“Top week 6 streaming defenses for fantasy football, including Packers, Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys, and Jaguars, plus key defenses to avoid.”
With Week 5 finished, focus turns to Week 6 streaming defenses. The goal is simple. Find widely available team defenses that can help you win this week. All recommendations here follow one rule. The defenses below must be rostered in fifty percent or fewer of leagues. Obviously, elite units, like the Browns, are already rostered everywhere and will not be discussed as potential pickups.
Methodology and Eligibility
This shortlist centers on defenses that are likely on the waiver wire. Every option meets the rostered threshold of fifty percent or fewer. We also consider matchups and recent outcomes as we look at the potential options. The lens remains Week 6 streaming defenses only.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers sit 24th among fantasy team defenses. They are rostered in 45.9 percent of leagues. The week six matchup is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been the 30th “best” offense for fantasy defenses, which is favorable.
Green Bay comes off a bye. There is motivation after what was described as a slightly embarrassing tie against the Cowboys in week four. The recent –6 in ESPN standard scoring against Dallas drags the overall rank down. Without that game, the standing would look better.
The Bengals’ offensive line is called porous. Expect sacks to pile up. Pressure could force Jake Browning into poor decisions and interceptions. Cincinnati still has Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown. Even so, a Browning-led group feels less threatening. Among week 6 streaming defenses, this is a top pickup.
New England Patriots
New England is rostered in 41.7 percent of leagues. The most recent game brought three turnovers against a Josh Allen offense in Buffalo. One total sack was recorded, split between Milton Williams and Shannon Hawkins. That offense was described as the number one unit from a fantasy perspective against team defenses this year. New England locked it down.
Week six brings the New Orleans Saints, ranked 25th overall. The game is in New Orleans, which could be a letdown spot. The Saints beat the Giants, who were called not very good. Turnovers are hard to predict. However, more sacks are expected against Spencer Rattler than against Allen. Within week 6 streaming defenses, this looks like a strong start.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers rank 15th among team defenses. However, they are only rostered in 35.5 percent of leagues. Last week, they had a 27–10 loss to the Commanders. The defense’s production included one sack, six tackles for loss, and no interceptions or fumble recoveries.
However, Week 6 features a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Miami’s offense is ranked 20th and doesn’t have Tyreek Hill. He has not been at his past heights, but remains a dynamic threat. Without Hill, the Chargers can key in on the running backs. There is some concern about Darren Waller and his re-emergence. Although the Dolphins still remain fairly inefficient.
The expectation for the Chargers’ defense is stability rather than huge upside. The defense is good enough and has time to prepare. As Week 6 streaming defenses go, this is a steady play.
Dallas Cowboys
This defense is a desperation option for deeper formats. Dallas ranks 31st and is rostered in 4.1 percent of leagues. Their matchup this week is the Carolina Panthers, who are ranked 27th.
Last week’s 37–22 win over the Jets included late garbage-time points for New York. Dallas posted five sacks, six tackles for loss, three passes defended, and a forced fumble. The Panthers are a bad team, and there is life here for Dallas. This is not a high-profile choice. Still, among week 6 streaming defenses, there is sneaky potential.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville is the third-best scoring team defense so far in 2025. However, the Jaguars are rostered in only 17.8 percent of leagues. That availability is striking as they get ready to go against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Jaguars have racked up sacks with an awesome defensive line all year. Those splash plays have led to turnovers against all teams. The Seahawks’ tenth overall ranking is a little skewed by last week’s explosion of points against the Bucs. The Jaguars were able to slow the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Therefore, they should be able to slow the Seahawks.
Even if Seattle does put up a good game, the third-best scoring defense should not be on most wires. Among Week 6 streaming defenses, this is a safe add and start.
Defenses to Fade: Detroit Lions
The first defense to fade is the Detroit Lions. The Lions currently sit sixth in team defense scoring. Their Week 6 matchup is the Kansas City Chiefs, who are coming off a loss. This is a potential Super Bowl matchup, and the Chiefs should be angry. With Detroit sitting at 4-1 and the Chiefs at 2-3, the Chiefs are the more desperate team. This could mean a lot of points put up by their offense.
Starting a defense against Patrick Mahomes is always a little uncomfortable. If you only keep one defense, you might ride with Detroit. However, you can lower your expectations for them. For week 6 streaming defenses, there are better one-week options.
Defenses to Fade: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona ranks 11th in team defense scoring. However, their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, is the third-toughest offense to face for fantasy defenses. Last week, we suggested the Cardinals as a streamer against the Titans. It started off great, until they allowed sixteen unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
The Colts are currently red hot. Daniel Jones, aka Danny Dimes, is lighting up everyone, aside from one off week. With the Colts being this dynamic right now, the play is simple: avoid Arizona in Week 6.
Defenses to Fade: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are currently the 13th-ranked defense, right on the border of a typical starter in twelve-team leagues. The Falcons are also coming off a bye, which should have them well-rested and ready to perform. That also should have given them extra time to prepare for the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills had an off week against New England, scoring only 20 points. Therefore, in typical Josh Allen style, a bounce back with a vengeance is expected. Atlanta’s defense has scored well, but it does not have many players that opposing offenses need to fear at this point in their careers. You can find a much better option this week. It is fine to drop Atlanta and move on.
Final Thoughts
Week 6 streaming defenses begin with the Packers as the top add. Their matchup against The Bengals features a porous line and turnover potential. The Patriots follow after locking down Buffalo and now face a less intimidating Saints offense.
The Chargers offer stability against a Dolphins team adjusting without Tyreek Hill. The Cowboys present deep-league appeal thanks to a favorable Panthers matchup. The Jaguars, amazingly available, have produced like a top-three unit and face Seattle.
On the fade side, Detroit draws Kansas City in a marquee spot. Arizona faces a surging Indianapolis attack. Atlanta meets Buffalo and looks like an easy pass. Set those lineups and target week 6 streaming defenses that align with these matchup notes.
Thank you for reading this article from @IDP_Plus. This article was crafted with insights from the original podcast hosts, supported by AI tools, and shaped by our staff. For the full discussion and even more great content, be sure to check out the episode on YouTube. Follow the host @mrecord21 on the X!!
