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Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 7, 8, 9, and 10 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. If you are someone who likes to plan out your defenses in advance, this article could be a big help. We will be looking at the best defensive options to pick up for Week 7 through Week 10.
Most of the defenses on this list can be started this week, while some of the defenses can be stashed on your bench for future weeks. Fantasy managers might not want to carry two defenses every week, but sometimes, it's necessary to get an edge over your league mates at that position.
So here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 7 through Week 10. If you want only specific Week 7 D/ST fantasy football rankings, be sure to check that link out.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 7-10
A lot goes into account when looking to stream a fantasy defense. The biggest is who that defense is playing against. Most of the time, when you are streaming at the position, you are looking for the defense that is going up against the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, or Miami Dolphins.
That has certainly worked wonders for fantasy managers through the first six weeks, as defenses playing those four offenses are averaging over 10.5 fantasy points per game. However, which defense is facing those offenses also matters. Just look at the Colts last week against the Titans. They had a great matchup but only totaled four fantasy points behind a zero-sack, one-interception day.
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 55% or less of ESPN leagues.
- “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 7
- “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 7 D/ST Streamers
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 7 Opponent: Arizona Cardinals (18th)
- ESPN Rostership: 37.9%
- Over-Under: 43.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 20.5
The Chargers defense has been a sneaky set-it-and-forget-it option this season. It has yet to allow more than 20 points in a game this season and has totaled at least two sacks in all five of its games. Now, it gets a matchup against a Cardinals offense that hasn't looked special on offense and could be without Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) on Monday.
While there are some better defensive options to play this week, Los Angeles isn't a bad defense to roll with in Week 7. Kyler Murray has had only 2.47 seconds to throw over the past three weeks -- fastest in the NFL during that span -- and Arizona ranks 21st in pass-block win rate (57%) this season.
Updated #Chargers defensive rankings through 6 weeks, pre-MNF:
EPA/play allowed - 2nd
Success rate - 3rd
Dropback EPA - 5th
Dropback SR - 7th
Rush EPA - 1st
Rushing SR - 2nd
Jesse Minter has this group completely dialed in despite various injuries to key players. pic.twitter.com/J5AMaLRhh5— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) October 14, 2024
Whether you plan to play the Chargers defense or not this week, it is worth a pickup in most leagues because of the upcoming schedule. Los Angeles will play the Saints (Week 8), Browns (Week 9), and Titans (Week 10) over the next three weeks.
With Derek Carr (oblique) likely out next week, facing Spencer Rattler, Deshaun Watson, and Will Levis across the next three games makes this defense a part-time streaming option.
Buffalo Bills D/ST (Potential Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 7 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd)
- ESPN Rostership: 36.9%
- Over-Under: 41.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16
The Bills defense has been a solid fantasy option this year. It has forced at least one turnover in every game while scoring at least six fantasy points in five of its six contests. In Week 7, Buffalo should be started in almost all leagues against the 31st-ranked Titans offense. Fantasy defenses are averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game against that offense this season. So that makes it a must-start defense this weekend.
Not only is the Bills defense a strong play in Week 7, but that unit is a potential part-time streamer with some nice matchups approaching. It will play the Seahawks (Week 8), Dolphins (Week 9), and Colts (Week 10) over the next three weeks. All three matchups certainly favor Buffalo's defense.
Seattle has given up the fourth-most sacks (19) this season and ranks top-3 in pressure rate allowed. Miami could still be without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), and Anthony Richardson has thrown six interceptions in his three full games in 2024. So Buffalo could be a part-time streamer from Week 7 through Week 10.
Green Bay Packers D/ST (Recruit Streamer/Must-Add)
- Week 7 Opponent: Houston Texans (12th)
- ESPN Rostership: 33.1%
- Over-Under: 47.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 22.5
At this point, the Packers defense needs to be rostered in every fantasy league. It has scored the second-most fantasy points through six weeks and is currently averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game. Green Bay also leads the league in takeaways (17), which is four more than any other team entering Week 7.
There's no doubt that Green Bay's defense has a tough matchup against the Texans in Week 7. The Packers rank in the bottom half of the league in pressure rate at 30%, while Houston ranks in the top half of the league in pressure rate allowed. So this defense is a riskier option this weekend. But it is still a top-14 play, considering it has forced at least two turnovers in every game this season.
