Streaming Defenses: Week 13 Options

Written by

Published on November 26, 2019

Week 12 was one of our worst efforts of the year for streaming recommendations, with each of the top-four selections landing between five and eight fantasy points while the No. 5 pick (Jacksonville) managed just a single point. A combined total of 28 points was second-fewest of the season, dropping our 2019 average down to 42.5 per week (or 8.5 per team).

Of course, that's still a pretty good track record overall, especially with No. 1 picks averaging 13.1 FPs. The last part of the season should be prime for streaming, as the end of bye weeks combined with many fantasy teams dropping out of playoff contention typically leaves a smaller group of managers competing for a larger pool of D/ST units.

Week 13, in particular, shapes up optimally for streamers, with six of the top-seven defenses in my weekly rankings sitting below 45 percent ownership on both Yahoo and ESPN. Meanwhile, the Patriots get a road date with Deshaun Watson, and the 49ers head to Baltimore for the worst possible matchup a D/ST unit can face. It's a great slate for streamers and a rough slate for every-week starters, with the added benefit that many of our top picks also have great matchups around the corner in Weeks 14 and/or 15.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses with ownership of less than 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN as of

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses with ownership of less than 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 13

1. Carolina Panthers (vs. Washington Redskins)

35% Yahoo ownership, 37% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.0

Opponent implied total: 15.0

Upcoming Ranks — Week 14: No. 21 (at ATL), Week 15: No. 25 (vs. SEA)

With Ryan Fitzpatrick playing competent football and Ryan Finley headed back to the bench, Dwayne Haskins and the Washington Redskins are left as the No. 1 matchup for team defenses. The Panthers are beatable on the ground (5.0 YPC), but their pass rush remains a clear strength, with a 9.3 percent sack rate good for second-best in the league. That likely spells trouble for Haskins, whose 13.6 percent sack rate would put him in a tie with Marcus Mariota for last place if the rookie had enough pass attempts to qualify.

Washington's implied total is 2.75 points lower than any other team for Week 13, so we should get a nice floor even if the Panthers aren't able to create turnovers. The only downside here is a pair of rough matchups after Sunday's softy, whereas three of the four defenses listed below have multi-week appeal. Personally, I'll probably target the Eagles and Packers over the Panthers, giving up a tiny bit of Week 13 projection in exchange for the security of good matchups through Week 15.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (at Miami Dolphins)

42% Yahoo ownership, 37% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.25

Opponent implied total: 18.25

Upcoming Ranks — Week 14: No. 2 (vs. NYG), Week 15: No. 3 at WAS

An excellent run of play from the Philadelphia defense has been overshadowed by putrid performances from an injury-plagued offense, with the Eagles winning just two of their past four games despite allowing 13, 14, 17 and 17 points. That includes matchups against Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, with the latter yielding six sacks and two turnovers this past Sunday. We already knew the Eagles had an excellent front seven, and the secondary has at least been competent since CB Jalen Mills returned from a foot injury to make his season debut Week 7.

On the other side of the game, Miami has been a consistently friendly matchup for D/STs even with Ryan Fitzpatrick doing solid work, as the 37-year-old is working on a five-game streak with three or more sacks. The Dolphins are dead last in PFF's team pass-blocking grades, while the Eagles are fourth in the pass-rushing grades and ninth in sack rate (7.5). Looking ahead, matchups with Daniel Jones and Dwayne Haskins should lead to a three-week stretch full of turnovers and sacks as the Eagles try to keep pace with the Cowboys — their Week 16 opponent — in the NFC East.

3. New York Jets (at Cincinnati Bengals)

26% Yahoo ownership, 24% ESPN

Team implied total: 22.25

Opponent implied total: 18.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 14: No. 4 (vs. MIA), Week 15: No. 29 (at BAL)

The Jets defense has been mysteriously competent, somehow surviving lousy cornerback play thanks to first-rate work from safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye as well as a sturdy defensive line that has limited opponents to a league-low 3.0 YPC. In fact, the Jets are tied with the Saints for sixth in fantasy scoring at 8.8 points per game, boosted by three consecutive weeks of nine points or more.

I had to drop the Jets a couple spots in my rankings after the Bengals benched Ryan Finley, but let's not forget that Andy Dalton is 22nd among qualified passers in INT rate (2.4) and 24th in sack rate (7.9), with his eight starts yielding an average of 10.1 fantasy points for the opposing defense. The Jets have a nice chance to jump from 1-7 to 6-7, coming off three consecutive wins and now staring at matchups with the Bengals and Dolphins.

4. Los Angeles Chargers (at Denver Broncos)

31% Yahoo ownership, 33% ESPN

Team implied total: 20.5

Opponent implied total: 18.0

Upcoming Ranks — Week 14: No. 15 (at JAX), Week 15: No. 20 (vs. MIN)

Brandon Allen finally had the meltdown everyone expected, and while a road game against the Bills is much different from a home game against the Chargers, he should still be treated as a top-five matchup for team defenses. Allen has completed 46.4 percent of his throws for 6.1 yards per attempt, with a 9.7 sack rate that would be third-worst in the league if he had enough volume to qualify. QB play that bad eventually leads to an onslaught of turnovers, something the Broncos mostly have avoided in Allen's first three starts. This is only a one-week streaming pickup, but it could get a little boost if S Derwin James (foot) returns from IR.

5. Green Bay Packers (at New York Giants)

25% Yahoo ownership, 21% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.0

Opponent implied total: 19.5

Upcoming Ranks — Week 14: No. 1 (vs. WAS), Week 15: No. 5 (vs. CHI)

The Green Bay defense hasn't looked particularly good since early October, but matchups have been a big part of that equation, and the Packers came up with eight fantasy points in the one favorable spot during that stretch (Week 10 vs. Carolina). They're now looking at three consecutive streamable matchups, starting with Week 13 against a Giants offense that's given up the third-most fantasy points to team defenses.

Daniel Jones is 21st in INT rate (2.4) and 30th in sack rate (9.0), with his nine starts yielding an average of 12.1 FPs for the opposing defense. Furthermore, it isn't clear if Evan Engram (foot), Golden Tate (concussion) or Rhett Ellison (concussion) will be available Sunday. Looking ahead, the Packers have home games against Haskins and Mitchell Trubisky in Weeks 14 and 15, while a Week 16 contest at Minnesota will force us to pick up another defense (or have one stashed).