Heading into Week 5 of the fantasy football season, you likely have a pretty good idea of where your roster stands from top to bottom at this point. That is especially the case when it comes to the defense, or DST, position. At this stage, we have seen a few units, but behind those top three or four units, there are some tight groupings.
If you are looking for a streaming option for Week 5 or a potential long-term roster-able option, then you are in luck. There are some fantastic options available this week on waivers, so let’s examine which are the best defenses to stream in Week 5 and how all 28 teams fall in our weekly defense rankings.
Best Defenses To Stream in Week 5?
Denver Broncos (vs. Las Vegas)
The fact that the Denver Broncos defense is only rostered in 16% of leagues on Yahoo seems like a crime, and it should change in short order. They have scored the fourth-most fantasy points this season in Yahoo’s defense scoring, including three double-digit returns.
Defense came to PLAY 😤 pic.twitter.com/ueJXGr1LiT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 29, 2024
Regardless of the site you play on, the Broncos have been good for fantasy this year. Things should only get better this week when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders, who are the fifth-most favorable offense for a DST to face. They have allowed opposing defenses to score 9.25 fantasy points per game on average.
There is no reason to overthink this; pick up the Broncos, use them this week, and potentially have a usable option through the next month.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)
Given the start the Seahawks have had with the Broncos, New England Patriots, and Tua Tagovailoa-less Miami Dolphins, you could make the case they have been underwhelming from a fantasy perspective. To only sit 12th after that run of games suggests that the week-to-week ceiling will be lower for this unit.
Therefore, the Seahawks have become mostly a streaming target rather than a must-start every week. In Week 5, they face the New York Giants, who have scored just 60 points through the first four weeks. In that time, they have thrown three interceptions, had three fumbles recovered, and given up a defensive touchdown.
There is plenty of potential for the Seahawks in this matchup. If you are looking for an option next week, add the Seahawks’ defense and ride them.
Green Bay Packers (at Los Angeles Rams)
The third option here is the toughest to call, as there are no obvious ones that stand out. However, the Packers have potential against a beaten-up Rams offense. The Packers’ worst performance of the season was allowing seven fantasy points in Weeks 1 and 4, which are still fantastic returns as a floor.
Through four weeks, they have forced eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and 13 sacks. While averaging 3.25 sacks and three turnovers a game is likely unsustainable, it does make them a high-upside option in the short term.
In Week 5, the Packers face the Los Angeles Rams, who have averaged less than 20 points per game and given up one turnover per game. An interesting element is that the Rams are allowing an average of 3.25 sacks per game, the exact same number as the Packers are delivering. The floor for the Packers this week is solid and there is enough ceiling to make them fun.
All data from TruMedia unless otherwise stated.
Defense Rankings for Week 5
1) Chicago Bears (vs. CAR)
2) Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
3) Dallas Cowboys (at PIT)
4) New York Jets (vs. MIN in London)
5) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL)
6) San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
7) Denver Broncos (vs. LV)
8) New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
9) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO)
10) Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)
11) Green Bay Packers (at LAR)
12) Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ in London)
13) Miami Dolphins (at NE)
14) Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
15) New Orleans Saints (at KC)
16) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL)
17) Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
18) Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
19) Cleveland Browns (at WAS)
20) Indianapolis Colts (at JAX)
21) Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB)
22) Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND)
23) Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)
24) New York Giants (at SEA)
25) Los Angeles Rams (vs. GB)
26) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
27) Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
28) Carolina Panthers (at CHI)