Week 18 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 18 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 18 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 18 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

For those who play in Week 18 fantasy football championships, RotoBaller has you covered. We will highlight the best and worst D/ST starts of the week to help you in the final week of the season.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 18. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for this week. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

1. Houston Texans D/ST vs. IND

The Houston Texans will come in as the best fantasy defense for Week 18. This unit has given up the fewest points in the NFL this season and has allowed over 20 points in a game just once since Week 11. While it remains to be seen if Philip Rivers or Riley Leonard will start for the Colts this week, this Houston D/ST should be started in all formats.

Nothing gets past Agent 0️⃣#WPMOYChallenge + @A_train2_

📺 : @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/19ImC2DLBu

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 27, 2025

The Texans have totaled the fifth-most sacks in the NFL through 17 weeks and have one of the most formidable pass rush duos in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Considering the Colts rank 29th in pass block win rate, this Houston defense should be in for a strong defensive performance. This group has tallied multiple sacks in seven of its last eight games.

2. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. LAC

The Los Angeles Chargers will not be starting Justin Herbert in Week 18. That means Trey Lance will draw his first start of the season against the Denver Broncos this weekend. Therefore, the Broncos D/ST will be a must-start option in all formats. Denver ranks first in sacks, third in pass rush win rate, and top-5 in pressure rate this season.

Those sacks should play a major role in this game, considering the Chargers have given up the fourth-most sacks in the NFL this year. That offensive line has allowed at least three sacks in six of its last eight contests. That's more than enough reason to start this Broncos defense against a struggling offensive line that will be protecting a backup quarterback.

3. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. NYJ

Brady Cook is set to make his fourth career start in Week 18. In his previous three starts, Cook has thrown five interceptions while being sacked 12 times. That makes this Buffalo D/ST a must-start unit in fantasy football championships. Although this defense has been very up-and-down this season, it's hard not to trust this group this week.

The Jets have given up the second-most sacks (59) in the NFL this season and currently rank 26th in pass block win rate. With the Bills totaling at least three sacks in two of their last three games, this D/ST has some sack upside in this contest. Just two weeks ago, Cook was sacked eight times in a loss to the New Orleans Saints.

4. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. WSH

There's a chance that Marcus Mariota will be back for this week's game. Even if he is, though, this Eagles defense will be a strong play in all formats. Philadelphia has totaled 18 sacks over its last four games and just held the Bills to their lowest offensive point total of the season (12 points). Now, this D/ST gets a matchup against a Commanders offense that has struggled for most of the year.

Jalyx Hunt gets to Josh Allen on 3rd down to force the punt!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/FgztROiq6s

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 28, 2025

So, the Eagles are a top-5 defensive play this week. They rank top-10 in pressure rate through 17 weeks, and most of the starters should be playing in this game with the No. 2 seed in the NFC still up for grabs. Philadelphia also ranks first in total sacks since Week 13. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at LV

Fantasy managers looking for a high-floor defensive options this week should look toward the Chiefs. This unit will have the best matchup of the week against a Raiders offense that will likely be starting Kenny Pickett this week. Geno Smith left last week's game due to an ankle injury, and the Raiders won't risk playing him in a meaningless game.

Therefore, this Chiefs D/ST is a nice play in all formats. Las Vegas has given up a league-leading 61 sacks, and Kansas City actually shut out Las Vegas in its first meeting this season. Given that Pickett threw for 64 yards and one interception in his one start this year, this Chiefs defense is trustworthy to start in Week 18.

6. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. GB

With the Green Bay Packers playing for nothing in Week 18, fantasy managers should expect most of the starters to sit out. Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs will all likely sit out this game. Even some offensive linemen might sit out. As a result, this Minnesota D/ST becomes a strong play in all leagues.

After watching what the Vikings did to the Lions a week ago, this defense should have its way against Green Bay's backups on Sunday. Minnesota has tallied 10 sacks over its last two games and has scored in double figures in fantasy in four of the past five weeks. This D/ST belongs in Tier 1 on this week's rankings.

