Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

Defense is key, both for NFL teams on the gridiron and your fantasy football team. But it can be hard to evaluate which NFL defense you should start on your team week in and week out. Luckily, we have some answers for you. Here are our best picks for which defenses to start and which to sit in Week 7 in your fantasy football league.

Start Em'

New England Patriots: The Patriots’ defense struggled against the Saints in the fantasy realm, but they face off with the Titans this week -- who allow 12.5 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season while fielding one of the worst offenses in the league on the field. Not to mention, the Titans just had their head coach fired last week. New England feels like a safe bet here.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have had a difficult schedule this season, which might be why their fantasy defense only averages 5.8 points per game so far this season. But they play the Las Vegas Raiders, who have given up 10 points per game to fantasy defenses over the last four weeks. The Raiders have also suffered from poor quarterback play and are missing key offensive linemen. The Chiefs have the fifth-best pressure rate in the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers get the Bengals this week, who have had an absolutely lifeless offense and have struggled to do much of anything since Joe Burrow was lost for the season due to injury. The Bengals will face an older and more immobile quarterback in Joe Flacco this week, while the Steelers rank third in turnover rate and ninth in pressure rate in the NFL. Sounds like a setup for a strong performance.

Sit Em'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have performed well in recent weeks both in real life and in fantasy football, but this weekend isn't a great matchup. The Lions allow the second-fewest fantasy points from opposing defenses, are the bottom five teams in turnovers, and have a pretty elite offensive line, particularly in pass protection. The Bucs’ defense might see its fantasy magic come to an end this week.

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals play the Packers -- another team among the bottom five in the NFL in turnovers. They are also in the bottom ten of the league in fantasy points allowed per game. Arizona has also had very few strong fantasy performances this season on defense.

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders have struggled significantly on all sides of the ball this year, and don't expect their defense to fare much better than their offense against a Kansas City offense featuring Pat Mahomes and some elite skill pieces.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Defense Edition

Reporting by Joe Smith, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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