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.
Week 5 Defense Rankings
1) Arizona Cardinals (vs. TEN)
2) Detroit Lions (at CIN)
3) Minnesota Vikings (vs. CLE (London))
4) Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
5) Cleveland Browns (vs. MIN (London))
6) Indianapolis Colts (vs. LV)
7) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DEN)
8) Seattle Seahawks (vs. TB)
9) Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF)
10) Kansas City Chiefs (at JAX)
11) New York Giants (at NO)
12) Baltimore Ravens (vs. HOU)
13) Los Angeles Chargers (vs. WAS)
14) San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
15) Houston Texans (at BAL)
16) Denver Broncos (at PHI)
17) New York Jets (vs. DAL)
18) Tennessee Titans (at ARI)
19) Miami Dolphins (at CAR)
20) Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. KC)
21) Carolina Panthers (vs. MIA)
22) New Orleans Saints (vs. NYG)
23) Washington Commanders (at LAC)
24) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at SEA)
25) Las Vegas Raiders (at IND)
26) Dallas Cowboys (at NYJ)
27) New England Patriots (at BUF)
28) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DET)
Arizona Cardinals DEF (vs. TEN)
Last week was a great week for streaming defenses. This week…not so much. A lot of good defenses are facing good offenses, which means the bad offenses are the ones playing the bad defenses.
The Cardinals represent the clear top option on the slate. They are an above-average defense. But most importantly, start anyone and everyone against the Titans.
Tennessee is completely bereft of playmakers. Cam Ward looks overmatched. The Cardinals have forced two turnovers in each of their last two games. The Titans are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Arizona has legitimate matchup-winning upside this week.
Miami Dolphins DEF (at CAR)
In three of the first four weeks of the season, the defense facing Carolina has finished in the top six in fantasy. This week, that defense will be the Dolphins, fresh off their first win of what has been an incredibly disappointing season so far.
The Panthers have turned the ball over on 12.8% of offensive drives, the ninth-highest rate in the league. Miami may have lost its star receiver in Week 4, but it looks like a team on the up after three miserable weeks to start the year.
The Jets scored two touchdowns against Miami in Week 4, one of which was a 43-yard scramble from Justin Fields, who did well to avoid a sack. Bryce Young can run but doesn’t possess anything close to Fields’s athleticism, and ranks 33rd in PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
The Dolphins should be able to get pressure on Young, and could feast on a struggling Panthers offense in Week 5.
