Rent-a-Defense: Week 5

Identifying waiver-wire defenses with favorable matchups that deserve a spot in your starting lineup this week and beyond.

Sigmund Bloom's Rent-a-Defense: Week 5 Sigmund Bloom Published 09/30/2025

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images waiver wire defenses

Week 4 Results

Houston (vs Tennessee) - 2 sacks, 1 INT, 0 pts allowed

Sure hope your scoring system gives a nice bonus for a shutout.

A Look Ahead: @BAL BYE @SEA - Speaking of bonuses, how does a game against Cooper Rush at quarterback with left tackle Ronnie Stanley sidelined sound?

Detroit (vs Cleveland) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 1 ST TD

The Lions harassed Joe Flacco as we expected (with some help from Flacco), and Kalif Raymond added a punt return touchdown as the cherry on top.

A Look Ahead: @CIN @KC TB - No way we are going away from the Lions in Week 5.

LA Chargers (at NY Giants) - 6 sacks

This wasn't a bust, as the Chargers' pass rush got home a lot against Jaxson Dart in his first start, but the rookie also made some plays, and the Giants' defense gave Justin Herbert a hard time in his first mediocre performance of the season.

A Look Ahead: WAS @MIA IND - Even with Marcus Mariota at quarterback, Washington has not been a good matchup for team defenses. Still, Week 6 against Miami could be promising if the Chargers play better this week.

Buffalo (vs New Orleans) - 3 sacks, 1 INT

The one interception was an ill-fated "Philly special" call at the goal line that Kellen Moore would surely wish to have back. The Saints have yet to give us a turnover or sack fest, and that's unlikely to happen anytime soon, with the running game getting a boost from Kendre Miller in Week 4 and Taysom Hill due back in the near future.

A Look Ahead: NE @ATL BYE - The Patriots offense recovered well after a turnover/sack fest against the Steelers, so we're not targeting them.

Chicago (at Las Vegas) - 1 fumble recovery, 3 INT

Geno Smith had his second downright terrible game of the season. We're only four games in. The Bears' D/ST has been a good play every week except when they've faced Detroit.

A Look Ahead: BYE @WAS NO - We will come back to the Bears when the matchup warrants it.

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

Jacksonville (at San Francisco) - 1 sack, 2 INT, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 ST TD

Parker Washington's punt return score made a great road performance by the Jaguars D/ST even better. They are at or near the top of every D/ST scoring leader list through four weeks.

Philadelphia (at Tampa Bay) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 ST TD

Sitting the Eagles D/ST because they were facing a good Bucs team on the road didn't work out, mostly because of a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

Pittsburgh (vs Minnesota - Ireland) - 6 sacks, 2 INT

The Vikings lost two offensive linemen during the game, and Carson Wentz saw what it was like to face a defense other than the Bengals.

Week 5 Candidates

 

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