Streaming Defense Week 8: A few fantasy D/ST options to consider this week, including an Indianapolis Colts team facing a struggling Denver Broncos squad.
BOOM!!! Called it!
The New York Giants were owned in less than 7% of leagues, were written as a bust across the board from several trustworthy fantasy football analysts, and were one of the most unlikely candidates to have a great outing last week. But your boy (me) knew better and would never steer you wrong (except with the second pick; the Texans suck).
Well, it didn’t take long for my prediction to come true. By the end of the first half, New York was rolling. A blocked kick led to a touchdown, and all those who trusted me were rewarded with a top 8 fantasy defense. That’s not bad for a team that was owned in less than 7% of leagues. For those who picked up any of my other streaming ideas, I apologize. In my defense (pun intended), I did mention that they were risky and might not work out for you.
For this week, I am avoiding the obvious choices. Green Bay, Seattle, and Pittsburg. If any of these teams are available in your league, start them with confidence. Most of them are owned in around 50 percent of leagues, so they are widely available and have great matchups. The streaming defenses in this article are owned in less than 20% of teams but do have a chance to be a top 10 defense. Only use these if the previously mentioned defenses are already taken.
Streaming Defense Week 8
Hear Me Roar: Detroit Lions
The Lions have been hot and cold all year on defense. They have come up with some great numbers, but have also been humiliated a couple of times. Last week I put them in as a potential streamer but warned of a potential bust. Minnesota had a great game, moving the ball well through the air and on the ground, making it difficult for the Lions to key in on one specific area of attack. At the end of the game, both teams did terrible defensively and it came down to an offensive shootout.
This week they have the New York Giants. Although they were a great streaming option last week, this week they are on the opposite end. The last three defenses to play them have scored double-digit fantasy points and the lowest any team has scored against them is five. They have a high ceiling and a high floor. The Lions are a streaming option that you can start with confidence.
Verdict: Over the past three games, Daniel Jones has turned over the ball 7 times. He has the ability to make plays but still makes bad decisions from time to time. To counter this, the Giants will try to feed Saquon Barkley as much as possible. This will allow the Lions to key in on the run game, forcing them to throw more than the Giants would like to, especially if Matthew Stafford keeps his offense rolling like he has the last few weeks. Although the Giants have looked good at times, and have a lot of playmakers, Jones is too inexperienced and with Matt Patricia stressing turnovers all season long, it is very likely that the Lions’ defense will have plenty of opportunities for forced fumbles/interceptions.
Prediction: PA: 20-24, Total Yards: 300-350, Sacks: 2, Fumbles: 1, Interceptions: 2, TD: 0, Fantasy Points: 10-15
I’m a Believer: Indianapolis Colts
If there is one team that I hate the most this year, it is the Colts. By all means, they should be on the losing side of most games, but they still find a way to win. Also, they are the only team that has beaten my predictions of quality defensive streaming options. I chose Texans (dumb), Kansas City (dumb), and Atlanta (dumber) to have decent outings against the Colts, figuring their offense could create enough of a lead to force Jacoby Brissett to throw more risky passes.
Well, that has not been the case. In fact, each of those games was controlled by the Colts and won by the Colts. Not only have they lowered my average points per defensive streaming option, but they have made me look stupid three times already. So, instead of hating on them, this week I am picking them.
Owned in less than 20% of leagues, this defense will most likely be available, even in the deepest of leagues. Over the past two weeks, they have faced some of the most aggressive and explosive teams in the league (the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans). Not only did they come out winning those matchups, they actually scored nine and eight points respectively. Against some of the top offenses in the league, that is not something to overlook.
With a struggling Denver up next, expect the Colts to control the ball once again, keeping the defense fresh, and limiting the effectiveness of the Bronco’s playmakers.
Verdict: Joe Flacco has thrown for an average of 200 yards over the last two games, zero touchdowns, and two turnovers. It is safe to say that he might not have much left in the tank. The Broncos do have some quality running backs, but not good enough to put the entire offense on their shoulders. This severely limits the number of points the Broncos can score and with the Colts controlling the ball and clock, expect a low-scoring game with the Broncos chasing points late.
Prediction: PA: 10-17, Total Yards: 250-300, Sacks: 3, Fumbles: 1, Interceptions: 1, TD: 0, Fantasy Points: 8-13
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