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If you stream defenses in fantasy football, you have come to the right place. This article will look at defenses to target in Week 13 and beyond. Interesting to note that Week 15 and Week 16 will be featured in the list below, which is the playoffs for most fantasy leagues.
So, if you have already clinched a playoff spot or a first-round bye, you should already be looking at matchups for those weeks. It would make sense to prioritize those great matchups in the fantasy playoffs rather than prioritizing great matchups in Week 13 and Week 14 -- if you have already clinched a postseason berth. However, if you haven't, focus on those defenses over the next two weeks.
There's a lot that goes into what makes a good fantasy defense on any given week. After tons of research, here are the best defenses to stream in Week 13 and beyond.
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DST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 13-16
Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a common theme in terms of which offenses to target when you are streaming fantasy defenses. At the top of that list are the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. Defenses playing those offenses are averaging over 11 fantasy points per game.
You can also add in the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. Defenses playing against those offenses are averaging over 10.4 fantasy points per game. Most of those teams are starting young, inexperienced quarterbacks or backup quarterbacks for the remainder of the year.
On top of that, those offenses can't protect their quarterback. The Giants (69), Commanders (55), Jets (47), Panthers (43), Titans (36), and Bears (35) have given up the most sacks this season and occupy the top six spots for the league lead. These are certainly offenses to target down the stretch.
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 13 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 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
Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 13 Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals (9th)
- ESPN Rostership: 36.4%
- Over-Under: 38.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16.75
If you're fighting for a playoff spot and need a fantasy defense over the next two weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars could be a go-to option. They play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 without quarterback Joe Burrow and then will take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. The Jaguars D/ST will be facing backup quarterbacks in back-to-back weeks.
That makes them an intriguing option to pick up and play over the next two weeks. The Jaguars D/ST is also a possible stash candidate, as they will take on the 1-10 Carolina Panthers in the fantasy football championship in Week 17.
But focusing on Week 13, the Jaguars are a great option. The Bengals have the third-lowest implied total of the week and are coming off a game where they scored just 10 points while giving up four sacks. Jacksonville only has 24 sacks this season, but have at least two in four straight games. They are a strong option in Week 13 and Week 14.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Temporary Streamer)
- Week 13 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (29th)
- ESPN Rostership: 26.2%
- Over-Under: 37.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16.25
The Carolina Panthers continue to struggle on offense, which makes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST a strong option in Week 13. Fantasy defenses that play the Panthers this season are averaging an impressive 11.1 fantasy points per game. Last week, the Tennessee Titans kept up with that average by totaling 11 fantasy points behind a four-sack performance.
The Buccaneers should have their way in Week 13 against a Panthers offensive line that has given up the fourth-most sacks this season. Tampa Bay's secondary has been the team's weak part in 2023, but the defensive line continues to generate sacks. They have totaled at least three sacks in six of 11 games.
With a lot of coaching changes happening in Carolina heading into Week 13, Tampa Bay should be a nice fantasy defensive option. But after 13, they likely don't warrant a reason to be kept with games against middle-of-the-pack teams in Week 14 (Atlanta Falcons) and Week 15 (Green Bay Packers).
Atlanta Falcons D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 13 Opponent: New York Jets (31st)
- ESPN Rostership: 16.5%
- Over-Under: 33.5
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16.25
The Atlanta Falcons D/ST possibly has the best matchup this week, playing a New York Jets team that will once again be starting Tim Boyle. That opportunity should lead to many fantasy points for the defense. Last week, the Dolphins D/ST sacked Boyle seven times while forcing two turnovers (one touchdown) and allowing just seven points.
In a game that has the lowest over/under of the week, the Falcons D/ST has a very safe floor in Week 13. After that, they'll face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14 and the Carolina Panthers in Week 15. Earlier in the year, Atlanta scored double-digit fantasy points against both division opponents. They are a nice pickup in Week 13 with potential great matchups approaching.
Green Bay Packers D/ST (Recruit Streamer/Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 13 Opponent: BYE
- Week 14 Opponent: New York Giants
- ESPN Rostership: 24.6%
- Over-Under: N/A
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A
The Packers are not a strong fantasy play in Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But if you already have this week figured out, Green Bay is a defense you should be looking to pick up for Week 14 and beyond. They will face the New York Giants and undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy Devito next week.
