Player Spotlight: Streaming D/ST Week 11
Last week’s defenses were a bit of a mixed bag, as the Ravens, Jets and Rams were all top 10, but the Packers and Falcons were bottom five. Tennessee looks like a team we can no longer target, as they have not been turning the ball over as much and they are simply on fire offensively. The Falcons were just unlucky that the Eagles got their act together and did not turn the ball over as well.
The defenses scoring in the top 12 this past week highlighted the volatility of the position and that spending draft capital on a good defense is not necessary. Nine of the top 14 defenses (four teams tied for 11th) were owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues before the week began. The number one defense was the Buccaneers, owned in less than seven percent of leagues.
As a reminder, all scoring is based on ESPN standard scoring. This is the last week of byes for 30 of the teams, as Tennessee and Cleveland still have a ridiculously late week 13 bye to go. Defenses are owned in less than 50 percent of leagues before waivers process. In a couple of cases this week, the ownership jumped significantly afterwards, which will be discuss. On to this weeks streamers!
New York Giants hosting the Chicago Bears
People are already on the train for this one, as ownership shot up from 41.3 percent to just under 70 percent in the last day. Chicago is a mess right now, as Alshon Jeffery is suspended for four games, and Jordan Howard is injured and may not play. Not to mention Jay Cutler is, well, Jay Cutler. The Giants defense has stepped it up lately, and Chicago is 24th in fantasy points allowed to defenses. Would not be surprised if the Giants have the top scoring defense this week.
Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Rams
The Dolphins make another appearance here, and with good reason. Always start the defense facing the Rams. The Dolphins are the other team whose ownership jumped significantly the last day, as they were owned in less than 11 percent of leagues before waivers, but now are owned in just over 57 percent of leagues. In case the Giants are owned already, look for Miami. On top of facing the team that is 31st in fantasy points allowed to defenses, Miami has scored 44 points the last four weeks. The team has been playing well behind Jay Ajayi’s running, and the defense has stepped up as well.
Detroit Lions hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars
Breaking news! This just in! Blake Bortles is horrible! Oh wait, that isn’t news. For anyone who looks beyond the box scores, this is a known fact. Bortles digs himself into a hole more often than not, and then tries frantically to unbury himself late. This has led to a turnover in every game except one, and multiple turnovers in all but three games. The Jags are 27th in fantasy points allowed to defenses, and have averaged 2.5 giveaways in away games. Detroit should have a good game against the struggling Jaguars.
If you are feeling desperate….
Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Browns
The other team you want to target to start your defense against is the Browns. Cleveland is 29th in fantasy points allowed to defenses, and has allowed defenses to score six or more points every game except two. Pittsburgh’s defense has been shaky, but the Browns are always a good remedy for that.
Oakland Raiders “hosting” the Houston Texans
The Raiders are playing a “home” game in Mexico this week, and the Texans are coming to town. The Raiders defense has been playing better of late, scoring 20 points the last three weeks after scoring a total of four points the first six weeks. Coming off the bye, they should be refreshed to tackle the team that is 25th in fantasy points allowed to defenses and had less than 100 yards passing last week. What happens when two weaknesses try to take advantage of each other? I guess we will find out, but my money is on the Raiders having a good fantasy day.
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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