With Week 4 at an end, the undefeated period is over for 95% of fantasy football managers and the gritty business of getting the right defense is key for Week 5. With four NFL teams on byes, let’s take a look at the defensive rankings by projections for the next round of games:
Fantasy Football Week 5 Defense Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. Giants) – 6.91
- Denver Broncos (vs. Raiders) – 6.68
- Chicago Bears (vs. Panthers) – 6.39
- New England Patriots (vs. Dolphins) – 6.36
- Las Vegas Raiders (@ Broncos) – 6.21
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cowboys) – 6.19
- Miami Dolphins (@ Patriots) – 6.18
- Washington Commanders (vs. Browns) – 6.16
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. Jets [LDN]) – 6.04
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Saints) – 5.93
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Colts) – 5.93
- New York Jets (@ Vikings [LDN]) – 5.91
- San Francisco 49ers (vs. Cardinals) – 5.90
- Green Bay Packers (@ Rams) – 5.90
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Buccaneers) – 5.87
- Dallas Cowboys (@ Steelers) – 5.77
- Carolina Panthers (@ Bears) – 5.68
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Falcons) – 5.55
- Indianapolis Colts (@ Jaguars) – 5.55
- Buffalo Bills (@ Texans) – 5.40
- Baltimore Ravens (@ Bengals) -5.35
- Cleveland Browns (@ Commanders) – 5.19
- New York Giants (@ Seahawks) – 5.10
- Houston Texans (vs. Bills) – 5.08
- New Orleans Saints (@ Chiefs) – 5.04
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. Packers) – 5.01
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Ravens) – 4.99
- Arizona Cardinals (@ 49ers) – 4.70
- Los Angeles Chargers – Bye
- Philadelphia Eagles – Bye
- Detroit Lions – Bye
- Tennessee Titans – Bye
Seeing as it’s time to let the Lions, Titans, Chargers and Eagles defenses go, or at least bench them, let’s look at three streamer defenses for Week 5:
Fantasy Football Week 5 Defense Streamers
#1, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Giants)
The Seattle Seahawks’ defense is coming off a rough 42-29 defeat to the Detroit Lions, but better days could be immediately ahead. They face the New York Giants in Week 5, and the Giants failed to get in the endzone against the Cowboys in Week 4.
Seattle’s D has put up some big points already this season, going for 9 in Week 1 and 13 in Week 3. With 14 sacks, 3 turnovers and a safety on the year, they could go big when they host an unpredictable New York. Rostered in 20.5% of leagues, you may be able to pick up the Seahawks’ defense on waivers or in free agency.
#2, New England Patriots (vs. Dolphins)
The New England Patriots are starting to look like their preseason expectations, which is not a good thing for their fans. This is a rebuilding year so it is not a huge surprise, however, New England will not just be accepting its fate.
In Week 5 they play an AFC East rival in all kinds of trouble, with the Dolphins offense stalling without QB Tua Tagovailoa. Miami’s D is letting in points and the offense is not scoring them, which has seen the Dolphins lose three on the bounce by multiple TDs.
It would not be a surprise to see New England come out of this one with a win, and a low-scoring game seems likely at this stage. If Miami gets a new QB under center perhaps it will be different, but until then, start a Pats D that is only rostered in 2.8% of leagues.
#3, Denver Broncos (vs. Raiders)
The Denver Broncos came away with a tight 10-9 win over the New York Jets, which was the third time they have kept an opponent to under 14 points this season. This is a defense that should be started almost any week, and that is the case here.
They face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, with the Raiders not possessing an overly threatening offense. The Raiders running game has been very disappointing in 2024, and there is a chance star WR Davante Adams will be out for a second consecutive game.
The Broncos D is rostered in 41.1% of leagues, so you may have a shot at landing them.