Week 11 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 11 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 11 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 11 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

This article will highlight the best and worst defenses to start in Week 11. Each defense will be broken down into different tiers, and fantasy managers should be looking to start those defenses in Tier 1 or Tier 2.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 11. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision each week. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 11

1. Houston Texans D/ST at TEN

The Houston Texans will come in as the No. 1-ranked defense in fantasy this week. They will be going up against a Titans offense that ranks dead last in points per game (14.4) and sacks allowed per game (4.2). That's enough reason to start a Texans defense that ranks seventh in pass rush win rate and top-5 in pressure rate through 10 weeks.

'SPEODHJFB[GNSTPMSE[N YOOO!!!!!

📺: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/wk5SoL3Q3T

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 9, 2025

That's why this Houston defense should be started in all formats this week. This unit is coming off a five-sack performance against the Jaguars in Week 10, and five different D/ST have scored in double figures in fantasy against Tennessee's offense this year. Additionally, this Texans D/ST shut out the Titans earlier this year in Week 4.

2. New England Patriots D/ST vs. NYJ

Starting defenses against the Jets' offense feels like an easy decision at this point in the year. The Jets rank 31st in pass block win rate, tied for 31st in sacks allowed per game (3.8), and 26th in points scored per game (21.7). Considering Justin Fields completed just 6-of-11 passes for 54 yards, one touchdown, and one interception last week, the Patriots are a must-start D/ST this week.

Although New England has only totaled four sacks over the last three weeks, this could be a game where this defensive line gets to the quarterback. Fields has been sacked 20 times across the last five games, and the Patriots have players like Milton Williams and K'Lavon Chaisson who rank top-20 at their respective positions in pass rush win rate.

3. Baltimore Ravens D/ST at CLE

The Baltimore Ravens are finally playing well on the defensive side of the ball. They have allowed 20 points or fewer in four straight games, which included holding two top-10 offenses in the Los Angeles Rams (17 points) and Chicago Bears (16 points) to subpar performances. Therefore, fantasy managers should feel confident about starting this Baltimore D/ST in most leagues.

Dillon Gabriel was sacked six times last week, and this Browns offensive line ranks 28th in pass block win rate. Given that Cleveland has scored 20 points or fewer in four of Gabriel's five starts, the Ravens' D/ST is a safe play in Week 11.

4. Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. CAR

Some fantasy managers might stay away from the Falcons' D/ST this week. This unit gave up 24 points and only sacked Bryce Young once in a matchup against the Panthers back in Week 3. That resulted in this defense scoring just two fantasy points. However, this Atlanta defense is a much better play this time around.

The Falcons have 13 sacks over the past two games and have totaled at least four sacks in three of the past five weeks. Since the Panthers have scored under 17 points in three straight contests, Atlanta is a top-5 play in Week 11. This defense also ranks sixth in pass rush win rate, which should come into play against a Carolina offensive line that ranks 21st in pass block win rate.

5. Green Bay Packers D/ST at NYG

With Jaxson Dart in the concussion protocol, he will not play this week. Instead, Jameis Winston will make his first start of the season. That makes the Packers a top-5 play in Week 11.

Wilson was sacked multiple times in all three of his starts to begin the year, and the Giants are allowing 3.1 sacks per game through the first 10 weeks. Given that the Packers rank top-12 in both pressures and pass rush win rate this season, this D/ST is a solid play. Green Bay has tallied at least three sacks in two of the past four weeks.

6. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at JAC

The Chargers' defense is definitely in a groove right now. This unit has allowed under 15 points in three straight games and has totaled 12 sacks over the past three weeks. In Week 10, the Steelers' offense couldn't get anything going against this Los Angeles secondary. Now, this D/ST will play a Jaguars offense that has struggled a bit in recent weeks.

Off the receiver and into the hands of Donte Jackson for the Chargers’ 2nd INT of the night

PITvsLAC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/PdxNnZoOVn

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2025

Jacksonville's offensive line ranks in the bottom five in pressure rate allowed since Week 5, and Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 23 times over the last five games. With the Chargers playing well defensively, they are an easy start in Week 11 against the Jaguars. Los Angeles also ranks ninth in pass rush win rate.

7. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at DEN

The Chiefs' D/ST will be a high-floor, low-ceiling play this week against the Broncos. Although Bo Nix has only been sacked four times over the last four games, Denver is going to have a hard time scoring in this game. This offense has struggled to move the ball in recent weeks and is only averaging 11.3 first-half points per game this year.

