Week 5 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 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, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 5 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 7.4 fantasy points, and defenses ranked in Tier 1 averaged 7.7 fantasy points. With the Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Steelers all on bye this week, those four teams will be excluded from our rankings.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for this week. These are the defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 5. 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 5

1. Arizona Cardinals D/ST vs. TEN 

ARI favored by 9.5, Total ~40.5

The Arizona Cardinals will come in as the No. 1 overall defense for Week 5. Although this unit ranks in the bottom 10 in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate, this D/ST should be started in every format this week. Arizona has totaled at least three sacks in two of the last three games, and this Tennessee offensive line ranks 27th in pass block win rate through four weeks.

The Cardinals have the most underrated defense in the NFL.

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis is a rising star.

Josh Sweat reunited with Jonathan Gannon.

Look out for this group.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) September 6, 2025

Given that Cam Ward has been sacked 17 times this year, the Cardinals D/ST should have its way this week. The Titans rank dead last in points per game (12.8) and were just shut out last week. So, roll with this Arizona defense this week in a fantastic matchup at home.

2. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at CLE

MIN favored by 3.5, Total ~36.5

The Minnesota Vikings' defense has been a solid fantasy option to begin the season. This unit has totaled at least two sacks in every game and will enter Week 5 with a whopping 9.48% sack percentage (fifth-best in the NFL). Now, the Vikings D/ST gets a favorable matchup against a struggling Browns offense.

Cleveland has allowed at least two sacks in every contest this year, and Joe Flacco ranks second in interceptions thrown (six) through four weeks. With Minnesota's defense ranking seventh in pressure rate and fourth in pass rush win rate, this D/ST should be started in almost every league this weekend.

3. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. MIN

MIN favored by 3.5, Total ~36.5

Despite a subpar performance from the Browns' defense last week, we should expect a bounce-back game from this group in Week 5. The Vikings' offensive line has given up the most sacks in the NFL (18) and ranks in the bottom five in pressure rate allowed to begin the season. With an extremely low over/under, Cleveland's D/ST is in a great spot this weekend.

The Browns have totaled at least three sacks in three of four games, and Carson Wentz has been sacked nine times in his two games as a starter. That's enough to make Cleveland's D/ST a top-3 play in Week 5.

4. Detroit Lions D/ST at CIN

DET favored by 8.5, Total ~49.5

The Lions have logged three straight strong performances on defense. They totaled four sacks with two turnovers in Week 2 against the Bears, sacked Lamar Jackson seven times in Week 3, and held the Browns to 10 points with three sacks and three turnovers last week. Another nice matchup is on deck for this defense against a Cincinnati offense that will be starting Jake Browning.

The Bengals' offensive line currently ranks 32nd in pass block win rate. That'll play well for a Lions defense that has totaled the most sacks (14) over the last three games. So, you should be starting Detroit's D/ST this week.

5. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. SF 

LAR favored by 3.5, Total ~46.5

The 49ers will enter this contest severely beaten up. Brock Purdy (toe), Ricky Pearsall (knee), and Jauan Jennings (ribs) are all listed as out to play in this game after all three players were banged up in Week 4.

The Rams currently rank tied for first in sacks (14) through the first four weeks and have forced at least one turnover in every game this year. Given that Los Angeles ranks top-10 in pressure rate, this D/ST will be a solid play with Purdy, Pearsall, and Jennings all out. You can trust this unit against a Mac Jones-led offense.

6. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. DEN

PHI favored by 4.5, Total ~44.5

The Broncos have shown some encouraging things on offense, but have also struggled to move the ball at times. Even though Denver will enter this matchup with one of the best offensive lines in football, the Eagles D/ST can still be a top-5 play in Week 5. Philadelphia has blocked a kick (punt/field goal) for a touchdown in back-to-back games, and this defense made significant strides last week.

The Eagles forced two fumbles (recovered one) and picked off Baker Mayfield in the red zone. The sacks have definitely not been there through the first four weeks, as this defense has only totaled five sacks this season. However, this unit is trending up. Philadelphia generated a season-high 40.9% pressure rate in Week 4 and currently ranks in the top 10 in pass-rush win rate.

7. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. TB

SEA favored by 3.5, Total ~44.5

This Seahawks defense is legit. This unit has totaled double-digit fantasy points in three of its last four contests and is coming off a game in which it totaled six sacks and forced two interceptions against the Cardinals. Given the way Seattle's defense has played to start the season, this group is beginning to emerge as a set-it-and-forget-it fantasy option.

