Week 7 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

October 19, 2025

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 7 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 7 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 7 of the 2025 season! Every week, this article will contain the best and worst defensive options. This will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

Last week, defenses ranked in my top-7 (Tier 1) averaged 9.1 fantasy points. Defenses in my Tier 1 last week included the Broncos, Rams, Steelers, and Raiders. All four of those D/ST scored at least 10 fantasy points.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for this week. These are the defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 7. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision every week. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

1. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. NYG

After last week's defensive performance, you can't possibly sit this Broncos defense in fantasy. This unit totaled a season-high nine sacks while giving up less than 100 total yards to the Jets. That's enough to make them the No. 1 fantasy defense in Week 7 against the New York Giants.

What a performance by our defense. 💪 pic.twitter.com/5J0lybr2Nm

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 12, 2025

The Broncos rank first in sacks (30), first in pressure rate (44.6%), and ninth in pass rush win rate through six weeks. Although the Giants are coming off a solid offensive game with Jaxson Dart under center, you are still starting this Denver D/ST in every format. This defense has totaled at least five sacks in four of six games this season.

2. New England Patriots D/ST at TEN

The Patriots have played well defensively in recent weeks. They haven't allowed more than 20 points in a game since Week 3 and have totaled at least six fantasy points in five of six contests. Now, this defense gets a favorable matchup against a Titans offense that ranks 32nd in points per game this season.

As a result, the Patriots will come in as the No. 2-ranked defense this week. The Titans rank tied for first in sacks allowed (25) through six weeks, and Cam Ward has been sacked at least four times in four different games this season. Although New England has only totaled four sacks over the last four games, you should feel confident starting them against this Tennessee offense.

3. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. LV

The Chiefs had a fantastic game plan in last week's win over the Lions. They held Detroit's high-powered offense to just 17 points, marking the third time in three weeks this defense has allowed 20 points or fewer in a game. With a matchup against the Raiders upcoming in Week 7, Kansas City's D/ST will be a top-3 play.

The Chiefs currently rank top-10 in pressure rate to go with a top-14 sack percentage (7.41%) to begin the season. Not only have the Raiders allowed 18 sacks through six weeks (tied for the fifth-most), but Geno Smith currently leads the league with 10 interceptions. Given that Smith will be under pressure all game, this Kansas City defense should be in most fantasy lineups.

4. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. HOU

After a rough performance against the Buccaneers in Week 5, the Seahawks' defense was back to causing havoc. This unit totaled a season-high seven sacks against the Jaguars last week while allowing just 12 points. With double-digit fantasy points in four of the past five games, this D/ST will be a strong start against the Texans this weekend.

The Seahawks Defense vs Jacksonville

💥 33 pressures
💥 7 sacks pic.twitter.com/w3ULcP98J4

— PFF (@PFF) October 12, 2025

Seattle ranks top-5 in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate entering Week 7. Both metrics should play a major role in this one, given that the Texans rank 29th in pass block win rate, and C.J. Stroud has been sacked multiple times in every game this season. So, start this Seattle defense with confidence.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at CIN

The Steelers looked like one of the worst defenses in the NFL after two weeks. They allowed 30 points in back-to-back games and couldn't get any pressure on the quarterback. Well, it looks like those defensive struggles are in the past. Pittsburgh has totaled 17 sacks over its past three games while forcing seven turnovers during this span.

Therefore, this Steelers' D/ST is a top-5 option in Week 7. The Bengals rank 32nd in pass block win rate, and it's hard to imagine this Joe Flacco-led offense is going to be moving the ball at will in this game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top-5 in both pass rush win rate and pressure rate in 2025.

6. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at MIN 

The Eagles' defense was embarrassed on Thursday night against the Giants. It allowed a season-high 34 points to go with just two sacks. That performance could result in fantasy managers pivoting away from this D/ST this week. Nevertheless, this Philadelphia defense will be a solid option in most leagues in Week 7 against the Vikings.

It remains to be seen if J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz will start for Minnesota this week. At the end of the day, though, it won't matter. The Vikings' offensive line ranks 32nd in sacks allowed per game (4.2) and 23rd in pass block win rate. With Philadelphia having extra time to prep for this game, this group should take advantage of a struggling/banged-up offensive line.

7. Green Bay Packers D/ST at ARI

The Packers haven't really been impressive on the defensive side of the ball over the last few weeks. They only totaled two sacks against the Browns in Week 3, allowed 40 points to the Cowboys in Week 4, and then only earned one sack in last week's win over the Bengals. However, this D/ST is still a solid play in Week 7.

