Week 2 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 13, 2025

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 2 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 2 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 2 of the 2025 season! Every week of the fantasy season, this article will contain the best and worst defensive options. Each defense will be ranked No. 1 through No. 32 until the end of the fantasy football season. This will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire year.

With the first week of the season officially in the books, we turn our attention to Week 2. We will break down each defense into six different rankings tiers and determine which defenses are the best to start this week in fantasy football lineups.

These are the fantasy defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 2, and the ones they should be avoiding as well. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right waiver wire and start/sit decision every week. Good luck, RotoBallers! 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

1. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. CLE

BAL favored by 12.5, Total ~44.5

After struggling to stop the Bills offense last week, the Ravens are in a prime spot to bounce back in Week 2. This defense will be going up against a Browns offense that struggled to score touchdowns against the Bengals a week ago. Cleveland's offensive line gave up two sacks last week, and Joe Flacco threw two interceptions that bounced off receivers' hands.

That makes this Baltimore D/ST a must-start in Week 2. Cleveland has the lowest implied total this week, and the Ravens will be ready in this game after last week's fourth-quarter disaster.

2. San Francisco 49ers at NO

SF favored by 5.5, Total ~43.5

Watching what the 49ers defense did against the Seahawks last week makes it a top D/ST to roll with in Week 2. This unit gave up just 13 points in Week 1, and the Robert Saleh effect on defense is real. San Francisco's defense now gets an incredible matchup against a Saints offense that will be starting Spencer Rattler.

🐻🐻🐻

📺: FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/pC6aXVFZ3O

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 7, 2025

The Saints only allowed one sack last week, but Rattler was tied with Drake Maye for the most pressures occurring in 2.5 seconds or less. With a defense containing Nick Bosa, the Saints should be under pressure all afternoon. As a result, the 49ers come in as the No. 2-ranked defense in Week 2.

3. Los Angeles Rams at TEN

LAR favored by 6.5, Total ~41.5

The Los Angeles Rams were one of the most impressive defenses in Week 1. This unit totaled three sacks, forced two turnovers (one fumble and one interception), and prevented the Texans from scoring a touchdown. Following that impressive performance, the Rams will be a top-3 defensive play this week.

The Titans allowed six sacks last week while turning over the ball twice. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was also pressured at the highest rate in Week 1 (53%). There are going to be a lot of growing pains with the rookie early in the year, which means the Rams defense should take full advantage of that in this contest.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. SEA

PIT favored by 2.5, Total ~40.5

It was not a pretty showing from the Steelers defense in Week 1. This unit gave up 32 points to the Jets in last week's matchup and only managed one sack in that contest. However, we should expect this Pittsburgh defense to have a much better game in Week 2 against the Seahawks. For starters, this Seattle offense didn't look great to kick off the season.

Additionally, it's hard to see the Seahawks containing both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in this game. We all know that Watt is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, and Highsmith was the only Steeler to tally a sack last week. The outside linebacker also had a whopping 40% pressure rate in Week 1, making this Pittsburgh D/ST a great play against Seattle.

5. Arizona Cardinals D/ST vs. CAR

ARI favored by 6.5, Total ~45.5

Although the Cardinals only tallied one sack last week, there could have been a lot more. This defense pressured Rattler a ton in Week 1, resulting in 13 different pressures. The results might not have been there for this unit last week, but this unit has another fantastic matchup against a Panthers offense that struggled to move the ball a week ago.

Arizona's defense allowed just one TD in yesterday's week 1 win at New Orleans.

Since week 7 of last season, the Cardinals have allowed the fewest total TDs (22) & the fewest passing TDs (10) in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/mFUNi92ZhQ

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) September 8, 2025

Bryce Young threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, and Carolina only managed to put up 10 points on the afternoon. Therefore, the Cardinals D/ST will be a top-5 play in Week 2. Last weekend, Young faced pressure in 2.5 seconds or less 10 different times. Arizona's revamped pass rush should be able to have its way in this one.

6. Denver Broncos D/ST at IND

DEN favored by 2.5, Total ~42.5

The Colts offense looked legit last week. Daniel Jones and company scored 33 points, moved the ball effortlessly against the Dolphins defense, and Indianapolis's offensive line allowed just one sack in the game. However, the Broncos defense also picked up where it left off last year by totaling six sacks and forcing two turnovers against the Titans in Week 1.

So, don't shy away from playing the best defense in football because the Colts played well to start the season. Denver had a whopping 53% pressure rate in Week 1, and it would be shocking to see Indianapolis repeat its performance from last week. Jones won't have the same type of success against this Denver defense in Week 2.

