Week 16 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

December 17, 2025

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 16 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 16 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 16 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

With only four teams remaining in most fantasy football leagues, choosing the right defense could be the difference between a second-round exit and a potential championship appearance. The margin for error is so small in the fantasy playoffs that it's important to start the right D/ST this week.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 16. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for the second round of the fantasy playoffs. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 16

1. Houston Texans D/ST vs. LV

The Houston Texans D/ST will come in as the No. 1-ranked defense for this week. This group has been the best defense in the NFL this season, and the Raiders have been one of the worst offenses through 15 weeks. That makes this Houston defense a must-start in all leagues.

SPECIAL THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN NRG STADIUM!

📺 : @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/sPvlTdJAgZ

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 14, 2025

The Texans have allowed 20 points or fewer in 12 of their 14 games and have one of the best pass rush duos in the league in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Raiders simply won't be able to contain either pass rusher, considering they have allowed the most sacks in the NFL (54) this season. Given that this offensive line has also given up 33 sacks over the last five weeks, Houston's D/ST is a smash start.

2. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at WSH

The Philadelphia Eagles' defensive unit seems to be clicking at the right time. This D/ST is allowing just 14.3 points per game over its last six contests, and this defense is coming off its best performance of the season. The Eagles earned their first shutout of the season while sacking Kenny Pickett four times in the win.

5️⃣5️⃣ with his SECOND sack on the day pic.twitter.com/jMGafRuw63

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 14, 2025

Therefore, Philadelphia's defense is a must-start in all formats. The Commanders will be starting Marcus Mariota in Week 16, and Mariota has been sacked multiple times in three of his last four starts. With the Eagles ranking top-10 in pressure rate this season, they should be in for a strong defensive game this weekend.

3. Buffalo Bills D/ST at CLE

The Buffalo Bills haven't been the best defensive unit in recent weeks. They have allowed over 30 points in four of their past six games and have totaled just six sacks since Week 10. For that reason, some fantasy managers could avoid this D/ST. However, this Buffalo defense will be a top-3 play against the Browns in Week 16.

Shedeur Sanders has been inconsistent under center, and the Browns' offensive line is currently depleted by injuries. After Sanders threw three interceptions and was sacked five times in last week's loss, the Bills' D/ST has plenty of upside in this game. Cleveland's offensive line ranks 20th in pass block win rate on the year.

4. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at TEN

The Kansas City Chiefs will be a safer D/ST option in Week 16. While the Chiefs haven't forced many turnovers in recent weeks, this defense has been getting pressure on the quarterback at a higher level over the past two games. Kansas City totaled three sacks against the Texans in Week 14 and four sacks against the Chargers in Week 15.

That's great news for a Chiefs defense that gets a fantastic matchup against the Titans this week. Tennessee has given up the fourth-most sacks (49) in the NFL this season and currently ranks 31st in points scored per game. Given that Kansas City also ranks ninth in pass rush win rate, this D/ST should be started in most leagues.

5. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. NYJ

With Justin Fields (knee) and Tyrod Taylor (groin) currently dealing with injuries, the New York Jets could be forced to start Brady Cook again this week. In Week 15, Cook threw three interceptions and was sacked three times against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Cook starts again, the Saints' D/ST will be a strong play in all formats.

Although New Orleans ranks toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate, this defense has tallied multiple sacks in five of its last seven games. Those sacks should come into play in this game, especially since the Jets have given up the third-most sacks through 15 weeks (50). That makes the Saints' defense a sneaky option.

6. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at IND

On paper, this is a fantastic matchup for the San Francisco 49ers. Philip Rivers will be starting for the Indianapolis Colts again in Week 16, and Indianapolis's offensive line ranks 25th in pass block win rate. After the Colts only scored one touchdown against the Seahawks last week, the 49ers' D/ST should be in a good spot.

However, this defense managed to score zero fantasy points last week against the Titans behind a zero-sack, zero-turnover game. So, this unit will fall to the lower end of Tier 1 on this week's rankings. While this 49ers' D/ST is still a solid start in most formats due to its fantasy floor, the team's low pressure rate also gives this group a lower fantasy ceiling.

7. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at NYG

The Minnesota Vikings will round out the Tier 1 defenses for this week. They have totaled multiple sacks in three straight games, and their blitz-heavy scheme could cause a rookie like Jaxson Dart some trouble in Week 16. Dart has been sacked multiple times in seven of his nine starts this season, making this Vikings' D/ST a solid play in most formats.

Minnesota ranks second in pass rush win rate and top-5 in pressure rate this season. Ranking high in both of those categories should lead to a solid defensive day for the Vikings. The Giants have also scored 21 points or fewer in four of Dart's last five starts.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 16

8. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. JAC

Even though the Broncos will face a very good Jaguars offense in Week 16, this Denver D/ST can be started in some leagues. This defense has been unreal this season, ranking first in total sacks (58), fourth in pass rush win rate, and 10th in pressure rate. With at least three sacks in five of the past six games, the Broncos are a top-10 play.

This defense will no doubt be a riskier option in most leagues this week, considering the Jaguars have been one of the hottest offenses in the NFL recently. However, Lawrence has been sacked at least three times in three of the past six weeks and has thrown six interceptions since Week 9. The Broncos' D/ST has been so good all year that this unit is a set-it-and-forget-it option even in Week 16.

9. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at SEA

The last time the Rams played the Seahawks, they forced four interceptions and held Seattle to only 19 points. As a result, this Los Angeles D/ST could be used in some formats this week. The Rams rank eighth in pass rush win rate through 15 weeks, and the Seahawks' offensive line has given up seven sacks over the last three games.

Four Rams INTs ‼️

SEAvsLAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/mtCIU9Aeck

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

Los Angeles has also gotten to the quarterback at a higher level over the last few weeks. This group has tallied multiple sacks in three of the past four weeks. So, this Rams' D/ST is worth a look in some leagues.

10. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. LAR

The Seattle Seahawks were the hardest defense to rank in Week 16. They currently rank first in fantasy points, first in fantasy points per game at 11.4, fifth in pass rush win rate, and fourth in total sacks (42) this season. But this matchup against the Rams in Week 16 isn't an ideal one. Los Angeles has scored the second-most points in 2025.

Therefore, the bottom of Tier 2 felt like the right place for this Seattle defense. The Seahawks' D/ST only scored three fantasy points against the Rams earlier this season in Week 11 and didn't total any sacks in that game. Matthew Stafford has also only been sacked eight times since Week 7.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 16

11. New York Giants D/ST vs. MIN

The New York Giants' D/ST should only be used in dire situations this week. This unit has allowed at least 29 points in six of its last eight games, and it's too hard to trust a defense that ranks 29th in points allowed per game. However, this defense does have some sack upside against a Vikings offensive line that has allowed 47 sacks this season (tied for the fifth-most).

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST at CAR

A few weeks ago, this Tampa Bay Buccaneers' D/ST would have been higher on this list. At this point in the season, though, it's too risky to trust this defense in most formats. The Buccaneers just allowed the Falcons to score 29 points last week, and they have totaled just eight sacks since Week 9. So, this D/ST is a lower-end option.

13. Detroit Lions D/ST vs. PIT

The Lions' defense has been very hit-or-miss this season. Even though the Steelers have also been hit-or-miss on offense through 15 weeks, Detroit doesn't have much fantasy appeal in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. Aaron Rodgers gets the ball out quickly, meaning this D/ST might not tally many sacks in Week 16.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 16

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in desperate situations. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups this week (Jacksonville Jaguars) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Titans might be your best bet. The Chiefs will be without Patrick Mahomes, and Tennessee has totaled multiple sacks in 10 of its last 11 games. This D/ST has also forced three turnovers over the last two weeks.

As for the Falcons, Jets, Cardinals, and Jaguars, it's best to avoid these defenses. The Cardinals' offense has been better with Jacoby Brissett under center. New York has forced just two turnovers all year. Arizona's D/ST has scored negative fantasy points in back-to-back games, and Jacksonville has a tough matchup against the Broncos.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 16

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 16.

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