Week 2 Exempt Wire Watch

The 2025 NFL season has kicked off, bringing fantasy football along with it. For many managers, deciding on Defense/Special Teams (D/ST) can be crucial each week. With that said, we’re here to help you navigate your options for the second week.

As we look ahead, let’s explore some D/ST choices worth considering off the exemption wire. We define exemptions as those who have been picked up in about 40% of leagues.

Los Angeles Rams D/ST (16%)

The Rams’ defense played catch-up during their season opener against the Houston Texans, ultimately clinching a narrow 14-9 victory. In a tense moment, linebacker Nate Landman forced a fumble from Dare Ogunbowale, with Braden Fiske recovering it. This was the second turnover for the Rams, who also sacked CJ Stroud three times, scoring a total of 11 points for fantasy managers that week. They have a favorable matchup in Week 2, going up against the struggling Tennessee Titans.

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (15.2%)

In a surprising turn, the Colts dominated the Miami Dolphins with a 33-8 win. Their defense harassed Tua Tagovailoa all game long, delivering three sacks and two interceptions, racking up 13 fantasy points. Tyreek Hill was clearly frustrated by how thoroughly the Colts shut them down. Looking ahead, the Colts face the Denver Broncos, who turned the ball over three times in their opener. Given that both teams ranked among the top fantasy defenses last week, it may hinge on which side can perform better.

Las Vegas Raiders D/ST (4.6%)

The Raiders started their season on a high note with a 20-13 win over the New England Patriots. Four players managed to sack quarterback Drake May, contributing to a solid 10 fantasy points with several interceptions and forced fumbles. They’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers next, and if they can maintain pressure on Justin Herbert, another strong performance could be in the cards.