Week 4 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 26, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 4 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 4 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our weekly fantasy defensive rankings. Every week, I rank the best and worst fantasy defenses from No. 1 through 32. Each defense will also be ranked by tiers. So, if you are looking for a defense in Week 4 of the fantasy football season, you should try to start those in the first couple of tiers. 

A lot of those defenses in the first two tiers are playing offenses that have low implied totals. That is usually a good recipe for success when choosing which fantasy defense to play every week.

So, without further ado, here are the Week 4 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

1. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. NE

SF favored by 10.5, Total ~40.5

The 49ers defense didn't deliver the best fantasy performance last week, only scoring three fantasy points against a depleted Rams offense. However, they'll bounce back in Week 4 against the New England Patriots. The Patriots have scored less than 17 points in two of their three games this season, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked seven times last week. That makes the 49ers a must-start option this week.

2. New York Jets D/ST vs. DEN

NYJ favored by 7.5, Total ~38.5

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix looked solid last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but don't avoid the New York Jets defense in Week 4 because of it. The Jets have scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games while totaling 11 sacks during that span. Their 14 sacks on the season also rank tied for the second. So, make sure to get New York's defense in your fantasy lineup this upcoming weekend.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST @ IND

PIT favored by 1.5, Total ~38.5

At this point in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense should be started every week in fantasy. They have scored double-digit fantasy points in all three games this year while giving up only 26 total points. Pittsburgh has one of the best defenses in the NFL and now faces a struggling Colts offense in Week 4. Anthony Richardson has thrown six interceptions so far in 2024, making the Steelers' defense a fantastic start this weekend.

The Anthony Richardson experience is either the best throw you’ve ever seen or the worst

pic.twitter.com/75NBGBhdiJ

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 22, 2024

4. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST @ LAC 

KC favored by 8.5, Total ~39.5

It remains to be seen if Justin Herbert (ankle) will be ready to go for Week 4 after he left Sunday's game wearing a walking boot. Either way, though, the Kansas City Chiefs should be a strong fantasy option. The Chiefs have given up 20 or fewer points in two of their three games, and the Chargers only had 168 total yards in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a result, get Kansas City's defense in your fantasy lineups.

5. Cleveland Browns D/ST @ LV 

CLE favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

Many thought the Browns defense would have been a better fantasy option through the first few weeks, but it hasn't been all bad for that unit in 2024. They have scored 18 fantasy points over the last two weeks and now get a Raiders offense that might make a quarterback switch in Week 4. It won't matter if Gardner Minshew II or Aidan O'Connell starts for Las Vegas this week because Cleveland will be a strong defensive play regardless.

6. Miami Dolphins D/ST vs TEN 

TEN favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

When looking at which defenses to start, fantasy managers should be looking to target the Titans. The Bears (25 points), Jets (12 points), and Packers (22 points) have all had strong defensive days against Tennessee's offense. They have given up the second-most sacks (15) through three weeks, and Will Levis has thrown five interceptions, including two for a pick-six. So, start the Dolphins defense with confidence in Week 4.

7. Tennessee Titans D/ST @ MIA

TEN favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

As we all expected, the Dolphins offense won't be very good without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion). With Tagovailoa on injured reserve, Skylar Thompson (chest) or Tim Boyle will be starting on Monday night against the Titans. Thompson was sacked six times last week, and Miami only managed to score three offensive points against the Seahawks. As a result, Tennessee should be picked up and started in Week 4.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

8. Dallas Cowboys D/ST @ NYG

DAL favored by 4.5, Total ~43.5

The Dallas Cowboys defense was the hardest to rank on this week's list. They have had back-to-back rough performances, giving up 72 points and only totaling one sack over those two games. On top of that, the New York Giants are coming off a solid offensive game against the Browns. But it's hard to sit Dallas' defense against the Giants this week. Just two weeks ago, they totaled six sacks and forced two turnovers against the Browns.

9. Minnesota Vikings D/ST @ GB

GB favored by 2.5, Total ~44.5

The Vikings' defense certainly deserves to be high on this list, given the way they have played to start the season. Minnesota currently ranks as the No. 1 fantasy defense through three weeks while scoring a whopping 49 fantasy points. That is more PPR fantasy points than both Amon-Ra St. Brown (47.7 points) and Bijan Robinson (45.5 points).

