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Fantasy football defense rankings, Week 4: From elite (Raiders) to streamable (Vikings)

blake schuster
·1 min read
Nov 26, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

You’ve got your fantasy football lineup all but set for the week, with a few tweaks to be made here and there as Sunday’s slate of games is ready to kick off.

But you’re trying to optimize your lineup to make sure you get the most points. And that’s why you have to make sure your D/ST position has the best possible squad to win you the week.

That’s what these rankings will help with: A look at the elite, solid, and streamable options that could win you some virtual games in your league.

Let’s break down the Week 4 D/ST tiers:

Elite

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions tries to avoid the tackle of Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions tries to avoid the tackle of Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

1. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Browns)

2. Cleveland Browns (at Raiders)

3. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Patriots)

4. New York Jets (vs. Broncos)

5. Houston Texans (vs. Jaguars)

Yeah, we expect Cleveland-Las Vegas will be this week's version of Chargers-Steelers. There shouldn't be a lot of fireworks from either offense in the desert, and whether Myles Garrett plays or not won't really change that.

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Solid

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) flips the ball to avoid a sack by Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) but wound up with an interception during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) flips the ball to avoid a sack by Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) but wound up with an interception during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.

6. Chicago Bears (vs. Rams)

7. Detroit Lions (vs. Seahawks)

8. Cincinnati Bengals (at Panthers)

9. Los Angeles Rams (at Bears)

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (at Colts)

OK, Steelers-Colts will also be this week's Steelers-Chargers, but consider Anthony Richardson has the arm strength and wideouts to burn a Pittsburgh pass rush that hasn't really faced a capable quarterback yet. Frankly, you'd be in good hands starting any of these D/ST units.

Streaming Options

11. Minnesota Vikings (at Packers)

12. Seattle Seahawks (at Lions)

13. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Steelers)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (at Chargers)

15. Miami Dolphins (vs. Titans)

Minnesota is really a great option here, but it's the Lambeau Field Devil Magic you have to worry about. The rest of the bottom five this week are all solid teams facing less-than-ideal circumstances, but that doesn't mean you should fade them. Just don't rely on them to win you this week's matchup.

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football defense rankings, Week 4: From elite (Raiders) to streamable (Vikings)