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Welcome, RotoBallers, to our defensive streamers and starts piece. Every week, I'll go through the best fantasy defensive options for the next four weeks. In this article, I'll look at the top fantasy defenses to target in Week 5 through Week 8. So, if you like to stream defenses each week, you have come to the right place.
Some of the defenses on this list are only good for Week 5, while other defenses could be used for multiple weeks. Streaming defenses weeks in advance could go a long way in helping you win your matchups. It might not be easy to carry two defenses on your roster, but pay close attention to the defenses who have multiple great matchups upcoming.
Without further ado, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 5 through Week 8.
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 5-8
Streaming defenses each week is not easy by any means. Just look at last week when the Texans, Dolphins, and Cowboys defenses all scored four fantasy points or less. On paper, all three of those defenses had great matchups against the Jaguars, Titans, and Giants, respectively. But sometimes, things don't go according to plan.
However, most of the time, targeting struggling offenses is a recipe for success. Fantasy defenses playing against the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans are averaging over 10 fantasy points per game. As a result, you'll see me recommend targeting defenses playing those offenses in the coming weeks.
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 5
- “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 5 D/ST Streamers
Minnesota Vikings D/ST (Temporary/Recruit Streamer)
- Week 5 Opponent: New York Jets (8th)
- Week 6 Opponent: BYE
- ESPN Rostership: 45.7%
- Over-Under: 40.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19
At this point, the Vikings need to be rostered in all leagues. They are currently the No. 1-ranked fantasy defense and have totaled the most sacks (17) through the first four weeks. Minnesota's defense has also scored at least nine fantasy points in all four games this season, including three double-digit performances.
The Vikings defense has definitely established itself as a set-it-and-forget-it option moving forward. So, it isn't a bad play against the New York Jets in Week 5. New York scored only nine points last week, and it has yet to click together on offense through the first four weeks.
I fully understand it's because the other team is always trailing, but this is still really funny.
Vikings Passing Defense,
NFL Ranking,
thru 4 Weeks:Pass Defense DVOA = 1st
DEF Dropback EPA/Play = 1st
Passing Yards Allowed = 32nd— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) October 1, 2024
That's why fantasy managers should absolutely be looking to pick up the Vikings ahead of Week 5 and possibly stash them for the coming weeks -- if you don't want to start them this weekend. After a bye in Week 6 and a matchup against the Lions in Week 7, Minnesota will face the Rams (Week 8), Colts (Week 9), Jaguars (Week 10), Titans (Week 11), and Bears (Week 12) in the middle of the season.
Denver Broncos D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 5 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (27)
- ESPN Rostership: 5.7%
- Over-Under: 36.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17
The Broncos defense is the best play in fantasy this week against the Raiders. Denver has totaled almost as many sacks (12) as points allowed (16) over the last two weeks to the Jets and Buccaneers. In those two games, it has scored 28 combined fantasy points while finishing as a top-4 fantasy defense in both contests.
Now, the Broncos will face a Raiders team that has had their struggles offensively to begin the season. Gardner Minshew II has been sacked 14 times through four weeks while throwing an interception in three of four games this season.
Not only should Denver be started in fantasy this week, but it also has a great matchup in Week 6 against the Chargers. Los Angeles has scored only 10 points in consecutive games. Therefore, by picking up the Broncos defense, you can start it for at least the next two weeks and possibly even more. They will face the Saints (Week 7) and Panthers (Week 8) after those games, making them a part-time streaming option.
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST (Recruit Streamer)
- Week 5 Opponent: BYE
- ESPN Rostership: 21.7%
- Over-Under: N/A
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A
With the Eagles on a bye this week, now is the perfect time to pick them up. Most fantasy managers aren't even thinking about picking up Philadelphia's defense ahead of Week 5, but making this move could set you up for the coming weeks.