If you don't plan to use it this week, the Packers defense should still be picked up in every format. Green Bay's defense has played well all season and has a great matchup in Week 8 against the Jaguars. No player has turned over the ball more than Trevor Lawrence (63) since 2021.
New Orleans Saints D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 7 Opponent: Denver Broncos (17th)
- ESPN Rostership: 48.8%
- Over-Under: 36.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19
The Saints defense had a poor showing in Week 6 against the Buccaneers. Despite forcing three turnovers in that game, New Orleans gave up a whopping 45 points and only totaled one sack. While the matchup against the Broncos seems like a great one in Week 7, Denver has been better than expected on offense to start the season.
How the #Saints defense allowed Chris Godwin to score a TD on this play is beyond me. pic.twitter.com/SH16oe307Z
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 13, 2024
Opposing defenses are averaging only 6.5 fantasy points per game against that offense, and Bo Nix has been sacked two times or less in five of six games this year. Still, the Saints defense is a top-8 play to begin Week 7. New Orleans ranks fourth in takeaways (12), and that secondary has forced an interception in all six contests. That's not great news for Nix, who has thrown five interceptions through six weeks.
The Saints defense also has a couple of nice matchups upcoming after the Broncos game. It'll play the Chargers (Week 8), Panthers (Week 9), and Browns (Week 11) over the next month.
Los Angeles has scored 10 points in two of the past three games, Carolina ranks 27th in pass-block win rate (52%), and Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-leading 31 games this season. So make sure to pick up this defense.
Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (Temporary/Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 7 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (29th)
- ESPN Rostership: 21.6%
- Over-Under: 43.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19.5
I was hesitant to put the Bengals defense on this list because it hasn't looked great for most of the year. But that defense has a great upcoming schedule, and it played well last week against an improved Giants offense. As a result, it is worth adding in most leagues heading into Week 7.
Cincinnati will go up against the 32nd-ranked Browns offense this week, and opposing defenses are averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game against them. While the Bengals rank toward the bottom of the league in pressure rate this season, Cleveland has looked abysmal on offense. It ranks last in yards per game (240.2), last in sacks allowed (31), and 30th in points per game (15.8). Therefore, the Bengals defense is a high-floor play.
Cincinnati could also be used again in two weeks when it faces the Raiders in Week 9. Las Vegas has given up the fifth-most sacks (18) this season, and opposing defenses are averaging 11 fantasy points per game against that offense. So fantasy managers can get two games out of the Bengals defense over the next three weeks.
Recruit Streamers
If you have Week 7 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 8:
- Kansas City Chiefs (32.8% rostership)- Week 8 opponent: 30th-ranked Raiders
- Detroit Lions (25.7% rostership)- Week 8 opponent: 32nd-ranked Titans
- Arizona Cardinals (0.6% rostership)- Week 8 opponent: 31st-ranked Dolphins (pending Tagovailoa's availability)
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. Miami Dolphins
- Week 7 Opponent: Miami Dolphins (31st)
- ESPN Rostership: 27.2%
On paper, this might seem like a great matchup for the Colts. The Dolphins are averaging only 10 points per game without Tagovailoa under center, and Miami quarterbacks have been sacked 16 times through five games (3.2 times sacked per game). However, fantasy managers should stay away from Indianapolis' defense in fantasy this week.
The Colts have struggled defensively for most of the year and haven't totaled a sack in back-to-back games. They also rank 30th in pressure rate and 23rd in pass-rush win rate (36%) this season. Even with Tyler Huntley having the eighth-fastest time to throw (2.63 seconds) since he has taken over, Indianapolis might struggle to get to the quarterback on Sunday.
The Colts defense just allowed 37 points to the Jaguars two weeks ago and only scored four fantasy points against the Titans last week. So it might be best to stay away from this defense in fantasy in Week 7.
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.
- Week 7: Stream the Bills versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
- Week 8: Stream the Chiefs versus the 30th-ranked Raiders
- Week 9: Stream the Chargers versus the 31st-ranked Browns
- Week 10: Stream the Chargers versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
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