This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 7 was a strong one for his space, with the recommendations finishing second, sixth, seventh, t-10th and t-14th in Yahoo! standard scoring for team defenses. There was no true dud among the bunch, as each of the five units highlighted scored at least six points. That's the good news.
The bad news is that Week 8 looks far more difficult for streaming. It doesn't help that six teams are on bye, and matters are only made worse by the reality that most of the top matchups belong to defenses that are widely owned. Nonetheless, there are always some workable options, including at least two or three that bring cause for legitimate optimism.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning.
Top Streaming Options for Week 8
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
26% Yahoo ownership
The Colts are looking to bounce back from their latest offensive meltdown after Jacoby Brissett took 10 sacks in a 27-0 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. It marked the third time this season Indianapolis allowed 20 more more fantasy points to the opponent's team defense, and there's little hope for relief with Andrew Luck (shoulder) now in danger of missing the entire year.
The Cincinnati defense hasn't been anything special this season and is coming off arguably its worst performance of the year, but a home matchup against Brissett and his shaky offensive line should be just what the Bengals need to get
Week 7 was a strong one for his space, with the recommendations finishing second, sixth, seventh, t-10th and t-14th in Yahoo! standard scoring for team defenses. There was no true dud among the bunch, as each of the five units highlighted scored at least six points. That's the good news.
The bad news is that Week 8 looks far more difficult for streaming. It doesn't help that six teams are on bye, and matters are only made worse by the reality that most of the top matchups belong to defenses that are widely owned. Nonetheless, there are always some workable options, including at least two or three that bring cause for legitimate optimism.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning.
Top Streaming Options for Week 8
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
26% Yahoo ownership
The Colts are looking to bounce back from their latest offensive meltdown after Jacoby Brissett took 10 sacks in a 27-0 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. It marked the third time this season Indianapolis allowed 20 more more fantasy points to the opponent's team defense, and there's little hope for relief with Andrew Luck (shoulder) now in danger of missing the entire year.
The Cincinnati defense hasn't been anything special this season and is coming off arguably its worst performance of the year, but a home matchup against Brissett and his shaky offensive line should be just what the Bengals need to get back on track. Prior to Sunday's 27-14 loss in Pittsburgh, the Bengals had produced at least seven fantasy points in four straight games. Cincy probably isn't worth holding beyond one week, drawing three consecutive road games after Sunday
Buffalo Bills (vs. Oakland Raiders)
50% Yahoo ownership
The Raiders have given up the 11th fewest points per game to team defenses, despite dealing with some unexpected offensive struggles up until last week. They did allow opposing defenses to average 10.3 points over the previous four weeks, showing some vulnerability to difficult matchups.
A trip to Buffalo certainly qualifies as difficult, considering the Bills defense has produced at least seven fantasy points in every game this season while holding opponents to 7.0 yards per pass attempt and 3.4 yards per carry. I'm a bit surprised the Bills meet our streaming requirement (owned in less than 60 percent of leagues), as they had a solid matchup last week and get to face the Jets in Week 9.
New Orleans Saints (vs. Chicago Bears)
44% Yahoo ownership
Chicago has given up the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing team defenses, including 33 over the last two weeks. A run-heavy game plan can mask deficiencies in some matchups, but it'll be tough to this weekend in a trip to the SuperDome to face Drew Brees. Coming off a game in which he attempted just seven passes, Mitchell Trubisky could be exposed in a big way.
The New Orleans defense has been one of the season's bigger surprising, bouncing back from an ugly first two weeks to help the team win each of its last four games. While the unit couldn't build on its streak of three straight games with double-digit fantasy points, it at least remained competent in Sunday's 26-17 road win over Brett Hundley and the Packers. The Saints could also be on the streaming radar in Week 9 when they face the Buccaneers in another home game at the Superdome.
Miami Dolphins (at Baltimore Ravens)
27% Yahoo ownership
The Miami defense isn't one we'd normally consider streaming on the road, so this really speaks to the extent of the Ravens' struggles on offense. Unable to muster any sort of downfield passing attack, Baltimore has given up double-digit fantasy points to the opponent's team defense in three of its past five games.
This one really is pretty much all about matchup, as the Dolphins just gave up 28 points to the Jets and have only reached double digits in fantasy scoring once this season. Despite the solid matchup, I wouldn't include the Dolphins in this space if it weren't such a shallow week for streaming.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots (vs. Los Angeles Chargers), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Week 8 D/ST Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. SF)
2. Minnesota Vikings (at CLE)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. IND)
4. Seattle Seahawks (vs. HOU)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN)
6. Baltimore Ravens (vs. MIA)
7. Buffalo Bills (vs. OAK)
8. New Orleans Saints (vs. CHI)
9. Miami Dolphins (at BAL)
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
11. New England Patriots (vs. LAC)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (at DET)
13. Detroit Lions (vs. PIT)
14. Denver Broncos (at KC)
15. Carolina Panthers (at TB)
16. Washington Redskins (vs. DAL)
17. Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)
18. Atlanta Falcons (at NYJ)
19. Houston Texans (at SEA)
20. New York Jets (vs. ATL)
21. Chicago Bears (at NO)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (at NE)
23. San Francisco 49ers (at PHI)
24. Oakland Raiders (at BUF)
25. Indianapolis Colts (at CIN)
26. Cleveland Browns (vs. MIN)
Looking Ahead to Week 9
The Bills travel to the Meadowlands to face the Jets on Thursday.
The Titans play host to the Ravens.
