The Fantasy Football season continues in Week 5 as owners try to piece together competitive starting lineups that will give their team a shot at the playoffs. A big part of those weekly matchups is which defenses are played every week, an underrated aspect of fantasy football. Those who read these articles regularly know that I am in favor of streaming a defense, like the Packers last week, every week of the year. Let's take a look at which defenses are the best options in week 5.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a confusing team, but the Steelers have a really good defense.
Pittsburgh will play against the Jaguars at home this week and should be able to force Jacksonville into plenty of mistakes, creating opportunities for fantasy points.
2. Minnesota Vikings D/ST
The Bears were nothing short of terrible on Thursday night against the Packers. Glennon threw several interceptions and the Bears made far too many mistakes. Now Chicago will have to play against a tougher Vikings defense that could easily score a defensive touchdown next week.
3. Buffalo Bills D/ST
This defense is really good. In three of the first four weeks of the season, the Bills have scored double digit fantasy points. In week 5, they take on a Bengals team that had really struggled on offense prior to a matchup with the Browns this week.
This defense forces turnovers and puts up points every week.
4. Los Angeles Rams D/ST
The Seahawks have really struggled on offense and it doesn't look like that's changing anytime soon. The Rams defense has been impressive enough for the team to get to a 3-1 record, and they get to play the Seahawks at home in week 5.
5. New York Jets D/ST
The Browns have been terrible all season, and the Jets are starting to show the NFL that they may not be the worst team in the league. The offense is pretty terrible, but the defense has helped lead the team to two wins and could lead them to another one against the Cleveland Browns.
6. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST
The Bills play low scoring games, and this one should be no different. Because of that, defenses playing against the Bills are fairly safe and usually put up positive point totals. However, don't expect a huge day, as Buffalo has turned the ball over just once this season.
7. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
The Eagles have been good this season, but their defense hasn't been amazing. Against the Cardinals at home, this defense becomes a solid fantasy unit, as Arizona's offense has struggled all year.
8. Detroit Lions D/ST
Yes, Cam Newton just put up big numbers against the Patriots. But in his previous three games, Newton and the Panthers offense was terrible. The Lions have a really good defense, and should be able to take advantage against a Panthers team that has struggled for most of the year.
9. Cleveland Browns D/ST
Anytime a defense plays against the Jets, it has a chance to put up big fantasy numbers. The Jaguars came away with a touchdown on an absolutely ridiculous play, and these types of plays make the Browns defense a worthy fantasy start in week 5.
10. Indianapolis Colts D/ST
The Colts don't have the NFL's best defense, but the 49ers don't have the NFL's best offense either. That makes the Colts defense an intriguing sleeper play in week 5.
