Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 13, 14, 15, 16) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 13, 14, 15, and 16 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. With the fantasy football playoffs right around the corner, now is the perfect time to drop those low-end bench pieces and pick up an extra defense for the next few weeks. 

Picking up the right defenses weeks in advance can go a long way for your fantasy roster, especially for the playoffs. If you have already clinched a playoff spot, it's time to look ahead to Week 15 and Week 16 to identify the best defensive options at the positions.

So, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 13 through Week 16. If you want only specific Week 13 D/ST fantasy football streamers and rankings, be sure to check out that link.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 13-16

In this article, we will be looking at the best defensive streamers in the final two weeks of the fantasy regular season and the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs. If you are still fighting for a playoff spot, then your main priority should be to pick up defenses with a great schedule in Week 13 and Week 14. However, if you have already clinched a playoff spot, pick up defenses that have a great schedule in Week 15 and Week 16.

There's a lot that needs to be considered when looking at which defenses to stream over these next four weeks. The biggest factor, though, is who the defense is playing against. Picking up defenses playing against the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, or New York Giants has worked wonders for fantasy managers through 12 weeks, and that shouldn't stop in the back half of the season.

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 13
• “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 13 D/ST Streamers

Washington Commanders D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 13 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd)
• ESPN Rostership: 48%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19.5

The Commanders were on this list last week, but they disappointed against the Cowboys in Week 12. Washington gave up 34 points, totaled only one sack, and scored a mere three fantasy points. But expect a better performance from this defense against the Titans this weekend.

Opposing defenses are averaging 11.8 fantasy points against the Tennessee offense this year, and Will Levis has been sacked 20 times over the last three weeks. In each of those three games, Levis has been sacked at least five times. That certainly makes Washington's defense an appealing option in Week 13, considering this unit ranks 11th in sacks (30) and eighth in pass-rush win rate (44%). As a result, the Commanders are a top-5 play.

Jimmie Ward house call for Houston!

📺: #TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/PdfQvr8D45

— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

After this week's matchup against the Titans, though, this Washington defense should be dropped in most formats. This unit has a bye in Week 14 and matchups against the Saints (Week 15) and Eagles (Week 16) in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs. The Commanders defense is only a temporary streamer.

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 13 Opponent: New England Patriots (28th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 7.8%
• Over-Under: 42.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 20 

The Colts defense should be a solid start in most formats in Week 13 against the Patriots. New England has allowed the fifth-most sacks (39) this season, and Drake Maye has been sacked at least three times in three of the past four games. Maye has also thrown five interceptions across the last four games. That makes Indianapolis a top-10 play this weekend.

The Colts have totaled at least three sacks in three of the past four games, and the Patriots rank 32nd in pass-block win rate (50%) this season. Although Indianapolis has allowed over 20 points in five straight weeks, New England's offense has only scored above 20 points once over the last four weeks. This unit is a solid play in Week 13.

After this Week 13 matchup against the Patriots, the Colts defense is worth holding onto for the fantasy playoffs. Indianapolis will play the Titans in Week 16 and the Giants in Week 17.

Dallas Cowboys D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 13 Opponent: New York Giants (29th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 24.2 %
• Over-Under: 37.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17

The Cowboys defense is coming off its strongest performance of the season against the Commanders. This unit sacked Jayden Daniels four times, forced three turnovers, and scored two touchdowns en route to a 22-point fantasy day. As a result, Dallas will be a strong play in Week 13 against the Giants.

With Drew Lock expected to start on Thursday, it's hard to sit the Cowboys defense this week. Dallas has totaled at least four sacks in two of the past three games, and the Giants offensive line gave up four sacks in last week's loss. Having Micah Parsons back on this defense has made a difference for this unit. He has four sacks over the last three contests.

The Cowboys defense can also be used again in Week 15 against the Panthers. Although Carolina doesn't allow many sacks, this offense ranks in the bottom half of the league in giveaways, yards per game, and points per game. That makes Dallas a potential part-time streamer heading into this week.

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

• Week 13 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (21st) 
• ESPN Rostership: 35.7%
• Over-Under: 46.5
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 20.25

The Buccaneers defense has one of the best remaining schedules for fantasy. This unit will play the Panthers (Week 13), Raiders (Week 14), Cowboys (Week 16), and Panthers again (Week 17) in four of the next five games. As a result, Tampa Bay will be a part-time streamer over the next few weeks and should be added in most leagues ahead of Week 13.

