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Week 4 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts: 2015 Fantasy Tiers & Rankings

Below are RotoBaller's Week 4 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream and start for Week 4 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our tiered defense rankings are your guide to making waiver wire pickups and adds to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start, sit, target, avoid or stream for Week 4.

Are you looking for some assistance with your lineups? Not sure which defenses have good matchups for Week 4? Can't decide which defenses to target off the waiver wire, or whether you should stream a different defense for this week? No worries, we are here to help every week of the fantasy football season.

Starting the right defense every week can be a difference maker, so we have broken out our defense rankings into tiers with analysis on each matchup. Some of these Week 4 defenses have good matchups and are not widely owned, representing sleeper opportunities if they are available on your league's waiver wire for a Week 4 pickup or add. Good luck in Week 4 RotoBallers!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 4 Defenses To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings

Bye Weeks: New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans

Tier 1 Defenses: Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos

The Arizona Cardinals have won many fantasy matchups single-handedly in the last two weeks thanks to a total of four touchdowns (a kickoff return and three pick-sixes). They had four total interceptions in Week 3 against a seemingly lost Colin Kaepernick, and while I don't expect anything close to that in Week 4, they do face a Rams offense that only managed six total points against the Steelers' sub-par defense. At the moment, the Cardinals are a rare must-start D/ST.

I'd usually recommend the Jets regardless of matchup, but with Ryan Tannehill and the anemic Dolphins offense opposing them they become a top-3 option. The similarly stout Buffalo Bills just manhandled the 'Phins, picking off Tannehill three times (returning one for a touchdown). The Jets secondary is even stronger than that of the Bills, so expect great things from this D/ST in Week 4.

Kam Chancellor has ended his holdout, and the Seahawks just got a major confidence boost in shutting out the godawful Bears in Week 3. They now face the 0-3 Lions at home...this one might get ugly.

The Denver Broncos are averaging over 3.5 sacks per game so far this season, along with 10 total turnovers and two touchdowns over three games. With Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware coming off the edge and Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby ball-hawking over the top, none of this comes as a shock. They'll get the Vikings at home in Week 4, and I think they can contain Adrian Peterson enough to make them a top D/ST once again. Teddy Bridgewater might be awful sore next Monday.
Tier 2 Defenses: Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers

After a Week 2 drubbing courtesy of the Patriots, the Bills got back on the horse with their own blowout of Miami, "squishing the Fish" in a 41-14 bloodbath. As I mentioned before, they had three interceptions against Ryan Tannehill, and with Eli Manning and company coming to town they may be in for some more. I don't see the New York run game getting anything going, which means Rex Ryan will be aiming to take Odell Beckham Jr. out of the game.

While the Eagles may have lost linebacker Kiko Alonso for a while, their defense still looked pretty terrific against a Jets team that was on a roll. They allowed only 17 points and forced four turnovers, and tacked on a Darren Sproles punt-return touchdown. They'll face Washington in Week 4, and I like their chances against Kirk Cousins--the only question is whether they can slow down Alfred Morris and Matt Jones.

Carolina has yet to allow more than 22 point so far this season, and I expect that trend to continue against Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers in Week 4. They've already racked up seven sacks in the first three weeks, and have at least one interception in each game. The Panthers might not have the potential to win you the matchup, but they may have one of the higher floors of any D/ST in Week 4.

The Packers are middle-of-the-road as far as fantasy D/STs go, but with Colin Kaepernick opposing them in Week 4 I love them as a streaming option. The 49ers' Week 1 victory now appears to be more mirage than anything, and I don't see them figuring it out against Green Bay. They are the definition of a low ceiling, high floor play in Week 4.
Tier 3 Defenses: Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens

Did you see the Bears game on Sunday? I use the word "game" lightly, because that looked like a varsity/JV scrimmage. Granted, it was the Seahawks who forced Chicago to punt on literally every possession, but I'll take my chances streaming the Raiders against them as well.

The Cleveland defense has seven sacks in three games, and Philip Rivers has already racked up four picks and two lost fumbles on the young season. This matchup has all the conditions for a nice streaming play in Week 4.

The Cowboys D/ST has been up and down so far in 2015, putting up a great game against Philadelphia in Week 2, but getting blasted for 39 points (most of which came in the second half) by the Falcons in Week 3. The reason I think they're worth streaming is simple--Luke McCown and Brandin Cooks are not Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Look for the Cowboys to bounce back and at least manage 5-7 fantasy points.

I can't get a read on the Baltimore Ravens, which is why I'm leaving them in Tier 3. They've looked solid at times, and have a pick in each game so far along with seven total sacks. On the other hand, they were blown up by the Raiders in Week 2 and mangled by Andy Dalton in Week 3. This week they'll face a Michael Vick-led Steelers team (following the injury to Ben Roethlisberger), and have the potential to put up a solid fantasy day. I expect the Steelers to lean heavily on Le'Veon Bell, but if the Ravens can take advantage of the opportunities I believe Vick will present to them, then they could be worth a stream in deep leagues.

 

Tier 4 Defenses: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bengals will be more of a desperation play than anything in Week 4, as the Chiefs tend to take care of the ball fairly well. Cincinnati already has seven sacks in 2015, and that's what you're hoping for against Alex Smith in Week 4. Jamaal Charles will likely have a vice grip on the ball following his Week 2 fumbling issues, but it wouldn't shock me if the Bengals got a pick or two off tipped balls.

Likewise, the Chiefs are a Hail Mary play in Week 4. Good Andy Dalton has been under center for the Bengals in 2015, and if you start the Chiefs you're banking on Bad Andy Dalton showing up. I don't like their chances, but in super-deep leagues you may have no other choice.

The St. Louis Rams are tied for the NFL lead with 13 sacks so far, and the only reason the Patriots are tied is because they had an absurd eight sacks against the Bills in Week 2. That's what you're looking for when they head to Arizona in Week 4, because I don't think there is anyone who can stop Carson Palmer and the Cardinals passing attack at the moment.

The Buccaneers have been halfway decent in 2015, posting seven sacks and five turnovers in three games. Cam Newton and the Panthers will come to town in Week 4, and I think this has all the makings of a trap game for the Panthers. Cam Newton can certainly play poorly at times, and I believe his receiving corps has completely over-performed up to this point. If the Bucs can neutralize Greg Olsen, they may surprise quite a few folks in the fantasy community.

The Falcons defense has been below-average so far in 2015, and they only make my rankings because they face the Houston Texans offense in Week 4. With Arian Foster still likely out, the Texans will need to rely on Ryan Mallet, who will more than likely turn the ball over a couple of times. This is an example of a bad defense playing a potentially worse offense, and you're only streaming them in the deepest of leagues.

The Steelers looked okay against the 49ers and Rams the last two weeks, but neither of those offenses are intimidating. They'll face the 0-3 Ravens on Thursday night, who are similarly impotent on offense. Pittsburgh has nine sacks already on the season, and should be able to add to that total. Maybe Antonio Brown returns a punt and stomps on another punter? Have your lady blow on the dice and then toss them.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
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Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
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Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
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Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
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Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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