Updated Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 5: Who to start, best sleepers, streamers, waiver wire picks at D/ST

Michael OHara

Ed Williams

Updated Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 5: Who to start, best sleepers, streamers, waiver wire picks at D/ST image

Through three weeks, defenses had the upper hand over NFL offenses. Offensive production, both scoring and yardage, was down and it seemed that offenses weren't sure how to beat two-high and shell coverage.

The script flipped in Week 4 with five different teams scoring 30-plus points and 13 teams hitting 24 points on Sunday alone. Could it be a one-time fluke? Sure. But fantasy players worldwide were certainly happy to see the increased offensive production.

As you might imagine, fantasy scoring for defenses was down last week. Just five defenses cleared 10 fantasy points, the fewest in any week this season.

If for some reason you're passionate about defensive fantasy scoring, Week 5 is a fresh slate with a new set of matchups to attack. Without further ado, here are the Sporting News' D/ST rankings for Week 5!

WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at D/ST

These rankings were updated on Oct. 6 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often.

Teams who have already played are listed in italics. 

RANKTEAMOPPONENTCHANGE
1Minnesota Vikingsvs. NYJ 
2Denver Broncosvs. LVUp 2
3Chicago Bearsvs. CARDown 1
4Pittsburgh Steelersvs. DALDown 3
5Seattle Seahawksvs. NYGUp 2
6Las Vegas Raidersat DENDown 1
7Kansas City Chiefsvs. NOUp 5
8San Francisco 49ersvs. ARIUp 7
9New York Jetsat MIN 
10Green Bay Packersat LARDown 2
11Miami Dolphinsat NEDown 5
12Cleveland Brownsat WASUp 1
13New Orleans Saintsat KCUp 4
14Buffalo Billsat HOUDown 4
15Atlanta Falconsvs. TB 
16Baltimore Ravensat CINDown 5
17Dallas Cowboysat PITDown 3
18Cincinnati Bengalsvs. BAL 
19Houston Texansvs. BUF 
20Jacksonville Jaguarsvs. IND 
21Tampa Bay Buccaneersat ATL 
22Washington Commandersvs. CLE 
23Indianapolis Coltsat JAC 
24New England Patriotsvs. MIA 
25Arizona Cardinalsat SF 
26New York Giantsat SEA 
27Carolina Panthersat CHI 
28Los Angeles Ramsvs. GB 

Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 5?

At this point in the season, there are three defenses who have separated themselves from the rest of the pack and established themselves as every-week starters. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Chargers have all been elite options so far this year and should be viewed as valuable members of fantasy rosters.

The Chargers are on bye this week, so you won't see them in our Week 5 rankings. But the Steelers and Vikings were quite easy options to put into our top-5 this week. Minnesota didn't pop in the box score last week, allowing 29 points to the Packers which led to eight fantasy points. It's important to note that two of Green Bay's touchdowns came off of turnovers that required just 20-yard and 4-yard drives to punch in touchdowns. Generally, Brian Flores has his defense wreaking havoc on opposing offenses and creating turnovers left and right, and the Vikings did jump out to a 28-0 lead to start the game. They should be able to contain Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in Week 5.

Pittsburgh also had their first defensive struggle in Week 4. The Steelers' defense surrendered 27 points in Week 4, the first time they have allowed more than 10 points this season. It was tough sledding for this unit last Sunday, but they have shown the ability to shut down any offense, including one of the caliber of the Dallas Cowboys.

WEEK 5 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
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Who are the D/ST units on byes in Week 5? 

Philadelphia Eagles: While they put forth a good performance against the Saints in Week 3, they struggled mightily again in Week 4 against the Buccaneers. Until the defense can show some consistency in the right direction, they're a unit to stay away from. 

Detroit Lions: While the Lions' secondary is still a work in progress, Aidan Hutchinson has been a beast and is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate with 6.5 sacks through three games. This is still a unit to fire up in plus matchups, so keep them in mind when they return. 

Los Angeles Chargers: This one stings the most out of all the byes. With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the Chargers' defense has been thriving. If you have them on your team, try to avoid dropping them this week as they get the Broncos in Week 6. 

Tennessee Titans: The Titans don't have a horrible defense, but because of their ineptitude on offense, they've often been in negative game scripts, which doesn't help the D at all. 

WEEK 5 DFS ADVICE
Best Stacks | Sleepers & Values | TNF DFS Advice

Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers in Week 5?

The Patriots' offense has struggled to sustain drives so far this season. Their offensive woes can be pinned on a variety of causes, too many to pinpoint a singular issue. One thing is for certain, the offensive line play isn't helping. Jacoby Brissett has been pressured on a league-leading 48 percent of his dropbacks. Plays can't develop, and Brissett has defenders draped all over him before he hits the top of his drop. The Miami Dolphins are the next team that has the privilege of facing this offense and are a strong streaming option thanks to this matchup.

Last week, the Rams looked like an offense that is without multiple starters on the offensive line and their two star receivers. They scored just one touchdown and failed to convert on multiple red zone drives. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are almost guaranteed to miss Week 5, meaning the Rams' offense will struggle to live up to their potential once again. The Packers' defense can be picked up as a streamer this week and can be used to target a depleted offense.

Michael OHara

Michael OHara Photo

Michael O'Hara is a Fantasy Sports Intern at The Sporting News, with a focus on fantasy football. Michael has been a fan of the NFL since childhood and began writing for fantasy football websites as a student at Ohio State University, including the Roto Street Journal and Fantasy Football Today.

Ed Williams

Ed Williams Photo

Ed Williams is a Fantasy Sports Editor at The Sporting News. A two-time Sports Emmy Award winner, he brings two decades of experience in sports media including a 16-year run at NBC Sports/Rotoworld, most recently as the Sr. Director of Content for Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting. He is also the founder of Macklyn Sports Media Consulting.