Week 5 Fantasy Football Streaming Defenses: The Battle of Buckner (Tanne)hill

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 – we aren’t as concerned about good defenses, so much as finding defenses that are playing terrible offenses.  Bad offenses are more likely to keep playing badly because if they knew how to be good, they would already be good.  Because of this flawless logic, I will be pointing out the best streaming options on a weekly basis.

 ****THURSDAY NIGHT SPECIAL****

Washington Commanders Defense (43% owned) @ Chicago Bears

I am the most optimistic Chicago Bears fan you will ever meet, so when I tell you that if there is a way for the 2023 Chicago Bears to embarrass themselves in new and exciting ways, please understand what it took to get here. Was it the 4^th most turnovers in football? No, it was not that. Was it that the Bears have given up the 3^rd most sacks, while the Commanders have one of the most terrifying front fours in football? No, that isn’t what got me here. It wasn’t even that the Chicago Bears have given up the 2^nd most fantasy points to opposing fantasy defenses and are playing on a short week this Thursday, where last year they fumbled a punt return in the fourth quarter against this very same Washington Commanders last Thursday to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. No, the reason the Washington Commanders are the most sought-after fantasy defense on the waiver wires is that if you listen to Matt Eberflus talk for five seconds, it is impossible to fathom a way for this football team to succeed in any way.

Detroit Lions Defense (52% owned) @ Carolina Panthers

I generally do not put a defense on my streaming article if they are over 50% rostered, but with a measly 2% points and such a tasty match-up, I feel I would be remiss if I did not tell you to grab the Detroit Lions on your waiver wire if they are there. The Lions give up the 3^rd fewest yards per play and have the 7^th most sacks on the season. They are 7^th in pressure rate and are facing a rookie quarterback and a Carolina Panthers team that is giving up the 7^th most fantasy points to opposing defenses. This is not surprising when you consider they give up the 8^th most sacks, have the 3^rd fewest yards per play, and score the 9^th fewest points in football. By halftime, I fully expect Aidan Hutchinson to be wearing Bryce Young’s skin as a belt because there isn’t enough flesh for a full article of clothing.

Green Bay Packers Defense (34% owned) @ Las Vegas Raiders

While I am not very high on the Packers’ defense, I am very high on any defense that is playing the Las Vegas Raiders. Just betting on the Raiders to fall on their face always feels like a safe bet.  And why wouldn’t it? The Raiders have the 4^th fewest points scored, the 4^th fewest offensive plays run, and the 2^nd most turnovers. Oh, and they also give up the 8^th most fantasy points to opposing defenses. Josh McDaniels is a bad head coach and you should always bet on him being bad. While I was writing this article, he went for another field goal while down 8 with 2:30 left on the clock.

Indianapolis Colts Defense (11% owned) @ Tennessee Titans

If you are unable to grab the other three defenses on your waiver wire, the Indianapolis Colts are a very sneaky option. With the 8^th most turnovers and the 5^th most sacks, the Colts’ defense is currently tied for DST10 overall on the season. On the flip side, the Titans have given up the 4^th most sacks, have the 10^th fewest points scored, and run the 3^rd fewest plays. The Indianapolis Colts are a solid floor play in week five.