We are now in the fifth week of the fantasy football season. As always, it is crucial to know what players are the preferable starts. Taking player talent, performance, and matchup into account, here are my Week 5 DEF rankings.
Top 28 Fantasy Defense Rankings
1) Denver Broncos (vs. LV)
2) Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
3) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO)
4) Chicago Bears (vs. CAR)
5) New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
6) Miami Dolphins (at NE)
7) San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
8) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL)
9) Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)
10) New York Jets (vs. MIN [London])
11) Dallas Cowboys (at PIT)
12) Cleveland Browns (at WAS)
13) Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ [London])
14) Green Bay Packers (at LAR)
15) New Orleans Saints (at KC)
16) Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
17) Los Angeles Rams (vs. GB)
18) Indianapolis Colts (at JAX)
19) Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
20) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
21) Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
22) Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB)
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL)
24) Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND)
25) Carolina Panthers (at CHI)
26) New York Giants (at SEA)
27) Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)
28) Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
The Top Defenses To Start in Week 5
Denver Broncos (vs. LV)
The Broncos are coming off a gritty win where they held the Jets to just nine points. That came a week after an upset victory over the Bucs. This is a legitimately good defense that has produced double-digit fantasy points in three of its first four games this season.
The biggest liability for the Broncos defensively is their offense. Bo Nix has been wholly ineffective. Yet, they’ve still been able to win games because of the defnese.
This is a great matchup at home against a Raiders offense that is in a bit of disarray. Davante Adams is currently sidelined with a “hamstring injury.” It’s safe to say Adams has most likely played his last down as a Raider. Jakobi Meyers has even admitted the situation is a distraction.
Coming off a win, this is a perfect letdown spot for the Raiders in a tough road matchup against a divisional foe. The Broncos are the top defense this week.
New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
I’ve been watching football for nearly 30 years at this point. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an offense as inept as the current Dolphins. It is very surprising that Mike McDaniel can’t figure out a way to scheme something up that works.
After two weeks, I’m thoroughly convinced the Dolphins cannot beat anyone as long as Tua Tagovailoa is out. They’ve scored a total of 15 points and one touchdown in their last two games, and that lone touchdown came with the game well out of reach.
The Dolphins surrender the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing fantasy defenses. Until Tua is back, stream any and every defense facing the Dolphins.