The @Vikings defense with Flo is back to ghost chasing#nfllive @JasonMcCourty @Hawk pic.twitter.com/WL9vYJgZFr

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 18, 2024

However, it was too difficult to put them in the first tier with Jordan Love (knee) likely back. The Packers' offensive line has only allowed five sacks so far this year, and Green Bay comes in with a 23.5 implied team total. Minnesota is starting to look like a set-it-and-forget defense moving forward, so they are still a top-10 play in Week 4.

10. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. LAR 

CHI favored by 1.5, Total ~40.5

The Bears' defense has been an above-average option this year, as they have scored the fourth-most fantasy points at the position through three weeks. While most of those points came against the Titans, they have allowed 21 or fewer points in all three games this season. With the Rams entering Week 4 with Cooper Kupp (ankle), Puka Nacua (knee), and several offensive linemen out, the Bears should have a strong fantasy day.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

11. Houston Texans D/ST vs. JAC 

HOU favored by 4.5, Total ~45.5

The Jaguars offense has definitely struggled to open the season, which included scoring 17 or fewer points in all three games. As a result, the Texans' defense comes in as a top-12 fantasy option in Week 4. Houston has totaled at least four sacks in two of its three games while forcing three interceptions. That makes them a sneaky option in this tier. 

12. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs PIT

PIT favored by 1.5, Total ~38.5

The Colts defense played well last week, scoring 12 fantasy points behind a four-sack, three-turnover performance. With a matchup now against the Steelers in Week 4, they could be a solid fantasy play this weekend. Pittsburgh has only scored three offensive touchdowns through three weeks, and they have yet to score more than 20 points in a game this season. So, Indianapolis' defense has some fantasy potential this week.

13. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST @ CAR

CIN favored by 5.5, Total ~44.5

If Bryce Young was still starting for the Panthers, the Bengals' defense would have found themselves higher up on this list. However, with Andy Dalton now under center, Cincinnati is a riskier defensive option in Week 4. Carolina scored 36 points last week, and Dalton looked solid at quarterback. 

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

14. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. CLE 

CLE favored by 1.5, Total ~37.5

Given the way the Raiders defense looked last week against the Panthers, it was tough to put them any higher on this list. The matchup against the Browns is a great one, considering quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-leading 16 times through three weeks. However, Las Vegas only has five sacks on the year while forcing just one turnover. So, they aren't necessarily a strong start this weekend. 

15. Los Angeles Rams D/ST @ CHI

CHI favored by 1.5, Total ~40.5

The Rams' defense surely has plenty of holes, but they have a prime opportunity against the Bears in Week 4. Quarterback Caleb Williams has been sacked 13 times through three weeks, and the rookie has thrown two interceptions in back-to-back games. With Chicago still working on things offensively, Los Angeles is a solid play in Week 4 against a bottom-5 offensive line.

Jared Verse among EDGE defenders this season:

🔵 83.0 run defense grade (3rd)
🟡 4 run stops (T-3rd)
🔵 24.3% pass rush win rate (4th) pic.twitter.com/5Oq7SYoMUw

— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) September 19, 2024

16. New Orleans Saints D/ST @ ATL

ATL favored by 1.5, Total ~45.5

The Saints' defense could have been higher on this list, considering they have yet to allow 20 points in a game this season. That has helped them score at least nine fantasy points in all three contests this year. However, the Falcons have played better offensively over the past two weeks, and Kirk Cousins has only been sacked three times during that span. Still, they could be a solid option in 14 or 16-plus team leagues.

17. Denver Broncos D/ST @ NYJ

NYJ favored by 7.5, Total ~38.5

The Broncos defense is definitely a risky option in Week 4 against the Jets. New York has scored 24 points in consecutive games, and Aaron Rodgers has only thrown one interception so far this season. However, Denver has been better on defense than people might have expected. They held the Buccaneers to only seven offensive points last week while sacking Baker Mayfield seven times. They could be an option in deeper formats.

18. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. MIN 

GB favored by 2.5, Total ~44.5

The Packers are coming off a strong defensive performance against the Titans last week, forcing three turnovers and sacking Levis eight times on Sunday. Green Bay's defense has been a solid fantasy option through the first three weeks and has scored the second-most fantasy points so far this year. Nevertheless, given the way Sam Darnold has looked in the early going, they fall outside the top 16 on these rankings in Week 4. 

Tier 5 & 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this weekend. The only defenses I would consider on this list are from Tier 5 (Lions, Ravens, Falcons, and Bills). However, there are 18 other defenses that fantasy managers should target instead.

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