The Eagles will play the Browns (Week 6), Giants (Week 7), and Jaguars (Week 9) in three of the next five weeks. Defenses are averaging 10.5 fantasy points against the Browns, 9.1 fantasy points against the Giants, and 7.8 fantasy points against the Jaguars this season. That makes Philadelphia a strong add in most leagues right now.
Of course, the Eagles defense hasn't played particularly well to start the season. It has totaled only six sacks and forced two turnovers through the first four weeks. However, the Browns, Giants, and Jaguars have all struggled offensively to begin the season. So, it's best to stash Philadelphia for the coming weeks.
Chicago Bears D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 5 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (19)
- ESPN Rostership: 37.3%
- Over-Under: 42.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19.5
Like the Vikings, the Bears defense should be rostered in almost all leagues heading into Week 5. It has totaled at least three sacks and forced at least two turnovers in three of four games this season while holding opposing offenses to less than 22 points in all four games to start the year. As a result, it could be a set-it-and-forget-it defense moving forward.
In Week 5, the Bears have a semi-tough matchup against a Panthers offense that has scored over 23 points in back-to-back games with Andy Dalton under center. Still, they could be used this weekend, given how well they have played through the first four weeks.
If you don't want to use them for this week, though, they should absolutely be started next week against the Jaguars. So, make sure to plan ahead and try to pick up the Bears defense before Week 5 starts. Chicago could also be used in Week 9 against the Cardinals and Week 10 against the Patriots.
Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 5 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (23rd)
- ESPN Rostership: 9.7%
- Over-Under: 46.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 24.5
Despite being underdogs on the road against the Jaguars, the Colts are a sneaky defensive option this weekend. They have totaled at least four sacks and forced at least two turnovers in each of the past two games while allowing a combined 40 points against the Bears and Steelers. Now, they get a Jaguars offense that has averaged only 285.5 yards per game to start the season.
It makes very little sense to see Jacksonville with an implied team total of 24.5 points. It has yet to score over 20 points in a game this season and has only scored six touchdowns through the first four weeks. As a result, the Colts defense could be a solid play in Week 5.
Indianapolis will also have some solid matchups after that Jacksonville game, which is why the Colts find themselves as a part-time streamer. They will face the Titans in Week 6 and the Dolphins in Week 7. Fantasy managers surely saw what both offenses looked like in Monday's game, and it wasn't pretty. So, the Colts could be used for the next three weeks in fantasy.
Recruit Streamers
If you have Week 5 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 6:
- Houston Texans (55.7% rostership)- Week 6 opponent: 31st-ranked Patriots
- Cincinnati Bengals (29% rostership)- Week 6 opponent: 26th-ranked Giants
- Los Angeles Chargers (25.9% rostership)- Week 6 opponent: 22nd-ranked Broncos
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Washington Commanders D/ST vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 5 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (29th)
- ESPN Rostership: 2%
Starting defenses that are playing the Browns have worked out well for fantasy managers to start the season. The Cowboys, Giants, and Raiders defenses all scored at least nine fantasy points against Cleveland's offense this season. Part of that success has come from sacks, as Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-leading 19 times this season.
How difficult it's been to earn new first downs against each defense
(Chargers/Saints artificially high bc they played against Bryce Young. Same for Seahawks/Titans against the not-Tua Dolphins) pic.twitter.com/MYwG6EPqu5
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 1, 2024
However, Washington doesn't have a great defense, and that unit could struggle to put up fantasy numbers in Week 5. Before Week 4's strong performance against the Cardinals, the Commanders allowed 30-plus points in two of the first three games while totaling just four sacks.
Of course, fantasy managers should be targeting defenses playing against the Browns each week. But this week is a little different because the Commanders just don't have the talent on that side of the ball. That's why, despite the matchup, this Washington defense should be avoided in fantasy in most cases this weekend.
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 5: Stream the Broncos versus the 27th-ranked Raiders
- Week 6: Stream the Texans versus the 31st-ranked Patriots
- Week 7: Stream the Bills versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
- Week 8: Stream the Lions versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
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