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At this point in the season, streaming defenses in fantasy could be the difference in a playoff victory or not. If you still need to win in Week 14, prioritize a D/ST pickup for this weekend.
Despite the Cowboys and Ravens ranking as the top two fantasy defenses through 13 weeks, they have some tough matchups approaching in the coming weeks. That means every fantasy playoff team in your league will likely be looking to stream defenses based on matchups. So you should be looking ahead at Week 15 or Week 16 (if you already clinched a bye).
This article will list the best defensive streaming options over the next four weeks. There will also be a section below on which defenses are the best to target in the fantasy playoffs from Week 15 to Week 17. So, let’s waste no time and dive into the best D/ST starts in Week 14 and beyond.
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DST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 14-17
I've been streaming defenses this entire fantasy season. In all four of my leagues, I never drafted the Cowboys, 49ers, or Eagles because they were simply going too high for me. Instead, I just streamed the position entirely. In one league, I was lucky enough to pick up the Ravens earlier in the year.
But, even with having the Baltimore defense in that league, I still find myself often picking up defenses and playing the better matchup. I'd much rather play a fantasy D/ST that is going against the New York Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, or Carolina Panthers. Those offenses should still be targeted in Week 14 and beyond.
I am taking over for Scott Rinear again on this article. But I am going to keep the same process for determining which D/ST to pick up in Week 14 and beyond. Only defenses that are rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues will be on this list.
- “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 14
- “Part-Time” Streamer: D/ST with multiple nice matchups in a row.
- “Recruit” Streamer: D/ST with an easy upcoming schedule that you pick up earlier to stash on your bench.
- “Fool’s Gold” Streamer: D/ST that on paper looks like a good option but should be avoided
Week 15 D/ST Streamers
Los Angeles Rams D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Washington Commanders (30th)
- ESPN Rostership: 25.1%
- Over-Under: 49.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 21.5
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST is a great pickup and play in fantasy in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders. Fantasy defenses playing this Commanders' offense are averaging an impressive 11.6 fantasy points per game, which makes the Rams a great start this weekend.
The over/under in this game does scare me a bit because it is the second-highest of the week. The Commanders should be able to score on Sunday, which definitely limits the Rams' defense. But Los Angeles should still secure plenty of fantasy points. Quarterback Sam Howell has the second most turnovers this season (16) and has also been sacked the second most in 2023 (58). Those two stats should help the Rams D/ST in fantasy in Week 15.
They are a nice play this weekend and can be used again in Week 17 -- if your fantasy teams makes it that far. The Rams play the New York Giants in the fantasy football championship, a matchup that favors this Los Angeles secondary.
Las Vegas Raiders D/ST (Temporary Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers (6th)
- ESPN Rostership: 17.8%
- Over-Under: 34 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 15.5
Things change fast in the NFL. Just last week, the Raiders D/ST was not on anyone's radar in fantasy. But after the season-ending injury to quarterback Justin Herbert (finger), they are now a strong play in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. With second-year quarterback Easton Stick making his first career start on a short week, Las Vegas should score plenty of defensive fantasy points.
Stick will come into this game with just 25 career pass attempts in his fifth NFL season. Before last week's game, Stick had just one career pass attempt, which came in 2020. The Raiders should be in prime position to get to the inexperienced quarterback early and often on Thursday. They are also a defensive unit that is coming along quite nicely, scoring at least eight fantasy points in five of the past six contests.
Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (23rd)
- ESPN Rostership: 14.4%
- Over-Under: 39.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18
The Cincinnati Bengals D/ST is coming off a strong performance in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, allowing just eight points behind a three-sack, two-turnover performance. Now, heading into the fantasy playoffs, they are a strong start against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15.
The Vikings will be starting Nick Mullens this weekend, which should benefit the Bengals' secondary. Mullens hasn't made a start since 2021 and has 23 interceptions in 25 career appearances. Minnesota is also allowing three sacks per game over the past three contests, making Cincinnati a strong play in Week 15.
With the Bengals playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, they could be used again in the second round of the fantasy playoffs. If Mitchell Trubisky starts again for Pittsburgh next week, Cincinnati's defense is another strong play. In Week 12, they allowed just 16 points with two sacks and one fumble against the Steelers.
Denver Broncos D/ST (Recruit Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Detroit Lions (17th)
- Week 16 Opponent: New England Patriots (28th)
- ESPN Rostership: 12.1%
- Over-Under: N/A
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A
If you have a first-round fantasy bye or just want to secure a defense in Week 16, look no further than the Denver Broncos D/ST. They will play the struggling New England Patriots and are one of the strongest defensive options in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. Defenses playing against this Patriots' offense are averaging 11 fantasy points per game.
The Broncos are also a defensive unit that is getting hot at the right time. They are averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game over the past six games and continue to improve in every defensive department. Over the past three games, Denver has 15 sacks and five turnovers.
Denver can also be kept and played in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. With Herbert out for the year, the Broncos D/ST will be a strong play in the fantasy football championship in Week 17. Last week facing the Chargers, they scored 15 fantasy points behind a six-sack performance.
Recruit Streamers
If you have Week 15 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 16:
- Green Bay Packers (55.8% rostership)- Week 16 opponent: 28th-ranked Panthers
- Philadelphia Eagles (52.2% rostership)- Week 16 opponent: 32nd-ranked Giants
- Washington Commanders (15.7% rostership)- Week 16 opponent: 31st-ranked Jets
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Chicago Bears D/ST @ Cleveland Browns
- Week 15 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (26th)
- ESPN Rostership: 6.2%
If you need a defense in Week 15, many managers might turn to the Chicago Bears this weekend. They have scored at least seven fantasy points in four straight games while coming off two 15-point fantasy performances in back-to-back games. But, I am skeptical about starting them against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco continues to put up numbers as a starter and has only been sacked three times over the past two games. The Browns have a strong offensive line and should be able to score plenty of points in Week 15.
Other Fantasy Playoff D/ST Streamers (Weeks 15-17)
Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Week 15 -17 Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 16 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
- Week 17 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
- ESPN Rostership: 32.6%
If you want a defense to play through the entire fantasy playoffs, the Indianapolis Colts are a strong play. They will face Trubisky in Week 15, Desmond Ridder in Week 16, and Aidan O'Connell in Week 17. That quarterback play should keep the Colts' D/ST in start territory throughout the playoffs.
The Colts have been giving up a lot of points over the past three weeks (80), but they have made it up in other ways. They have a touchdown in back-to-back games with 12 sacks during that span. Indianapolis also has totaled at least four sacks in four of the past five contests. They are a great upside play in Week 15 and moving forward in the fantasy playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST (Week 17 Streamer)
- Week 17 Opponent: Carolina Panthers
- ESPN Rostership: 41.7%
If you want to really look ahead to the fantasy championship, the Jaguars have a great Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. It's been a tough couple of weeks for this defense after the Bengals put up a 34 spot in Week 13 and the Browns scored 31 points just last week.
But they are still a defense to pick up for the championship. They have totaled at least two sacks in five of the past six games and six of the past eight contests. On the other hand, the Panthers have allowed the fourth-most sacks this year (51). Jacksonville isn't start worthy in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they have one of the best matchups in the fantasy football championship in Week 17.
DST Streaming Action Plan
Planning out your fantasy DST might require some work, but it might be necessary in order to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams over the next four weeks.
- Week 14: Stream the Packers versus the 32nd-ranked Giants.
- Week 15: Stream the Rams versus the 29th-ranked Commanders.
- Week 16: Stream the Broncos versus the 30th-ranked Patriots.
- Week 17: Stream the Rams versus the 32nd-ranked Giants.
Rest of Season DST Rankings: Strength of Schedule
This chart below was created by my colleague Scott Rinear in his last D/ST streaming piece from Week 6 to Week 10. I thought this would be handy for those who wanted to access it. So I wanted to leave this for those who might be looking ahead to the coming weeks.
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