This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
I wasn't too excited about our streaming options last week, with the exception of an Eagles defense that was hosting the Cardinals. As fate would have it, the Eagles tied for fifth among team defenses with 10 points in Yahoo standard scoring, while my other recommendations all fell outside the top 10. The Jets (t-11) at least came close, but the Lions (t-23), Colts (t-25) and Raiders (27) were essentially useless. I'm expecting much stronger results this week, as there are a few defenses I'd be comfortable starting that are available on waivers in most leagues.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning.
Top Streaming Options for Week 6
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)
24% Yahoo ownership
The Miami offense has been a complete dumpster fire, giving up the third-most points to opposing team defenses while squeaking out just 35 points of its own in four games. Jay Cutler has taken 10 sacks and tossed three interceptions despite attempting only 131 passes and rarely completing anything down the field (5.4 YPA). The Dolphins allowed their opponent's defense to tally at least nine points in Yahoo! standard scoring the past three weeks, and there's little reason to think Week 6 will be much different as Miami gears up for a contest in which it's an 11.5-point underdog with an implied total of just 17.75 points.
The Atlanta defense has been far from dominant so far this season, but it
I wasn't too excited about our streaming options last week, with the exception of an Eagles defense that was hosting the Cardinals. As fate would have it, the Eagles tied for fifth among team defenses with 10 points in Yahoo standard scoring, while my other recommendations all fell outside the top 10. The Jets (t-11) at least came close, but the Lions (t-23), Colts (t-25) and Raiders (27) were essentially useless. I'm expecting much stronger results this week, as there are a few defenses I'd be comfortable starting that are available on waivers in most leagues.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning.
Top Streaming Options for Week 6
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)
24% Yahoo ownership
The Miami offense has been a complete dumpster fire, giving up the third-most points to opposing team defenses while squeaking out just 35 points of its own in four games. Jay Cutler has taken 10 sacks and tossed three interceptions despite attempting only 131 passes and rarely completing anything down the field (5.4 YPA). The Dolphins allowed their opponent's defense to tally at least nine points in Yahoo! standard scoring the past three weeks, and there's little reason to think Week 6 will be much different as Miami gears up for a contest in which it's an 11.5-point underdog with an implied total of just 17.75 points.
The Atlanta defense has been far from dominant so far this season, but it is averaging a respectable three sacks per game and has yet to surrender more than 23 points. With top pass rusher Vic Beasley (hamstring) potentially healthy coming out of a bye week, the Falcons should be able to get after Cutler in the second half of a potential blowout. This is only a one-week streamer, as Atlanta faces New England in Week 7.
Washington Redskins (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
9% Yahoo ownership
The 49ers have only been a mediocre matchup for opposing defenses this season, despite losing each of their five games and surrendering three sacks per contest. Something eventually has to give, and it won't be surprising if it happens this week in a game where the Redskins are 10-point favorites and the 49ers have an implied total of just 18.25.
The Washington defense struggled in Week 4 against Kansas City, but it's otherwise been surprisingly feisty and should come out of a bye week strong, even if Josh Norman (ribs) isn't available. The Redskins have collected 12 sacks and seven takeaways in four games, despite opening the season with matchups against the Eagles, Rams, Raiders and Chiefs. Look for the Washington defense to take advantage of its first truly favorable matchup this season, before getting back to the difficult matchups in a Week 7 rematch with Philadelphia.
New England Patriots (at New York Jets)
56% Yahoo ownership
The Jets have been far better than anyone expected, ripping off three consecutive wins against the Dolphins, Jaguars and Browns. The run likely comes to an end this weekend as the Patriots visit town in a game with an implied total of Patriots 28.5 - Jets 19. Despite their surprising 3-2 record, the Jets nonetheless have given up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, taking 15 sacks and committing eight turnovers in five games.
The much-maligned New England defense should take advantage of the lead the team's high-powered offense is likely to provide, after finally holding an opponent below 20 points in last week's 19-14 win over Tampa Bay. That's not to say I'm sold on the Patriots defense by any means, but it at least makes for a decent one-week streaming option. You won't be considering this unit for a Week 7 matchup with the Falcons.
Carolina Panthers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
50% Yahoo ownership
This is where my confidence in the streaming options begins to dip, which makes sense considering how well the Philadelphia offense has played this season. The Panthers should be able to slow down Philly's running game and force Carson Wentz to air it out, which likely will lead to some points for the Eagles, but also should allow for some sacks and at least one turnover.
Carolina is allowing just 4.0 yards per carry and 6.4 yards per pass attempt, and only two teams have tallied more sacks (17). Ranking top-15 in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric for both run defense and pass defense, this is a unit that should have value beyond Sunday, facing the Bears in Week 7 and the Bucs in Week 8.
Tennessee Titans (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
13% Yahoo ownership
The Colts have given up the league's most points to opposing team defenses, though Scott Tolzien's disastrous Week 1 start is partially to blame. Jacoby Brissett has been quite a bit better, but he's still taken at least three sacks in every start, with his 9.9 percent sack rate ranking second worst in the league among qualified passers. And his only road start to date was a complete disaster, with the Colts giving up a pair of defensive touchdowns in a 46-18 loss to the Seahawks.
The Tennessee defense is a unit we'd normally avoid, but it did at least turn in a solid outing Week 5 in Miami, coming up with a pair of turnovers while allowing just 10 points in a 16-10 loss to the Dolphins. Back at home for a favorable matchup, the Titans at least make for a serviceable low-end streaming option. As a bonus, the Tennessee defense will also be usable Week 7 when it travels to Cleveland to face DeShone Kizer and/or Kevin Hogan.
Honorable Mentions: New Orleans Saints (vs. Detroit Lions), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Arizona Cardinals)
Week 6 D/ST Rankings
1. Denver Broncos (vs. NYG)
2. Baltimore Ravens (vs. CHI)
3. Houston Texans (vs. CLE)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. LAR)
5. Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. PIT)
7. Washington Redskins (vs. SF)
8. Arizona Cardinals (vs. TB)
9. New England Patriots (at NYJ)
10. Carolina Panthers (vs. PHI)
11. Tennessee Titans (vs. IND)
12. Philadelphia Eagles (at CAR)
13. New Orleans Saints (vs. DET)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ARI)
15. Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
16. Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)
17. Los Angeles Rams (at JAC)
18. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (at KC)
20. Chicago Bears (at BAL)
21. Oakland Raiders (vs. LAC)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (at OAK)
23. New York Giants (at DEN)
24. San Francisco 49ers (at WAS)
25. New York Jets (vs. NE)
26. Miami Dolphins (at ATL)
27. Detroit Lions (at NO)
28. Cleveland Browns (at HOU)
Looking Ahead to Week 7
The Dolphins host the Jets.
The Panthers travel to Chicago.
The Titans travel to Cleveland.
