Week 4 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 28, 2025

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 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, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 4 of the 2025 season! Every week of the 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 year.

Last week, defenses ranked inside my top-10 (first two tiers) averaged 11.1 fantasy points, and defenses ranked in Tier 1 averaged 10 fantasy points. So, we will try to replicate that success in this week's defensive rankings.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for this week. These are the defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 4. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right waiver wire and start/sit decision every week of the season. Good luck, RotoBallers! 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

1. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. NO 

BUF favored by 15.5, Total ~48.5

The Bills' defense didn't have the best fantasy day last week against the Dolphins. This unit didn't sack Tua Tagovailoa and only scored two fantasy points. On top of that, the Bills will enter the week with only a 33% pass rush win rate (20th in the NFL). However, Buffalo will come in as the overall D/ST1 this week against the Saints.

New Orleans is averaging just 15.7 points per game through the first three weeks, and the Bills rank middle-of-the-pack in pressure rate in the early going. Even though the Saints have done a solid job protecting Spencer Rattler so far, this Buffalo defense will have both a high floor and ceiling in Week 4.

2. Houston Texans D/ST vs. TEN

HOU favored by 7, Total ~40.5

No offensive line has allowed more sacks to start the season than the Tennessee Titans. Cam Ward has been sacked a league-leading 15 times through three weeks, and Tennessee's offensive line currently ranks in the bottom five in pressure rate allowed. That's fantastic news for a Houston defensive line that should have a field day on Sunday.

OUR BALL! JALEN WITH THE INTERCEPTION! pic.twitter.com/m9jDuFTkuz

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 21, 2025

The Texans rank in the top five in pass rush win rate (57%), and this Houston defense has already totaled nine sacks through three weeks. With Will Anderson Jr. ranking first in pressures (19), first in win rate percentage (31.5%), and first in hurries (14),  the Texans D/ST should be started in every format this week.

3. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. CIN

DEN favored by 7.5, Total ~44.5

The Broncos' defense is in for a monster game in Week 4 against the Bengals. This Cincinnati offensive line has struggled through the first few weeks of the season. This unit has allowed 10 sacks and currently ranks 27th in the NFL in pass block win rate (52%). After the Vikings defense just totaled four sacks and forced five turnovers last week against this Bengals offense, Denver's D/ST is a must-start.

The Broncos just sacked Justin Herbert five times last week, and those five sacks marked the second time in three weeks that this defense has totaled at least five sacks in a game. Given that Denver pressured Herbert on 54.7% of his dropbacks last week, this D/ST is a top start in Week 4.

4. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at NYG

LAC favored by 6, Total ~44.5

Jaxson Dart will officially make his first career start this weekend. With a rookie starting under center for the first time in his career, this Chargers  defense will be a top-5 play in Week 4. Los Angeles has totaled at least two sacks in all three games and ranks middle-of-the-pack in pass rush win rate this season.

That should help this unit finish with solid fantasy numbers. The Giants' offensive line has allowed five sacks over the past two games, and this New York offense has scored under 10 points in two of three contests this season.

5. Detroit Lions D/ST vs. CLE

DET favored by 8.5, Total ~45.5

The Lions have had some tough matchups to open the season, with games against the Packers and Ravens. However, this defense will have a prime opportunity in Week 4 against the Browns. Cleveland is averaging just 15.3 points per game across the first three games, and quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown four interceptions this year.

After watching what Detroit's defense did to Lamar Jackson last week, it's hard to drop this unit any lower on this week's rankings. The Browns rank 22nd in pass block win rate, and the Lions have totaled 11 sacks over the past two games, including seven takedowns of Jackson last week. Therefore, this D/ST is a solid start.

6. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at PIT 

MIN favored by 2.5, Total ~41.5

The Vikings just had one of the best defensive games that we have seen in a long time. They totaled four sacks, forced five fumbles (recovered three), secured two interceptions, and scored two touchdowns en route to a massive win. Following that performance, Minnesota will have another great matchup in Week 4 against the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has struggled to score points in each of the past two games, and the offensive line has had its troubles in the early going. Although this unit didn't allow a sack last week, the Steelers still rank in the bottom 10 in pass block win rate through three weeks. With the Vikings ranking fourth in sack percentage, they are a top option in Week 4.

7. Green Bay Packers D/ST at DAL

GB favored by 5.5, Total ~48.5

Of all the teams in Tier 1, the Packers have the hardest matchup this week. The Cowboys have the potential to score some points in this game, and that offensive line has done a good job protecting Dak Prescott to begin the year. Prescott has only been sacked five times. Still, this Packers defense could be started in Week 4.

Welcome to Green Bay, Micah Parsons 🤩

DETvsGB on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/rijPUZ6ELm

— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

The Packers have the fourth-most sacks through three weeks, and Micah Parsons makes his return to Dallas. With Green Bay ranking top 10 in pressure rate this season, this D/ST will come in at the bottom of Tier 1. CeeDee Lamb (ankle) will be out for this game, meaning this defense will have to worry about one less playmaker on this side of the ball.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

8. New England Patriots D/ST vs. CAR

NE favored by 5,5, Total ~44.5

It was a bit shocking that the Patriots didn't generate any sacks last week against the Steelers. After totaling nine sacks through two weeks, New England's pass rush was quiet in last week's loss. Nonetheless, this defense can be started in most cases this weekend against the Carolina Panthers. Although Carolina is coming off its strongest offensive game of the year, the Patriots should be in for a nice game.

The Panthers rank tied for second in giveaways, and the Patriots have the pass rushers to get to the quarterback to total some sacks. Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Harold Landry III all have a solid pressure rate entering Week 4. Therefore, this New England D/ST could be trusted this week.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. MIN

MIN favored by 2.5, Total ~41.5

The Steelers were one of the worst defenses through two weeks, but they rebounded in a major way in Week 3. This defense sacked Drake Maye five times and forced five turnovers (four fumbles and one interception) in that contest. So, could this Pittsburgh defense be back? While it's hard to tell after one game, this D/ST will be a top-10 option in Week 4.

Patrick Queen on how he feels about the #Steelers defense after five takeaways in a 21-14 win:

"I'm still pissed off. .... Some people might say we played good, I feel like it's a whole another level we can take it to. ... If we're clicking on all cylinders, that team don't… pic.twitter.com/JLIOEGe6kS

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 21, 2025

The Vikings will be starting Carson Wentz overseas this week, and that offensive line hasn't been great to start the year. Minnesota has allowed 12 sacks through three games (tied for the second-most). Although Pittsburgh's defense is not off to an encouraging start, this unit still has plenty of talent. The Steelers generated 21 pressures in last week's win, including four from T.J. Watt himself.

10. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. JAC

SF favored by 4.5, Total ~45.5

Losing Nick Bosa (knee) for the season is a huge loss for this 49ers defense. However, this D/ST can still be used in fantasy in Week 4 against the Jaguars. San Francisco still generated plenty of pressure once Bosa left last week's game, with 22 total pressures from the team. So, this unit still has some potential in a solid matchup.

Trevor Lawrence has thrown four interceptions in three games, and this 49ers defense has allowed under 14 points in two of three games this season. The Jaguars are so hit-and-miss on offense that San Francisco has a high enough floor this week.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

11. Arizona Cardinals D/ST vs. SEA

ARI favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

The Cardinals' defense has actually played well in all three games this season. This unit is allowing 17 points per game across the first three weeks and currently ranks in the top 12 in pass rush win rate. Even though this Arizona secondary is a bit beaten up right now, this D/ST could be used in some 12-team leagues this weekend.

The Seahawks rank in the bottom 10 in pass block win rate, which means the Cardinals could total some sacks in this contest. With both teams playing on a short week, Arizona has some upside against a Sam Darnold-led Seattle offense. It was just two weeks ago that Darnold threw two interceptions in a game against the Steelers.

12. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at ARI

ARI favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

After watching what this Seahawks defense did to the Saints offense last week, this D/ST could be started in some 12-plus team leagues this week against the Cardinals. Seattle totaled two sacks against the Saints this past week and currently ranks second in pass rush win rate through three games.

The Seahawks are coming off three straight dominant defensive performances. This defense has yet to allow over 17 points in a game and has already forced five interceptions through three games. However, this unit will go up against a Cardinals team that doesn't allow many sacks or give away the ball. So, that's why this unit comes in ranked No. 12.

13. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at TB

PHI favored by 2.5, Total ~45.5

The Eagles' defense could be worth playing in some leagues this week, considering the Buccaneers are decimated by injuries across their whole offense. Mike Evans will miss this week's game due to a hamstring injury, Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin are still recovering from their injuries, and offensive linemen Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke are both on injured reserve.

As a result, Philadelphia's D/ST is worth a look. Baker Mayfield has been under constant pressure through the first three weeks, and this Buccaneers offensive line ranks in the bottom five in pass block win rate so far this season. That's enough to start the Eagles in Week 4.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 4

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 (Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams) or question marks surrounding their defense (Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and Carolina Panthers). As a result, these defenses should be avoided in most cases.

If you need a defense from this tier, the Commanders are your best bet. After watching what the Panthers defense did to the Falcons offense last week, this Commanders D/ST could be started in some 12-plus team leagues this weekend. Washington totaled a season-high five sacks against the Raiders this past week and currently leads the league in pressure rate after three games.

As for the Titans, Dolphins, Rams, and Panthers, it's best to avoid these defenses. Tennessee has only totaled two sacks this season. Miami has a bottom-five secondary after allowing over 30 points in three straight games. The Rams have a tough matchup against a Colts offense that has looked sharp to start the season, and Carolina ranks last in pressure rate this year.

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

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 for Week 4.

More Waiver Wire Analysis