The Buccaneers also had a great matchup last week against the Giants. In that game, they totaled four sacks, forced one fumble, and held New York's offense to only seven points. After that strong defensive performance, it seems like this Tampa Bay defense will be one that fantasy managers can trust moving forward.

As a result, this unit should be picked up in more leagues. The Panthers rank 29th in points per game, the Raiders have turned over the ball a league-leading 22 times, and the Cowboys have allowed 30 sacks this season (tied for the 11th most in the NFL).

Recruit Streamers

If you have Week 13 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 14:

• New Orleans Saints (29.8% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 29th-ranked Giants
• Tennessee Titans (16.4% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 19th-ranked Jaguars
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11.6% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 32nd-ranked Titans

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. PIT

• Week 13 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers (8th)
• ESPN Rostership: 22.7%

Some fantasy managers might be tempted to pick up the Bengals defense in Week 13. The Steelers have scored less than 20 points in back-to-back games, and Russell Wilson has been sacked at least three times in four straight games. However, there are better options than this Cincinnati defense this week.

Opposing defenses are averaging only 4.8 fantasy points per game against Pittsburgh's offense this year, and the Steelers also don't turn over the ball very often. This offense has turned over the ball only nine times through 12 weeks (tied for the fourth fewest in the NFL). With the Bengals also totaling only seven sacks across the last four games, it's best to stay away from them in Week 13.

Best Stashes (Fantasy Football Playoffs) 

Arizona Cardinals D/ST 

• Week 15 Opponent: New England Patriots (28th) 
• Week 16 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (21st) 
• ESPN Rostership: 21.4% 

At this point, the Cardinals defense should be rostered in almost all leagues. This unit has been on another level over the last few weeks, allowing only 13.4 points per game since Week 7. During that span, Arizona has held the Chargers, Bears, Jets, and Seahawks to under 16 points while totaling 18 sacks combined during that five-game stretch. 

Defense stood tall pic.twitter.com/UAmLXf0OyP

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 25, 2024

With matchups against the Patriots and Panthers in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs, the Cardinals defense is a must-add right now. New England has allowed the fifth-most sacks (39), and Carolina ranks seventh in giveaways (16) this season.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST 

• Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd) 
• Week 16 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (30th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 22.7%

Although the Bengals are not a strong start this week against the Steelers, they should be stashed for the first two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. Cincinnati will play the Titans in Week 15 and the Browns in Week 16. Levis has been sacked 20 times over the past three games, and no offensive line has given up more sacks (47) than Cleveland this year. That makes this defense a must-add ahead of Week 13.

The Bengals have certainly had their troubles on the defensive end this season, but they have played well against some bottom offenses this year. Back in Week 9, Cincinnati totaled five sacks en route to an 11-point fantasy day against the Raiders. Having the sack leader in Trey Hendrickson (11.5 sacks) also gives this defense a big boost in fantasy. Hendrickson totaled nine pressures with two sacks last time against the Browns.

Buffalo Bills D/ST

• Week 16 Opponent: New England Patriots (28th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 39.7%

If you have already clinched a first-round bye for the playoffs, now is the perfect time to pick up the Bills defense for Week 16. Buffalo ranks seventh in points allowed per game, top-10 in pressure rate, and 12th in pass-rush win rate.

As a result, this unit should be in for a strong fantasy day in the second round of the fantasy playoffs against the Patriots. New England has allowed the fifth-most sacks (39) this season. 

Atlanta Falcons D/ST

• Week 15 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (31st) 
• Week 16 Opponent: New York Giants (29th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 7.2%

It might be risky to pick up and start the Falcons defense in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs. Atlanta has totaled more than two sacks in a game just once this season and ranks dead last in sacks per game (0.9). This unit also ranks bottom-5 in both pressure rate and pass-rush win rate this season. But this defense is a possible stash in deeper formats.

The Raiders and Giants have both struggled offensively this season and opposing defenses are averaging over 9.5 fantasy points against both offenses through 12 weeks. Las Vegas and New York also both rank bottom-8 in sacks allowed per game and points per game. As a result, this Falcons defense has some upside in the first two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. 

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 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
• Week 16: Stream the Bills versus the 28th-ranked Patriots 

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