times through four games. Fantasy managers should probably ride the hot hand and depend on the Eagles D/ST once again this week.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
October 3, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams enters Week 5 as a decent streaming option, but they face new uncertainty with the return of Washington Commanders star quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee). The defense struggled against the New York Giants' rookie quarterback,
Jaxson Dart, last week, giving up over 50 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. This could be concerning for Daniels, who is dangerous with his legs. We will have to see how much his knee affects his ability to run the ball. While the defense is one of the league's best at pressuring the quarterback (six team sacks last week), they must now focus on containing a mobile passer and forcing turnovers. They still boast strong red-zone numbers, but they have only produced three interceptions and zero fumble recoveries in four games. RotoBaller has downgraded the Chargers to D/ST12 this week. They are a decent spot start, but fantasy managers should temper expectations against a strong run game and an effective mobile quarterback.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 3, 2025
The Detroit Lions defense/special teams showed up in a big way in Week 4, limiting the Cleveland Browns to 10 points while recording two interceptions, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Additionally, Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. The Lions' defense appears to have a good matchup on paper in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have scored 13 points and committed five turnovers in the two games that
Jake Browning has started at quarterback. One area of concern for Detroit could be in the secondary. The team placed top cornerback D.J. Reed (hamstring) on Injured Reserve earlier this week, which could open things up for top Bengals wideouts
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins. Still, the Lions D/ST profiles as a must-start fantasy unit against the Bengals in Week 5.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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