Week 6 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 6 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 6 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 6 of the 2025 season! Every week of the season, this article will contain the best and worst defensive options. We will rank every defense each week to help you pick the right one for your fantasy team. This will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire year.

With the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings on bye this week, we will rank these defenses No. 1 through No. 30. Each defense will be put into a tier, and fantasy managers should be looking to start a defense in Tier 1 for Week 6.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for this week. These are the defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 6. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision every week of the season. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

1. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. CIN 

The last time we saw the Packers was back in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. In that game, their defense couldn't stop Dak Prescott by any means. However, Green Bay will come in as the overall No. 1 D/ST in Week 6 against the Bengals. This is a prime bounce-back opportunity for this group, considering how poorly Cincinnati's offense has looked since Joe Burrow (toe) went down.

Jake Browning has thrown multiple interceptions in three of four games, and the Bengals' offensive line hasn't been able to protect the quarterback at all this season. That unit ranks 32nd in pass block win rate and is in the bottom 10 in pressure rate allowed. That's enough to make Green Bay the top fantasy defense in Week 6.

Update: Joe Flacco will start for the Bengals on Sunday. The Packers are still the No. 1 fantasy D/ST this week. 

2. Denver Broncos D/ST at NYJ 

The Broncos will continue to be a must-start defense in fantasy in Week 6. This group has totaled at least five sacks in three of five games and currently ranks first in sacks (21) through five weeks. With the best pressure rate in the entire league, Denver should be in all lineups against a struggling Jets offense.

"Our defense just played incredible. They just kept getting us the ball back." - Bo Nix with all the praise for his @Broncos defense | @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/yEw9aTtZll

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 5, 2025

Justin Fields was just sacked five times in last week's loss behind an offensive line that ranks in the bottom half of the league in pass block win rate. It's hard to imagine the Jets moving the ball much in this game, considering the Broncos rank fifth in yards allowed per game. So, Denver's D/ST will come in ranked No. 2 for Week 6.

3. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at NYG 

The Eagles haven't had as strong a defense as in years prior. They rank 29th in sack percentage (3.83%), haven't totaled more than two sacks in any game this season, and have allowed at least 21 points in three straight contests. Nevertheless, Philadelphia's D/ST is a solid start in Week 6 against the Giants.

Despite the poor sack numbers, the Eagles' defense has played better than the numbers suggest. It ranks 12th in pass rush win rate, and both Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo rank in the top 10 at the DT position in pass rush win rate. Given that Philadelphia will be playing against a rookie QB, start this defense in Week 6.

Jaxson Dart turned over the ball three times last week and has been sacked six times in his two starts.

4. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at BAL

The Rams' defense got embarrassed last week against a 49ers offense that was missing its starting quarterback, two starting wide receivers, and a superstar tight end. But fantasy managers can roll out this defense confidently in Week 6 against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson (hamstring) will likely still be out, and we all saw what Baltimore's offense did with Cooper Rush last week.

Therefore, the Rams are a top-5 play this week. They rank tied for third in sacks (15) through five weeks, with a top-10 pressure rate and a top-12 pass rush win rate. Considering the Ravens' offensive line has given up 16 sacks (tied for the fifth-most), it's hard to shy away from Los Angeles' defense in Week 6.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. CLE

After a rough start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has played well in its last two games. In Week 3, this unit totaled five sacks and forced five turnovers against the Patriots, and then totaled six sacks with two turnovers in Week 4 against the Vikings. Those two performances make this Pittsburgh D/ST a strong play in Week 6.

Dominant defense 😤 pic.twitter.com/YCdGLCLHe9

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 3, 2025

Even though Dillon Gabriel had a solid NFL debut last week, the Steelers should be all over him in this game. Pittsburgh ranks sixth in pass rush win rate, and Cleveland ranks 27th in pass block win rate this season. With Gabriel making a road start in a hostile environment, the Steelers D/ST is a nice start. This defense also ranks second in sack percentage (9.21%).

6. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. TEN 

Fantasy managers might pivot away from the Raiders this week because they haven't played great defensively to start the year. This unit ranks 24th in sack percentage (4.68%), 25th in points allowed per game (28.7), and just let the Colts score 40 points against them last week. However, Las Vegas is a sneaky D/ST option in Week 6.

The Titans have allowed the second-most sacks this season, and Maxx Crosby is one of the best edge rushers in the game. There's a strong chance he makes a major difference in this contest, considering Cam Ward's average time to throw (2.95 seconds) ranks 27th among all starting QBs. That's enough to start this Las Vegas defense against a Tennessee offensive line that ranks in the bottom 10 in pressure rate allowed.

