Defense isn’t important, right? Perhaps you were thinking about skipping the Week 2 DST Streamers too? Might want to reconsider your decision-making.
And here’s a story for just how important defensive scoring can be. For starters, somehow the Washington Commanders went undrafted in my primary league, so I was the only one who made an FAAB bid this past week and grabbed them. They ended up scoring 11 points. That was two points more than any other option that I either owned or I liked in the free agency pool earlier in the week. But hold that thought.
Let’s move to Monday night, where I had Josh Allen and my opponent had Gabe Davis and the Bills defense. It was a stressful game for both of us as the expected outcome ping-ponged all over the place. As you know, the game went into overtime and I clung to the slimmest lead. The Bills got the ball first in overtime which gave me some optimism that I might win…for a brief moment. Allen and the Bills couldn’t do much and were forced to punt. I kept looking at our scoring rules. Because all the Jets needed was a FG to win and if that happened, I was gonna lose by a point and a half.
Well, you know what happened. The Jets ran it in for a touchdown. And instead of giving up 19 points, the Bills gave up 22, which was the next threshold of points allowed. Therefore, I ended up winning by a little over a point.
Do you still think defenses don’t matter?
Hopefully, I’ve convinced you. But either way, let’s look at some of my Week 2 DST streamers.
Week 2 DST Streamers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Chicago)
WE'LL TAKE THAT 😤
📺: #TBvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/BUXx9wpPC8
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 10, 2023
Yes, there’s been of lot of talent turnover on the offensive side of the ball since the Buccaneers captured the Lombardi Trophy a few years ago. But there’s actually still a lot of that defensive squad still on the team. Shaquil Barrett, linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David, plus cornerback Carlton Davis are a few that still remain.
Last year, Chicago allowed the fifth most fantasy points to DSTs. The Bears’ offense is improved. Yet Green Bay (one of my streaming suggestions last week!) still racked up four sacks and two takeaways not to mention a defensive touchdown against Chicago last week on their way to a top-five fantasy finish.
I don’t see a top finish for Tampa Bay this week, but wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs land in the top dozen this week.
New York Giants (at Arizona)
After their humiliation last week, one might wonder how I can even consider suggesting the Giants this week. Well, first off, I think Brian Daboll is too good of a coach to allow that turd to linger and leave a stain on this team. We should see a much improved New York defense this week. The G-men certainly have talent on the defensive side of the ball. Xavier McKinney can be a shutdown DB and Bobby Okereke is a very underrated linebacker. Ahead of him on the defensive line, it’s hard not to like Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
However, it’s more the matchup than anything. The Giants are playing Arizona. The Cards’ lone touchdown last week came on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Arizona will be making a strong case as the league’s worst offense this season. Arizona Quarterback Josh Dobbs committed two turnovers last week and completed just 21 of 30 passes for a meager 130 yards.
The Cardinals will likely be a frequent target for a DST streamer this year. This week is no different. Rinse and repeat.
New York Jets (at Dallas)
Lost in the decimation of the Giants last week is that Dak Prescott did not do too much. Admittedly, he didn’t have to do much as the Dallas defense and special teams did the heavy lifting early. But let’s not forget that Prescott is coming off a season where he threw 15 INTs. Are we really sure the Dallas offense is that good?
Because one thing that wasn’t lost in the Jets’ victory is that the NYJ defense is very good. They forced Josh Allen into four turnovers and Allen is a better quarterback than Dak Prescott. They were the twelfth-best defense in fantasy last season and currently fantasy football’s second-best defense right now.
I’m not going to get too excited about one game. But this defense is pretty good and the match-up doesn’t scare me. The Jets are absolutely stream-worthy.
Other Week 2 D/ST Streamers to Consider
the handle is @MR_INT for a reason
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/26S9KrvcJL
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 10, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers:
Yes, the Chargers just allowed 36 points to the Miami Dolphins. But the Dolphins have a lot more weapons than the Chargers opponent this week, the Titans.
The books have the Titans with an implied total of 21 this week, and that actually feels a little generous. The Titans scored just 15 points this past weekend. The entire Tennessee backfield couldn’t top 90 yards. And the passing game? Well, Ryan Tannehill’s three interceptions tell that story. Joey Bosa and Derwin James Jr. should get this defense back on track this weekend.
Miami Dolphins:
Just like the Chargers, the Dolphins will be playing an offense with much less firepower. Mac Jones and his Patriots teammates looked decent last week, but I like Bates and Miami to torment New England again. Philadelphia looked sloppy and I am not impressed with the 20 the Patriots hung on the Eagles. New England won’t build on last week and instead take a step back.
If you’d like to see more of my work or have any questions, reach me on Twitter @MarkStrausberg
Also make sure to check out our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty