Player Spotlight: Streaming D/ST Week 10
Week nine was a great success for three teams recommended last week. The Ravens, Chargers, and Dolphins were the top three defenses for the week. Nice! This was, of course, helped by four touchdowns between the three defenses, but that does not matter. Results are all that matters. Which brings us to the Titans. Whoops. San Diego decided to not turn the ball over for the first time in six weeks, and allowed only one sack. Hopefully, you tried the other three options, or the surprisingly decent Saints play, as they had four points against the 49ers, thanks to four turnovers, to tie for 14th in fantasy points last week.
That is all well and good, but it is now week 10, and with it four different teams are on bye. If you do not want to stream anymore, an option that may be on waivers coming off the bye is the New England Patriots. They do not have a great match up this week facing Seattle, but they have games at San Francisco, at New York Jets, against Los Angeles, against Baltimore, at Denver, and against the New York Jets to close out the season. That is an outstanding schedule right there. With that, let’s get to our streaming options! This week, I am stretching the rule so that all defenses are under 60 percent owned in ESPN leagues are counted, with teams coming off bye and the parity in ownership growing. As a reminder, stats are based off of ESPN Standard scoring.
Baltimore Ravens hosting the Cleveland Browns
This one is probably a cheat, because they are most likely over 50 percent owned after waivers clear Wednesday, but needless to say the Ravens are a great play this week. They are at home, against Cleveland, on a Thursday Night. The Browns are 25th in fantasy points allowed to defenses, the Ravens are fifth in fantasy scoring for defenses, and it is a divisional match-up. Definite top play this week.
New York Jets hosting the Los Angeles Rams
The Jets, streaming targets in their own right, face the equally target-able Rams at home. Teams traveling east for an early game usually do not perform as well. And it is the Rams. Los Angeles is 31st in fantasy points allowed to defenses and has just one game where they allowed less than seven fantasy points. The Jets are a great play this week.
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is 28th in fantasy points allowed to defenses and has allowed seven, yes seven, touchdowns to opposing defenses and special teams. Green Bay has one of the premier rushing defenses, and is facing a run-oriented team. The Packers should be able to control this game, get some turnovers, and turn in a top fantasy score for defenses.
If you are feeling desperate….
Los Angeles Rams at the New York Jets
The reason the Rams are in this section and not above is that they are traveling for an early game, which usually has a negative effect on west coast teams. The flip side to that is they get to face Ryan Fitzpatrick, whose middle name might as well be turnover. The Jets rank dead last in fantasy points allowed to defenses thanks to Mr. Fitzpatrick and his wonderful interceptions. A few sacks and a couple of picks would make the Rams a great play, and is entirely in the realm of possibilities.
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
The Falcons have scored positive points every week since week three, which is not a ringing endorsement, but they have not killed anyone that has used them. With the Eagles struggling and allowing 13 sacks and nine turnovers the last five weeks, the Falcons, who have 16 sacks the last five weeks, should be able to take advantage and score some points for those desperate and willing enough to start them.
If you want to discuss further options for streaming defenses, or anything else, just hit me up on the Fantasy Life App. My user name is @jmarin on the app, and you can usually find me in the FL OG Podcast chat.
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