7. New England Patriots D/ST at NO

The Patriots have played well on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks. They gave up just 13 points to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 and 20 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. Although New England has totaled a combined two sacks in those games, this defensive line is still pressuring the quarterback at an extremely high level.

As a result, start this Patriots D/ST in Week 6 against the Saints. Spencer Rattler has been sacked multiple times in three of the past four games, and New England ranks in the top half of the league in sack percentage (6.59%), pressure rate, and pass rush win rate. That should all play a key role in this matchup against a New Orleans offensive line that ranks 29th in pass block win rate.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

8. Cleveland Browns D/ST at PIT 

The Browns' defense has been one of the best in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season. This group has totaled at least three sacks in four of five games, ranks first in pass rush win rate, and has a top-5 pressure rate. As a result, Cleveland's D/ST will come in at the top of Tier 2 this week against the Steelers.

The biggest reason why the Browns aren't higher on this list is that Aaron Rodgers loves to get the ball out quickly. His average time to throw (2.52 seconds) ranks first among all QBs. So, the sacks for this Cleveland defense might be limited on Sunday. Still, this unit will be a solid play in most formats, considering Pittsburgh ranks 31st in pass block win rate.

9. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. ARI 

The Colts have played well defensively to open the season. Last week against the Raiders, though, might have been their best performance of the year. They totaled four sacks, forced two turnovers, and only allowed six points. While this matchup against the Cardinals is a bit tougher, fantasy managers can still start this Indianapolis defense in most 10-plus team leagues in Week 6.

Lou Anarumo's Colts defense:
17.8 points per game (3rd NFL)
14 sacks (T-5th NFL)
6 interceptions (T-4th NFL)
8 takeaway (T-5th NFL) pic.twitter.com/k1Kn3SP1PR

— LanceMcAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 6, 2025

The Colts have totaled at least three sacks in four of five games, and currently rank tied for fifth in sacks (14) this year. Even though Indianapolis ranks in the bottom half of the league in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate, this matchup against the Cardinals is a favorable one. Arizona has allowed 16 sacks through five games, while averaging just 20.6 points per game.

10. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at MIA 

The Chargers arguably had their worst defensive performance of the season last week against the Commanders. They allowed a season-high 27 points while totaling a season-low one sack. However, Los Angeles will be a top-10 play against the Dolphins in Week 6. Fantasy managers should still believe in this group heading into a pivotal week.

This unit just totaled six sacks two weeks ago against the Giants, and the Dolphins don't exactly have an elite offensive line. Miami has allowed at least three sacks in three of five games this season. With the Chargers ranking top-10 in points allowed through five weeks, they will be a nice option in most formats.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

11. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at JAC 

The Seahawks had no answer for the Buccaneers' offense last week. But look for this group to bounce back in Week 6 against the Jaguars. Seattle ranks top-5 in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate, while forcing the second-most interceptions (seven) through five weeks. The Jaguars haven't given up many sacks this season, but they haven't played a defense like Seattle all season.

12. Buffalo Bills D/ST at ATL

The Bills will be a solid D/ST start in most 12-plus team leagues this week. They have totaled at least three sacks in three of their last four games, and currently rank in the top 10 in pressure rate. That should play a key role in this matchup against the Falcons. The reason Buffalo isn't higher on this list, though, is that Atlanta ranks top-5 in pressure rate allowed through five weeks.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. SEA

It has been impressive to watch the Jaguars' defense begin the 2025 campaign. This unit ranks first in interceptions (nine), top-15 in pressure rate, and 16th in pass rush win rate. With Josh Hines-Allen ranking third in true pressure rate across the first few weeks, Jacksonville could be started in some formats. Seattle ranks 21st in pass block win rate.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 6

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 this week (Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys). Therefore, most of these defenses should be avoided.

If you absolutely need a defense from this tier, the Commanders are your best bet. Washington pressured Justin Herbert on 45% of his dropbacks in Week 5, and the team has totaled five sacks in a game in two of the past three contests. That should help this defense be a worthy option in Week 6. Caleb Williams ranks dead last in average time to throw (3.17 seconds) this season.

As for the Buccaneers, Titans, Cowboys, and Saints, it's best to avoid these defenses. Tampa Bay has allowed over 30 points in back-to-back games, Tennessee doesn't pressure the quarterback at a high level, Dallas ranks 27th in pass rush win rate, and New Orleans has a tougher matchup against a Patriots offense that continues to play well.

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

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases. 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 6.

More Waiver Wire Analysis