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Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 8, 9, 10, and 11 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. If you like to stream defenses every week or want to pick up defenses weeks in advance because they have a nice upcoming schedule, this article can be a big help for you.
This piece will contain several defenses fantasy managers should pick up for Week 8 and beyond. If you already have Week 8 figured out, though, this article can still be beneficial because picking up defenses with an excellent matchup in Week 9 or Week 10 could give you a huge edge at the position.
So here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 8 through Week 11. If you want only specific Week 8 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 8-11
Streaming defenses is never easy because anything can happen in any given game. Just look at the Jets defense last week. That unit was a top-10 play against the Steelers, but it scored -3 fantasy points. So when looking at which defenses to play every week, a couple of factors should be taken into account.
For starters, who the defense is playing against is the biggest factor. Targeting offenses like the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots has worked extremely well for fantasy managers through the first seven weeks. That shouldn't change either heading into the next four weeks, as the Browns, Patriots, Raiders, and Titans rank bottom-10 in sacks allowed.
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 8
- “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 8 D/ST Streamers
Chicago Bears D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer/Must-Add)
- Week 8 Opponent: Washington Commanders (2nd)
- ESPN Rostership: 43.6%
- Over-Under: 44.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 21
The Bears defense should not be available on waivers right now. It is likely under 50% rostered in ESPN leagues because of its bye last week. However, fantasy managers should be running to the waiver wire to pick it up if it is available. Chicago has been one of the better defenses in 2024 and ranks fourth in points allowed per game (16.8).
On top of that, this unit is averaging 11 fantasy per game while totaling at least three sacks and forcing at least two turnovers in five of six games this season. Now, the Bears do have a tougher matchup in Week 8 against the Commanders. Jayden Daniels has played turnover-free football, and Washington ranks sixth in pass-block win rate (65%) through the first seven weeks.
Things would change, though, if Daniels -- who is dealing with a rib injury -- can't play. While Marcus Mariota looked good last week, this Bears defense is no joke. So this Chicago defense could potentially be started in Week 8. It also has a solid matchup against the Cardinals (Week 9) and Patriots (Week 10) upcoming. That makes it a strong add in all formats.
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST (Temporary/Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 8 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (31st)
- ESPN Rostership: 32.1%
- Over-Under: 42.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16.5
The Chiefs defense hasn't been as strong of a fantasy option this year, as this unit has scored in double figures just once. But it has a great matchup in Week 8 against the Raiders. With Aidan O'Connell (finger) out for multiple weeks, Gardner Minshew II will start for Las Vegas on Sunday. That is great news for this Kansas City defense.
Minshew has thrown eight interceptions (tied for the most in the NFL) across six games this season and just threw three interceptions in last week's loss to the Rams. While the Chiefs have only totaled four sacks over the last three contests, they do rank fifth in pressure rate. So this is a great start for them in Week 8.
The Chiefs' defense has now held opponents under 28 total points in 27 consecutive games. It's the longest streak for any team since the 2005-07 Ravens did so in 29 straight games.
KC has held its last four opponents under 20 points.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) October 21, 2024
The Chiefs are also a defense fantasy managers might want to keep for the coming weeks. They'll play the Broncos (Week 10), Panthers (Week 12), and Raiders again (Week 13) in the coming weeks. Opposing defenses have had a hard time putting up solid fantasy numbers against Denver's offense this year, but Kansas City should still be a solid play in that game.
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 8 Opponent: New Orleans Saints (26th)
- ESPN Rostership: 33.1%
- Over-Under: 39.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 16
At this point, the Chargers defense needs to be rostered in more leagues. Not only has it played well defensively through the first seven weeks, but Los Angeles also has a great upcoming schedule. In Week 8, this defense will go up against a Saints offense that has struggled with Spencer Rattler under center.
Since Rattler has taken over for the injured Derek Carr (oblique), he has been sacked 11 times across the last two games while turning over the ball four times (two interceptions and two fumbles). After watching what the Broncos defense did to this Saints offense last week, the Chargers defense is a great start in Week 8. Los Angeles also ranks first in points allowed per game (13.8) this season.
