The Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, And Three More Week 5 D/ST’s To Target On The Waiver Wire
We’re four weeks into the fantasy football season, which means it’s time for another round of defense/special teams waiver wire pickups. If you missed it, you can check out last week’s edition here. With several teams on bye in Week 5, the pool of available defenses is a bit thinner, making it even more important to find the right streaming options. As always, our criteria focus on defenses rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues. Let’s dive into the top five defensive options for Week 5.
Los Angeles Rams D/ST 29%
The Rams’ defense has been a top-10 fantasy unit this season, currently ranked sixth in overall points. They’ve been consistent through four weeks, scoring 12 points in Week 1, 9 in Week 2, 7 in Week 3, and 6 in Week 4. So far, they’ve forced 7 turnovers and recorded 14 sacks. In Week 5, they face a tough matchup against the 49ers, who are 3-1 coming off a tough loss last week to the Jaguars.
The #Rams defense:
— KyTheRamsGuy (@kytheramsguy) September 29, 2025
1st in Sacks (14.0)
2nd in Fumbles (4.0)
7th in interceptions (3.0)
4th in total turnovers (7.0)
9th in YPG (284.5)
10th in PPG (20.3)#RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/pRGN7ssLnv
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST 13 %
The Chiefs’ defense has been middle-of-the-pack this season, currently ranked 15th in total fantasy points. They’ve scored 2 points in Week 1, 4 in Week 2, 13 in Week 3, and 6 in Week 4. Through four games, they’ve forced 4 turnovers and recorded 10 sacks. In Week 5, they’ll face a road matchup against the Jaguars, who are 3-1 on the season.
Chiefs defense in their last 6 quarters:
— PFF (@PFF) September 28, 2025
4 takeaways (3 INT, 1 FR)
4 sacks
2 TDs allowed pic.twitter.com/BVfPFIcn24
Indianapolis Colts D/ST 40%
The Colts’ defense has been a top-10 unit so far this season, currently ranking ninth in fantasy points. They’ve been a boom-or-bust option, scoring 14 points in Week 1, 1 in Week 2, 16 in Week 3, and 0 in Week 4. Through four games, they’ve forced 6 turnovers, tallied 10 sacks, and scored 1 defensive touchdown. In Week 5, they’ll take on the Raiders, who are 1-3 on the season.
Arizona Cardinals D/ST 25%
The Cardinals’ defense has been steady through the first four weeks, scoring at least four fantasy points in every game. They posted 4 points in Week 1, 12 in Week 2, 5 in Week 3, and 4 in Week 4. So far, they’ve totaled 8 sacks and forced 2 turnovers on the season. In Week 5, they’ll face the Titans, who are coming off a 26-0 loss to the Texans, making this a favorable matchup for Arizona’s defense.
Miami Dolphins D/ST 3%
The Dolphins’ defense struggled during the first three weeks of the season, allowing over 30 points in each contest and scoring just 3, 8, and 0 fantasy points, respectively. However, they bounced back in Week 4 against the Jets, forcing three fumbles, recording two sacks, and allowing only 21 points on their way to 5 fantasy points. With a road matchup against Carolina up next, the unit has a chance to build momentum and continue producing solid fantasy numbers.
Dolphins defense vs the Jets
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) September 30, 2025
🐬 5 TFL
🐬 2 sacks
🐬 2 FF
🐬 2 FR pic.twitter.com/myW8P8nTIZ
More Fantasy Sports On SI News
feed
Ryan Shea is a seasoned sports enthusiast with a sharp eye for strategy and a deep love for the game—no matter the sport. Whether he’s analyzing roster moves or spotting trends before they hit the headlines, Ryan brings a unique mix of research, instinct, and insider perspective to his writing. With over a decade of experience dominating fantasy leagues, he knows what it takes to build championship-caliber lineups. A diehard fan of all things New York, Ryan proudly reps the Jets, Yankees, Knicks, and Rangers—win or lose.