If you’re someone who celebrates tradition and enjoys the defensive mayhem that can occur on a football field, then fantasy football doesn’t often reward you.

While defense may win championships in real life, that side of the football is usually nothing more than a thorn in your side in fantasy.

However, there’s ample evidence that picking the right defense/special teams for your fantasy squad can help win a title.

In 2024, the top-scoring defense in fantasy football – the Denver Broncos – would’ve been a top-25 wide receiver in half-PPR formats.. 

Will that remain the case in 2025?

Here’s a look at USA TODAY’s fantasy D/ST rankings.

FANTSASY FOOTBALL 2025: Complete staff rankings | Printable cheat sheets

2025 fantasy football D/ST rankings

1.Denver Broncos

• 2024 stats: 63 sacks, 15 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, five touchdowns, two safeties | 179 fantasy points (1st)

Despite a difficult division and a middle-of-the-road schedule, the Broncos maintain their hold on the top spot until proven otherwise. They were fantasy’s best unit in 2024 and added talent in the offseason. With the Titans and Colts on tap to start the season, Denver can get out to a hot start. Couple that with a favorable schedule for the fantasy playoffs, including two matchups at home, and there is recipe for success.

2. Houston Texans

• 2024 stats: 49 sacks, 19 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, three touchdowns, one safety | 139 fantasy points (5th)

The Texans benefit from playing in a division that will feature a rookie quarterback in Tennessee and a situation in Indianapolis that will have defensive coordinators salivating. An aggressive DeMeco Ryans defense should only make life more difficult, especially after adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the fold. They can challenge for the best fantasy D/ST of 2025.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

• 2024 stats: 41 sacks, 13 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries, one touchdown | 132 fantasy points (T7th)

Philly lost Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and Darius Slay, but is littered with talent across the board. After a dominant Super Bowl performance, there is more than enough here to continue their strong play.

4. Baltimore Ravens

• 2024 stats: 54 sacks, 12 interceptions, five fumble recoveries, two touchdowns | 118 fantasy points (11th)

The Ravens are the fast food of the fantasy D/ST realm. It’s consistent and you know exactly what you’re getting. Sometimes they’re better than expected, but it’s never bad enough to prevent you from coming back. That counts for something.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

• 2024 stats: 40 sacks, 17 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, two touchdowns | 140 fantasy points (4th)

Another fantasy staple, Pittsburgh has gone all-in for 2025. T.J. Watt’s contract dispute ended before it became an issue and the secondary got an upgrade in Jalen Ramsey. Coming off another top-five finish in 2024, this remains one of the more consistent units to trust in fantasy.

6. Minnesota Vikings

• 2024 stats: 49 sacks, 19 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, three touchdowns, one safety | 139 fantasy points (2nd)

Brian Flores runs an aggressive defense, but J.J. McCarthy being an unknown could put this unit in some tough spots this season. Some key departures mean they’re likely to take a step back, but not by much. Still, this isn’t a D/ST for the risk averse.

7. Buffalo Bills

• 2024 stats: 39 sacks, 16 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, three touchdowns | 133 fantasy points (6th)

The Bills are favored in every game of the 2025 season, meaning they should have plenty of positive game scripts to work with. After forcing 32 turnovers last season, there is no reason to believe a repeat isn’t in store, especially since the Bills are no stranger to repeating history.

8. Seattle Seahawks

• 2024 stats: 45 sacks, 13 interceptions, five fumble recoveries, five touchdowns, one safety | 132 fantasy points (T7th)

This team is almost unrecognizable, resembling a group thrown together by the computer in the fifth season of a Madden franchise mode. Yet that is more on the offensive side of the ball as Mike Macdonald’s team finished as DST7 in 2024. Having added even more pieces this offseason, things are looking up on young Macdonald’s farm.

9. New York Jets

• 2024 stats: 43 sacks, seven interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, one touchdown | 93 fantasy points (19th)

The Jets defense took a step back in 2024, but should benefit from the return of Jermaine Johnson and the addition of Aaron Glenn as head coach. With a team that projects to run the ball and control the clock, their defense should be on the field a lot less in 2025 – creating an all-around more effective unit, even with the question mark that is their offense.

10. Green Bay Packers

• 2024 stats: 45 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, one touchdown | 144 fantasy points (3rd)

How high is the Packers’ defensive ceiling with the addition of standout linebacker Micah Parsons? The team that was second in the NFL last season in fumble recoveries now has perhaps the ultimate chaos-creator. If they continue forcing turnovers anywhere close to last year’s rate, this unit has a real chance to break into fantasy’s top five.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football rankings 2025: Top 10 defense, special teams