After the Chargers' Week 8 matchup against the Saints, they'll play the Browns (Week 9) and Titans (Week 10) in the coming weeks. The Browns will likely be starting Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, and that Cleveland offensive line has given up a league-leading 35 sacks. As for Tennessee, opposing defenses are averaging 12 fantasy points per game against that offense in 2024.
New Orleans Saints D/ST (Recruit Streamer)
- Week 8 Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers (9th)
- ESPN Rostership: 47.9%
- Over-Under: N/A
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A
There's no doubt the Saints defense has looked awful over the past three weeks. It has totaled just three sacks since Week 5 while allowing 213.7 rush yards per game across the last three games. This team simply can't stop the run, which is why this defense should not be started in most formats in Week 8 against a Chargers team that runs the ball 49.2% of the time (seventh highest in the NFL).
However, New Orleans has some fantasy potential over the next couple of weeks. This defense will play the Panthers in Week 9 and the Browns in Week 11. Carolina has surely had its struggles on offense over the past few games, which includes quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton has thrown multiple interceptions in back-to-back games.
Then, the Browns matchup is also a great one for New Orleans. If the Saints can just figure out how to stop the run, they could be a strong start in two of the next four weeks.
Green Bay Packers D/ST (Temporary Streamer)
- Week 8 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (12th)
- ESPN Rostership: 34%
- Over-Under: 49.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 22.5
The Packers defense deserves to be rostered in most leagues moving forward. It has scored the third-most fantasy points through seven weeks while averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game. Yet, this defense is still available in over 65% of ESPN leagues. As a result, fantasy managers should be making a move for this Green Bay defense.
For starters, the Packers lead the league in takeaways (17) and have forced at least two turnovers in six of seven games this season. Now, Green Bay gets a matchup against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. No player has turned over the ball more than Lawrence since 2021 (63), so the Packers could be in for a sneaky solid fantasy day.
The #Packers defense has allowed 22 2nd half points over their last 5 games combined.
Praise this man! pic.twitter.com/0sQ6MMUOYp
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) October 20, 2024
Outside of the Jaguars matchup this week, though, they don't have many great matchups upcoming. The Packers will face the Lions in Week 9 before heading on a bye in Week 10. Then, following their Week 10 bye, they'll play the Bears (Week 11), 49ers (Week 12), Dolphins (Week 13), and Lions (Week 14). Still, given the way this defense has played to start the year, it is worth a pickup.
Recruit Streamers
If you have Week 8 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 9:
- Washington Commanders (21.3% rostership)- Week 9 opponent: 27th-ranked Giants
- New York Giants (5.4% rostership)- Week 9 opponent: 2nd-ranked Commanders (pending Daniels' availability)
- New England Patriots (4.9% rostership)- Week 9 opponent: 32nd-ranked Titans
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Houston Texans D/ST vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 8 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts (6th)
- ESPN Rostership: 39.2%
For the most part, the Texans defense has played well over the past two weeks against the Patriots and Packers. It has totaled seven sacks and forced six turnovers in those two games while finishing with at least nine fantasy points in back-to-back contests. However, fantasy managers should think twice about starting this defense in Week 8.
Despite ranking in the top five in pressure rate this season, Houston could have a hard time getting to Anthony Richardson in this game. The Colts offensive line ranks in the bottom five in pressure rate allowed this season, and Indianapolis quarterbacks have only been sacked 10 times through seven weeks.
Of course, Richardson hasn't looked his best on the field this year, throwing six interceptions across his four full games. But back in Week 1, Houston couldn't stop this Colts offense. The Texans defense gave up 27 points and only totaled two sacks while forcing one interception. As a result, there are better defensive options for Week 8.
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 8: Stream the Chiefs versus the 31st-ranked Raiders
- Week 9: Stream the Chargers versus the 30th-ranked Browns
- Week 10: Stream the Chargers versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
- Week 11: Stream the Saints versus the 30th-ranked Browns
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