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, October 23, 2025.
Week 8 Defense Rankings
1) Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN)
2) New England Patriots (vs. CLE)
3) Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NO)
5) Green Bay Packers (at PIT)
6) Buffalo Bills (at CAR)
7) San Francisco 49ers (at HOU)
8) Houston Texans (vs. SF)
9) Denver Broncos (vs. DAL)
10) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. WAS)
11) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)
12) Cleveland Browns (at NE)
13) Minnesota Vikings (at LAC)
14) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. GB)
15) Los Angeles Chargers (vs. MIN)
16) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NYJ)
17) New York Jets (at CIN)
18) New York Giants (at PHI)
19) Baltimore Ravens (vs. CHI)
20) Washington Commanders (at KC)
21) Tennessee Titans (at IND)
22) New Orleans Saints (vs. TB)
23) Dallas Cowboys (at DEN)
24) Miami Dolphins (at ATL)
25) Carolina Panthers (vs. BUF)
Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN)
The Colts have alternated useful weeks with duds all season. But this is the week that pattern breaks.
Firing Brian Callahan did not give the Titans the boost we often see from teams who move on from their head coach. It was more of the same for the worst team in football.
Cam Ward’s interception streak extended to a fifth game and the Titans mustered up a mere 13 points. They’ve now failed to exceed 13 points in three of their last four games.
No team allows more fantasy points per game to opposing defenses than the Titans. They have the “lead” by a sizable margin. There is no defense that isn’t worth starting against the Titans.
Plus, it’s not as if the Colts are a bad unit. They’ve recorded multiple sacks in all but one game this season and forced 11 turnovers. They are the top option in a barren Week 8.
Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
Seeing the Falcons available in 90% of Yahoo leagues is quite the shock. When starting defenses in fantasy, the primary consideration is the caliber of the opposing offense…or lack thereof. However, fantasy managers often gravitate toward actual good NFL defenses. The Falcons have an actual good NFL defense.
Atlanta’s fantasy numbers haven’t been flashy, but this is one of the better units in the league. They are middle of the pack against the run and top two against the pass in terms of fantasy points per game allowed.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football Streamers Week 8
This week, they get a Dolphins team that is right there with the Titans and Jets for worst in the NFL.
Miami is surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. They just went into Cleveland and scored six points while turning the ball over three times. This is a bad team that has completely quit on its lame duck head coach. Coming off a loss, the Falcons are going to have their way with the Dolphins in Week 8.
Houston Texans DEF (vs. SFO)
The Houston Texans have the best scoring defense in the NFL, having allowed just 14.67 points per game to start the year. That has translated to fantasy, where the Texans also lead all defenses, averaging 10.2 fantasy points per game, 0.8 more than the Seattle Seahawks in second.
The Seahawks’ outstanding offense won out against the Texans in Week 7, but Houston still managed to create four turnovers, including a strip-sack for a touchdown. This week, Houston faces the San Francisco 49ers, who have turned the ball over on 15.3% of offensive drives this season, the fifth-highest rate in the league.
The Texans have had their bye already, and are a top weekly defense that you can start for the rest of the year, and they’re sitting on waivers in most leagues this week.
Chicago Bears DEF (at BAL)
While not quite as impressive as Houston’s, the Bears’ defense is also one you can start for the rest of the season. Chicago had their bye in Week 5 and is the seventh-best defense (tied) in fantasy points per game (8.3) this season.
The Bears lead the NFL in turnovers (16), despite having played a game less than most teams. They have been a top-12 fantasy defense in five of their six games so far this season, which is remarkable consistency for a team that gives up plenty of points.
If the Ravens get Lamar Jackson back this week, then scrap this one. But their 16.1% offensive turnover rate is the second-highest in the NFL. If Cooper Rush or Tyler Huntley is under center, regardless of who gets the win in Baltimore, the Bears’ defense will make it scrappy, just as they always do.
