Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) is knocked down by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) as he gets a pass off in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.

They say defense wins championships, and that can be true in fantasy football as well. As the season progresses, a clearer picture is emerging about which defenses are among the elite in the NFL and which still require improvement. And when you look at the stats, it's easy to see which defenses are worth starting in your fantasy league, and which are worth sitting. Let's take a look at our picks on both sides for Week 5.

Start ’Em

Arizona Cardinals: So you could probably just pencil in whichever team plays the Tennessee Titans into one of these lists for the time being, but it just happens to be a particularly intriguing match-up this week. The Cardinals enter with the sixth-best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 18.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the Titans are still struggling mightily on offense, with the worst scoring offense in the league (12.8 points per game) and the second-worst offense in yards per game (210.5). The Cardinals also boast the tenth-best turnover differential in the NFL, while Tennessee has turned the ball over five times this season.Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings boast a top-ten team in the NFL in both yards allowed per game and scoring defense this season, and are also tied for fourth in the league with seven takeaways through four games. They face a mistake-prone Cleveland offense, which is tied for first in the NFL in turnovers with eight through four games. This is also the second-worst scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 14 points per game, and the sixth-worst team in offensive yards per game, with 279.8.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts play the Las Vegas Raiders this week, who are one of the teams tied with the Browns as the worst team in the NFL for total turnovers this season, due in large part to two games where Geno Smith has thrown three interceptions this season. The Colts have managed six takeaways themselves this season, four of those coming on interceptions. The Raiders are also a bottom-ten scoring offense.

Sit ’Em

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are the sixth-worst scoring defense in the NFL, giving up over 29 points per game. They will play the Detroit Lions this week, who happen to be the highest-scoring offense in the NFL right now, averaging 34.3 points per game. Jarrod Goff has been lighting it up for the Lions, throwing for nine touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.New York Jets: The Jets have the fourth-worst scoring defense in the NFL, giving up 30 points per game through four games. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are coming off a passing offense clinic that led to a thrilling 40-40 draw with the Green Bay Packers, and will be looking to get the bad taste of a tie game out of their mouths. The Cowboys have the top offense in total yards and the fifth-best scoring offense in the NFL.

New England Patriots: The Patriots are a very average defense in the grand scheme of things, but a 2-2 start does not have the team anywhere near the level of momentum it would like to have headed into an AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are the second-best scoring offense (33.3 points per game) and second-best total offense (404 yards per game) in the league and Josh Allen can shred a defense in fantasy football like no one's business. New England isn't as bad defensively as these other teams, but the safe bet is to sit their defense out this week.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 5: Defense Edition

Reporting by Joe Smith, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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