X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

D/ST Strength of Schedule: Best Fantasy Football Defense Streamers and Matchups (Weeks 11-17)

Houston Texans Defense D/ST Streamers, Rankings, Waiver Wire - Derek Stingley Fantasy Football IDP

Scott Rinear looks at 2024 DST fantasy football strength of schedules for Weeks 11-17, and the best fantasy football DST matchups for the rest of the season. Target these DSTs.

Ahh, the good old Defense/Special Teams (DST) position in fantasy football. It is a controversial inclusion in fantasy lineups for some fantasy players, but strategizing around DSTs is one of my favorite aspects of the in-season fantasy football experience. In the article below, I will present the strength of schedule (SOS) for the fantasy Defense/Special Teams (DST) position.

I wrote a weekly DST rankings piece for RotoBaller last year. The schedule of life disallowed me from making that same commitment in 2024, but my analysis and strength of the scheduling process for the DST position are alive and well (and improved in my completely objective opinion).

So, instead of a weekly piece, this article dives into the strength of schedule for the DST position for the rest of the season, capped off by a specific “road map” that can be used by my fellow DST streamers, who can be found grinding that waiver wire in fantasy leagues across the globe.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Fantasy Strength of Schedule Process

You may have read my preseason article series for RotoBaller where I covered projected fantasy strength of schedule for the skill positions. The criteria I use before the season starts differs from what I am using for the strength of schedule during the season.

A DST’s opponent's strength should not be the sole reason you choose to start or sit that DST in a given week. But it should be a piece of the decision-making process. It can be a good tiebreaker if you are deciding between two options.

By looking at current and future matchup difficulties and breaking the season down into different time frames (e.g., Rest of the Regular Season and Fantasy Playoffs), it also allows you to strategize for DST streaming options.

If a player has a difficult stretch of games in the next month, followed by a much more favorable schedule after that, you might be able to catch a manager in a panic after their player understandably underperforms against tough opponents and make a move right before their schedule opens up. And vice versa.

I’ll start by providing some insight into my process and what data I use to project opponent strength and strength of schedule. Then we’ll look closer at the different scheduled time frames.

Fantasy matchups are something I’ve spent a lot of time on over the last three years. During the season I compile game log data for every game to arrive at raw fantasy points allowed to each position as soon as possible each week, and the goal is to have the results available before waivers so matchup strength can be factored into those decisions.

Plenty of sites provide fantasy points allowed data. I choose to do it myself so I can rearrange and reorganize in ways I think are helpful. Raw points allowed are helpful but don’t tell the full story. It’s important to dig a little deeper and look at points allowed relative to an opponent’s average.

For example, if Team A gives up 10 fantasy points to the Vikings DST and Team B gives up the same number of points to the Panthers DST, raw fantasy points allowed would show Team A and B having the same matchup difficulty versus DSTs. Using “Points Over Average Allowed (POAA)” paints a more accurate picture.

Through nine weeks, the Vikings DST has averaged 11.9 points per game and the Panthers DST has averaged 2.9 points per game. Using POAA, Team A held Minnesota 1.9 points under their average (a POAA of -1.9) while Team B allowed Carolina to score 7.1 points above their average (a POAA of +7.1).

Through this lens, these two teams are far from an equal matchup difficulty. This turns raw fantasy points allowed to an “opponent-adjusted” fantasy points allowed.

The other angle I am adding to the equation is recency. A team’s season-long average points allowed can look different than over a more recent stretch of games. Defenses improve or regress for a variety of reasons.

Players get injured or return from injury, coaches adjust their schemes and game plans (on both sides of the ball), and, more qualitatively, players and teams “figure it out.”

Neither season-long nor recent data sets are definitive, but it’s important to look at both when trying to increase the probability of making the right future decisions.

The following are the data sets I use in my process for determining opponent strength versus fantasy DSTs:

  1. Raw fantasy points are allowed to DSTs per game.
  2. POAA to DSTs per game; season-long.
  3. POAA to DSTs per game over the last three games.
  4. POAA to DSTs per game over the last five games.

 

Pressure Rate

While this metric is not factored into my adjusted fantasy points allowed process, pressure rate is a useful statistic to factor into the strategy of choosing a DST. A defense’s rate is calculated using the following equation:

  • (QB Hurries + QB Knockdowns + QB Sacks) divided by QB Dropbacks

Other than sacks, the frequency with which a defense pressures the opposing QB does not directly equate to fantasy points. But pressure on the QB that does not end in a sack can increase the chances of the QB making a poor throw, fumbling, or simply not moving the ball toward a scoring opportunity for the offense.

