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 Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Week 13 Defense Rankings
1) Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN)
2) Denver Broncos (at WAS)
3) Los Angeles Rams (at CAR)
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN)
5) Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
6) Houston Texans (at IND)
7) San Francisco 49ers (at CLE)
8) Atlanta Falcons (at NYJ)
9) New England Patriots (vs. NYG)
10) Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)
11) Miami Dolphins (vs. NO)
12) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CHI)
13) Detroit Lions (vs. GB)
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. ARI)
15) Cleveland Browns (vs. SF)
16) Buffalo Bills (at PIT)
17) Green Bay Packers (at DET)
18) New Orleans Saints (at MIA)
19) Kansas City Chiefs (at DAL)
20) Chicago Bears (at PHI)
21) Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)
22) New York Jets (vs. ATL)
23) Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
24) Arizona Cardinals (at TB)
25) Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX)
26) Dallas Cowboys (vs. KC)
27) Las Vegas Raiders (at LAC)
28) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BUF)
29) Carolina Panthers (vs. LAR)
30) New York Giants (at NE)
Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN)
If you started the Seahawks defense last week, you were undoubtedly disappointed. In what’s been the best matchup for defenses all season, Seattle flopped against Cam Ward and the Titans. Somehow, this was the game in which the Seahawks surrendered 24 points, their second-highest point total allowed this season, while recording four sacks and no turnovers.
Expect this defense to bounce back in a big way. They return home to get the Vikings, a team rapidly becoming the best matchup for opposing defenses.
Minnesota now allows the third most fantasy points per game to defenses. J.J. McCarthy very well may be the worst quarterback in NFL history. That is not hyperbole. He’s thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games and thrown at least one pick in every game he’s started this season. McCarthy took five sacks against the Packers last week. The Seahawks are the clear top defense for Week 13.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
The Titans are not alone atop the most favorable matchup standings anymore. They are now tied with the Raiders for the most fantasy points per game allowed to opposing defenses.
The Raiders’ firing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly does put a slight damper on this matchup. Whoever Pete Carroll puts in charge of calling the offense this week cannot possibly be worse. But regardless, as long as it’s Geno Smith playing quarterback, the Chargers should have a field day.
Prior to last week, Smith had thrown an interception in three straight games. He’s turned the ball over at least once in all but one game this season. But most importantly, one of Smith’s favorite activities on a football field is tacking sacks.
The Browns sacked Smith an astounding 10 times last week. He’s now been sacked 20 times in his last three games.
When these two teams met in Week 2, the Raiders managed a mere nine points, and Smith threw three picks while taking three sacks. This game is in L.A. Good luck to the Raiders.
San Francisco 49ers DEF (at CLE)
Despite what I wrote about the 49ers’ struggles pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they are a defense in form in fantasy. Robert Saleh’s men have forced five turnovers in their last two games and recorded two top-12 fantasy finishes as a result.
The jury is still out on Shedeur Sanders, after his baptism of fire against the Ravens was followed by a reasonable first start against a bad defense. The 49ers are somewhere in the middle, but will be confident of making the most of the rookie’s inexperience on Sunday.