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2025 Fantasy Football DST Start/Sit: Week 5

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cory Bonini | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 1:35 AM ET

Two Sundays ago was a wild one for fantasy defensive/special teams scoring, but it flatlined last week. Many of the matchups ahead are more inviting, and we should see a rebound in that regard.

As for bye weeks, all four teams are in the top 20 of fantasy scorers, including two of the 10 best. Thankfully, several viable options with positive matchups can be plucked from the wire.

Fantasy football owners frequently ask themselves, "Who do I start?" Trust our decades of expertise for precise matchup evaluations and adept player insights to give you the winning edge! Each week, we'll highlight some of the less obvious starters and contrast those bright spots with fantasy anchors who can sink your chances of coming away with a win.

More Fantasy Football Start/Sit Analysis

Week 5 Fantasy Football Start 'em: Defense/Special Teams

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

The Saints have several injuries along the offensive line, and tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle) is on the injury report as well. New Orleans has allowed nine sacks but only three turnovers so far, and the special teams unit gave up a return score. Eleven teams have applied more pressure than the Giants, and just two defenses have a higher QB knockdown percentage. New York also has the 10th-highest blitz rate, so something has to give eventually for the 12th-best (tied) sacking unit. Expect a breakout performance.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans

Simply put, Tennessee's offense is flailing mess. Entering Week 4, head coach Brian Callahan gave up the offensive play-calling chores, which resulted in being shut out 26-0. Yikes. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been sacked 17 times. This is the No. 3 matchup for fantasy success, and Arizona has posted the ninth-most fantasy points to date. At this point, for as much as it may be low-hanging fruit to include the Cardinals, play basically any defense against the Titans until further notice.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Sit 'em: Defense/Special Teams

New York Jets vs. Dallas Cowboys

For all of the issues Dallas has encountered a month into the season, the offense remains a poor fantasy matchup. Last week, Green Bay's scary pass rush mustered a lone sack. The offense has turned it over 1.5 times per game on the season. New York is tied for dead last in the league with six fantasy points posted, and this is the only defense without a takeaway through four weeks. Trust Dak Prescott will carve up this unit, even with a depleted receiving corps.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans

Baltimore has lost far too much talent on this side of the ball to matter even against a midtier offense with a shaky line. Houston has given up 2.5 sacks, on average, and five takeaways have been recorded by enemy defenses. Even if fully healthy, this year's Ravens defense hasn't been able record more than two sacks in any game, and there's just not enough pressure to feel comfortable the dice.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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