7. Green Bay Packers D/ST at MIN

Even though the Packers are dealing with some injuries on the defensive side of the ball, this D/ST could still be used in some formats this week. With J.J. McCarthy having a hairline fracture in his hand, it's unlikely that the Vikings will roll him out for a meaningless Week 18 game. Therefore, Green Bay will likely go up against Max Brosmer this week.

In two starts, Brosmer has thrown for a combined 177 yards and four interceptions while being sacked 11 total times. That makes this Packers' D/ST a solid start in most formats. The Vikings have given up the third-most sacks (58) this season and will enter the final week with a 59% block win rate (eighth-worst in the NFL).

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

8. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. TEN

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the more impressive fantasy defenses in 2025. They have scored the sixth-most fantasy points among all D/ST this year and have allowed 20 points or fewer in seven straight games. So, the Jaguars are worth a look in most leagues with a matchup against the Titans on the horizon.

Jarrian Jones picks off Rivers!

JAXvsIND on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/xwEEiJ4BV1

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2025

Although Cam Ward has played better over the past month, this is still an offensive line that allows sacks at an extremely high rate. Ward was sacked four times in last week's loss to the Saints. Given that Jacksonville has totaled multiple sacks in seven of its past nine games, this D/ST will be a solid start in most leagues.

9. New England Patriots D/ST vs. MIA

Many expected more fantasy points from the Patriots' defense last week against the Jets. New England only scored seven fantasy points behind a one-sack, one-interception day. Following that performance, this D/ST will enter Week 18 in the middle of Tier 2.

This group hasn't totaled more than two sacks in a game since Week 7, and Quinn Ewers has looked solid under center. Last week, Ewers didn't turn over the ball and was sacked just twice. So, this Patriots D/ST is a bit risky against the Dolphins. New England ranks just 23rd in pass rush win rate through 17 weeks.

10. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. CLE

The Bengals have actually played well on the defensive side in recent weeks. They have allowed 21 points or fewer in three straight games and have tallied at least four sacks in two of their last three contests. For that reason, this Cincinnati D/ST could be started in some leagues this week. Shedeur Sanders has thrown seven interceptions over the past three weeks.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

11. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. ARI

The Rams D/ST could be an appealing option if the 10 other defenses are unavailable. This unit ranks top-10 in both sacks and pass rush win rate, and the Cardinals' offensive line has allowed multiple sacks in six straight games. With Arizona scoring fewer than 20 points in five consecutive weeks, this Los Angeles defense is worth a look in some formats.

12. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. KC

The Raiders D/ST might be hard to trust in Week 18 against the Chiefs. Las Vegas will be without star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, and this defense has totaled just three sacks over its last three games. But with Chris Oladokun drawing another start for the Chiefs, this defense could be started in some formats in Week 18.

Oladokun threw for just 111 yards in almost three full quarters against the Titans in Week 15 and then threw for just 66 yards and one touchdown last week against the Broncos. As a result, this Las Vegas D/ST will be a higher-floor option in a game that will likely not feature a lot of points.

13. Baltimore Ravens D/ST at PIT

The Ravens D/ST has some potential in Week 18 against the Steelers. With DK Metcalf still suspended and Calvin Austin III nursing a hamstring injury, the Steelers could struggle to move the ball on offense once again. However, after this Baltimore defense just allowed Pittsburgh to score 27 points while totaling zero sacks a few weeks ago, this D/ST will come in at the bottom of Tier 3.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

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 (Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Falcons might be your best bet. Atlanta ranks fourth in pass rush win rate and has been able to pressure the quarterback at a high rate this year. Considering this defense ranks third in total sacks, this unit is worth a look in some leagues. Tyler Shough has been sacked at least three times in five of the last six weeks.

As for the Buccaneers, Steelers, Saints, and Cowboys, it's best to avoid these defenses. Tampa Bay only scored two fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 16. Pittsburgh only scored four fantasy points against the Ravens a few weeks ago. New Orleans will face an Atlanta offensive line that ranks 12th in pass block win rate, and Dallas does not have a very good defense.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

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 18.

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