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.
Indianapolis Colts Defense (18% owned) @ New England Patriots
Last week, my number one streaming defense was the DEF2 overall. One of the main reasons I recommended them was because they had back-to-back strong matchups. The Colts defense has the 7th most turnovers in football. The Patriots are actually the match-up I liked more for the Colts and if you watch football, this should not surprise you. The Patriots have the 7th most turnovers, the 5th fewest yards per play, and the 2nd fewest points per game. It should come as no surprise that the Patriots are giving up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing defenses. If the Colts are on your waiver wire, they need to find a way into your starting lineup in week 10.
Seattle Seahawks Defense (52% owned) @ Washington Commanders
The Seahawks are just over the 50% threshold I like to hold to, (but rarely do) but I think it is close enough and this match-up is juicy enough that it is worth noting. The Seahawks’ defense has been quietly improving over the course of the season, with the 7th most sacks in football. Washington, on the other hand, has been a gift to fantasy defenses. The Commanders have given up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing defenses. They also have the 7th most turnovers and the 2nd most sacks. Betting against Washington is a pretty safe bet when it comes to streaming defenses.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense (49% owned) @ New York Jets
Last week, I called the dead coach bounce. Without Josh McDaniels, the Raiders ended as the DEF4 for week 9. This week, the Raiders are playing a Jets team that is giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Jets have the 3rd fewest yards per play and score the 3rd fewest points per game. I liked the Raiders against the Giants a lot more than I did against the Jets, but the Jets are coming off a bad loss and a short week, so the Raiders might not be a bad streaming option if the others I mentioned are not available.
***WALEED’S THURSDAY NIGHT SPECIAL***
Chicago Bears Defense (15% owned) @ Carolina Panthers
When bad teams face off on Thursday Night Football, good fantasy defensive performances can be found. The Carolina Panthers have given up the 5th most fantasy points to opposing defenses, have the 5th most sacks, and score the 7th fewest points per game. The Chicago Bears have one of the better run defenses in football and have quietly been getting better. Bryce Young has 11 turnovers in 7 games and is playing on a short week. If you want to take a dart throw on a disaster, Thursday Night Farceball is always a safe bet.
