Streaming Defense Week 12

Streaming Defense Week 12: A few fantasy D/ST options to consider this week and next, including a Lions defense matched up perfectly to excel against the Redskins.

At this point in the season, streaming defenses becomes more about what is happening with each team than the ability they possess.

For example, if a team already has the divisional playoffs locked up (which usually hasn’t happened yet), they might not commit to playing their studs the entire game. If a team has already lost out on the playoffs, they might be willing to give some rookies an opportunity to play, evaluating them for next year.

To pick quality streaming options, most of the time you look at matchups between the players. But for the next couple weeks, including the playoffs where streaming top options is a necessity since most players have stopped caring, leaving a lot of available options, I will be looking more at the coaching matchups. The mindset of the coach will be a much bigger determination factor than the actual team itself.

I’ve Said it Before: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have been featured as one of my streaming options for a few weeks this season. Although they have had some terrible showings, they have come through and put up decent numbers should the matchup be good. The Washington Redskins fit that bill.

Over the past five weeks (excluding the Miami Dolphins who are the Miami Dolphins), they have almost five sacks per game, two turnovers, and scored an average of 10 points per game resulting in fantasy defenses averaging twelve points against them. It is fair to say that this is one of the safest and obvious choices, but yet for some reason, the Lions are owned in less than 10% of leagues.

Maybe people are wary of their previous performance or the fact that Matthew Stafford is not playing. Actually, it is interesting to know that Washington is still owned in over 30% of leagues, a significant amount above Detroit. But the team to have is clearly the Lions and here’s why:

Coach Matt Patricia does not have a lot going for him right now. His season did not end up the way he thought it would, his starting quarterback is injured, and he is most likely on the shortlist for coaches who might get fired this year.

Coming from New England, the Lions were hoping to get some of that Belichick magic. Unfortunately, those hopes have not come to fruition (actually, seemingly most of the coaches coming from Bill Belichick don’t do that well). This will be the second year in a row the Lions will have a sub .500 record. Not good news for Matt Patricia. But there is still some hope.

If Matt Patricia can win the next couple of games (which they should have a chance) and steal one from Minnesota or Green Bay, they will end the year just over .500 which will be impressive, given the fact that they don’t have Matthew Stafford.

Unfortunately for Patricia, he wasn’t brought over for his expertise in offense, being the defensive coordinator for the Patriots. So it is now time to show what he can do. If he can put together a winning season based on his defense, there is reason to keep him around. Because of this, I think this week his defense will be more than ready to put up great numbers against a terrible Redskins team.

Verdict: The Lions have done terrible stopping the run and pass this season. They have had very little interceptions and barely any defensive touchdowns. But there is one category where they shine: fumble recoveries. They are forth in the league with fumble recoveries and I believe that number is going to grow this week.

With the Washington Redskins starting Dwayne Haskins, there is a chance for some rookie mistakes as well. Lastly, this will be a low scoring game with minimal yardage on both sides of the ball, which is always a plus when streaming defenses. Throw in some unproven quarterbacks and there is always a chance for pick-six plays; hopefully, though, they go in Detroit’s favor.

Prediction: PA: 7-14, Total Yards: 200-250, Sacks: 2, Fumbles: 2, Interceptions: 1, TD: 1, Fantasy Points: 14-20

Week 13 Streaming Options: Packers vs Giants, Jets vs Cincinnati