DFS Army’s Gthom goes over the defenses to stream this week. The defenses to stream listed below are normally found in at least 40-percent of leagues (prior to waivers).
We continue to suggest winning defenses, five weeks in a row we have had a top-3 finisher! Last week our picks struggled as a whole and averaged a measly 4.6-FPPG. Despite this we nailed down THE best streaming option: Kansas City’s D/ST. The Chiefs defense scored 15 fantasy points and finished second overall at the position for Week 14.
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Dec 11, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs D/ST @ Houston Texans
Available in 36% of Sleeper Leagues
The Chiefs travel to Houston and it is the easiest plug-and-play stream for defenses this week. Since Week 4, the Texans have allowed a top 12 defense against them in seven of their last ten games. The poor play for Houston is also confirmed by seeing they have allowed 5.4 fantasy points above expectation, worst in the league since Week 4.
The Texans looked better on offense last week against the Cowboys, thus streaming against Houston may not be the ceiling-play it has been of late. Nevertheless, the Chiefs should provide a solid floor and have a shot at 15-plus fantasy points.
Vikings D/ST vs Indianapolis Colts
Available in 74% of Sleeper Leagues
The poor Colts have been a dumpster fire all season and things have yet improve. Since Week 7 the Colts have allowed 5.3 fantasy points above expectation to opposing defenses, second worst clip in that time frame.
Indianapolis leads the league in turnovers with 26 and also in sacks allowed with 46… HUGE for streaming purposes. Colts quarterback Matt Ryan normally solidifies this play as well. He has 18 turnovers on the season, easily the most in the league, and gets sacked on 7.6-percent of drops back.
Cardinals D/ST @ Denver Broncos
Available in 85% of Sleeper Leagues
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was knocked out of his Week 14 game with a concussion and he continues to be in concussion protocol leading up to Week 15. Since the NFL has changed their concussion protocol this season, it seems quarterbacks do not return the following week after a concussion. We can use this as a reason to presume the backup quarterback will start for Denver, Brett Rypien.
Even with Wilson as the starting quarterback, Denver has been poor at limiting opposing fantasy defenses. The Broncos have allowed 10-FPPG since Week 10, tied for the second most in the NFL. A backup quarterback should only compound matters too. If Rypien is in line to get the start, he is a third-year quarterback who has appeared in six games. In those games he has thrown three touchdowns, six interceptions and 536 passing yards.
Cardinals’ D/ST has not been pretty of late, and they are without Kyler Murray, so this is not a must-play.
Panthers D/ST vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Available in 96% of Sleeper Leagues
Like Denver, Pittsburgh will likely play with their backup quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, due to the concussion protocol. With Trubisky starting, we get more chances at turnovers.
Trubisky has played six games in 2022. He’s logged four touchdowns, five interceptions and 1,073 passing yards. Just last week Trubisky threw five interceptions to Baltimore. Additionally, in Weeks 2-8 (Trubisky started half of these games), Pittsburgh allowed 10.4-FPPG and 2.4 fantasy points above expectation.
I bet you would be surprised to learn that in the last 11 games the Panthers average the eighth most points as a D/ST with 7.9-FPPG. Up until last week, the Panthers were a top-10 fantasy defense in three consecutive weeks. They are playing well despite having gone through a mid-season coaching change and multiple starting quarterbacks.
Saints D/ST vs Atlanta Falcons
Available in 82% of Sleeper Leagues
There is an easy rule you can follow for streaming defenses when you can’t find one, look for a defense playing a rookie quarterback (bonus if the quarterback is on the road too). The original starting quarterback for Atlanta, Marcus Mariota, will miss this divisional game against the Saints. This opens the door for rookie quarterback, Desmond Ridder, to make his first road-start in the NFL.
Rookie quarterbacks historically struggle in the NFL. The performance of a rookie quarterback normally gets worse when they are on the road too, much like all quarterbacks. The Saints faithful will be in full force for this divisional game too, they are always loud and proud of their team. All of this should lead to some mistakes by Ridder.
The Saints defense scores 5.3-FPPG on the season and since Week 8, that average has climbed to 7-FPPG. Saints are not normally a team to play as your defense but they have top-10 performances on two occasions in the last six games.
Look for the Saints if the above D/ST options are unavailable.
Sleeper Defenses to Stream
- Steelers D/ST @ Carolina Panthers
- Colts D/ST @ Minnesota Vikings
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