X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 12, 13, 14, 15) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Joey's best fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for Weeks 12, 13, 14, 15 in 2024. NFL team defense streamers and starts based on strength of schedule.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 12, 13, 14, and 15 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. Picking up defenses in advance that have a great upcoming schedule is a strategy that most fantasy managers should be using at this point of the season. 

With only a couple more weeks until the fantasy playoffs, it's time to look ahead and pick up those defenses that could help you win your matchups. In this article, we will look at the best fantasy defenses to pick up over the next four weeks and the two best defenses to pick up for the fantasy football playoffs. 

So, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 12 through Week 15. If you want only specific Week 12 D/ST fantasy football streamers and rankingsbe sure to check out that link.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 12-15

The biggest factor in choosing which defenses to pick up in the coming weeks is their opponent. Targeting defenses playing the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, or Dallas Cowboys has worked well for fantasy managers in recent weeks, and that shouldn't change in the final six games of the fantasy season. 

As a result, a lot of the best defenses to stream and pick up will be playing those offenses. Opposing defenses are averaging over 9.3 fantasy points against all four of those offenses in 2024. 

Each defense on this list will be broken down into four categories (temporary streamer, part-time streamer, recruit streamer, and fool's gold streamer) to help you make the best decision. The description of each category can be found below, and all defenses on this list will be rostered in 50% or less of ESPN leagues. 

  • “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 12
  • “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 12 D/ST Streamers

Washington Commanders D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

  • Week 12 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys (28th)
  • ESPN Rostership: 28.5%
  • Over-Under: 45.5 points
  • Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.75

The Commanders defense should be picked up in most leagues ahead of Week 12 because of the team's next two matchups. It'll play the Cowboys in Week 12 and the Titans in Week 13. That's certainly great news for a defense that gets to the quarterback at a high level. Washington ranks eighth in sacks (29) and fourth in pass-rush win rate (49%).

So, this unit will be a top-7 play against the Cowboys in Week 12. Dallas' offensive line has allowed at least three sacks in four of the past five games, and Cooper Rush was just sacked five times in last week's loss. On top of that, this offense with Rush under center has scored just 16 total points over the past two games.

Then, fantasy managers will be able to start this Commanders defense again in Week 13 against the Titans. Will Levis has been sacked at least five times in three of his last four full starts, and Washington has totaled at least two sacks in nine straight games. Given that opposing defenses are averaging 11.1 fantasy points against the Tennessee offense this year, this defense will be a great start over the next two games. 

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

  • Week 12 Opponent: Detroit Lions (4th) 
  • ESPN Rostership: 10.5%
  • Over-Under: N/A
  • Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

This Colts defense should be stashed on your bench for Week 13. With Indianapolis playing against the Lions this weekend, not many fantasy managers will even think about picking up this defense ahead of Sunday. However, picking it up right now will ensure you are set for next week. This defense will go up against the Patriots in Week 13.

Although New England has looked better with Drake Maye under center, this is still an offense that has plenty of holes. The Patriots have given up the fourth-most sacks (35) this year, and Maye has been brought down at least three times in two of the past three games. Therefore, the Colts should be able to get to the quarterback in this game. They have totaled at least two sacks in five straight contests. 

After that matchup, they will have a bye in Week 14 and a matchup against the Broncos in Week 15. While they likely can't be used in Week 15, they are worth holding onto because a matchup against the Titans awaits them in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs (Week 16). 

New York Giants D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

  • Week 12 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th) 
  • ESPN Rostership: 7.1 %
  • Over-Under: N/A
  • Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

If you already have Week 12 figured out and have an extra spot on your bench, pick up the Giants defense for Week 13. It ranks second in sacks (36) and the top half of the league in pressure rate (33.9%) this season. Although New York has totaled only one sack over the past two games, this unit has a great matchup against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. 

The Cowboys have given up 29 sacks (tied for the ninth most in the NFL) this season, including at least three sacks in four of the past five games. So, the Giants defense should be able to rack up the sacks in this game with Rush starting under center. 

After Week 13, though, the New York defense might not be playable for the rest of the season. It'll play the Saints in Week 14, the Ravens in Week 15, and the Falcons in Week 16. Although fantasy managers could roll this unit out against New Orleans in two weeks, this isn't the best matchup for it. Derek Carr has only been sacked seven times across eight games this season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

  • Week 12 Opponent: New York Giants (29th) 
  • ESPN Rostership: 9.2%
  • Over-Under: 41.5
  • Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18

The Buccaneers defense has the best upcoming schedule over the next few weeks. This unit will play the Giants (Week 12), Panthers (Week 13), and Raiders (Week 14) across the next three games. Then, Tampa Bay will face the Cowboys (Week 16) and the Panthers (Week 17) in the last two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. 

Of course, the biggest concern with adding the Buccaneers is that they have struggled defensively for most of the year. Over their last six games, they are allowing 31.3 points per game. However, it would be a shock to see the Giants, Panthers, and Raiders score over 25 points against this defense over the next three weeks, considering New York (15.6), Carolina (16.7), and Las Vegas (18.7) rank bottom-8 in points per game. 

On top of that, there is potential for this Tampa Bay defense to finish with solid fantasy numbers in those contests. The Buccaneers have totaled 26 sacks since Week 4 (3.7 sacks per game), and both the Raiders (33) and Giants (30) rank bottom-8 in sacks allowed this season. Pick up this unit with confidence ahead of Week 12. 

 

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Chicago Bears D/ST vs. MIN

  • Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (23rd)
  • ESPN Rostership: 38.4%

If you are looking for a defense on the waiver wire this week, it's best to stay away from the Bears in Week 12. Although this Chicago defense has been one of the best this season and currently ranks seventh in points allowed per game (18.7), there isn't much upside in starting this unit this weekend against the Vikings. 

The Bears defense hasn't scored in double figures in fantasy in four straight games and has only totaled two sacks over the past two games. Even though Sam Darnold has turned over the ball 14 times this season, this Chicago defense will be going up against a Vikings offense that can score. Minnesota ranks 10th in points per game (24.4), and Darnold has only been sacked three times across the last two weeks. 

 

Best Stashes (Fantasy Football Playoffs) 

Arizona Cardinals D/ST 

  • Week 15 Opponent: New England Patriots (27th) 
  • Week 16 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (22nd) 
  • ESPN Rostership: 2% 

The fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, which means it's time to start looking at the best defensive options for the final three weeks. If you have already locked up a playoff spot or want to plan, pick up the Cardinals defense for its Week 15 and Week 16 matchups. 

Given that the Cardinals have played well recently on this side of the ball, they are almost a must-add for the fantasy playoffs. Over the past four games, Arizona has totaled 13 sacks while forcing three turnovers. This unit also held the Chargers (Week 7), Bears (Week 9), and Jets (Week 10) to zero touchdowns during these four weeks. 

So, facing the Patriots and Panthers in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs is certainly great news for this defense. New England has allowed the fourth-most sacks (35) this season, and Carolina ranks tied for sixth (16) in giveaways. The Patriots and Panthers also both rank bottom-6 in pass-block win rate through 11 weeks. So, Arizona's defense is a strong pickup ahead of the fantasy playoffs. 

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST 

  • Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd) 
  • Week 16 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (30th) 
  • ESPN Rostership: 31.6%

The Bengals defense also has some great matchups in the fantasy football playoffs, especially with games against the Titans (Week 15) and the Browns (Week 16) in the first two weeks. Although Cincinnati has given up over 30 points in three of the past four games, this defense has played well against some of the worst offenses this season. 

Back in Week 6, this unit held the Giants to only seven points and then scored 16 fantasy points against the Browns one week later. It's definitely a risk to roll with a defense like the Bengals, considering they have totaled only 19 sacks all year. However, having the sack leader in Trey Hendrickson (11.5) does make this Cincinnati defense an appealing option in the fantasy playoffs. 

The Titans have given up 33 sacks this season (tied for the fifth most in the NFL), while the Browns lead the league in sacks allowed (46) through 11 weeks. As a result, the Bengals defense is a great option to stash on your bench for the fantasy football playoffs. This unit ranks 13th in pass-rush win rate (43%), and Hendrickson has totaled 55 pressures this year. 

 

D/ST Streaming Action Plan

Planning out your fantasy D/ST might require some work, but it might be necessary to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams over the next four weeks. All of these defenses are under 50% rostered in ESPN leagues. 

  • Week 12: Stream the Commanders versus the 28th-ranked Cowboys
  • Week 13: Stream the Commanders versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
  • Week 14: Stream the Buccaneers versus the 31st-ranked Raiders
  • Week 15: Stream the Bengals versus the 32nd-ranked Titans


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jon Runyan

Limited During Minicamp
Saquon Barkley

Feels Great Physically
Justin Simmons

Panthers Have Talked With Justin Simmons
Jordan Addison

Trial Date Set for July 15
New York Jets

Jets Sign Kingsley Jonathan, Marquis Hayes
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Justin Verlander

Returning to the Rotation on Wednesday
Tony Finau

Finishes Tied For 38th at U.S. Open
Bud Cauley

Misses The Cut at U.S. Open
Cameron Young

Finishes Tied For Fourth at U.S. Open
J.J. Spaun

Wins U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 12th at U.S. Open
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at U.S. Open
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 42nd at U.S. Open
Vershon Lee

Vikings Ink Undrafted Offensive Lineman Vershon Lee
Luke Clanton

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
San Francisco 49ers

C.J. West Signs Rookie Deal with San Fran
Jaylen Warren

Training to Handle Larger Workload
Giancarlo Stanton

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Will Campbell

Ends Minicamp as Top Left Tackle
Sam Cosmi

Making Good Progress From Torn ACL
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Adonai Mitchell

Impresses at Minicamp
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Bradley Chubb

Fully Healed, Looking Disruptive
Jonnu Smith

Contract Talks "Still Fluid"
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Cody Brundage

Mansur Abdul-Malik Defeats Cody Brundage By Technical Decision
Oumar Sy

Suffers His First Loss
Alonzo Menifield

Scores Upset Win
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Grant Holmes

Punches Out 15 in Loss
Elly De La Cruz

Goes Yard in Fourth Straight Game
Will Vest

Dealing With Finger Injury
Jackson Merrill

Placed on Seven-Day Concussion Injured List
J.J. McCarthy

Looking "a Lot Stronger"
Shohei Ohtani

Will Be Dodgers' Starting Pitcher Monday
Roki Sasaki

Shut Down From Throwing
Garrett Wilson

Receives New Contract Offer
Jordan Hicks

Headed to Boston
Kyle Harrison

Traded to Red Sox
Travis Kelce

Slims Down During the Offseason
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Restart Contract Discussions
Brady House

Nationals Promoting Brady House to Major Leagues
Rafael Devers

Traded to San Francisco
Logan Gilbert

to Start on Monday
Jayden Higgins

Impresses During Minicamp
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence Making an Impression With his New Team
Isaiah Simmons

Being Used Exclusively as a Linebacker
Tyler Mahle

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Travis Etienne Jr.

the Jaguars Lead Back?
Luis Robert Jr.

Scratched with Thumb Soreness
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Byron Buxton

Scratched from Sunday's Lineup
Brendan Donovan

Returns to the Lineup
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Royce Lewis

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Shohei Ohtani

Blasts Two Homers in Win
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Michael King

Not Making Progress
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Jackson Merrill

Removed Early on Saturday
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF