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 13, 14, 15, 16) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Jessie Bates Atlanta Falcons Defense - Fantasy Football DST, Defense Streamers, Waiver Wire IDP

Joey's best fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for Weeks 13, 14, 15, and 16. His NFL team defense streamers and starts based on strength of schedule.

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.

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

 

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. 



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

Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF