Fantasy football Week 5 defense rankings (2025)

Perhaps the best bet for a defensive-minded game this week is in London, where the offensively challenged Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns clash. The Vikings will once again have Carson Wentz at quarterback, while the Browns are turning over the keys to their offense to rookie QB Dillon Gabriel.

Not surprisingly, those teams’ staunch defenses are the top two in our weekly rankings.

WEEK 5 BYES: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Pittsburgh

(Rankings by Elisha Twerski, whose complete Week 5 rankings for every position will be updated up until kickoff on Sunday.)

Fantasy football Week 5 defense/special teams rankings

1. Cleveland Browns (CLE) vs. MIN
2. Minnesota Vikings (MIN) at CLE
3. Detroit Lions (DET) at CIN
4. Los Angeles Rams (LAR) vs. SF
5. Arizona Cardinals (ARI) vs. TEN
6. Philadelphia Eagles (PHI) vs. DEN
7. Seattle Seahawks (SEA) vs. TB
8. Buffalo Bills (BUF) vs. NE
9. Kansas City Chiefs (KC) at JAC
10. Indianapolis Colts (IND) vs. LV
11. Los Angeles Chargers (LAC) vs. WAS
12. Houston Texans (HOU) at BAL
13. Baltimore Ravens (BAL) vs. HOU
14. Denver Broncos (DEN) at PHI
15. Miami Dolphins (MIA) at CAR
16. New Orleans Saints (NO) vs. NYG
17. San Francisco 49ers (SF) at LAR
18. New York Giants (NYG) at NO
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB) at SEA
20. New York Jets (NYJ) vs. DAL
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC) vs. KC
22. Carolina Panthers (CAR) vs. MIA
23. Washington Commanders (WAS) at LAC
24. Tennessee Titans (TEN) at ARI
25. New England Patriots (NE) at BUF
26. Las Vegas Raiders (LV) at IND
27. Dallas Cowboys (DAL) at NYJ
28. Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) vs. DET