Top 9 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for Week 5: Patriots and Rams Top the Charts

Curious about where your defense ranks on the week? Looking for a defense to pick up and play? Well, look no further. I am here to bring you the top 9 defenses on the week. Make sure you grab one of these defenses for your lineup to bring home the victory in Week 5.

New England Patriots

Vs Denver Broncos

The Patriots’ defense will be without Stephan Gillmore, and will surely need to be on the field more without Cam Newton leading their offense. However, I still believe that the Patriots are an elite defense. In a plus matchup like this, against most likely a backup QB, they could score huge for you. Brett Rypien had 4 interceptions against the Jets’ defense, one of the worst in the league. The Patriots are not the clearcut safest play, but they are the clearcut biggest ceiling play. If either Rypein or Driskel is the starting QB in Denver, then there is huge potential for 5+ turnovers, sacks, and a TD for New England’s DST. Personally, when finding a DST that is what I look for and that is why I have them at #1.

Los Angeles Rams

@ Washington Football Team

Even with Dwayne Haskins benched, the QB situation in Washington is not ideal. Kyle Allen had 16 interceptions in 12 games started last year. I believe that Jalen Ramsey and this elite Rams’ secondary will feast on errant passes by Allen. The one place that Washington may have the advantage is in running the ball against this front 7 with Antonio Gibson. However, with the secondary locking down the pass, the Rams’ defense will be able to stack the box to make it extremely difficult to grind the ball down the field. This matchup in general screams low scoring and I think that it is one of the safer plays of the week, as well as the upside of Allen interceptions, as previously mentioned.

Baltimore Ravens

@ Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow only has a couple of interceptions through 4 games, while having a ton of passing attempts. However, I am more excited about the possible sack numbers for Baltimore’s defense than I am for the turnovers. With Baltimore’s elite offense running up the scoreboard, Burrow will once again be forced to sit back and pass a ton this game. We saw him take 14 sacks through three games against much worse defenses. The sack numbers should give Baltimore a great baseline, and sacks can often lead to fumbles and even more points. I think that the game’s script will prime Baltimore’s DST for big points.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Vs Philadelphia Eagles

The battle for Pennsylvania might very well be a bloodbath in the favor of the Steelers. With the entire WR core out for the Eagles, as well as Dallas Goedert, the weapons that Carson Wentz has left are just not enough for him to put up big numbers. The pass rush of the Steelers and their front 7 has been dominant. They should be able to stuff Miles Sanders and force Wentz to pass which should lead to sacks. It does not help that as of writing this, three offensive linemen are on the injury report as well for the Eagles. Without protection, Carson Wentz will be laid out multiple times this game which could lead to a bad pass for an interception or another fumble. The upside of this game for the Steelers is that TJ Watt gets going and we have a repeat of the Eagles and Washington game from Week 1, where the Steelers would go for 8 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Arizona Cardinals

@ New York Jets

The Cardinals’ defense has not been amazing. They have been an improved unit compared to last year, but nothing to get too excited about. However, what you can get excited about is taking on an Adam Gase offense led by Joe Flacco. There is no way that the Jets do not have multiple turnovers in this game. It does not matter if they were going against a collegiate defense. Even if Lev Bell is back, Adam Gase will not know how to use him due to the fact that he is inept as a coach. I would not be surprised to see Frank Gore get the bulk of the carries with a healthy Bell. Start any defense against the Jets until Adam Gase is fired and Sam Darnold is healthy. The Cardinals have #1 overall DST on the week potential.

Indianapolis Colts

@ Cleveland Browns

I still do not believe that the Browns’ resurgence as an offense is legitimate. I do think that Kevin Stefanski is a huge upgrade for the offense, but there are still multiple problems with Baker Mayfield. The Colts have been one of the absolute best defenses against the run, and that is how Cleveland has been winning their games. Without the run to set up play-action and the pass, Mayfield will struggle. This secondary, even with injuries, has been a surprise unit for the Colts and can take the ball away. I think that this play is an above-average defense going up against an offense who can spiral out of control. Both a safe and ceiling play.

Buffalo Bills

@ Tennessee Titans

As long as this game is not delayed to do the ignorance and stupidity of the Titans team getting together in the midst of a COVID outbreak on their roster, then the Bills will be a great choice at DST. The Titans will be missing tons of starters, including two offensive linemen and Corey Davis. The Bills match up very well against a Titans team that wants to run the ball first since the Bills have such a good rush defense. I think that this is more of a safe floor play than a ceiling play, like many of the other teams on this list. However, I think that they are a great pivot if you need a last-minute defense from the waivers.

Chicago Bears

Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just about every time the Bears play at home you will hear me talk about the advantage it gives them, crowd or not. Soldier Field’s grass is horrible and it eliminates speed and cuts from the game. This gives the Bears and their defense, who are used to it, a big advantage. What will also give this elite secondary an advantage is the fact that Chris Godwin and OJ Howard are confirmed outs. Meanwhile, Mike Evans, Scottie Miller, and Leonard Fournette are all questionable in a short week. Brady has played well, but still needs weapons. The Bears’ defense might be able to tee-off on Brady, bringing home multiple sacks and turnovers. I think that the Bears are an extremely underrated play this week as the Bucs will try to rely on Ronald Jones, which will not work.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

@ Chicago Bears

Nick Foles did not have a great first start against the Colts. Tampa Bay’s defense should be able to disrupt Foles and force a turnover or two from the former Super Bowl champion. The Bucs’ defense is better for DST than it is for actual defense. They have a good pass rush and a few playmakers in the secondary to score you points. However, they do get driven on, often, and give up points to the opposing team. I would not say that this is a safe play by any means, but I love the turnover potential for the Bucs. Look for rookie Antoine Winfield Jr. to make a play in that secondary and maybe take one to the house