The Packers still have one of the best pass rushers in Micah Parsons, and this group ranks top-12 in both pressures and pass rush win rate. That should help them get to the quarterback, as Arizona has allowed 18 sacks (tied for fifth-most in the NFL). If Jacoby Brissett starts this game, that could mean even more sack opportunities because his average time to throw (3.3 seconds) ranks last among all starting QBs.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

8. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. New Orleans Saints

Aside from a rough game in Week 2, the Bears' defense hasn't been a bad fantasy option by any means. This unit has scored in double figures in fantasy in three of five games while forcing 10 turnovers over its last three contests. As a result, this Chicago D/ST can be used in some formats in Week 7 against the Saints.

New Orleans currently ranks 28th in points per game and 30th in pass block win rate. Even though the Bears have had a tough time generating pressure in the first few weeks, this is a prime opportunity for this group to tally some sacks. Spencer Rattler has been sacked multiple times in three of the past four contests.

9. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Rams easily had their best defensive showing of the season last week against the Ravens. They totaled four sacks, forced three turnovers, and held the Ravens to just three offensive points. While we shouldn't expect a similar output in Week 7, this Los Angeles defense will still be a trustworthy fantasy play in most formats.

The Rams defense prevented the Ravens from scoring any points in the second half after also doing so in Week 1 against the Texans. The Rams are the first team this season to prevent its opponent from scoring in the second half in multiple games. #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/fZPwcqS3tf

— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) October 13, 2025

The Jaguars' offensive line just allowed a season-high seven sacks in last week's loss, and back in Week 5, the Chiefs pressured Trevor Lawrence on 54.3% of his dropbacks. So, Los Angeles is worth a look in most leagues. Los Angeles currently ranks tied for fourth in sacks (19) and has a top-10 pressure rate.

10. Miami Dolphins D/ST at Cleveland Browns 

The Dolphins might be one of the riskier defenses to roll with in Week 7. They have allowed at least 27 points in five of six games, while ranking around league-average in both pass rush win rate and pressure rate. However, this Miami defense is worth a look in some leagues against a bottom-five Browns offense.

Dillon Gabriel has been sacked eight times in his two starts, and the Browns have scored just 26 combined points in those two games. Given that the Dolphins have totaled multiple sacks in four of the last five weeks, they should be a safe enough fantasy option in most 10-plus team leagues. Cleveland also ranks 26th in pass block win rate so far this year.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

11. Houston Texans D/ST at SEA

There's no doubt that the Texans have had one of the best defenses through six weeks. They rank first in points allowed, 14th in sack percentage, third in pass rush win rate, and 13th in pressure rate. All that makes this Houston D/ST a potential start in 12-plus team leagues this week.

This is definitely a tougher matchup for the Texans against a Seahawks offense that scores a lot of points and doesn't give up many sacks. However, this is the same Houston defense that held the Rams to 14 points in Week 1 and the Buccaneers to 20 points in Week 2. In both of those games against high-powered offenses, this D/ST scored a combined 15 fantasy points.

12. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. MIA

This Browns defense has tailed off a little bit in recent weeks. It has totaled zero sacks in two of the past three games and is allowing 26 points per game over the last three weeks. But with a top-5 pass rush win rate and pressure rate, fantasy managers should at least consider this D/ST in Week 7. Tua Tagovailoa hasn't dealt with pressure well in his career and currently ranks third in interceptions thrown (seven).

13. New York Jets D/ST vs. CAR

The Jets' defense actually did its job against the Broncos last week, holding them to just 13 points. Still, you are likely only starting this D/ST if the 12 other defenses on this list are not available. New York has totaled just four sacks since Week 2 and currently ranks in the bottom 12 in both pressure rate and pass rush win rate.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

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 (San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals). So, these defenses should be avoided for the most part.

If you absolutely need a defense from this tier, then the Falcons are likely your best choice. This Atlanta defense has totaled multiple sacks in three of its last four games, and the 49ers' offensive line just gave up a season-high six sacks last week. So, there is some potential for this D/ST in deeper leagues.

As for the 49ers, Panthers, Vikings, and Bengals, it's best to avoid these defenses. San Francisco will be without two of its top defensive players (Nick Bosa and Fred Warner). Carolina has totaled just five sacks this season while also ranking 21st in points allowed per game. Minnesota will face an Eagles offense with a solid offensive line, while Cincinnati isn't very good defensively.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 7

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 7.

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