So, Kansas City might not allow many points in Week 11. This defense has allowed 20 points or fewer in three of its past four games, and Nix has thrown four interceptions over the last three weeks. That makes this Chiefs' D/ST a top-10 play. This unit has tallied multiple sacks in seven of nine games in 2025.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 11

8. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. CHI

The Vikings' D/ST will come in as a solid play against the Bears in Week 11. Minnesota has tallied multiple sacks in eight of nine games, and no defense has blitzed more than the Vikings this season. That has helped this group emerge as one of the top defenses in the NFL. With the second-best pass rush win rate through 10 weeks, fantasy managers can trust this defense in most formats.

The Vikings held the Bears to just 18 points back in Week 1, and they could tally some sacks in this game. Caleb Williams ranks dead last among all starting quarterbacks in average time to throw (3.24 seconds) this year. That means Williams is holding onto the ball a lot longer than league average.

9. Chicago Bears D/ST at MIN

No defense has forced more turnovers this season than the Chicago Bears. They have forced a turnover in six of their past seven games and have forced multiple turnovers in five different games since Week 3. Now, this defense gets a matchup against a Vikings offense that has been up-and-down with J.J. McCarthy under center.

McCarthy has been sacked 15 times in his four starts this year, and the Bears got to the former Michigan quarterback three times back in Week 1. Given that Chicago has totaled at least three sacks in four of its past five games, this D/ST could be started in most 10-plus team leagues. The Vikings are allowing 3.8 sacks per game in 2025.

10. Miami Dolphins D/ST vs. WSH

The Dolphins have actually played well on the defensive side in recent weeks. They held the Atlanta Falcons to just 10 points in Week 8 and then delivered their best defensive performance of the season last week against the Buffalo Bills. This Miami defense allowed just 13 points while also totaling three sacks, forcing two fumbles, and picking off Josh Allen once.

Therefore, fantasy managers can start this Dolphins' D/ST in some 10-plus team leagues. Jayden Daniels (elbow) will be out once again, meaning Marcus Mariota will start his fifth game of the year. Mariota has been sacked eight times in his four starts, and Miami surprisingly ranks 10th in pass rush win rate this season.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 11

11. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at LAR

The Seattle Seahawks were the hardest D/ST to rank in Week 11. They have been the best defense in the NFL through 10 weeks and just had their best defensive performance of the season by totaling five sacks, forcing two turnovers, and scoring two touchdowns against the Cardinals. The top of the Tier 3 felt like the best place for this defense in this tough matchup against the Rams.

"HOLY SMOKES. ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN ... BY THE SAME GUY."

Kevin Harlan in his bag on this @Seahawks TD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hQHubZpMrB

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 9, 2025

This definitely isn't the easiest matchup for the Seahawks' defense. Matthew Stafford is playing better than anyone right now, with 13 touchdowns over his last three games, and he has only been sacked three times during this span. However, it's hard to sit this Seattle D/ST in most formats. This unit has totaled 19 sacks over the last four contests.

12. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at ARI

The 49ers' defense looked all out of sorts last week, but this unit can be started in some 12-plus team leagues this week. Jacoby Brissett has been sacked at least five times in three straight games, and the veteran has been brought down 16 times across those three contests. So, San Francisco has some sack upside in this matchup against an Arizona offensive line that ranks second in pressures allowed.

13. Dallas Cowboys D/ST at LV

Starting the Cowboys' defense could be considered a risk in most leagues. However, this Dallas defense has some reinforcements coming with  Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson, and DeMarvion Overshown all expected to be active for this game. That's enough to start this unit in some 14-plus team leagues. Geno Smith was just sacked six times in his last start.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 11

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in deeper leagues. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups this week (Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers). So, these defenses should be avoided in most scenarios.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Titans might be your best choice. The Texans rank 26th in pass block win rate, and this Tennessee defense has been able to generate some pressure on the quarterback in recent weeks. This unit has totaled 13 sacks over the last three games. So, this D/ST could be started in deeper leagues.

As for the Broncos, Bills, Steelers, and Panthers, it's best to avoid these defenses. Denver has a very tough matchup against the Chiefs. The Bills' defense was just embarrassed by the Dolphins' offense last week. Pittsburgh might struggle to generate many sacks since Joe Flacco gets the ball out quickly, and Carolina has just three sacks over the past two games.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 11

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with for Week 11.

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