Week 12 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 12 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 12 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 12 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

With the fantasy football playoffs right around the corner, starting the correct defenses each week becomes that much more pivotal. Our defensive rankings for the week will categorize each defense into six different tiers. Fantasy managers should be starting defenses from Tier 1 or Tier 2.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 12. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision every week. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

1. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at TEN

The Seattle Seahawks will come in as the No. 1-ranked fantasy defense this week. They have been one of the best defenses through the first 11 weeks of the season, and this is an incredibly favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee has allowed the most sacks this year while ranking 32nd in points scored per game.

Ball’s OUT! Coby Bryant with the punch, Drake Thomas with the recovery 🔒

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/OWFisvNXR8

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 16, 2025

As a result, Seattle's D/ST must be started in every format in Week 12. This unit ranks tied for fourth in total sacks and ranks in the top 10 in both pass rush win rate and pressure rate this season. There isn't any better defense to start this week than the Seahawks.

2. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. NYJ

Although the Jets will make a quarterback switch from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor, the Ravens are still a top defensive play in fantasy this week. This group has been playing much better over the past month, holding five straight opponents to under 20 points. Some of the teams that Baltimore has held to under 20 points during this stretch include the Rams (Week 6), Bears (Week 8), and Vikings (Week 10).

On top of that, the Ravens are coming off a game in which they totaled a season-high three sacks against the Cleveland Browns. So, this D/ST is a strong start in Week 12. The Jets have allowed the second-most sacks per game (3.6) this year, and the offensive line currently ranks 30th in pass block win rate.

3. Cleveland Browns D/ST at LV

The Cleveland Browns' defense will be a fantastic start in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. This unit has totaled at least three sacks in eight of 10 games this season, which included bringing down Lamar Jackson five times in last week's loss. With Myles Garrett ranking fourth in edge pass rush win rate, it's hard not to roll with this D/ST in most formats.

The Raiders rank in the bottom 12 in pass block win rate, and Geno Smith has thrown 13 interceptions across his first 10 games. Given that the Browns rank tied for fourth in total sacks, they should rack up the fantasy points in this contest. This Cleveland D/ST will be a top-3 play this week.

4. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. CLE

With Dillon Gabriel in the concussion protocol, Shedeur Sanders will make his first career start. With Sanders starting this game, the Raiders D/ST will be a must-start. In the first game action of his career last week, Sanders completed just 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards and one interception. He was also sacked twice.

While the Raiders haven't been dominant on the defensive side this year, they will have potential against a Sanders-led offense. The last rookie this defense faced was Cam Ward back in Week 6. In that game, Las Vegas totaled six sacks and held the Titans to just 10 points. Therefore, fantasy managers can trust this D/ST in most formats.

5. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. MIN

The Packers' defense has burned many fantasy managers throughout the 2025 season. This unit hasn't totaled a ton of sacks in recent weeks (only six sacks since Week 8) and hasn't been an elite fantasy option this year. However, fantasy managers can roll with this D/ST in most formats this week against the Minnesota Vikings.

J.J. McCarthy has thrown eight interceptions across his five starts, and Minnesota's offensive line continues to struggle to protect the quarterback. The Vikings are allowing the third-most sacks per game (3.4) this season. That's enough reason to start a Packers defense that has forced a turnover in five straight contests.

6. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. PIT

The Bears' defense has been an impressive unit over the last few weeks. This group has totaled multiple sacks in five of the past six games, and no defense has forced more turnovers than Chicago through the first 11 weeks. The Bears have forced 22 turnovers this year, which included picking off McCarthy twice in last week's win.

5th INT of the season for KB ‼️

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/ESYQ1r1yAC

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 16, 2025

Now, this defense will most likely face a Mason Rudolph-led offense in Week 12. With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a "slight break" in his wrist, there's a strong chance he won't be able to play on Sunday. That's great news for a Bears defense that will be going up against a Steelers offensive line that has allowed at least three sacks in three of the past four games.

7. Atlanta Falcons D/ST at NO

The sacks continue to pile up for the Falcons. They have totaled 18 sacks over the past three games and now rank second on the season in total sacks in the NFL (34). That sack upside should play a major role in this matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. The Saints' offensive line ranks dead last in pass block win rate this season.

Additionally, the Saints have scored under 18 points in both of Tyler Shough's starts. Given that the Falcons also rank sixth in pass rush win rate and top-10 in pressure rate across the first 11 weeks, this D/ST will be a strong play.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

8. Detroit Lions D/ST vs. NYG

After missing last week's game due to a concussion, there's a chance that Jaxson Dart suits up for Week 12. Assuming he does, the Lions' D/ST will come in at the top of Tier 2. This Detroit defense has tallied multiple sacks in eight of 10 games and has played well for the most part this season. However, Dart's potential return hurts this D/ST's ceiling for Week 12.

Still, fantasy managers can start this unit in most formats this week. Dart has been sacked 13 times over his last four starts, and this Lions defense ranks in the top half of the league in pressure rate. Given that Detroit is averaging 3.1 sacks per game this year, it's fair to rank this defense No. 8 for this week.

9. Buffalo Bills D/ST at HOU

With C.J. Stroud trending to miss another game due to a concussion, Davis Mills appears to be in line to start his third straight game. Although Mills has done a solid job in his two starts this year, this Buffalo D/ST will be a solid play in Week 12. Mills has been sacked six times in the past two games, and this Houston offensive line ranks 28th in pass block win rate.

As a result, the Bills' D/ST is a fine enough play on Thursday night. This defense has forced eight turnovers over its last four games, and the Texans' offense managed to score only 16 points against the Titans last week.

10. New England Patriots D/ST at CIN

The Patriots' defense will be a safe option in fantasy this week. This unit ranks fifth in points allowed per game and has allowed fewer than 20 points in four of its past six games. That makes this D/ST a top-10 play in Week 12 against a Bengals offense that will be without star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (suspension).

Patriots defense comes up with a big stop on 4th down 💪

NEvsTB on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/bbkBYBImof

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

Considering the Bengals' offensive line also ranks 29th in pass block win rate, the Patriots could generate some pressure on quarterback Joe Flacco in this game. That makes this defense a nice option in most 10-plus team leagues.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

11. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. CAR

Bryce Young is coming off a career game in Week 11 in which he threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns. However, this 49ers D/ST will be a solid play in some 12-plus team leagues this week. Young was just sacked a season-high five times in last week's win, and the Panthers have scored 17 points or fewer in four of the past five games.

With Carolina's offensive line also ranking 25th in pass block win rate, the 49ers' defense will come in at the top of Tier 3. This unit forced a season-high three turnovers in last week's win over the Cardinals.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at CHI

The Steelers have played well defensively over the last few weeks. They totaled five sacks each against the Colts in Week 9 and the Chargers in Week 10. Then, this Pittsburgh defense scored two defensive touchdowns against the Bengals last week. Given that this defense ranks second in pass rush win rate this season, it can be started in most 12-plus team leagues this week.

However, this D/ST isn't a must-start by any means. The Bears rank second in pass block win rate, and Caleb Williams has only been sacked six times since Week 7.

13. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. TB

This Rams defense is legit. This group has totaled at least 10 fantasy points in four of the past five games and just forced a season-high four turnovers against the Seahawks last week. While the sacks haven't been there in recent weeks (one sack since Week 9), that could potentially change this week. Baker Mayfield has been brought down 10 times over his last four starts.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

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 (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars). So, these defenses should be avoided in most formats.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Saints might be your best choice. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be out for this game, and we all saw how Kirk Cousins looked in his only start this year. The Falcons scored just 10 points with Cousins under center back in a Week 8 matchup against the Dolphins. Drake London (knee) will also be out for this game.

As for the Eagles, Vikings, Jaguars, and Cardinals, it's best to avoid these defenses. Philadelphia has a very tough matchup against a top-5 Cowboys offense. Minnesota might not be able to sack Jordan Love much in this game. Arizona has been able to move the ball with Jacoby Brissett under center, and Jacksonville is coming off a game in which it scored 35 points.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

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 12.

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