When you live the streaming life, not every week is going to be chock full of options. Unfortunately, that appears to be the case with Week 15 D/ST streamers. Last week I listed a handful of options. I had varying degrees of confidence in them, but I felt they were all viable options. The five combined for 66 fantasy points, which is pretty good considering the circumstances. This week, however, the choices are not exactly pretty. After I remove the combatants in Thursday night’s game, 12 teams remain that are rostered in less of all Fantrax leagues. Of the 12, we have only one defense projected for more than seven points. Though I never base my weekly streamers solely on our projections, it is an indication that this week’s crop of defenses lacks significant upside.
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Each week, there are always circumstances fantasy managers must maneuver around. Most of the popular team defenses have excellent matchups this week. However, if you have the New Orleans Saints (93 percent rostered) you might not want to start them in a dome against the Kansas City Chiefs. Just a suggestion. Of course, Patrick Mahomes did throw three interceptions a week ago, so I suppose anything is possible. I would be looking for other options. And that’s why I’m here. So here are my favorite defensive streamers this week.
Week 15 D/ST Streamers
Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 41 percent rostered)
Arizona was my favorite streamer last week, and they did not disappoint. They posted 24 fantasy points in part by generating eight sacks and forcing three turnovers against the Giants. Once again, streaming a defense against an NFC East opponent proved to be a winning strategy. I will repeat the process with Arizona this week, though I must admit that I was more confident a week ago. That is because I am pretty sure new Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts is already the division’s premier signal-caller. In his first career NFL start last week, Hurts accounted for 273 yards of offense in Philadelphia’s upset victory against the New Orleans Saints. Hurts was not sacked in the contest, and he did not throw an interception. Carson Wentz has been sacked and/or thrown an interception in 65 of 68 career games.
Despite the apparent upgrade in Philadelphia, I still like Arizona’s chances of generating fantasy points on defense. Hurts did lose a fumble last week, and Arizona recovered three fumbles against the Giants. And Hurts is still a rookie making his second-ever start. Philadelphia will have to find an answer for linebacker Haason Reddick. Reddick, who has played primarily on the outside this season after spending most of his first three years in the league on the interior, abused New York for a franchise-record five sacks last week. Most of them came on obvious passing downs, so the Cardinals will have to control the running game and force Hurts into uncomfortable down and distance situations. If they are successful, I expect them to be able to generate pressure on the rookie. Hurts is only 3-for-11 with an interception under duress in limited action thus far.
Dallas Cowboys (vs. San Francisco 49ers, 32 percent rostered)
The appeal of streamers is that they do not necessarily have to be productive entities themselves to be valuable in fantasy. A favorable matchup can dramatically increase the value of a fantasy defense, even one that is below average. Case in point – the Dallas Cowboys. I recommended Dallas last week because they were facing the Cincinnati Bengals. Before that game, Dallas had averaged an even 5.0 defensive fantasy points per game for the season and just 3.25 over their previous four games. But, the Bengals… sure enough, Dallas posted a season-high 24 fantasy points in a blowout victory. That is a number they are unlikely to reach again anytime soon. Still, they have an opportunity to exceed expectations again this week when they host the San Francisco 49ers.
Quarterback Nick Mullens has been in the spirit of giving since before the holiday season even began. St. Nicholas has gifted opponents nine turnovers over his last five starts. Three of the nine turnovers have directly resulted in touchdowns. It is no surprise then that four of San Francisco’s last five opponents have scored at least 10 fantasy points. Dallas will look to greet Mullens in the backfield, not with milk and cookies, but with Demarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch, and former 49er Aldon Smith, to name a few. San Francisco is once again dealing with injuries to several skill players. Their NFC title defense may very well come to a quiet end in this ballgame. The Cowboys are still under the radar after last week’s performance. It is for that reason that I like them as one of the sneakier Week 15 D/ST streamers on the board.
New York Giants (vs. Cleveland Browns, 39 percent rostered)
Most fantasy managers have been reluctant to jump on the New York Giants’ defense this week. New York’s rostership has decreased over the past few days and now sits at 39 percent. It is understandable on the surface, especially after their upcoming opponent, the Cleveland Browns, lit up the Baltimore Ravens for 42 points on Monday Night Football. Most managers will now consider Cleveland’s offense one to avoid after such an impressive showing. I view that as a mistake. Baltimore’s defense has struggled mightily of late. They have allowed an average of 26.2 points per game and sacked opposing quarterbacks on just two percent of dropbacks during their last five games.
The Giants, meanwhile, sport a healthy 6.57 percent sack rate on the year. They also allow running backs just 1.08 yards before contact per attempt, which is the third-best mark in the NFL. New York has been able to put up fantasy points on the defensive side of the football. They have scored the most fantasy points of all eligible streamers this season. They have averaged exactly 10 fantasy points per game, and have scored at least 12 points on six occasions in 2020. If they can keep the Browns dynamic duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in check, they should be able to force Baker Mayfield into making mistakes.
Looking Ahead
Week 16 is Championship Week in most fantasy football leagues. If you have some wasted space on your bench, you may want to prepare for the finale by grabbing one of these potential streamers before your opponent does.
Arizona Cardinals (vs. San Francisco 49ers, 41 percent rostered)
You can make the argument that Arizona will not get the best of Jalen Hurts this week. If you have read this far, you know I disagree with that. Either way, I think we can all concur that Arizona has a tasty Week 16 matchup against a depleted San Francisco team that may very well have nothing to play for. Arizona should be next week’s top streaming defense barring a large jump in rostership.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Denver Broncos, 45 percent rostered)
The Chargers D/ST will be rostered in more than 50 percent of leagues well before the kickoff of next week’s game. Denver is still one of the five most generous teams to opposing defenses, and Los Angeles should be well-rested following a long week.
Houston Texans (vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 32 percent rostered)
Did you not just read that Dallas scored 24 fantasy points against Cincinnati last week? In case that is not enough to convince you, how about this? The last five defenses who have faced the Bengals have scored 98 fantasy points. This offense is a dumpster fire without Joe Burrow.
Philadelphia Eagles (at Dallas Cowboys, 41 percent rostered)
Despite Dallas enjoying their best game of the season last week, I am not ready to anoint them a competent NFL offense. Andy Dalton is averaging a measly 6.0 yards per pass attempt, and Ezekiel Elliott has failed to crack 80 rushing yards in seven of his last eight games. He has more multi-fumble games this season (2) than 100-plus yard rushing games (1). Whatever Zeke is being fed is probably causing butterfingers.
Carolina Panthers (at Washington Football Team, 30 percent rostered)
The Washington Football Team has taken sole possession of first place in the NFC Least. Sorry, East. Washington’s current four-game winning streak has been the product of a ferocious defense and not an overpowering offense. Washington has averaged fewer than 300 yards of offense per game during the hot stretch. I would expect a relatively low scoring affair in this game.
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