Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 11, 12, 13, 14) - Defense Streamers and Starts

November 17, 2024

Joey's best fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for Weeks 11, 12, 13, 14 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 11, 12, 13, and 14 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. Streaming defenses each week is a strategy that some fantasy managers have adopted over the years, and looking ahead weeks in advance could give you an edge over your league mates. 

This article will explore the best defensive streaming options over the next four weeks. With the fantasy football playoffs approaching, these next few weeks are key in securing a spot. That makes picking up the right defenses so much more important at this point in the year. 

So here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 11 through Week 14. If you want only specific Week 11 D/ST fantasy football streamers and rankings, be sure to check out that link.

D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 11-14

If you are someone who streams defenses every week, you have come to the right place. This article will look at several defenses that have a great upcoming schedule in fantasy. 

When looking at which defenses to target on the waiver wire, there's a lot that needs to be taken into account. Who the defense is playing against, though, might be the most important factor. Choosing a defense that is playing the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, or Carolina Panthers has worked wonders for fantasy managers through the first 10 weeks. 

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 11
• “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 11 D/ST Streamers

Houston Texans D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 11 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys (25th)
• ESPN Rostership: 44.7%
• Over-Under: 42.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.5

The Texans defense should be a main priority for every fantasy manager heading into Week 11. For starters, they have a great matchup against the Cowboys this week.

Dak Prescott (hamstring) is out for the year, and the offense took a major step back last weekend with Cooper Rush under center. Dallas only threw for 66 yards in that game, and the offensive line has allowed at least three sacks in three of the past four games. 

That is certainly great news for a Texans defense that ranks top-10 in pressure rate (34.9%) and second in pass-rush win rate (52%). As a result, Houston is a top-6 play this week, considering that unit has totaled at least three sacks in three of the past five weeks. 

5️⃣ INTs FOR THE DEFENSE TONIGHT 🔥

We’ve set the new franchise record for most interceptions in a game 😤 pic.twitter.com/tQqhQSqATB

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 11, 2024

After the team's matchup against the Cowboys, the Texans defense will remain a strong start against the Titans (Week 12) and the Jaguars (Week 13). Both of those offenses have had their struggles in recent weeks.

Opposing defenses are averaging 11.1 points per game against Tennessee's offense this season, and Jacksonville could still very well be starting Mac Jones with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) currently injured. 

Miami Dolphins D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 11 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (32nd)
• ESPN Rostership: 25.6%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.75

If the Texans defense isn't available in your league, the Dolphins defense will be a strong part-time streamer over the next two weeks. In Week 11, this unit will go up against a bottom-5 Raiders offense. Las Vegas currently leads the league in giveaways (19), and that offensive line has given up 30 sacks through 10 weeks (tied for fifth most in the NFL). 

Given that the Dolphins looked solid defensively last week against the Rams, they will be a great play this week against the Raiders. Miami totaled a season-high four sacks in last week's win while forcing two turnovers for the second time all year. 

The Dolphins defense can also be used in Week 12 against the Patriots. Although the Patriots have looked better offensively since Drake Maye has taken over, New England still has plenty of holes on that side of the ball. Maye has thrown three interceptions over the past two games, and this offensive line has allowed the fourth-most sacks (32) this season.  

Washington Commanders D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 11 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles (18th)
• ESPN Rostership: 36.6%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

If you have Week 11 figured out already, then the Commanders are a great pickup ahead of their matchup against the Eagles on Thursday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be starting this defense this week because Philadelphia has scored at least 28 points in four straight games. Rather, you should be stashing this defense on your bench for the coming weeks. 

The Commanders will face the Cowboys in Week 12 and the Titans in Week 13. Both are great matchups for a Washington defense that has played much better in recent weeks. This unit has totaled at least two sacks in eight straight games and currently ranks tied for ninth in sacks (27) this season. It also ranks fourth in pass-rush win rate (49%) through 10 weeks. 

So the Commanders defense will be a strong play in each of those two weeks. The Cowboys have allowed at least three sacks in six of nine games this season, and Will Levis has been sacked at least seven times in two of his last three full games under center. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 11 Opponent: BYE
• ESPN Rostership: 9.1%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

With the Buccaneers on a bye this week, now is the perfect time to pick up this defense. While Tampa Bay's defense has had its struggles through the first two months of the season, it's hard to ignore the team's upcoming opponents. It'll face the Giants (Week 12), Panthers (Week 13), and Raiders (Week 14) in three of the next four weeks. 

Even though the Buccaneers are allowing 26.6 points per game (fifth most in the NFL), they will be a top-10 play in each of those games. New York has allowed 30 sacks this season (tied for fifth most in the NFL). The Panthers are averaging the fifth-fewest points per game (16.7) while ranking tied for fifth in giveaways (16), and the Raiders rank first in giveaways (19) through 10 weeks. 

That's why the Buccaneers should be a top priority for most fantasy managers looking for a part-time streamer at the position. This defense will also play the Cowboys in Week 16 and the Panthers in Week 17, so it could be a solid fantasy option for the rest of the season. 

Green Bay Packers D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 11 Opponent: Chicago Bears (23rd)
• ESPN Rostership: 24.9%
• Over-Under: 41.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.5

The Packers defense was on this list last week as a recruit steamer. But if you didn't pick it up, this unit is a great start in Week 11 against the Bears. Chicago's offense is all out of sorts right now, and Caleb Williams was just sacked a season-high nine times in last week's loss. Williams has now been sacked 38 times through 10 weeks (most in the NFL). 

As a result, the Packers defense will be a top-6 play on the road. The Bears haven't scored an offensive touchdown in back-to-back games, and Green Bay's defense has played well this season. It currently ranks tied for second in takeaways (19) and has scored the seventh-most fantasy points at the position this year. 

The @Packers defense today:
🧀 8 sacks
🧀 2 INTs
🧀 1 Pick-6 pic.twitter.com/7DKwVXTucv

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

After this week, though, the Packers defense can be dropped in most leagues. This unit will play the 49ers (Week 12), Dolphins (Week 13), and Lions (Week 14) in the coming weeks. 

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. MIN

• Week 11 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (22nd)
• ESPN Rostership: 16.3%

On paper, this might seem like a great matchup for the Titans defense. Opposing defenses are averaging 7.9 fantasy points against Minnesota's offense this season, and Sam Darnold is tied for first in interceptions (10) this season. Darnold has also thrown eight interceptions across the last six games. 

However, Tennessee should not be started in most cases this weekend. The Vikings are averaging 24.6 points per game (10th most in the NFL), and Minnesota currently ranks seventh in pass-block win rate (66%) this season. Given that the Titans have forced only five turnovers through 10 weeks to go with 18 sacks, they will be a riskier option in Week 11. 

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 11: Stream the Texans versus the 25th-ranked Cowboys
• Week 12: Stream the Texans versus the 31st-ranked Titans
• Week 13: Stream the Commanders versus the 31st-ranked Titans
• Week 14: Stream the Saints versus the 29th-ranked Giants

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