Fantasy Defense rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at D/ST in fantasy football

With another week in the books, nearly a quarter of the NFL regular season has concluded. We have a much bigger sample size with which to analyze all 32 D/STs and a much better picture of which defenses are studs and which are duds. Our Week 5 fantasy defense rankings will help guide you to the best matchups, key sleepers, and cream of the waiver-wire streaming crop. 

As always, the weekly powerhouses are the easiest to rank. The Bills (vs. Steelers), Packers (vs. Giants), and Buccaneers (vs. Falcons) are usually solid plays, but plus-matchups make them even more alluring this weekend. The Broncos (vs. Colts) move into the top five in a short week for Matt Ryan with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) questionable. The Rams and Cowboys, who face each other in L.A., could capitalize on each other's banged-up O-lines with a ton of sacks and some turnovers.  

The 49ers (@ Panthers) and Ravens (vs. Bengals) will look to attack Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow, who have each had shaky starts to the season. The Bengals did get a big win on Thursday Night Football, but the injury to Tua Tagovailoa helped matters there. Burrow is still a shell of his 2021 self behind a shaky offensive line, and the Ravens always find a way to get points. 

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers

Speaking of those Dolphins (@ Jets), they'll likely be on the field a lot more with Tagovailoa sidelined. With Zach Wilson under center for just the second start of the season, Miami's elite secondary could force some interceptions. Similarly, the Saints (vs. Seahawks) should be a great play at home against Geno Smith.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers

We're a little worried about the red-hot Eagles (@ Cardinals) in a high-flying battle of the birds with Kyler Murray, but the Panthers showed D/STs can still rack up points against Arizona. The Chargers (@ Browns) and Browns (Chargers) don't look like great plays against each other, while the Patriots (vs. Lions) are on the bubble against a solid Lions' offense. 

WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

If you're holding any of those questionable D/STs, you may consider streaming this week. The Vikings (vs. Bears) have a high ceiling against an erratic Justin Fields offense that allowed six sacks and lost three fumbles against the Giants last week. The Titans (@ Commanders) get turnover-prone Carson Wentz, while the Colts (@ Broncos) have some upside in a short week despite Shaquille Leonard (concussion) likely being out.

WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values

Need deeper sleepers? The Panthers (vs. 49ers) have looked pretty good this season, and have some mild upside against a good-but-not-great 49ers offense. The Lions (@ Patriots) will face either Bailey Zappe or Brian Hoyer, which automatically legitimizes an opposing D/ST. The Seahawks could make some noise in the Bayou regardless of Jameis Winston's status. All would be better options than the Steelers (@ Bills), Bears (@ Vikings), Giants (vs. Packers), and Bengals (@ Ravens). 

WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings

Let's get to our complete rankings and prime you for what should be another wild ride of a weekend. Good luck, and come back throughout the week for the latest updates and player movement.

Week 5 fantasy defense rankings

Week 5 defense fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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