The @Seahawks defense vs the Cardinals:

🟢 6 sacks
🟢 8 passes defensed
🟢 2 INTs pic.twitter.com/4aKVphJw04

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) September 26, 2025

While the Buccaneers aren't the best matchup for the Seahawks, they will still be a strong D/ST play in Week 5. Tampa Bay is still missing some key offensive linemen, and Seattle has totaled 12 sacks through four weeks. Bucky Irving is also expected to be out for this game.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

8. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. NE 

BUF favored by 8.5, Total ~49.5

A lot of fantasy managers have expected more from this Bills defense in the last three weeks. However, Buffalo has been a solid D/ST option in its past three contests. This defense held the Jets to 10 points while totaling four sacks back in Week 2, and then got to Rattler three times last week in a nice 31-19 victory.

While the Patriots are coming off their best offensive performance of the season, the Bills will still be a solid fantasy play this week. Buffalo ranks top-7 in pass rush win rate this season, and New England still has plenty of problems along its offensive line. Drake Maye has been sacked 13 times this year behind an offensive line that ranks 31st in pass block win rate.

9. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. LV 

IND favored by 6.5, Total ~48.5

The Raiders' offense is all out of sorts at this point in the season. The offensive line can't protect by any means, and Geno Smith has thrown a league-leading seven interceptions through the first four weeks. Even though this Las Vegas offensive line played well for the most part last week, this is the same unit that allowed 51 pressures in the first three games.

Therefore, the Colts could be a nice play in most formats this week. Indianapolis has totaled at least three sacks in three of four games this season and will enter the week with a favorable matchup. That makes this D/ST a solid option in 10-plus team leagues.

10. New York Giants D/ST at NO 

NYG favored by 1.5, Total ~41.5

The Giants are a sneaky fantasy defensive option in Week 5. This unit held its own against the Chargers last week by letting up just 18 points, forcing two interceptions, and sacking Justin Herbert two times. After a difficult schedule to begin the year, New York is in a great spot to feast this weekend against the Saints. 

The Giants have totaled at least two sacks in each of the first four games, and Spencer Rattler has been sacked at least three times in two of the past three contests. With first-round pick Abdul Carter starting to show his potential, this D/ST should have a nice fantasy day against an offense averaging just 16.5 points per game.

Carter led all New York pass rushers last week with nine total pressures.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

11. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at JAC 

KC favored by 3, Total ~45.5

In some leagues, this Chiefs D/ST could be a solid play. This group has totaled at least two sacks in every game this season and has held the Eagles, Giants, and Ravens to under 21 points in each of the past three games. That's enough to roll with Kansas City's defense in this matchup against the Jaguars. Kansas City has generated a pressure rate of over 50% in back-to-back contests.

12. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. HOU

HOU favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

This Ravens defense might be higher up on other rankings because the Texans' offense has looked abysmal to begin the season. The Houston offensive line has struggled to protect C.J. Stroud, and this offense has scored under 20 points in three of four contests. However, rolling with this Ravens D/ST is a risky choice in Week 5.

The Ravens have looked bad defensively through the first four weeks and are currently dealing with a handful of injuries on that side of the ball. Both Roquan Smith (hamstring) and Marlon Humphrey (calf) will be out for this game, and Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) is out for the season with a neck injury. So, this D/ST falls to No. 12 on this week's rankings.

#Ravens All-Pro LB Roquan Smith was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, sources say, and he’ll miss a few weeks. Another Baltimore injury to its maligned defense. pic.twitter.com/01b3RfElpV

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2025

13. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. NYG 

NYG favored by 1.5, Total ~41.5

Jaxson Dart looked solid in his first career game last week, leading New York to its first win of the season. But with no Malik Nabers (knee) and an offensive line that just allowed six sacks, the Saints D/ST could be a sneaky play in some 12-plus team leagues. New Orleans has totaled at least three sacks in three of four games this season.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 5

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 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers) or question marks surrounding their defense (Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers). As a result, these defenses should be avoided in most cases.

If you need a defense from this tier, though, the Dolphins are your best bet. The Panthers haven't shown much growth on offense, and that offensive line ranks 30th in pass block win rate through the first four weeks. With Carolina scoring under 14 points in half of its games so far, Miami has some appeal in deeper leagues.

As for the Buccaneers, Broncos, Chargers, and Titans, it's best to avoid these defenses. The Seattle offensive line has allowed just six sacks this season, which is bad news for the Tampa Bay D/ST. You probably can't start the Broncos against an Eagles offense that ranks seventh in points scored. Jayden Daniels (knee) will likely be back against the Chargers, and Tennessee has only totaled four sacks this year.

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

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 5.

* With Jackson likely out for this game, the Texans defense will move up to Tier 1 against the Ravens. This unit will slot in above the Eagles in Tier 1.

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