If you read my article on playing the waiver wire game, you know that it is an essential part of winning your fantasy football league. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for? I just told you it’s an essential part of winning your fantasy football league! Why do you hate winning? One of the best ways to maximize your weekly scoring is to stream defenses. This strategy is simple: stop being concerned with finding good defenses, and find defenses that are playing against terrible offenses. Bad offenses are more likely to keep playing poorly because if they knew how to be good, they would already be good. Following this flawless logic, let’s find out who we should stream this week!
Cincinnati Bengals Defense (44% rostered) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals are the number one streaming option for week eleven and we have the Pittsburgh Steelers to thank for that. The Steelers have the second-worst scoring offense in football, and the second-fewest drives that end in a score. They have the second-most interceptions and average three sacks a game. So it should come as no surprise to you that the Steelers give up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. If the Bengals are on your waiver wire, start them.
New York Jets Defense (40% rostered) @ New England Patriots
I am not sure what is more impressive. That the Patriots are 5-4 and a combination of Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones at quarterback, or that the Jets obtained a better record on the backs of Joe Flacco and Bailey Zappe. I do know that this game screams defensive streamer. If it weren’t for Zack Wilson, we would be talking about the Jets as a Super Bowl contender. Their defense is that good. They have the eighth-most turnovers in football and give up the fourth-fewest yards per play. The Jets’ defense is third in expected points. And they are playing a Patriots team that gives up the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The only thing that is keeping the Jets from being my number one play of the week is Belichick’s record of 14-5 coming off a bye week.
Arizona Cardinals Defense (34% rostered) @ San Francisco 49ers
If you cannot get the Bengals or the Jets, the Cardinals are a solid alternative. Like the Jets, the Cardinals have the eighth-most turnovers in football. Unlike the Jets, I’m not sure the Cardinals are a good defense. It just feels like they’ve gotten lucky. Over their last four games, they have thirteen sacks, eight turnovers, and four defensive touchdowns. The crazy part is they should have more defensive touchdowns. The Cardinals are the number five fantasy football defense on the season. And they are playing a 49ers team that has given up the eleventh-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. I’m not quite sure if they are lucky or good, but I have no problem riding a hot hand and hoping they stay lucky.
THE YOU CRAZY CATEGORY!
Houston Texans Defense (2% rostered) @ Washington Commanders
I am documenting this and letting it be known that I will be streaming the Houston Texans in a few of my fantasy leagues. I could pick any of the teams above. The analytics say that I should. But sometimes you gotta throw the math out the window and go with your gut. Even when you have been diagnosed with stomach problems. The Washington Commanders give up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, but that is not why I am picking Houston here. This game has all the markings of an upset. Washington is on the road for the second straight week. They are playing on a short week. More importantly, they are coming off a huge road win against the Eagles. They just beat a divisional opponent who just happens to be leading the NFC East and, oh yea, they were undefeated until Taylor Heinicke improbably beat them. If this doesn’t scream let down game, I don’t know what does. Washington is going to fall flat here and realize that the highs of beating Jalen Hurts do not compare to the lows of being curb stomped by Davis Mills.
