:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65375409/1172255461.jpg.0.jpg)
Part of these weekly rankings is getting pretty easy as the Patriots continue to reduce opposing offenses to quivering messes. This is not going to stop in Week 5 as the latest cupcake to face the New England defense is a Washington team currently ranked 29th in offense. The Giants were the top scoring fantasy defense in Week 4 against Washington and they had been a bottom three outfit before then so all bets are off that the Patriots dominate as well.
The rankings have been updated with the latest owned percentage (from ESPN) so you can see the teams you’re most likely to be able to find on the waiver wire this week, though obviously if you’ve already got ‘em, then start ‘em.
Note: Lions and Dolphins on bye week.
Week 5 Defense Rankings
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
| 1 | Patriots | @ Redskins | 96.9% | Number 1 defense in fantasy and 'real' football, the Patriots keep rolling |
| 2 | Bears | @ Raiders | 98.9% | The Bears defense is as elite as they come and will make this trip to London ugly for the Raiders |
| 3 | Titans | vs Bills | 47.2% | With or without Josh Allen suiting up for the Bills, the Titans defense are a fantasy must start |
| 4 | Buccaneers | @ Saints | 3.1% | The Saints offense is ugly without Drew Brees and the Bucs are riding high after their win over the Rams |
| 5 | Vikings | @ Giants | 90.6% | The Vikings show Daniel Jones what an elite defense can do to a rookie quarterback |
| 6 | Bills | @ Titans | 78.9% | Its going to be a rough day for Marcus Mariota against a top 3 pass defense |
| 7 | Rams | @ Seahawks | 96.9% | The Bucs loss was rough but the Rams get back on track in a big NFC West match up |
| 8 | 49ers | vs Browns | 26.9% | The 49ers have been strong against the pass and run in 2019 and bring it to the Browns in week 5 |
| 9 | Cowboys | vs Packers | 44.9% | Dallas exploit the misfiring Packers offense |
| 10 | Eagles | vs Jets | 42.2% | With Sam Darnold still set to sit out, the undermanned Eagles defense smothers the Jets |
| 11 | Chargers | vs Broncos | 93.4% | Chargers overcome injuries to dominate an average Broncos offense |
| 12 | Panthers | vs Jaguars | 30.2% | The Panthers give Gardner Minshew his toughest test but need to toughen up against the run |
| 13 | Texans | vs Falcons | 34.5% | The Falcons have been poor and face a tough match up in Houston |
| 14 | Seahawks | vs Rams | 43.3% | A better defense at home than on the road but the Rams offense remains a massive threat |
| 15 | Cardinals | @ Bengals | 1.6% | The Bengals are a bottom 3 offense and the Cardinals exploit a poor offensive line |
| 16 | Packers | @ Cowboys | 60.1% | The Packers have struggled massively against the run but can get after Dak Prescott |
| 18 | Browns | @ 49ers | 33.5% | The Browns have been above average against the run and pass but may struggle against a good 49ers offense |
| 19 | Saints | vs Buccaneers | 61.0% | Better in fantasy terms than in real football, the Saints may struggle against a high flying Bucs passing game |
| 20 | Jets | @ Eagles | 8.5% | Good before the bye, can the Jets pick up against an improving Eagles offense? |