Rent-A-Defense: Week 15

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 15 Sigmund Bloom Published 12/09/2025

© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images waiver wire defenses

Week 14 Results

Cleveland (vs Tennessee) - 1 sack, 1 INT

At least the one sack went to Myles Garrett. The Browns couldn't corral Tony Pollard on two long touchdown runs and gave up short fields via turnovers and a blocked punt.

A Look Ahead: @CHI BUF PIT - We'll wish Garrett the best in his quest for the single-season sack record and send him and his D/ST on their way.

Tampa Bay (vs New Orleans) - 3 sacks, 1 INT

This game was played in monsoon conditions at times and on a sloppy surface, but that didn't stop Tyler Shough from breaking away for two touchdown runs. Devin Neal was somewhat effective as a runner, and the Bucs were in a dogfight the whole way.

A Look Ahead: ATL @CAR @MIA - Kirk Cousins is still a quarterback we want to target with our rent-a-defense, so the Bucs stay in Week 15 consideration.

Philadelphia (at LA Chargers) - 7 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT

The Eagles' pass rush took advantage of the Chargers' backup tackles and harassed Justin Herbert all night. It still wasn't good enough to win on a night to forget for Jalen Hurts

A Look Ahead: LV @WAS @BUF - We're still riding the Eagles D/ST in Week 15 and probably Week 16 too.

LA Rams (at Arizona) - 3 sacks, 1 INT

Jacoby Brissett was actually hanging in for most of the first half, and then he ended up facing a garbage-time defense in the fourth quarter again. You should still play the Texans D/ST against him in Week 15.

A Look Ahead: DET @SEA @ATL - Picking on Kirk Cousins in Week 17 could pay off, but we aren't using the Rams in Week 15 or 16.

Jacksonville (vs Indianapolis) - 1 safety, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT

Daniel Jones left this game with a torn Achilles. Riley Leonard put up more fight than expected, but the Jaguars still won easily and posted a nice fantasy D/ST game along the way.

A Look Ahead: NYJ @DEN @IND - The Jaguars defense will face UDFA Brady Cook, or a gimpy Justin Fields, who missed Week 14 with knee soreness, or a gimpy Tyrod Taylor, who left Week 14 with a groin injury. Yes, please.

Baltimore (vs Pittsburgh) - Nada. Zilch. Bupkis.

Old Man Rodgers found his game in Week 14 and (along with Mark Andrews playing defensive back in the end zone on fourth down with the game on the line) helped the Steelers get back in the division lead with his veteran presence that frustrated the Ravens' defense.

A Look Ahead: @CIN NE @GB - The Ravens defense will wish that they were facing Rodgers during this stretch.

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

Miami (at New York Jets) - 6 sacks, 3 INT

The team is saving Mike McDaniel's job, and not just the running game.

Minnesota (vs Washington) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 0 pts allowed

The Vikings' defense has been good again since Andrew Van Ginkel returned. In this one, he picked off a Jayden Daniels screen pass, and Daniels aggravated his elbow injury defending the return. The Vikings' defense finally had a big game with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback.

Los Angeles Chargers (vs Philadelphia) - 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 4 INT

A candidate for the worst game of Jalen Hurts' career. Not only did he throw a game-ending interception in overtime, Hurts was also the first player in NFL history to commit two turnovers on the same play, when he was picked off by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, only to watch Will Shipley force a fumble, pick up the fumble, and then have Jamaree Caldwell force another fumble, that was recovered by Troy Dye. At least the Shipley gave the Eagles D/ST a boost.

Buffalo (vs Cincinnati) - 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD

The Bills' defense was not putting up much resistance to Joe Burrow until Burrow shotputted two short throws in the fourth quarter that got tipped and intercepted - one for a touchdown by Christian Benford. If the Bengals had been able to stop Josh Allen on third and 15, Burrow still would have had a chance to win the game.

Detroit (vs Dallas) - 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT

The Lions' defense seems to play their best when the team's back is against the wall. Playing with the lead against the porous Cowboys defense, CeeDee Lamb left with a concussion, and bad George Pickens surfaced to contribute to an interception, helping matters.

Week 15 Candidates

**Houston, Denver, and Seattle are assumed to be rostered**

Philadelphia (vs Las Vegas)

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