Week 14 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 14 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 14 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 14 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

The fantasy football playoffs are just one week away in most leagues, meaning selecting the right defense to start in Week 14 is crucial. Whether you are fighting for a playoff spot or that No. 1 seed, this is a pivotal week in fantasy.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 14. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for this 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 14

1. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. TEN

Cam Ward is in for a real treat in Week 14. The Browns have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and the Titans are one of the worst offenses in the NFL this season. As a result, Cleveland's D/ST will come in as the No. 1-ranked fantasy unit this week.

Myles Garrett beats Trent Williams to get his 19th sack of the season 💪

SFvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/OrQ4Dq80b2

— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025

The Browns have totaled 19 sacks since Week 10 and currently rank second in total sacks (43) on the year. With the defense also ranking first in pass rush win rate, Ward will be in trouble all game long. The rookie quarterback has been sacked a league-leading 48 times through 13 weeks, and the Titans currently rank dead last in both points scored per game and yards per game.

2. Denver Broncos D/ST at LV

The Denver Broncos' defense didn't have the best outing last week. However, fantasy managers should expect this D/ST to bounce back in a major way in Week 14 against the Raiders. Denver just scored 15 fantasy points against this Las Vegas offense a few weeks ago behind a six-sack, one-interception day in Week 10.

A similar performance could be in store this week, as the Raiders' offensive line continues to struggle. Geno Smith has been sacked 25 times over the last four weeks and has been sacked 46 times on the year (second-most in the NFL). Given that Denver has totaled the most sacks in the league through 13 weeks (51), this D/ST should be in all fantasy lineups.

3. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at ATL

The Seattle Seahawks' defense just had one of the best fantasy performances in recent memory. This unit allowed zero points, totaled four sacks, forced five turnovers, and scored a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13. This D/ST has now scored above 22 fantasy points in two of the past four weeks.

Therefore, fantasy managers should be starting this Seattle defense in all formats against the Atlanta Falcons this week. Kirk Cousins has been sacked five times over the past two games, and the Seahawks have totaled at least four sacks in four of the past five weeks. You can't possibly sit this D/ST following last week's performance.

4. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at LAC

With Justin Herbert undergoing surgery on his hand on Monday, his status for Week 14 is currently up in the air. If he winds up missing this game, this Philadelphia Eagles' D/ST will be a top-5 play with Trey Lance under center. The Eagles have totaled multiple sacks in eight of their last nine contests, and this Los Angeles offensive line is beaten up.

The Chargers have struggled to protect the quarterback in recent weeks, as this group has given up 16 sacks over its last four games. So, this Philadelphia defense could be a solid play if Herbert misses. If the star quarterback does play, though, then the Eagles' D/ST will fall to Tier 2 on this week's rankings.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. NO

Earlier this year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense feasted on the New Orleans Saints' offense. That defensive unit totaled five sacks, forced four turnovers, and scored a touchdown en route to a 28-point fantasy day. Although Spencer Rattler started that game for the Saints, the Buccaneers still had their way when Tyler Shough entered the contest.

The @Buccaneers defense forces the fumble and recovers!

TBvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6Py4SnGoRK

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

As a result, this Buccaneers defense is a fantastic start in Week 14. Tampa Bay currently ranks seventh in pass rush win rate, and New Orleans' offensive line ranks dead last in pass block win rate. Considering Shough has been sacked nine times over the last two weeks, this D/ST should be started in most formats.

6. Washington Commanders D/ST at MIN

All signs point to J.J. McCarthy returning from a one-game absence in Week 14. However, Washington's D/ST will still be a top-10 play against the Minnesota Vikings. McCarthy has thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games and has thrown 10 interceptions in just six starts this season.

Additionally, the Minnesota offensive line hasn't been able to protect the quarterback at a high level. This unit has allowed the third-most sacks through 13 weeks (43) and ranks in the bottom 10 in pass block win rate. Even though Washington has had its own struggles on defense this year, this D/ST will be a nice start. The Commanders rank 11th in pass rush win rate entering the week.

7. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. PIT

The Ravens' defense didn't necessarily play well last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, but fantasy managers can trust this unit in most leagues this week. Baltimore has allowed fewer than 20 points in six of its last seven games, and the Steelers are currently trotting out a quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) who has multiple fractures in his wrist.

On top of that, these Ravens versus Steelers games are usually low-scoring. Baltimore has held Pittsburgh to under 20 points in each of its last eight meetings dating back to the 2022 season. So, Baltimore is a solid D/ST play this week.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 14

8. Tennessee Titans D/ST at CLE

There's no question that the Titans don't have a top defense in the NFL. They have allowed over 24 points in five of the past six games and currently rank 28th in points allowed per game. However, this D/ST is worth a look in some leagues against the Cleveland Browns. That's why this group comes in at the top of Tier 2.

Shedeur Sanders is completing just 51% of his passes across his three appearances this season, and the Browns' offensive line ranks 26th in pass block win rate. That poor offensive line play should help the Titans' D/ST. Tennessee has totaled at least three sacks in five of its last six games while also ranking eighth in pass run win rate on the year.

9. Miami Dolphins D/ST at NYJ

The Dolphins have played much better defensively in recent weeks. They have held their opponents to under 20 points in three straight contests and are coming off a solid defensive performance against the Saints in Week 13. Miami allowed just 17 points, totaled a season-high four sacks, and forced two turnovers in that game.

Following that performance, the Dolphins' D/ST is worth a look in some leagues this week. Tyrod Taylor has been sacked multiple times in all five of his appearances this season, and the New York offensive line currently ranks 25th in pass block win rate. Given that Miami's defense already totaled 10 fantasy points against the Jets back in Week 4, this unit is a solid start.

10. Houston Texans D/ST at KC

The Houston Texans were the hardest defense to rank this week. On one hand, this defense has been lights out in recent weeks. The Texans have allowed under 20 points in five of the past six weeks and just held the No. 2 scoring offense in the Indianapolis Colts to 16 points in Week 13. With 34 sacks through 13 weeks, this D/ST has emerged as a set-it-and-forget-it option.

That man on a mission 🔥

📺 : @nflonprime pic.twitter.com/PSUvKm9rwb

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 21, 2025

However, the bottom of Tier 2 felt like the right place for this Houston defense this week. This unit only scored four fantasy points against the Colts last week, and the Chiefs are a tough matchup. Still, this Texans' D/ST could be started in some leagues, even against a Patrick Mahomes-led offense that is averaging 25.4 points per game.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 14

11. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at ARI

The Rams didn't play up to their standard defensively last week. They allowed over 20 points for just the second time since Week 6 and didn't force any turnovers for the first time since Week 7. However, this D/ST could still be started in some 12-plus team leagues this week against the Cardinals. Jacoby Brissett has been sacked 24 times over the last five games, and the Rams rank in the top 10 in total sacks (33) this season.

12. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. HOU

The Chiefs' defense will come in as a solid play in some 12-plus team leagues this week. The Texans have scored 20 points or fewer in three of C.J. Stroud's last four starts, and the offensive line currently ranks 31st in pass block win rate. The reason Kansas City's D/ST isn't ranked higher is that this group has totaled just two sacks over the last three games.

13. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. WSH

The Vikings actually played well defensively last week, totaling four sacks and forcing two fumbles. If Jayden Daniels (elbow) does wind up playing in this game, Minnesota's D/ST will come ranked No. 13 for the week. If Marcus Mariota draws another start, then this Vikings defense will move up to Tier 2.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 14

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 (Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Packers might be your best bet. Green Bay has totaled eight sacks over its last two games, and no quarterback holds onto the ball longer than Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. That could help the Packers' D/ST be a potential play in deeper formats this week.

As for the Jets, Chargers, Colts, and Steelers, it's best to avoid these defenses. New York hasn't forced a turnover in six straight games. Los Angeles has a tougher matchup against an Eagles offensive line that doesn't give up many sacks. The Jaguars have been able to score at a high level in recent weeks, and the Ravens always have the potential to go off for 30-plus points in any given game.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 14

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 14.

More Waiver Wire Analysis