Two defenses dominated in Week 3. The Packers made Will Levis look like he was back at the University of Kentucky, picking him off twice, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Jets also had a big day. They were living in the Patriots' backfield, sacking Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye a combined seven times.
Week 4 presents a unique matchup with two defenses that fall inside the top-10 of our Week 4 rankings. The Packers and Vikings square off this week with two formidable defenses. The Vikings didn't score quite as many fantasy points as the Packers last week, but they made C.J. Stroud look rather pedestrian, picking him off twice and holding Houston to seven points.
Green Bay vs. Minnesota isn't the only matchup we're targeting this week. We've got all of our defenses ranked for Week 4, with some potential sleepers and streamers highlighted as well.
WEEK 4 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at D/ST
These rankings were updated on Sept. 29 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often.
Those who have already played on Thursday are listed in italics.
| RANK | TEAM | OPPONENT | CHANGE |
| 1 | Pittsburgh Steelers | at IND | |
| 2 | New York Jets | vs. DEN | |
| 3 | Cleveland Browns | at LV | |
| 4 | Chicago Bears | vs. LAR | |
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. NE | |
| 6 | Minnesota Vikings | at GB | Up 2 |
| 7 | Cincinnati Bengals | at CAR | |
| 8 | Houston Texans | vs. JAC | Up 1 |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | at LAC | Up 1 |
| 10 | Las Vegas Raiders | vs. CLE | Down 4 |
| 11 | Denver Broncos | at NYJ | |
| 12 | Miami Dolphins | vs. TEN | |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys | at NYG | |
| 14 | Green Bay Packers | vs. MIN | |
| 15 | Detroit Lions | vs. SEA | |
| 16 | Buffalo Bills | at BAL | |
| 17 | Tennessee Titans | at MIA | |
| 18 | Los Angeles Chargers | vs. KC | |
| 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | vs. PHI | Up 6 |
| 20 | Indianapolis Colts | vs. PIT | Down 1 |
| 21 | Seattle Seahawks | at DET | Down 1 |
| 22 | Atlanta Falcons | vs. NO | Down 1 |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | at TB | Down 1 |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | at ATL | Down 1 |
| 25 | Arizona Cardinals | vs. WAS | Down 1 |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens | vs. BUF | |
| 27 | Jacksonville Jaguars | at HOU | Up 1 |
| 28 | New England Patriots | at SF | Down 1 |
| 29 | Los Angeles Rams | at CHI | |
| 30 | New York Giants | vs. DAL | |
| 31 | Carolina Panthers | vs. CIN | |
| 32 | Washington Commanders | at ARI |
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 4?
We have a pair of AFC North defenses atop our Week 4 rankings. The Pittsburgh Steelers have often featured a ferocious defensive unit in the Mike Tomlin era. 2024 is another one of those dominant years. This defense has not yet allowed two touchdowns in a single game this season, holding their opponent to 10 or fewer points in all three of their games this season.
The Browns, on the other hand, are consistently strong at every level of their defense. The duo of Myles Garrett up front and Denzel Ward holding up the back end is difficult for any quarterback to handle. The Browns get a rather weak offense in the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. Cleveland's defense hasn't been as dominant as they're capable of looking, but this a strong bounce-back spot and they can be started with confidence this week.
The top-5 is rounded out by several defenses that are loaded with talent and also feature strong matchups. The Jets get Bo Nix in the Broncos, San Franciso will tee off on Jacoby Brissett (or Drake Maye), and the Bears will face off against a decimated Rams offense. All three of these defenses are elite options in Week 4.
WEEK 4 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Stock Watch | Trade Advice | Sleepers | Busts | Start/Sit | Usage Report
Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers in Week 4?
Finding defensive streamers and sleepers is all about taking advantage of the league's worst offense. Through three weeks, it seems like the Tennessee offense is falling into that category. Will Levis is having a hard time sustaining drives and has made a handful of poor decisions in every game this season. Until he makes dramatic improvements, this will be an offense to target. Miami gets Levis in Week 4, making them a streaming option.
The Colts' defense has been highly susceptible to the run this year, allowing 150-yard rushers in both Week 1 and Week 2. They also allowed Caleb Williams to throw for over 350 yards in Week 3. But this week's game will likely be a slow grudge match against a Steelers team that emphasizes play in the trenches as opposed to running a high-flying offense. Pittsburgh has only hit 20 points in one game this year, and it required a broken-play touchdown to make it happen. If the Colts can slow down the game and limit the explosive plays, this game could stay under 40 total points and produce two fantasy-relevant defenses.
WEEK 4 DFS ADVICE
TNF Lineups | Best Stacks | Sleepers and Values
