Week 1 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 1 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 1 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our first weekly defensive rankings article. Every week of the fantasy football season, this article will contain the best and worst defensive options. Each defense will be ranked No. 1 through No. 32 every week until the end of the fantasy football season. This will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers.

The first week is always the toughest to rank these defenses because both offenses and defenses changed in the offseason. Most of these teams have new play-callers, and plenty of players have switched teams. However, there is a lot of information at our disposal that will help us create the best defensive rankings for fantasy in Week 1.

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 1. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

1. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. TEN

DEN favored by 7.5, Total ~41.5

The Denver Broncos D/ST finished with the most fantasy points at the position last season and will start the 2025 campaign as the top fantasy defense in Week 1. The Broncos defense will face rookie quarterback Cameron Ward to open the year, which is a matchup that favors this defensive juggernaut.

Not only will Ward have to make his first career start on the road, but the Broncos could rack up the sacks in this contest. Denver ranked first in sacks (63) last season, and this Titans offensive line ranked tied for fifth in sacks allowed (52). With three of the five Tennessee offensive linemen returning for this year, the Broncos D/ST is a must-start in fantasy in Week 1.

2. Arizona Cardinals D/ST at NO

ARZ favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

The Arizona Cardinals defense is expected to be much better this season. The team focused on adding to that side of the ball all offseason, which included signing Josh Sweat to a massive four-year deal and selecting a defensive player in each of the first five rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. With a matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, this unit is a strong start.

The Saints will be starting Spencer Rattler in this game. That's good enough to make the Cardinals D/ST the second-best fantasy defense in Week 1. With the additions of Sweat and Calais Campbell on the defensive line and Will Johnson in the secondary, this Arizona defense is a safe option.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at NYJ

PIT favored by 3, Total ~38.5

The reports out of training camp are that the New York Jets offense has struggled significantly. Things surely won't be easy for it to begin the season against a physical Steelers defense that added Jalen Ramsey to its secondary. As a result, Pittsburgh's D/ST is a must-start unit in Week 1 against the Jets.

The way the Jets have run their offense this summer, it would be fair to suggest they’re passing on passing.

Saturday night brought little downfield passing from Justin Fields.

What's going on in New York? pic.twitter.com/g8540C1X4D

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 17, 2025

The Steelers should be able to get to Justin Fields a ton in this game, considering the New York offensive line might be bottom-10 in the entire league. Given that the over/under is set at just 38.5 points, we should expect a lower-scoring affair between these two teams. That will result in this Pittsburgh D/ST finishing toward the top in fantasy in Week 1.

4. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. NYG

WSH favored by 6.5, Total ~45.5

The Commanders D/ST has a lot of potential in this matchup against the Giants. Washington's defense came on toward the end of last year, and this unit added veteran Von Miller in the offseason. That should be enough to make it a top-5 fantasy play to open the season. It'll be interesting to see how this new look Giants offense fares with Russell Wilson now under center.

While he is an upgrade over Daniel Jones/Tommy DeVito, this New York offensive line still features the same group from last year, and the wide receiver room remains a concern. With Marshon Lattimore expected to shadow Malik Nabers in this contest, the Commanders should be able to neutralize this Giants offense.

5. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST at CLE

CIN favored by 5.5, Total ~45.5

Starting the Bengals D/ST in Week 1 might be extremely risky. The talent on this side of the ball remains a huge question mark. However, this defense will have a high enough fantasy floor in this matchup against the Cleveland Browns, especially with Trey Hendrickson ending his hold out.

The Browns will be rolling with Joe Flacco in Week 1. Flacco does elevate that offense a bit, but the offensive line remains suspect. That makes this Cincinnati D/ST a viable option. Cleveland allowed the second-most sacks (66) last season, and the team will be starting the same five offensive linemen from 2024.

6. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. HOU

LAR favored by 2.5, Total ~44.5

Targeting defenses playing the Texans offense worked wonders for fantasy managers last year. That should be no different to start the year. Joe Mixon is dealing with a foot/ankle injury that will result in him missing this matchup, and the Rams should be all over this Houston offensive line in Week 1.

The Texans traded away two starters this offseason (Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green) and replaced them with Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson. Robinson and Tomlinson gave up a combined 13 sacks in 2024. Therefore, it wouldn't be a shock to see this Rams defense tally at least three sacks against this Houston offensive line.

7. New England Patriots D/ST vs. LV

NE favored by 2.5, Total ~42.5

This Week 1 matchup between the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders will feature two offenses that want to run the ball. That could mean a low-scoring total for both of these offenses. Given the improvements on the defensive side for the Patriots this offseason, this defensive unit will be a solid play this week.

DO THE NEW ENGLAND #PATRIOTS HAVE THE BEST FRONT 7 IN THE #NFL CURRENTLY…?

DT: Milton Williams
DT: Christian Barmore
DE: Keion White
OLB: Harold Landry III
OLB: Anfernee Jennings
LB: Robert Spillane
LB: Christian Elliss

🧐🧐🧐 pic.twitter.com/51p6m9dv3O

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 6, 2025

The Patriots added both Milton Williams and Harold Landry III in free agency this offseason, and both should make their mark in Week 1. While Geno Smith at quarterback does make this New England D/ST a riskier option, Las Vegas' offensive line didn't improve much from last season. The Raiders ranked tied for seventh in sacks allowed (50) in 2024.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

8. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at CHI

MIN favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

The Minnesota Vikings defense under Brian Flores was spectacular last year. This unit ranked fifth in points allowed per game (19.5) and tied for fourth in total sacks (49). Now, this Vikings defense gets to go up against second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who is learning a new playbook with Ben Johnson as his head coach.

In his first game in this new Johnson scheme, the Vikings D/ST is worth starting in Week 1. Minnesota added both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to this defensive line in free agency, and it could take Williams some time to get into a rhythm with this new playbook. Even though the Bears did upgrade their offensive line in the offseason, Flores will have his defense ready to dominate.

9. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at SEA

SF favored by 2.5, Total ~45.5

The talk of the offseason has been about the major losses of this 49ers defense. San Francisco lost Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, and Hargrave this offseason and didn't replace them with any notable players in the draft or free agency. So, many people believe that this unit will not be as good as it was last season.

Although that might be true, we should trust it in a Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. There is a strong possibility that quarterback Sam Darnold regresses, and this offensive line isn't exactly elite. Seattle will be running out four of the same five offensive linemen that allowed 54 sacks (tied for third most in the NFL) in 2024.

10. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. MIN

MIN favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

A rookie quarterback making his first career start on the road in a divisional game. Sign me up for this Bears defense in Week 1. Chicago will face the J.J. McCarthy-led Vikings to open the season in a prime-time game on Monday night. On top of that, WR2 Jordan Addison will miss this contest due to a suspension.

Little pregame workout for Jaylon Johnson who Ben Johnson says is on track to return in time for Week 1 pic.twitter.com/C9HdMDSW9g

— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) August 17, 2025

So, this Bears D/ST is a top-10 play in Week 1. Montez Sweat and Grady Jarrett are a great pass-rush duo, and we could see McCarthy struggle a bit in his first start. That makes this defense a sneaky option to start the season.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

11. Miami Dolphins D/ST at IND

IND favored by 1.5, Total ~46.5

The Miami Dolphins D/ST is the first defense in the Tier 3 section. However, this unit has a great opportunity in front of it in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts will be starting Jones in this game, and that makes this Miami defense worthy enough to start in most 12-plus team leagues.

Miami has a whole new secondary this offseason, headlined by the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was traded to the Dolphins in that Ramsey trade a few months ago. He should have plenty of opportunities for an interception in this matchup, considering Jones posted a modest 8:7 TD:INT in 10 games last season.

12. New York Jets D/ST vs. PIT

PIT favored by 3, Total ~38.5

This Jets and Steelers game has the chance to be the lowest-scoring matchup of the week. These two teams lack a ton of offensive weapons, and we could be in for plenty of stalled drives. The biggest reason why fantasy managers should consider this New York D/ST in Week 1 is because of Pittsburgh's subpar offensive line.

While Aaron Rodgers does like to get the ball out of his hands quickly, the Jets defense should rack up some sacks against this offensive line. The Steelers ranked tied for ninth in sacks allowed (49) last season, and Pittsburgh will roll out the same group from a year ago. So, the Jets D/ST is a top-12 play in Week 1.

13. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. DAL

PHI favored by 6.5, Total ~46.5

The Eagles defense should be in for another strong season. However, this side of the ball lost some valuable pieces in the offseason. Josh Sweat signed a deal with the Cardinals, Milton Williams signed with the Patriots, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Houston Texans. So, that's why this unit is outside the top-12 to start the season.

The Eagles also have a pretty tough matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener on Thursday night. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has dominated Philadelphia in his career, with 3,402 pass yards and 24 touchdowns across 13 games, and Dallas' offense has improved with the addition of George Pickens.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in deeper leagues. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups (Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans) or question marks surrounding their defense (Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders). Therefore, these defenses should be a last resort for fantasy managers.

The Chiefs defense is likely your best bet in fantasy if the 13 defenses ranked in front of them are unavailable. While this unit does have a tough matchup against a Chargers offense that will move the ball and doesn't give up many sacks, Kansas City allowed just 17 points and 10 points in its two games against Los Angeles in 2024.

As for the Jaguars, Colts, and Raiders, these three defenses lack a ton of talent on that side of the ball. All three defenses will also be playing against offenses that have the potential to score 25-plus points in Week 1. Bryce Young broke out toward the end of last season, the Dolphins are explosive when Tua Tagovailoa is healthy, and the Patriots will enter Year 2 with Drake Maye.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases to open the 2025 season. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with in Week 1.

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