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 7:00 AM ET on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Week 9 Defense Rankings
1) Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
2) Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
3) Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
4) Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
5) Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)
6) Denver Broncos (at HOU)
7) New England Patriots (vs. ATL)
8) San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)
9) Houston Texans (vs. DEN)
10) Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
11) Atlanta Falcons (at NE)
12) Baltimore Ravens (at MIA)
13) Chicago Bears (at CIN)
14) New York Giants (vs. SF)
15) Indianapolis Colts (at PIT)
16) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CHI)
17) Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX)
18) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. IND)
19) Buffalo Bills (vs. KC)
20) Washington Commanders (vs. SEA)
21) Minnesota Vikings (at DET)
22) Kansas City Chiefs (at BUF)
23) Dallas Cowboys (vs. ARI)
24) Tennessee Titans (vs. LAC)
25) Carolina Panthers (at GB)
Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
Death. Taxes. Streaming defenses against the Titans. Every season, there’s usually that one team fantasy managers should be attacking each week. This year, it’s the Titans.
Halfway through the season, the Titans are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, and it’s not close. Cam Ward has thrown an interception in six consecutive games and has taken at least two sacks in every game.
The Chargers are coming off a really strong performance on Thursday night against an injured Carson Wentz. In addition to being well rested with the mini-bye, the Titans are a worse offense than the Vikings. The only knock on this matchup is that the Chargers are on the road. But that shouldn’t matter too much. The Chargers remain a top option in Week 9.
Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
We last saw the Rams two weeks ago playing overseas against the Jaguars. In that game, they sacked Trevor Lawrence seven times. This is a ferocious pass rush that can get to the quarterback.
This week, the Rams are back home and coming off their bye week. As a reward, they get the Saints, who will likely be deploying a rookie quarterback in his first career start. Whether it’s Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough doesn’t really matter. The Rams are still a top option. But if Kellen Moore does go with Shough, he is essentially feeding him to the wolves.
The Rams are heavy home favorites and likely to create a negative game script for the Saints. That means a lot of dropbacks and opportunities for sacks and turnovers.
The Saints are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Fire up the Rams this week.
