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.
Houston Texans DEF (50% owned) @ New York Jets
The Jets currently give up the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing defenses. Things have gotten so bad on offense that the Jets had to be Zach Wilson to come back. If the best version of your offense is with Zach Wilson at quarterback, I want to be the defense playing your offense.
Minnesota Vikings DEF (28% owned) @ Las Vegas Raiders
Since firing Josh McDaniels, the Raiders look somewhat competent. However, they are still starting a rookie quarterback against the highest-blitzing team in the league. Couple that with the fact that the Raiders have the 5th most turnovers on offense and are giving up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing defenses, and I think I want as many shares of the Vikings this week as possible.
Chicago Bears DEF (3% owned) @ Detroit Lions
While I’m sure my editor is going to put some joke in the comments about me being a Bears fan, every time I have picked the Bears as a fantasy defense this year, I have been right. It might come as a surprise to you, but the Bears are actually a good defense. I know it surprised me. Over the last four weeks, the Bears are averaging 10 fantasy points per game, with 2.3 sacks and 2.6 turnovers a game in that stretch. That includes a DST6 finish against these same Detroit Lions, only this week Jared Goff has to play outside in bad weather. I have them ranked third because I think this game will be a blowout in either direction. If the Bears win, they will be a top-five fantasy defense. If they lose, it will probably be ugly for fantasy scoring. Pick up the Bears if you are a big underdog and need to manufacture some points.