The following chart shows each DST and their season-long pressure rate. I also calculated the average pressure rate allowed by each team’s remaining opponents. Looking at the data from this angle is a useful piece of the strategy beyond just adjusted fantasy points allowed.

A higher pressure rate combined with a higher average pressure rate allowed by a DST’s opponents lends to good opportunities for sacks and turnovers. For example, the Rams’ remaining schedule ranks as the eighth toughest when only looking at adjusted fantasy points allowed ranks.

However, they have the third-highest pressure rate, and their remaining opponents, looking at Weeks 11-14 and the Fantasy Playoff time frames, have relatively high-pressure rates allowed.

The other team that stands out here is Kansas City. With a rostership of 73.2%, they are likely, not available in your league, but you should be excited if you already roster the Chiefs DST. They have the 10th-highest pressure rate and their opponents during the fantasy playoffs average the highest pressure rate allowed in that span.

 

2024 Rest-of-Season Fantasy Strength of Schedule

I generated tables showing each team’s rest of the regular season (ROS) schedule (Weeks 11-17) with each weekly opponent color-coded based on that opponent’s rank (1-32) versus the fantasy DST position. Lower number ranks with a red color indicate more difficult fantasy matchups.

A higher number of ranks with a green color represents more favorable matchups. I update these each week. Also known as schedule “heat maps,” the ROS schedule for DSTs is included at the end of the article.

This schedule heat map is provided in two formats. One shows each team’s opponents’ team abbreviation. The other shows the actual numbered rank (1-32) of each opponent. Also included are each team’s ROS and fantasy playoffs (Week 15-17) SOS score (average of opponent ranks in those time frames).

As a teaser, the following teams have the top 10 most favorable ROS DST schedules. Included in parentheses is the current rosters percentage for each team (calculated as the average rosters across the ESPN, Sleeper, and Yahoo Fantasy platforms).

Also included are the number of “Plus Matchups” for each team (opponents ranked 20th or worse versus DSTs):

  1. Buccaneers (15.9%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Five
  2. Cardinals (4.9%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Five
  3. Jaguars (7.1%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Four
  4. Colts (9.2%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Four
  5. Bengals (27.9%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Three
  6. Dolphins (52.2%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Four
  7. Falcons (20.6%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Three
  8. Saints (36%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Three
  9. Broncos (59.3%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Two
  10. Vikings (91.7%)
    1. Plus Matchups: Four

 

2024 Fantasy Strength of Schedule Time Frames

In separating the full season into smaller buckets/stretches of games, I define each as follows:

  • Rest of Regular Season (RORS): Weeks 11-14
  • Fantasy Playoffs: Weeks 15-17

In this article, I will be looking at each time frame and the teams with the Top 10 most favorable fantasy matchups for DSTs during those spans according to my adjusted fantasy points allowed ranks.

 

Strength of Schedule: Rest of Regular Season

The following chart shows DST’s schedule over the next four games (Weeks 11-14). This is just a condensed version of the color-coded charts shown for the ROS schedule and is sorted by the SOS score in the right-hand column from highest (easier) to lowest (harder).

The current average rosters percentage (across ESPN, Sleeper, and Yahoo Fantasy platforms) is also included for each team. This is a new twist specifically added to the DST data, as many managers are streaming the position by this time, and the reality of what teams are and might be available is important context.

The Buccaneers have the highest SOS Score, which translates to the most favorable schedule for DSTs in Weeks 11-14. They do have a bye in Week 11, but then face the Giants (30th), Panthers (24th), and Raiders (32nd).

Tampa Bay is also readily available with a rostership of 15.9%. The problem is they have only been a middle-of-the-pack fantasy DST so far, ranking 16th in DST PPG, and rank 19th in pressure rate (21.4%).

Next up is the Texans, who were my favorite streamers before Week 11. I define a DST streamer as a DST that has a rostership below 50%. Before Week 11 waivers, the Texans DST had a rostership of 45% and therefore qualified as a streamer.

However, their rostership shot up 25.2% during the Week 11 waiver period, and they now sit at 70.1%. If you were able to snag them for their tasty Week 11 matchup versus Cooper Rush and the hapless Cowboys, congratulations. They also have the fifth-highest pressure rate.