Last week, the Patriots D/ST scored 13 fantasy points while sacking DeVito six times. Targeting the Giants offense has worked in the past, and the Packers D/ST should have a very high floor in Week 14. Fantasy defenses that play New York are averaging 13.5 fantasy points per game this year.
Look ahead and grab them before someone else does because they also have a great Week 16 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. If you can pick them up before Week 13, you can use them in Week 14 and play them again in the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
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:
- Houston Texans (8.2% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 31st-ranked Jets
- Detroit Lions (41.7% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 27th-ranked Bears
- Minnesota Vikings (47.1% rostership)- Week 14 opponent: 25th-ranked Raiders
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Los Angeles Rams D/ST
- Week 13 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (26th)
- ESPN Rostership: 14.7%
Facing a backup quarterback in Week 13, the Los Angeles Rams could be a strong defensive option. And while this defense has been in recent weeks, they don't present much of a high ceiling in Week 13 compared to other matchups. They have only scored double-digit fantasy points in one game this year. The Rams D/ST has a nice fantasy floor this week against either P.J. Walker or Joe Flacco (with Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the concussion protocol). But the Browns might be able to put up some points in this one, especially if a veteran like Flacco starts.
Fantasy Playoff D/ST Streamers (Week 15 & Week 16)
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (Week 15 Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
- ESPN Rostership: 14.4%
If you already clinched a playoff spot and your playoffs start in Week 15, the Chargers defense is one to target in the first round. They'll go up against a Raiders offense that continues to start rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell. Defenses playing against Las Vegas are averaging 8.3 fantasy points per game. In five starts with O'Connell under center, the Raiders have failed to score above 17 points in four of those games.
Earlier this year in Week 4, the Chargers faced an O'Connell-led Raiders offense and dominated on defense. They finished with 16 fantasy points behind an impressive seven-sack and three-turnover performance. Los Angeles' defense hasn't been a strong fantasy option this year, but they have a great matchup in Week 15. They are someone to also pick up this week, play against the New England Patriots, and stash.
Washington Commanders D/ST (Week 16 Streamer)
- Week 16 Opponent: New York Jets
- ESPN Rostership: 29.5%
The Washington Commanders traded away two of their best defensive players before the trade deadline and have struggled on that side of the ball because of it. Since trading away Chase Young and Montez Sweat, they have generated one sack or less in three of four games. But in the other game, Washington totaled a season-high nine sacks against the New York Giants in Week 11.
But this playoff stream will also be dependent on Aaron Rodgers' (Achilles) availability. The veteran quarterback is targeting a Week 16 return against the Commanders, which would no longer make this Washington team a must-stream option during that week. However, if Rodgers does not return in this one, the Commanders should have a safe floor against Boyle or even Zach Wilson.
Houston Texans D/ST (Week 15 and Week 16 Streamer)
- Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
- Week 16 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
- ESPN Rostership: 8.2%
The Texans have one of the best fantasy defensive schedules remaining. They were a part of the recruit-streamer list for Week 14 since they will face the New York Jets. But they are a team you should pick up now before anyone else gets a chance to claim or bid for them.
In Week 15, they will face the Tennessee Titans, who continue to start rookie quarterback Will Levis. Then, in Week 16, the Texans D/ST will have the Cleveland Browns come to town, likely starting Thompson-Robinson, Flacco, or Walker. If you want a consistent defense to start in the first two weeks of the playoffs, Houston is the perfect one. Defenses have had their ways against both the Titans and the Browns this year, especially as of late.
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. Again, these are defenses that are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues.
- Week 13: Stream the Falcons versus the 31st-ranked Jets.
- Week 14: Stream the Packers versus the 32nd-ranked Giants.
- Week 15: Stream the Falcons versus the 29th-ranked Panthers.
- Week 16: Stream the Broncos versus the 28th-ranked Patriots.
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.
This is a handy guide to use to see which defenses to target down the stretch. If you see a lot of green on the schedule, that's definitely a defense you should be picking up and playing. On the other hand, if a team has a lot of red on their schedule, they should likely be avoided.
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