Streaming vs. Drafting Team Defenses
It’s that time of the season we all hate, the start of bye weeks. For those of you who have the Falcons, Broncos, Saints or Redskins as your team defense, this is the information you will need.
One of the most underrated variables in fantasy football is team defense. Last season, 13 of 17 weeks saw a different team finish as the #1 ranked fantasy defense. As a matter of fact, only 5 teams didn’t have a week where their defense didn’t rank in the top 10. This is one reason streaming a defense vs. drafting a defense is the better option.
The idea behind streaming a defense week to week is playing the best match up. Here are 5 defenses you can trust in Week 5 to be a viable fantasy option and should produce good value.
Philadelphia Eagles – 50% Owned
Only owned in roughly 50% of leagues the Eagles are a great stream in week 5. The Eagles get an Arizona Cardinals team that has given up the 3rd most fantasy points per week to defenses. Over the first 4 games of the season every defense has scored double digit points against the Cardinals. The last two weeks have seen the Cardinals offensive line give up 6 sacks per game. The Eagles will have their ears pinned back this week.
Cleveland Browns – 5% Owned
The Cleveland Browns are not typically the defense you want to start week to week. That being said, playing at home versus the Jets, this is the week you will want to start them. McCown is good for a few bad mistakes every week, and typically they turn into defensive points. Also, the Jets are giving up 3 sacks and 2 turnovers per game this season. I like this streaming match up.
Miami Dolphins – 15% Owned
So in case you haven’t heard, the Dolphins offense is bad. Fortunately the defense is not as bad. They only gave up 20 points last week to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. This week they host, potentially, a Mariota-less Tennessee Titans. Mariota won’t be able to be a run threat if he does go with the hamstring injury. If he can’t go it’s Matt Cassell at QB. Either way I like this play in week 5.
Chicago Bears – 1% Owned
I’m fully aware the Bears defense was torched last week by Green Bay, but that was on the road. This week they get a backup QB and a Dalvin Cook-less Minnesota Vikings at home. The last time the Bears played at home they held the Pittsburgh Steelers offense to 17 points and racked up double digit fantasy points. Last week the Vikings gave up 2 sacks and 3 fumbles. Look for the Bears to grab their first INT of the season this week.
Buffalo Bills – 30% Owned
How are the Buffalo Bills only owned in 30% of leagues? All they do is score double digit fantasy points. This week they get a juicy match up against the Cincinnati Bengals team that gives up the 4th most fantasy points to defenses. The Bengals have given up 14 sacks in the first 4 games of the season. Not to mention they have had a fumble in every game as well. The Bills are defensive animals, snagging 2 picks per game in 3 of the first 4 games and racking up 11 sacks. The Bengals offense is still not good and this is good news for Buffalo owners.
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