Week 4 of the NFL season is upon us, and bye weeks are finally beginning to take place. This week, the Green Bay Packers, who’ve massively underperformed, and perhaps the surprise defense of the year — Philadelphia — will take its bye week.
Fantasy football rankings, 2016: Defense/special teams for Week 4
The SB Nation fantasy team reveals which defense/special teams rank in the top 25 heading into Week 4.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
As you’ll see, the Broncos are essentially a consensus No. 1 defense this week, despite being on the road — albeit against an exploitable offense in Tampa Bay. The other usual suspects — Seattle, Houston, and Arizona — are right in the thick of things with matchups at the Jets, at home to Tennessee, and against the Rams at home, respectively.
After a strong performance last week against Cam Newton and the Panthers, the Vikings’ defense is finally getting the recognition they deserve. Minnesota held Cam Newton and Co. to 10 points while intercepting the product of Auburn three times and sacking him eight times. The Vikings also recorded a safety.
If you’re looking for a streaming option this week, look no further than Washington, who will welcome Cleveland to FedEx Field. The streaming options relatively drop off after Washington, but Cincinnati, the Jets, and Buffalo deserve some recognition going up against Miami (home), Seattle (home), and New England (away), respectively. Also, don’t underestimate Baltimore, who are welcoming a West Coast Oakland Raiders team for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
Defense/special teams, Week 4
(ZS: Zach Senvisky, JM: Jason Marcum, AP: Adam Patrick, SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, KB: Kyle Bennett, DG: Derek Gordon)
| Rk | Consensus | Opp. | ZS | JM | AP | SK | JG | KB | DG |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | @ TB | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Houston Texans | vs. TEN | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks | @ NYJ | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| 4 | Arizona Cardinals | vs. LA | 2 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| 5 | Minnesota Vikings | vs. NYG | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | @ ATL | 5 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| 7 | New England Patriots | vs. BUF | 7 | 5 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 8 | Cincinnati Bengals | vs. MIA | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| 9 | New York Jets | vs. SEA | 10 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 9 |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | vs. OAK | 8 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 10 | |
| 11 | Washington | vs. CLE | 23 | 20 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 20 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh Steelers | vs. KC | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
| 13 | Buffalo Bills | @ NE | 14 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 11 | ||
| 14 | Detroit Lions | @ CHI | 22 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 13 |
| 15 | Kansas City Chiefs | @ PIT | 15 | 15 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| 16 | Los Angeles Rams | @ ARI | 11 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
| 17 | Indianapolis Colts | @ JAC | 13 | 21 | 4 | 20 | 9 | 20 | |
| 18 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | vs. DEN | 19 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| 19 | Jacksonville Jaguars | vs. IND | 21 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| 19 | New York Giants | @ MIN | 16 | 14 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 24 | 16 |
| 21 | Dallas Cowboys | @ SF | 20 | 24 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 21 | 24 |
| 22 | Tennessee Titans | @ HOU | 18 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 18 |
| 23 | Oakland Raiders | @ BAL | 17 | 22 | 21 | 21 | -- | 25 | -- |
| 24 | Miami Dolphins | @ CIN | -- | 25 | -- | 17 | -- | 14 | 25 |
| 25 | Atlanta Falcons | vs. CAR | 25 | -- | 18 | -- | 19 | -- | -- |
| 25 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. DAL | -- | -- | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
| -- | Cleveland Browns | @ WAS | 24 | -- | 20 | -- | 20 | -- | -- |
| -- | New Orleans Saints | @ SD | -- | -- | 19 | -- | 21 | -- | -- |
| -- | San Diego Chargers | vs. NO | -- | 23 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 21 |
| -- | Chicago Bears | vs. DET | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 23 |
