Fantasy football managers are constantly searching for that perfect waiver wire pickup that could make or break their week. Defensive units often fly under the radar, but savvy players know that streaming the proper defense can be the difference between victory and defeat.
This week presents some intriguing options that could provide significant value for your lineup. Smart fantasy football decisions aren’t always about the most prominent names, but rather about identifying favorable matchups and emerging opportunities.
These rankings were last updated at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Week 7 Defense Rankings
1) Denver Broncos (at NYJ)
2) New England Patriots (at NO)
3) Green Bay Packers (vs. CIN)
4) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DET)
5) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
6) Cleveland Browns (at PIT)
7) Seattle Seahawks (at JAX)
8) Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
9) Los Angeles Rams (at BAL)
10) Houston Texans (BYE)
11) Minnesota Vikings (BYE)
12) Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA)
13) Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
14) Detroit Lions (at KC)
15) Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
16) Miami Dolphins (vs. LAC)
17) Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI)
18) New York Jets (vs. DEN)
19) New York Giants (vs. PHI)
20) Chicago Bears (at WAS)
21) Atlanta Falcons (vs. BUF)
22) Arizona Cardinals (at IND)
23) San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
24) Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)
25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
New England Patriots (at TEN)
Who is the best defense in fantasy football? Whoever faces the Titans. There’s admittedly a little bit of risk of the classic “post-fire-your-coach” bump for an inept Tennessee offense. But we can’t ignore the matchup and what we’ve seen based on a narrative.
Cam Ward looks lost right now. He’s thrown an interception in four consecutive games, and the Titans are averaging 13 points per game over that span.
The Patriots have a very good run defense. The way to beat them is through the air. However, given the Titans’ struggles, they may very well try to pound the rock anyway…it won’t work. That gives the Patriots a strong baseline in points against. Then, if they can create a negative game script for the Titans, they could rack up the sacks and turnovers in the second half.
No team allows more fantasy points per game to opposing defenses than the Titans, and it isn’t close.
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
If you can’t stream against the Titans, the Raiders are the next best thing. They’re surrendering the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.
Geno Smith is playing the worst football of his career. He leads the league in interceptions. Meanwhile, this Chiefs defense is coming off a really strong performance in which they held the elite Lions offense to just 17 points.
While the Chiefs are vulnerable on the ground, the Raiders’ offensive line cannot get any push. Kansas City can sell out to stop Ashton Jeanty and force Smith to beat them. The possibility for negative game script in the second half will have fantasy managers starting the Chiefs salivating.
