Top five fantasy football defenses for NFL Week 5

I think it’s time to start getting optimistic about the NFL again. There’s always, of course, the preseason fantasy draft hype, the anecdotal missives from OTAs and training camp, the drilled-down beneath-the-hood analysis that reveals how talented these players are, were they just able to stay healthy, or touch the football more often. Then comes September, and those first four weeks, which felt this year especially like a slog. It’s the injuries—yes. But it’s the sloppy play, too. In this case, with all the QB1 injuries, one might beget the other. But the four weeks behind us may as well be considered the NFL’s regular season preseason, as it were, and I think it’s time things’ll really kick into gear. High-profile players will return soon for the middle-eight weeks. Depth chart situations feel as solidified as ever, this week.

So, this week, we’re going for absolute max-production plays. We want the guys whose matchups are going to win you a week. Not the guys who might just keep whatever’s left of your drafted 16 slightly buoyant as the water level churns higher. Let’s blow the roof off this thing.

Happy Fantasy Friday once more—and let’s dominated this weekend with renewed, velociraptor hope. I’m here with the Five Lists of Five: Week 5 edition. We’re-so-back edition. We’re after every edge for Sunday.

For the newly-ordained: Soundbite-length blurbs with advanced analysis on my favorite plays of the week. We begin now with my Top five fantasy football defenses to start for NFL Week 5. Here are my other offerings in this edition:

• Top five must-start WRs for fantasy football Week 5
• Top five must-start RBs for fantasy football Week 5
• Top five fantasy football players to stash ahead of NFL Week 5
• Top five FLEX plays for fantasy football Week 5

All data provided by Fantasy Points Data Suite 2.0, unless otherwise noted.

Fantasy football Week 5: Top five D/STs to start

Houston Texans D/ST (at Titans)

Cam Ward has taken only six sacks through four games, so Houston faces capable protection. His -0.113 EPA per dropback ranks 26th among 33 quarterbacks; Tennessee has squandered the protection their linemen have provided Ward. The Texans can demand more from Ward by denying Tony Pollard productive early-down runs. Through Week 4, Houston allowed just 1.50 adjusted yards before contact per RB carry, fourth fewest; Pollard succeeded on only 44.4% of rushing attempts, 33rd among 47 qualifying backs.

Will Anderson Jr. supplied 25 pressures, tied for fourth among edge defenders over those four games, alongside excellent run defense. His ankle injury matters enormously: he remained limited Thursday, and I want him active before starting Houston. DeMeco Ryans resumes defensive playcalling after the Texans conceded 27.3 points per game. Ryans has to repair coverage communication: Houston allowed 17 pass plays gaining at least 20 yards through four games, second most leaguewide.

Minnesota Vikings D/ST (at Saints)

Asim Richards surrendered eight pressures on 56 pass-blocking snaps against Atlanta last week. Now New Orleans’ replacement for Kelvin Banks Jr. faces Dallas Turner and a Brian Flores defense pressuring quarterbacks on a league-leading 43.5% of dropbacks through four games. Richards has to survive that assignment repeatedly: Tyler Shough leads NFL quarterbacks with 49.5 dropbacks per game, while Alvin Kamara’s meager 2.96 yards per carry ranks 44th among 47 qualifying backs this season. The Saints have been throwing because their running game offers so little relief. Shough has generally protected the ball, which limits the interception argument. I love Minnesota for the repeated opportunities to sack him; Turner will attack Richards through another pass-heavy afternoon. Chris Olave returned to full practice Friday after his foot concern. His availability sustains New Orleans’ passing threat, and Minnesota’s rushers must interrupt that connection by challenging the backup tackle who struggled badly against Atlanta.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (at Dolphins)

Cincinnati’s rush generated pressure on 38% of opposing dropbacks through four games and collected 14 sacks, third most in the NFL. Malik Willis has absorbed sacks on 21.2% of 52 pressured dropbacks over that span, ninth highest among quarterbacks with at least 25 dropbacks. I want the Bengals starting because Willis has struggled to finish plays when defenders reach him. Boye Mafe and Dexter Lawrence each sacked Trevor Lawrence last week; Cincinnati can threaten from the edge and inside. Dexter’s wrist and Jonathan Allen’s knee complicate that interior matchup, though, and losing either would reduce my enthusiasm.

Miami’s problems continue inside the 20. Through Week 4, the Dolphins converted a league-low 25% of red-zone possessions into touchdowns; Cincinnati allowed a third-lowest 23.5% conversion rate. Ollie Gordon ran for 100 yards against Minnesota last week, yet Miami scored ten points. An explosive run has not solved the Dolphins’ difficulty finishing drives.

Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST (vs. Eagles [London])

The Jaguars are a strong start because Philadelphia’s protection is deteriorating around Jalen Hurts. The Eagles allowed pressure on 43.2% of dropbacks through four games, third highest in the league. Lane Johnson has since retired and Philadelphia traded center Cam Jurgens; Drew Kendall’s knee injury prompted first-team center reps for Jake Majors Thursday. Jacksonville’s rushers generated 41 pressures without blitzing through Week 4, tied for fifth among all defenses. Josh Hines-Allen’s groin injury could diminish that rush; he remained limited Thursday. Jordan Mailata also remains formidable at left tackle.

Jacksonville conceded 291.5 gross passing yards per game through four weeks, but just three passing touchdowns: opponents have moved the ball more readily than they have finished through the air. Dallas Goedert’s anticipated return improves Hurts’ underneath options. Hurts’ 5.3% turnover-worthy throw rate ranks 29th among 33 quarterbacks this season, an ugly starting point for an offense now replacing veteran blockers.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Denver is a risky start with Patrick Surtain II expected to miss Sunday with an ankle injury and Riley Moss absent from Thursday’s practice with injured ribs. Justin Herbert has absorbed sacks on 8.3% of his dropbacks through four games; his 5.9% turnover-worthy throw rate ranks 31st among 33 quarterbacks. Herbert’s miserable 44.7 overall PFF grade out of 100, lowest among passers with 100-plus dropbacks over the season’s first four games, reflects problems beyond blocking. Rashawn Slater’s ankle injury and Joe Alt’s neck problem add reserve tackles to an offensive line already scrambling inside. Zach Allen can attack the guards; Nik Bonitto’s solitary sack through Week 4 tempers my enthusiasm for Denver’s edge rush. I’m starting Denver for sacks and turnovers, with reduced confidence in their ability to suppress points. Herbert has endangered possessions often enough to justify the gamble; his receivers now face a less accomplished set of corners.