This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 14 was probably the worst of the season for my recommendations in this space, with the four teams I selected finishing t-5th (Arizona), t-17th (Green Bay), t-21st (Buffalo) and t-27th (Cincinnati) in team defense scoring. In my defense (pun intended), the top pick of the week ended up playing in a snowstorm so severe that both teams just repeatedly ran the ball up the middle throughout the game.
The forecast earlier in the week predicted wind and possibly some snow in Buffalo, but it wasn't until the weekend that we started to see potential for a major storm. Even then, the extent of the snowfall came as a surprise, and it essentially turned the game into a 50/50 proposition featuring very few passes. Oddly enough, the Buffalo defense probably would've had a better fantasy outing if the weather had been decent enough for Jacoby Brissett to actually attempt some throw.
In any case, I'm confident Week 15 will go much better, as my top streaming pick seems positioned for a massive outing, and there's also a solid depth of selections. We'll want to keep one eye focused ahead toward Week 16, given that it often makes sense to roster two defenses at this stage of the season when the skill position players at the bottom of our benches clearly aren't going to be needed.
Among my four recommendations, the Cardinals and Redskins (who play each other this weekend) are the two that also get favorable matchups in Week 16,
Week 14 was probably the worst of the season for my recommendations in this space, with the four teams I selected finishing t-5th (Arizona), t-17th (Green Bay), t-21st (Buffalo) and t-27th (Cincinnati) in team defense scoring. In my defense (pun intended), the top pick of the week ended up playing in a snowstorm so severe that both teams just repeatedly ran the ball up the middle throughout the game.
The forecast earlier in the week predicted wind and possibly some snow in Buffalo, but it wasn't until the weekend that we started to see potential for a major storm. Even then, the extent of the snowfall came as a surprise, and it essentially turned the game into a 50/50 proposition featuring very few passes. Oddly enough, the Buffalo defense probably would've had a better fantasy outing if the weather had been decent enough for Jacoby Brissett to actually attempt some throw.
In any case, I'm confident Week 15 will go much better, as my top streaming pick seems positioned for a massive outing, and there's also a solid depth of selections. We'll want to keep one eye focused ahead toward Week 16, given that it often makes sense to roster two defenses at this stage of the season when the skill position players at the bottom of our benches clearly aren't going to be needed.
Among my four recommendations, the Cardinals and Redskins (who play each other this weekend) are the two that also get favorable matchups in Week 16, with Arizona hosting the Giants and Washington hosting the Broncos. My preferred strategy is to use the Saints in Week 15 and stash the Cardinals or Bears (vs. CLE) for next week. In addition to my usual rankings for the upcoming week at the bottom of the page, I'll provide a preliminary top 10 for Week 16.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning. All references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo! standard scoring.
Top Streaming Options for Week 15
New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Jets)
39% Yahoo ownership
The Jets have given up the 10th most fantasy points to team defenses, including 10.2 per game on the road and 11 per game over the past four weeks. Of course, things likely would be far worse if Josh McCown (hand) hadn't provided the Jets offense with a surprising level of competence — something that likely will disappear now that he's out for the season. Bryce Petty looked good this preseason against second and third-string defenders, but he was thoroughly horrific in six games (four starts) last year, tossing two touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing only 56.4 percent of his passes. The 2015 fourth-round pick had a sack rate (8.9 percent) that would've been third highest in the league among qualified passers, and the opponent's defense averaged 14.5 fantasy points in his four starts.
The Saints defense is plenty good enough to take advantage of such an ideal matchup, coming off an eight-point performance on the road in Atlanta. With starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley both healthy for the first time in a few weeks, the Saints handed Matt Ryan his ninth career game with three or more interceptions. This unit had a lot more buzz early in the season, but it still ranks sixth in interceptions (14) and t-11th in sacks (34). Favored by 16 points, the Saints figure to make Petty's first start of 2017 a miserable occasion. The only bad news is that I'll need to find a replacement for fantasy championship week, as I'm not too keen on betting against Ryan and the Atlanta offense in a Week 16 rematch that should be a shootout.
Washington Redskins (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
11% Yahoo ownership
The Cardinals have given up the fourth most fantasy points to team defenses, shooting into the top five with Blaine Gabbert under center. Gabbert has taken 15 sacks the past two weeks and committed six turnovers in four games, allowing opposing defenses to average 12.8 fantasy points in his starts. Making matters even worse, the Cardinals placed starting left tackle Jared Veldheer (ankle) on injured reserve Monday, leaving an already-shaky line in total disarray. It's a safe bet the Cardinals will continue their streak of allowing at least five fantasy points to every defense they've faced this season.
The Washington defense hasn't drawn much attention for fantasy purposes, with a tough schedule keeping this group far away from the streaming map most weeks.The Redskins have really only had two soft matchups all season — Week 5 against SF, Week 12 against NYG — and yet they still rank a respectable t-16th in sacks (31) and t-7th in interceptions (13). As bad as they looked against the red-hot Chargers last week, the Redskins' defense still grades out as at least average in schedule-adjusted metrics like Football Outsiders' DVOA. With a home game against Denver on tap for Week 16, the Washington defense could be a surprise contributor to some championship runs.
Arizona Cardinals (at Washington Redskins)
40% Yahoo ownership
Looking at the other half of this game, the Redskins somewhat quietly have given up the seventh most fantasy points to team defenses, including four double-digit performances in the past seven weeks. Limited by constant injuries on the offensive line and still without Jordan Reed (hamstring), Kirk Cousins has already taken 37 sacks, blowing by his previous career-high mark of 26. He's still more than capable of piling up yards and points, but circumstances dictate that there will be mistakes along the way.
Arizona's rejuvenated defense should be able to take advantage, coming off a three-game homestand in which it put up 10 points against the Jaguars and 11 against the Titans, with a decent real-life showing against the Rams mixed in between. The Cardinals only rank 24th in fantasy points per game, but they're top 10 (and pushing for top five) in defensive DVOA, and are finally getting some sacks and turnovers to show for it. I'd still prefer to start the Saints or Redskins this week, but the Cardinals are the early favorite to be my top streaming choice in Week 16 when they host the Giants (possibly with Davis Webb at QB?).
Buffalo Bills (vs. Miami Dolphins)
38% Yahoo ownership
The Dolphins stuck around on the edge of the wild-card hunt with Monday's surprising win over New England, but they still have a very untrustworthy offense, one that's given up the fifth most fantasy points to team defenses. Monday's big win was preceded by three straight games in which the opposing defense scored 14 or more points — a mark that's been reached against the Dolphins six times this year.
The Buffalo defense also has been rather unpredictable, reaching double digits against a trio of solid opponents (Carolina, Atlanta, Oakland), but also recording three straight games with zero or negative points in Weeks 9-11. The slump coincided with some injury issues that have since been resolved, and the Bills have allowed just 40 points over their past three games. This is the last of my four recommendations for a reason, but there is a solid case to be made for the Bills if you can't get your hands on the Saints and are looking for a high-ceiling option to make up for being an underdog in your playoff matchup.
Honorable Mentions: Detroit Lions (vs. Chicago Bears), San Francisco 49ers (vs. Tennessee Titans), Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Week 15 D/ST Rankings
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
2. New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ)
3. Minnesota Vikings (vs. CIN)
4. Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
6. Denver Broncos (at IND)
7. Washington Redskins (vs. ARI)
8. Arizona Cardinals (at WAS)
9. Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
10. Atlanta Falcons (at TB)
11. Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
12. San Francisco 49ers (vs. TEN)
13. Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
14. Los Angeles Chargers (at KC)
15. Chicago Bears (at DET)
16. New England Patriots (at PIT)
17. Carolina Panthers (vs. GB)
18. Dallas Cowboys (at OAK)
19. Green Bay Packers (at CAR)
20. Tennessee Titans (at SF)
21. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC)
22. Indianapolis Colts (vs. DEN)
23. Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
24. Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
25. Oakland Raiders (vs. DAL)
26. Cleveland Browns (vs. BAL)
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. NE)
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
29. Cincinnati Bengals (at MIN)
30. New York Giants (vs. PHI)
31. New York Jets (at NO)
32. Houston Texans (at JAC)
Preliminary Top 10 for Week 16
1. Baltimore Ravens (vs. IND)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (at NYJ)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (at SF)
4. Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYG)
5. Chicago Bears (vs. CLE)
6. New England Patriots (vs. BUF)
7. Washington Redskins (vs. DEN)
8. Carolina Panthers (vs. TB)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. MIA)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. OAK)
