Week 5 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

October 5, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 5 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 5 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. With four teams (Eagles, Lions, Titans, and Chargers) on byes in Week 5, we will be ranking the top 28 fantasy defenses this week.

It's never easy to choose which fantasy defenses to start each week because anything can happen in any game. Just look at the Steelers' defense last week. With a great matchup against the Colts in Week 4, they were a must-start option in all fantasy formats. However, they ended up scoring just three fantasy points.

Without further ado, though, here are the Week 5 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

1. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. LV

DEN favored by 3, Total ~36.5

At this point, the Broncos defense should be rostered in all formats. They have held both the Buccaneers and Jets to under 10 points in consecutive weeks while totaling 12 combined sacks in those games. Their 16 sacks also rank second in the NFL heading into Week 5, and now they get a Raiders offense that has allowed the sixth-most sacks (14). Make sure to lock Denver into your lineups this week. 

2. Miami Dolphins D/ST @ NE

MIA favored by 1, Total ~36.5

The Dolphins defense comes in as a strong fantasy option in Week 5 against the New England Patriots. The Patriots have scored less than 17 points in three of their four games, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been sacked 17 times through four weeks. Given that fantasy defenses are averaging 11.5 fantasy points against New England this season, Miami is a must-start in all formats.

3. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. NYG

SEA favored by 6, Total ~41.5

Quarterback Daniel Jones has looked better since Week 1. He has thrown four touchdown passes to one interception over the past three weeks while being sacked only four times during that span. However, Seattle's defense under Mike MacDonald is solid. They have played well this season and held the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins to under 21 points. So, the Seahawks should be started in most leagues in a great matchup.

4. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. NYJ

MIN favored by 2.5, Total ~40.5

Despite giving up a season-high 29 points to the Packers last week, the Vikings still totaled nine fantasy points behind a three-interception day. They now rank second in the NFL in takeaways (10) this season and will face a Jets team in Week 5 that hasn't exactly clicked on offense yet. Minnesota's defense is legit and should be a set-it-and-forget option moving forward.

Brian Flores and the @Vikings defense have been dominant so far this season. @NFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/XhySqoQyuw

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 29, 2024

5. New England Patriots D/ST vs MIA 

MIA favored by 1, Total ~36.5

For as long as Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is out, fantasy managers should be starting defenses playing against the Dolphins. Miami hasn't looked great without Tagovailoa over the past two weeks, and Skylar Thompson (ribs) was sacked six times in Week 3. So, the Patriots could be a nice streaming option this week. They have some potential against either Tyler Huntley or Thompson this weekend.

6. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST @ DEN 

DEN favored by 3, Total ~36.5

The Raiders defense played well last week, totaling three sacks and giving up only 10 offensive points to the Browns. They have another great matchup in Week 5 against the Broncos. Bo Nix only threw for 60 yards last week, and Denver has failed to score more than 10 points in two of the last three games. So, Las Vegas is a solid option this week in a game that should be low-scoring.

7. New York Jets D/ST @ MIN

MIN favored by 2.5, Total ~40.5

The Jets' defense has been a strong option for fantasy managers over the past few weeks, scoring at least seven points in three straight contests. During that span, they have allowed 30 points while totaling 11 sacks and four takeaways. Even though they'll face a solid Vikings offense in Week 5, Minnesota has turned over the ball seven times through four weeks. As a result, New York is not a bad play this weekend in London.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

8. Green Bay Packers D/ST @ LAR

GB favored by 3.5, Total ~47.5

There's no doubt the Rams will enter this game with some key pieces missing. Cooper Kupp (ankle), Puka Nacua (knee), and Steven Avila (knee) will all be out again, so the Packers' defense has some fantasy appeal this week. Green Bay has scored at least seven fantasy points in all four games this season while leading the league with 12 takeaways. It would be smart to start this defense in Week 5.

9. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. NO

KC favored by 5, Total ~42.5

After scoring 40-plus points in the first two games, the Saints offense hasn't looked as sharp. They scored 12 points in Week 3 and 24 points last week against the Falcons. Given how well the Chiefs' defense has played recently, fantasy managers shouldn't shy away from starting them in Week 5. Kansas City has allowed 27 combined points over the past two weeks, and Derek Carr has thrown an interception in back-to-back games. 

10. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. CAR 

CHI favored by 3.5, Total ~41.5

Fantasy managers should be somewhat nervous to start the Bears' defense this week. The Panthers have scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games, and they have looked really good since Andy Dalton has taken over. However, Chicago has definitely established themselves as a set-it-and-forget option. They have forced at least two turnovers and totaled at least three sacks in three of their four games this season. 

The Bears defense is currently allowing 3.0 yards per play on early downs when they have their Base 4-3 personnel in. Best in the NFL, per @NextGenStats.

The league average is 4.9 yards. pic.twitter.com/a5d18AzzD8

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 30, 2024

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

11. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. CLE 

WSH favored by 3, Total ~43.5

Fantasy defenses are averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game when playing the Browns this season. So, despite how poorly the Commanders have played defensively for most of the season, they could be a low-end option in Week 5. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-leading 19 times this season, and Washington is coming off its best defensive game of the season.

12. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. ARI

SF favored by 7.5, Total ~50.5

On paper, this does not seem like a solid matchup for the 49ers' defense. The over/under in this game is set at 50.5, and the Cardinals have an implied team total of 21.5. But Arizona has struggled offensively over the past two weeks. They have scored less than 15 points in back-to-back games and only managed to score 14 points against the Commanders last week. So, San Francisco is a top-12 play this weekend. 

13. Indianapolis Colts D/ST @ JAC

JAX favored by 3, Total ~46.5

After struggling defensively in the first two weeks, the Colts have played much better on that side of the ball recently. They have forced three turnovers and totaled four sacks in consecutive games while finishing with double-digit fantasy points in both contests. Now, they get a Jaguars team in Week 5 that has scored 20 or fewer points in all four games this season. Despite being underdogs in this game, the Colts are a sneaky play.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

14. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. DAL

PIT favored by 2.5, Total ~42.5

It was a surprising performance from the Steelers' defense last week, but expect them to have a bounce-back game in Week 5 against the Cowboys. Dallas has struggled offensively in recent weeks, and they could have a hard time moving the ball on Sunday. Pittsburgh has totaled at least two sacks in all four games this season while allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game (261.8) in 2024.

15. Carolina Panthers D/ST @ CHI

CHI favored by 3.5, Total ~41.5

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has no doubt looked better, throwing for a combined 520 yards and three touchdowns across the past two games. But the offensive line still has plenty of problems. Chicago has given up the third-most sacks through three weeks, and Williams has been sacked seven times over the past two games. Carolina, though, should only be started in 16-plus team leagues this weekend.

16. Dallas Cowboys D/ST @ PIT

PIT favored by 2.5, Total ~42.5

With Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) both likely out for this game, there aren't many positives to start Dallas' defense in fantasy this week. Being down those two players doesn't bode well for them in Week 5. So, it's probably best to stay away from the Cowboys in fantasy this weekend, even against a Steelers offense that is averaging 317.8 yards per game.

17. New Orleans Saints D/ST @ KC

KC favored by 5, Total ~42.5

The Saints' defense did not give up a touchdown last week, and they have played well on that side of the ball to start the season. They have allowed less than 20 points in all four games this season. Of course, playing the Chiefs in Week 5 will draw some fantasy managers away. However, with Isiah Pacheco (ankle) and Rashee Rice (knee) both out, New Orleans could be an option in deeper formats given their play to begin the year.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. IND

JAX favored by 3, Total ~46.5

Where the Jaguars are on this list will depend on if Anthony Richardson (oblique) and Jonathan Taylor (ankle) play in Week 5. If Richardson suits up and Taylor doesn't, Jacksonville could be a potential play in 14-plus team leagues. The second-year quarterback has thrown six interceptions so far this year. So, there is some appeal in starting this defense if he plays.

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

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 and should be avoided in most cases. There are 18 other defenses that are better plays in Week 5.

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