7. Buffalo Bills D/ST at NYJ

BUF favored by 6.5, Total ~45.5

Rolling with the Bills defense might be a bit risky in Week 2, considering how Justin Fields looked against the Steelers in Week 1. But this Buffalo defense has the talent and potential to have a terrific game. This unit was able to get to Lamar Jackson twice last week, who is one of the hardest quarterbacks to sack in the entire NFL.

Given that Highsmith was able to accumulate a 40% pressure rate against this New York offensive line in Week 1, look for Buffalo to get to Fields in this game. That makes this unit a top-7 play in Week 2 in this AFC East divisional matchup. Don't forget, this is a Jets team that allowed 2.4 sacks per contest in 2024.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

8. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at LV

LAC favored by 3.5, Total ~47.5

The Chargers defense had a tough matchup in Week 1 against the Chiefs. However, this unit held its own against one of the top offenses in the NFL. Los Angeles totaled two sacks in the game and allowed Kansas City's running backs to rush for just 41 yards. Therefore, this D/ST will be a top-10 play in Week 2.

The Raiders looked solid on offense a week ago, but Los Angeles could rack up the sacks in this one. Las Vegas allowed 50 sacks in 2024, and Geno Smith was pressured 37.5% of the time in Week 1. That means the Chargers defense could feast against an offense that has a new offensive coordinator (Chip Kelly) and a new quarterback in a new scheme.

9. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs. NYG

DAL favored by 5.5, Total ~44.5

Did we see how bad the Giants offense looked last week? Russell Wilson and company scored just six points in Week 1, and it appears that the team will roll with the veteran quarterback for at least another week. Even though the Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons just two weeks ago, this defense is a strong play in Week 2.

Dallas ranked second in pressure rate in the first week, and that came against arguably the best offensive line in football. So, the Cowboys should be able to get to Wilson in this game. This defense will have a very safe fantasy floor in Week 2.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST at HOU

HOU favored by 2.5, Total ~42.5

Although the Houston Texans are favored in this game, the Buccaneers D/ST has plenty of fantasy upside in this matchup. The Texans offense looked all out of sorts in Week 1, scoring just nine points and turning over the ball twice. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was also pressured 41% of the time in that matchup.

FINAL: @Buccaneers start the season with a division W! #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/nGESklDqN7

— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

That is great news for the Buccaneers in Week 2. This defense should get to Stroud in this game, especially with Haason Reddick lining up on the defensive line. Reddick had a 22.6% pressure rate last week and tallied seven pressures in his Tampa Bay debut. So, we can trust this defense on Monday night.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

11. New England Patriots D/ST at MIA

MIA favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

The Patriots defense is definitely a work in progress. It's easy to see, though, that this defense could surprise a lot of people in 2025. After a solid effort in Week 1 against the Raiders, fantasy managers should think about starting this D/ST in 12-plus team leagues in Week 2. Both Milton Williams and Harold Landry III showed out in their New England debuts.

Williams had a team-high seven pressures, while Landry totaled 2.5 sacks. As a result, consider this unit against a Dolphins offense that was abysmal in Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times in last week's loss and turned over the ball three times (two interceptions and one fumble).

12. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. ATL

MIN favored by 4.5, Total ~45.5

The Falcons offense looked solid in Week 1. Atlanta scored 20 points, allowed just one sack, and had a chance to take the game into overtime if Younghoe Koo didn't miss a field goal as time expired. Nevertheless, the Vikings will be a top-12 play at the defense position in Week 2.

This defense was one of the best fantasy options in 2024, and Drake London is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. If London and/or Darnell Mooney (shoulder) were to miss this game, Minnesota could emerge as a must-start in most formats.

13. Miami Dolphins D/ST vs. NE

MIA favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

The Dolphins weren't great on either side of the ball in Week 1. However, they have the potential to rebound in Week 2 against a Patriots offense that had a hard time moving the ball last week. Maye was quickly pressured 13 different times in Week 1, which was tied with Rattler for the most in the NFL.

Given that Maye was sacked four times last week, Miami could be worth starting in some formats. The key for this unit will be getting pressure on the quarterback after the Dolphins had the second-lowest pressure rate (24%) in Week 1.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in deeper leagues as a last resort. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups (Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers) or question marks surrounding their defense (Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons). As a result, these defenses should be avoided in most cases.

If you need a defense from this tier, the Seahawks are your best bet. This unit played well against a good 49ers offense last week, and Brock Purdy was one of the most pressured quarterbacks in the first week. That potential high-pressure rate should help Seattle against the Steelers in Week 2. Pittsburgh's offensive line allowed four sacks in Week 1.

As for the Texans, Lions, Falcons, and Packers, it's best to avoid these defenses. The Buccaneers have the talent to explode on offense in any given game. Detroit really struggled to stop Green Bay's offense last week. Atlanta has struggled to get to the quarterback dating back to last year, and Washington is a tough matchup for the Packers.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases this week. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with in Week 2.

More Waiver Wire Analysis