Eric Samulski's Week 6 DST Rankings: Top Tiers and Streaming Targets for the ...

As the 2025 NFL season enters its crucial sixth week, fantasy football managers are meticulously analyzing their rosters for a competitive edge, with the Defense and Special Teams (DST) position proving to be a key differentiator. In his latest analysis for NBC Sports, published on October 7, 2025, fantasy expert Eric Samulski has released his comprehensive Week 6 DST rankings, providing guidance on which units to trust and which streaming options could lead to victory.

Samulski's report moves beyond simple reputation, diving deep into weekly matchups, opponent weaknesses, and underlying defensive metrics to identify the teams best positioned for a top-scoring fantasy performance. The analysis emphasizes the modern strategy of "streaming," where managers pick up and play defenses based on favorable weekly matchups rather than sticking with a single, highly-drafted unit for the entire season.

Samulski’s breakdown for Week 6 highlights a clear hierarchy of defensive units. At the top, elite defenses facing struggling offenses are presented as premium plays. For instance, the Denver Broncos are identified as a strong option, benefiting from a high pressure rate and a matchup against a New York Jets offense that has been generous to opposing fantasy defenses, allowing an average of 8.2 points per game.

Similarly, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been a surprisingly consistent fantasy unit, are noted for leading the NFL in turnover rate and facing an offense that could be susceptible to their opportunistic play style. Samulski's analysis provides fantasy managers with a clear rationale for starting these top-tier defenses with confidence, pointing to specific statistical advantages and opponent tendencies that create a high-floor, high-ceiling scenario for fantasy scoring through sacks, turnovers, and limited points allowed.

Beyond the premier options, the true value in Samulski's weekly column lies in the identification of streaming candidates—defenses that are widely available on the waiver wire but are poised for a strong performance. The Indianapolis Colts are featured prominently in this category for Week 6.

The report notes that the Colts' defense has been effective, ranking 4th in the NFL in turnover rate, and now faces an Arizona Cardinals team that gives up the 9th-most fantasy points to opposing DSTs. This focus on streaming is critical for managers who didn't invest a high draft pick in a defense, allowing them to exploit favorable situations week-to-week.

The strategy hinges on targeting offenses that are turnover-prone, have poor offensive line play, or are dealing with injuries to key players, a methodology that Samulski effectively details in his weekly rankings. The Los Angeles Rams are another team mentioned as a viable streamer, particularly if the opposing Baltimore Ravens are resting key players or are without their starting quarterback.

• Background on DST Streaming: The strategy of streaming defenses has become a cornerstone of modern fantasy football. In the past, managers often drafted a top defense early and started them every week.
• However, analysis has shown that weekly matchups are a far better predictor of fantasy success than a defense's reputation. Factors like playing a turnover-prone rookie quarterback or an offense with a weak offensive line can turn a mediocre real-life defense into a top-tier fantasy option for that specific week.
• Key Stakeholders and Interests: The primary audience for these rankings is the millions of fantasy football managers seeking a competitive advantage. Their interest is in leveraging expert analysis to make informed waiver wire pickups and lineup decisions.
• The analysis directly impacts NFL teams and players, as their on-field performance—sacks, interceptions, and points allowed—translates into the fantasy points that determine these rankings. Publications like NBC Sports serve as the platform connecting the expert analysis with the engaged audience.
• Expert's Methodology: Eric Samulski's analysis is rooted in a variety of metrics that go beyond basic points allowed. His rankings consistently reference advanced stats such as quarterback pressure rate, turnover rate, opponent's scoring rate, and EPA (Expected Points Added) per play allowed.
• This data-driven approach aims to identify defenses that are playing well on the field in ways that translate directly to fantasy points, such as creating havoc in the backfield and forcing turnovers.
• Waiver Wire Implications: A detailed rankings column from a trusted source like NBC Sports can significantly influence the fantasy football landscape for the week. Defenses identified as top streaming targets, such as the Indianapolis Colts or Green Bay Packers, often see a major spike in their ownership percentages as managers rush to the waiver wire to claim them.
• This creates a competitive environment where proactive managers who anticipate these trends gain an advantage.
• Spotlight on a Top-Tier Defense: The Jacksonville Jaguars are presented as a top unit in Week 6, a status earned through consistent high-level performance. Samulski notes they have not scored fewer than seven fantasy points in any week and lead the entire NFL in turnover rate.
• Despite some skepticism about their ability to maintain this pace, their proven opportunism and strong underlying metrics, like ranking 3rd in EPA per play allowed, make them an irresponsible fade against most opponents.
• Spotlight on a Streaming Target: The Green Bay Packers are highlighted as a prime streaming candidate for Week 6. Coming off a bye week, their roster percentage may be lower than it should be, creating an opportunity for savvy managers.
• The analysis points to their favorable matchup against a struggling Cincinnati Bengals offense, which is ranked 32nd against opposing fantasy defenses. This makes the Packers a high-upside play available in many leagues.
• Defenses to Approach with Caution: The analysis also implicitly warns managers against starting good defenses in bad matchups. For example, a team like the Kansas City Chiefs, while talented, might be ranked lower in a week where they face a high-powered offense like the Buffalo Bills that protects the quarterback and doesn't turn the ball over.
• This reinforces the core principle of streaming: the opponent matters more than the name on the jersey.
• Timeline of the Fantasy Week: These rankings are strategically published on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. This timing is crucial, as it allows fantasy managers to digest the information before the most common waiver wire processing time on Wednesday mornings.
• This gives them the necessary data to place claims on recommended streaming defenses and make informed lineup decisions well ahead of the Sunday games.