The chart below shows each DST’s rostership in Week 10 and their current rostership after Week 11 waivers. The Texans DST had the second-highest rostership jump this week behind only the Dolphins (+29.8%).

The third-most favorable DST schedule during Weeks 11-14 belongs to the Cardinals, who, after their Week 11 bye, get the Seahawks twice (27th) and the Vikings. The Vikings may seem like an odd team to list in a favorable schedule, but the numbers are what they are. Minnesota currently ranks 21st against DSTs in adjusted fantasy points allowed.

The Saints and Broncos round out the top five most favorable DST schedules in Weeks 11-14. The Saints have shown defensive flashes and are more readily available (36% rostership), but they rank 20th in pressure rate and 19th in DST PPG.

The Broncos' rostership has held steady in recent weeks, surprisingly less than 10% above the 50% rostership stream threshold. They have a relatively tough matchup against Atlanta in Week 11, so watch your league’s waiver wire like a hawk.

If they become available, scoop them up for their Week 12 matchup against the Raiders (32nd) and Week 13 versus the Browns (31st).

The sixth through 10th-most favorable DST schedules in Weeks 11-14 are listed below:

  • Sixth: Dolphins; 52.2% rostership; 19.3% pressure rate (25th)
    • Week 11: Raiders (32nd)
    • Week 12: Patriots (25th)
    • Week 13: Packers (13th)
    • Week 14: Jets (20th)
  • Seventh: Commanders; 29.3% rostership; 25.6% pressure rate (12th)
    • Week 11: Eagles (12th)
    • Week 12: Cowboys (26th)
    • Week 13: Titans (29th)
    • Week 14: BYE
  • Eighth: Jets; 67.4% rostership; 26.9% pressure rate (ninth)
    • Week 11: Colts (19th)
    • Week 12: BYE
    • Week 13: Seahawks (27th)
    • Week 14: Dolphins (17th)
  • Ninth: Lions; 77.8% rostership; 27.1% pressure rate (eighth)
    • Week 11: Jaguars (23rd)
    • Week 12: Colts (19th)
    • Week 13: Bears (28th)
    • Week 14: Packers (13th)
  • 10th: Steelers; 78.6% rostership; 22.6% pressure rate (16th)
    • Week 11: Jaguars (23rd)
    • Week 12: Colts (19th)
    • Week 13: Bears (28th)
    • Week 14: Packers (13th)

 

Strength of Schedule: Fantasy Playoffs

The following chart shows each DST’s schedule for the Fantasy Playoffs (Week 15-17).

 

DST Streaming Road Map (Weeks 11-17)

Rather than go through the same process of looking at the top 10 most favorable playoff schedules, it is more useful to look ahead, based on the data presented in this article, and develop what I am calling a “DST Streaming Road Map” for the rest of the season.

There are only two DSTs in the top 10 fantasy playoff schedule pool that have a rostership above 50% (Packers and Vikings). The rest qualify as streamers so we can put together a road map of DSTs to aim for each week, from now through the fantasy playoffs.

For each week, I will provide my top streaming option (Option 1), and a secondary option (Option 2):

Week 11:

  • Option 1: Rams (28.9% rostership; eighth-most favorable matchup versus the Patriots)
  • Option 2: Saints (36% rostership; second-most favorable matchup versus the Browns)

Week 12:

  • Option 1: Commanders (29.3% rostership; seventh-most favorable matchup versus the Cowboys)
  • Option 2: Buccaneers (15.9% rostership; third-most favorable matchup versus the Giants)

In Week 12, make sure to check if the Broncos DST becomes available (currently 59.3% rostered) as Denver would easily be my top choice against the Raiders (currently the most favorable matchup).

Week 13:

  • Option 1: Commanders (29.3% rostership; fourth-most favorable matchup versus the Titans. This makes the Commanders even more appealing in Week 12, as they are a top streamer for two consecutive weeks leading into their Week 13 bye.
  • Option 2: Giants (17.8% rostership; seventh-most favorable matchup versus the Cowboys)

Week 14:

  • Option 1: Bengals (27.9% rostership; seventh-most favorable matchup versus the Cowboys)
  • Option 2: Buccaneers (15.9% rostership; most favorable matchup versus the Raiders)

Week 15:

  • Option 1: Bengals (27.9% rostership; fourth-most favorable matchup versus the Titans)
  • Option 2: Cardinals (4.9% rostership; eighth-most favorable matchup versus the Patriots). The Cardinals DST has been quietly awesome over the last two weeks, with double-digit fantasy points and nine sacks combined in the two games.

