Week 13 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 13 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 13 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 13 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

With only two weeks remaining until the fantasy football playoffs, picking the right defenses each week is crucial. It could be the difference between making the playoffs and just missing out.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 13. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for the final weeks of the season. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 13

1. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. MIN

This Seattle defense didn't have the best fantasy game last week in a great matchup against the Tennessee Titans. This unit allowed the Titans to score a season-high 24 points and didn't force a turnover in a game for the first time since Week 6. However, fantasy managers should expect this D/ST to bounce back in another fantastic matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.

With J.J. McCarthy in the concussion protocol, there is a chance that undrafted rookie Max Brosmer draws the start. Whoever starts for Minnesota this week, though, won't matter. McCarthy has struggled to throw the football in recent weeks, and Brosmer will be making his first career start against a Seattle defense that ranks fourth in total sacks this season (36).

2. Denver Broncos D/ST at WAS

Following a Week 12 bye, the Denver Broncos' D/ST will be a must-start unit against the Washington Commanders. Denver has totaled at least three sacks in eight of its last nine games and currently ranks first in total sacks (49) this season. Considering this defense is expected to get Patrick Surtain II back, Denver's defense will be the No. 2-ranked fantasy group in Week 13.

.@TalanoaHufanga with the fourth-down SACK. 😤

📺: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/ME0fiFYHo0

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 7, 2025

Marcus Mariota is expected to make his sixth start of the season, and the Commanders are averaging 14 points per game over Mariota's last three starts. Given that the Broncos rank fourth in pass rush win rate and top-5 in pressure rate through 12 weeks, Washington's offensive line will have a hard time blocking in this game.

3. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at CAR

The Rams' defense is definitely heating up. This unit has allowed fewer than 20 points in five of its past six games and has forced 10 turnovers over the past four weeks. With Los Angeles ranking first in points allowed per game (16.3) this year, there aren't many defenses that fantasy managers should be playing over them in Week 13.

The Rams rank ninth in total sacks this season, and the Panthers will enter this game ranking 25th in pass block win rate. Carolina has also been held to under 17 points in five of its past six contests. Therefore, this Los Angeles D/ST will be a top-3 play this week. The Rams just had a 35.7% pressure rate against the Buccaneers last week, their highest pressure rate in a game since Week 6.

4. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. LV

The Raiders are all out of sorts on offense right now. Geno Smith has been sacked 20 times across the past three games, Ashton Jeanty is dealing with an ankle injury, and Chip Kelly was just fired as the offensive coordinator. As a result, fantasy managers should be starting this Los Angeles Chargers' D/ST in most formats this week.

Although the Chargers were embarrassed defensively in their last game before the bye, they will have a ton of potential in this matchup against the Raiders. Los Angeles has totaled at least three sacks in three of its last four contests, and the Raiders' offensive line currently ranks 21st in pass block win rate. With Smith being sacked 10 times last week, this defense is a solid play.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST at TEN

The Titans had their best offensive showing of the year last week, scoring a season-high 24 points, but that shouldn't scare fantasy managers away from starting the Jaguars' D/ST in Week 13. Cam Ward has been sacked a league-leading 45 times this year and has been sacked at least three times in six consecutive games.

That works in Jacksonville's favor because this defensive group is coming off a performance in which it totaled a season-high six sacks. With the Jaguars ranking eighth in pass rush win rate, this D/ST can be trusted in all formats this week. Fantasy defenses rank first against the Tennessee offense in 2025.

6. Atlanta Falcons D/ST at NYJ

The Falcons' defense continues to rack up the sacks. This unit has totaled 23 sacks over the past four weeks, which included a five-sack performance against the New Orleans Saints last week. With a top-5 pressure rate, top-3 sack rate, and a top-6 pass rush win rate, this Atlanta defense is a fantastic start against the New York Jets in Week 13.

Big sacks in the Big Easy pic.twitter.com/ApgiH7Myp8

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 24, 2025

The Jets managed to score only 10 points in Tyrod Taylor's second start of the season in Week 12, and the offensive line continues to allow pressure at a high rate. New York ranks 28th in pass block win rate and 28th in sacks allowed per game (3.5). So, make sure to keep the Falcons' D/ST in your lineups for this week.

7. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at CLE

The 49ers' defense hasn't necessarily played well on that side of the ball since Fred Warner and Nick Bosa went down with season-ending injuries. However, this matchup against the Browns makes this D/ST a top-10 play in Week 13. Even though Dillon Gabriel has cleared concussion protocol, the Browns will be starting Shedeur Sanders against San Francisco this week.

Sanders did a nice job against Las Vegas' defense a week ago, but it's hard not to roll with the 49ers' D/ST this week. The rookie has thrown an interception in each of his two appearances this season, and the Browns' offensive line ranks 27th in pass block win rate. That's enough reason for fantasy managers to start this San Francisco defense.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 13

8. Miami Dolphins D/ST vs. NO

The Dolphins have played better defensively in recent weeks. They have held the Falcons (10 points), Bills (13 points), and Commanders (13 points) to under 15 points in three of their last four games, and the team's pressure rate has increased during this span. Now, this defense will go up against a Saints offense that has struggled to move the ball with Tyler Shough at the helm.

New Orleans is averaging only 12.3 points per game in Shough's three starts, and the second-round rookie was just sacked five times in last week's loss. So, the Dolphins' D/ST has some potential in this game. That makes this defense a solid play in most formats in Week 13.

9. Houston Texans D/ST at IND

The No. 2 offense versus the No. 1 defense will go head-to-head in Week 13. After the Texans sacked Josh Allen eight times in last week's win, it was hard to move them any further down on this week's rankings. Houston has totaled 16 sacks over its last three games and ranks as the No. 1 fantasy defense on the year.

Will Anderson Jr. was relentless on this sack 😤

BUFvsHOU on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FO56ePtVI7

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2025

As a result, fantasy managers can still start this D/ST in most formats this week. Daniel Jones has been sacked at least three times in three of the Colts' past four games, and the Indianapolis offensive line ranks 24th in pass block win rate. That's great news for a Houston defense that ranks 11th in pass rush win rate through 12 weeks.

10. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. HOU

It remains to be seen if C.J. Stroud will play in Week 13. He is still in the league's concussion protocol and has missed the team's past three games. So, Mills could make another start for the Texans this week. Either way, though, this Colts defense will be a top-10 play against a Houston offense that hasn't lit up the scoreboard this season.

One major advantage the Indianapolis defense has in this game is in the sack department. The Colts have totaled at least three sacks in five consecutive games and currently rank tied for sixth in total sacks (33) this season. Considering the Texans rank 31st in pass block win rate, this D/ST is a nice play in most league formats.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 13

11. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. CHI

The Eagles were one of the toughest defenses to rank in Week 13. While this unit has scored at least seven fantasy points in three straight games and has looked much better since the bye, the Bears are definitely clicking on offense right now. They are averaging 30.3 points per game since Week 9. However, this D/ST can still be used in some leagues this week.

Caleb Williams ranks dead last in average time to throw (3.29 seconds) among all quarterbacks, and the Eagles have a vicious front seven that gets to the quarterback quickly. It might be a bit risky to roll with this Philadelphia defense, but this unit should have a high enough fantasy floor at home and in the cold.

12. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. SF

The last time Brock Purdy played the Browns, he had arguably the worst passing numbers of his career. He completed just 12-of-27 passes for 125 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a Week 6 game against this Cleveland secondary in 2023. Unfortunately for him, this Browns defense is better than it was two seasons ago.

So, the Browns could still be a solid start in some 12-plus team leagues in Week 13. Cleveland just totaled a season-high 10 sacks last week against the Raiders and currently ranks second in total sacks (42) on the year. Given that this unit ranks first in pass rush win rate and top-5 in pressure rate, this D/ST should have a solid fantasy floor against the 49ers.

13. New England Patriots D/ST vs. NYG

There's a strong chance that Jaxson Dart will return in Week 13 following a two-game absence due to a concussion. With his expected return, the Patriots will fall to Tier 3 in this week's rankings. New England has totaled only seven sacks over its last five games, and the Giants have been a much better offense since Dart has taken over.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 13

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 (Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Jets might be your best bet. Kirk Cousins doesn't really elevate that Atlanta offense, and the veteran was sacked three times in Week 12. New York might not have the most talent on the defensive side, but this group held Lamar Jackson in check for most of last week's game.

As for the Bills, Buccaneers, Bears, and Saints, it's best to avoid these defenses. Aaron Rodgers is expected to return against Buffalo. Tampa Bay will have a hard time stopping a rejuvenated Cardinals offense with Jacoby Brissett under center. Chicago has a tough matchup against the Eagles, and New Orleans doesn't have much talent on the defensive side.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 13

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 13.

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