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The fantasy playoffs have arrived, which means the best teams are squaring off against each other every week from here on out. The margin of error is razor-thin and a poor performance by a defense can break title dreams.
Play the wrong defense and managers can be left with a zero (or worse) in their lineup. It's important to utilize the waiver wire and find the matchup that benefits defenses. There are a handful of poor offenses across the NFL.
Below, we'll dive into the best DST streamers and starts for Week 15, while also taking a peak at the entire fantasy football playoff schedule. The top-tier defenses that are widely owned, like San Francisco, Dallas, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Miami will not appear in this article.
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Best DST Streaming Options For Week 15
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Atlanta isn't a particularly strong defense and allowed Tennessee, Minnesota, Arizona, and Tampa Bay to score 28, 31, 25 and 27 points, respectively. But even some of the worst units in the NFL have shut down the Carolina Panthers.
Bryce Young has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The elder statesman, Adam Thielen, is the most dangerous weapon on the offense. The Panthers allow the fourth-most sacks (51) and they only average a hair over 15 points per game. Last week, Young and Co. scored just six points against New Orleans. It's not an offense that is improving as Young figures out the NFL game.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Two days ago, this defense would not have been anywhere near the top of the list. Justin Herbert will miss Thursday's game with a fractured finger, which forces Easton Stick to make his first career NFL start.
Stick led one scoring drive in a half of football against the Denver Broncos last week. The touchdown came when the outcome of the contest was already determined. He also took two sacks and fumbled twice, losing one.
Sometimes backup quarterbacks light up opposing defenses (Jake Browning), while others end up being a far worse option than their predecessors (Mitch Trubisky, Tim Boyle). The Raiders' defense has played much better under the tutelage of interim coach Antonio Pierce and will likely force the inexperienced quarterback into turnovers and sacks.
New Orleans vs. New York Giants
The Giants may average the second-fewest points per game (only sneaking ahead of the Patriots) and allow the most sacks, but Tommy Devito may be starting to figure it out. For the third straight game, the undrafted rookie hasn't thrown the ball to the defense. Even better, he didn't take a single sack on Monday Night Football against the Packers.
If he replicates that performance again on Sunday, the Saints won't be a useful fantasy football defense. But they are riding some defensive momentum after annihilating Carolina in Week 14, which included four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. Hosting a game tends to give a boost to defensive units as well.
Best DST Schedules For Fantasy Playoffs
Los Angeles Rams
- Week 15 vs. Washington
- Week 16 vs. New Orleans
- Week 17 at New York Giants
Sacks on Sam Howell and a possible date with undrafted rookie Tommy Devito. Those are two meaty matchups for a defense that is surprisingly dreadful for fantasy football this season. The Giants' offense has been mediocre, so it's hard to argue that they shouldn't be in the starting conversation come fantasy Super Bowl Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 15 at Seattle
- Week 16 vs. New York Giants
- Week 17 vs. Arizona
For a defense littered with talent and household names, the Eagles have been fantasy gold for wide receivers and quarterbacks. That makes them tough to trust in the high-pressure fantasy playoffs. Outside of the Seattle game, however, they draw two great matchups at home in Weeks 16 and 17. The Giants currently average 14 points per game.
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