Week 16:

  • Option 1: Falcons (20.6% rostership; third-most favorable matchup versus the Giants). Keep in mind the Falcons also have a great Week 15 matchup against the 32nd-ranked Raiders.
  • Option 2: Bengals (27.9% rostership; second-most favorable matchup versus the Browns)

Week 17:

  • Option 1: Seahawks (10.7% rostership; fifth-most favorable matchup versus the Bears). The Seahawks have been all over the map as a team, but they do currently have the 11th-highest pressure rate (26.2%).
  • Option 2: Saints (36% rostership; most favorable matchup versus the Raiders)

Before I go, I will leave you with the ROS heat map schedules for each team for the DST position (Weeks 11-17), ordered from best to worst SOS scores. Good luck during the rest of the 2024 fantasy football season!

Thank you so much for reading! I love diving deep into the fantasy strength of schedule with the hope that I can help you make the best decisions possible in the maze of fantasy football decisions. I will be compiling data every week all season long and updating the fantasy strength of the schedule each week.

I am always available to help out. If you have any questions about this article or general questions about fantasy football, reach out to me on X or Bluesky Social (@MunderDifflinFF on both).



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

AJ Allmendinger

Has Been Strong at Atlanta in the Next Gen Car
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Justin Haley

is a Sneaky Pick at Atlanta
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Corey Lajoie

Could Surprise at Atlanta
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
Cole Custer

an Easy DFS Fade at Atlanta
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
David Starr

Ridiculously Off Pace at Atlanta
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
MLB

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Jeremy Peña

Imaging Negative on Jeremy Pena's Ribs on Friday
Spencer Steer

Slugs Three Home Runs in Win
Ace Bailey

to Report to Utah on Saturday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Complete-Game Shutout
Justin Edwards

Sixers Agree on a New Contract
Naz Reid

Agrees to a New Contract with Minnesota
Hunter Goodman

Dealing With Hamstring Soreness
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Returns Against Marlins
Wyatt Langford

Rangers to Place Wyatt Langford on Injured List
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Now in Friday's Lineup
Wyatt Langford

Out With Strained Oblique
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Not in Friday's Lineup
Xander Bogaerts

Back in Lineup on Friday
Griffin Canning

Done for the Year With Ruptured Achilles
Jae'Sean Tate

Rockets Want to Bring Back Jae'Sean Tate
Andre Drummond

Accepts Player Option
Cal Raleigh

Added to Home Run Derby Field
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Won't Start on Friday
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Should Play Vs. BoSox
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Matthew Golden

Appears Set for Significant Role
Derrick Harmon

in Line to Start
Jahdae Barron

Primarily Working at Cornerback
Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Andre Szmyt

Browns Sign Andre Szmyt to One-Year Deal
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Wilfried Pene

Patriots Waive Wilfried Pene
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Aaron Rodgers

Lauds DK Metcalf as "Big Reason" Behind Move to Pittsburgh
Emeka Egbuka

to Have Big Role in the Offense
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Grey Zabel

in Line to Start at Left Guard
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Shemar Stewart

Bengals Still High on Shemar Stewart
SJ

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Drafts Joan Beringer
Portland Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Drafted by Portland
Oklahoma City Thunder

Thomas Sorber Selected by Thunder
San Antonio Spurs

Carter Bryant Lands in San Antonio
New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Acquires No. 13 Overall Pick Derik Queen From Atlanta
Chicago Bulls

Noa Essengue Drafted by Chicago
Memphis Grizzlies

Cedric Coward Drafted by Portland, Traded to Memphis
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Ryan Blaney

Drives Through the Field Twice Despite Failing Cool Suit to Finish Third
William Byron

Poor Strategy Ruins William Byron's Strong Run
Kyle Larson

Decent Pocono Run Allows Him to Make Up Some of his Points Deficit
John Hunter Nemechek

Earns Another Sixth-Place Finish in One of His Best Career Races
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Victory At Pocono
Chase Elliott

Continues his 2025 Consistency with A Top-Five Run at Pocono
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Difficult Weekend Ends with A Tire Failure at Pocono
Chris Buescher

Finishes Well at Pocono with A Solid Top-Five Finish
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF