Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 12, 13, 14, 15) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 12, 13, 14, and 15 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. Picking up defenses in advance that have a great upcoming schedule is a strategy that most fantasy managers should be using at this point of the season. 

With only a couple more weeks until the fantasy playoffs, it's time to look ahead and pick up those defenses that could help you win your matchups. In this article, we will look at the best fantasy defenses to pick up over the next four weeks and the two best defenses to pick up for the fantasy football playoffs. 

So, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 12 through Week 15. If you want only specific Week 12 D/ST fantasy football streamers and rankings, be sure to check out that link.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 12-15

The biggest factor in choosing which defenses to pick up in the coming weeks is their opponent. Targeting defenses playing the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, or Dallas Cowboys has worked well for fantasy managers in recent weeks, and that shouldn't change in the final six games of the fantasy season. 

As a result, a lot of the best defenses to stream and pick up will be playing those offenses. Opposing defenses are averaging over 9.3 fantasy points against all four of those offenses in 2024. 

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 12
• “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 12 D/ST Streamers

Washington Commanders D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 12 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys (28th)
• ESPN Rostership: 28.5%
• Over-Under: 45.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.75

The Commanders defense should be picked up in most leagues ahead of Week 12 because of the team's next two matchups. It'll play the Cowboys in Week 12 and the Titans in Week 13. That's certainly great news for a defense that gets to the quarterback at a high level. Washington ranks eighth in sacks (29) and fourth in pass-rush win rate (49%).

So, this unit will be a top-7 play against the Cowboys in Week 12. Dallas' offensive line has allowed at least three sacks in four of the past five games, and Cooper Rush was just sacked five times in last week's loss. On top of that, this offense with Rush under center has scored just 16 total points over the past two games.

Then, fantasy managers will be able to start this Commanders defense again in Week 13 against the Titans. Will Levis has been sacked at least five times in three of his last four full starts, and Washington has totaled at least two sacks in nine straight games. Given that opposing defenses are averaging 11.1 fantasy points against the Tennessee offense this year, this defense will be a great start over the next two games. 

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 12 Opponent: Detroit Lions (4th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 10.5%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

This Colts defense should be stashed on your bench for Week 13. With Indianapolis playing against the Lions this weekend, not many fantasy managers will even think about picking up this defense ahead of Sunday. However, picking it up right now will ensure you are set for next week. This defense will go up against the Patriots in Week 13.

Although New England has looked better with Drake Maye under center, this is still an offense that has plenty of holes. The Patriots have given up the fourth-most sacks (35) this year, and Maye has been brought down at least three times in two of the past three games. Therefore, the Colts should be able to get to the quarterback in this game. They have totaled at least two sacks in five straight contests. 

Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu combined for 10 tackles, 4 TFLs, 5 QB Hits, and 3 sacks for the #Colts defense. pic.twitter.com/jmvG8IIiB4

— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) November 17, 2024

After that matchup, they will have a bye in Week 14 and a matchup against the Broncos in Week 15. While they likely can't be used in Week 15, they are worth holding onto because a matchup against the Titans awaits them in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs (Week 16). 

New York Giants D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 12 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 7.1 %
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

If you already have Week 12 figured out and have an extra spot on your bench, pick up the Giants defense for Week 13. It ranks second in sacks (36) and the top half of the league in pressure rate (33.9%) this season. Although New York has totaled only one sack over the past two games, this unit has a great matchup against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. 

The Cowboys have given up 29 sacks (tied for the ninth most in the NFL) this season, including at least three sacks in four of the past five games. So, the Giants defense should be able to rack up the sacks in this game with Rush starting under center. 

After Week 13, though, the New York defense might not be playable for the rest of the season. It'll play the Saints in Week 14, the Ravens in Week 15, and the Falcons in Week 16. Although fantasy managers could roll this unit out against New Orleans in two weeks, this isn't the best matchup for it. Derek Carr has only been sacked seven times across eight games this season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 12 Opponent: New York Giants (29th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 9.2%
• Over-Under: 41.5
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18

The Buccaneers defense has the best upcoming schedule over the next few weeks. This unit will play the Giants (Week 12), Panthers (Week 13), and Raiders (Week 14) across the next three games. Then, Tampa Bay will face the Cowboys (Week 16) and the Panthers (Week 17) in the last two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. 

Of course, the biggest concern with adding the Buccaneers is that they have struggled defensively for most of the year. Over their last six games, they are allowing 31.3 points per game. However, it would be a shock to see the Giants, Panthers, and Raiders score over 25 points against this defense over the next three weeks, considering New York (15.6), Carolina (16.7), and Las Vegas (18.7) rank bottom-8 in points per game. 

On top of that, there is potential for this Tampa Bay defense to finish with solid fantasy numbers in those contests. The Buccaneers have totaled 26 sacks since Week 4 (3.7 sacks per game), and both the Raiders (33) and Giants (30) rank bottom-8 in sacks allowed this season. Pick up this unit with confidence ahead of Week 12. 

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Chicago Bears D/ST vs. MIN

• Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (23rd)
• ESPN Rostership: 38.4%

If you are looking for a defense on the waiver wire this week, it's best to stay away from the Bears in Week 12. Although this Chicago defense has been one of the best this season and currently ranks seventh in points allowed per game (18.7), there isn't much upside in starting this unit this weekend against the Vikings. 

The Bears defense hasn't scored in double figures in fantasy in four straight games and has only totaled two sacks over the past two games. Even though Sam Darnold has turned over the ball 14 times this season, this Chicago defense will be going up against a Vikings offense that can score. Minnesota ranks 10th in points per game (24.4), and Darnold has only been sacked three times across the last two weeks. 

Best Stashes (Fantasy Football Playoffs) 

Arizona Cardinals D/ST 

• Week 15 Opponent: New England Patriots (27th) 
• Week 16 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (22nd) 
• ESPN Rostership: 2% 

The fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, which means it's time to start looking at the best defensive options for the final three weeks. If you have already locked up a playoff spot or want to plan, pick up the Cardinals defense for its Week 15 and Week 16 matchups. 

Darius Robinson is still big and still
strong.

And his return to proactive and his impending season debut gives the Cardinals an added dynamic on defense. pic.twitter.com/YUVTATksBa

— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) November 18, 2024

Given that the Cardinals have played well recently on this side of the ball, they are almost a must-add for the fantasy playoffs. Over the past four games, Arizona has totaled 13 sacks while forcing three turnovers. This unit also held the Chargers (Week 7), Bears (Week 9), and Jets (Week 10) to zero touchdowns during these four weeks. 

So, facing the Patriots and Panthers in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs is certainly great news for this defense. New England has allowed the fourth-most sacks (35) this season, and Carolina ranks tied for sixth (16) in giveaways. The Patriots and Panthers also both rank bottom-6 in pass-block win rate through 11 weeks. So, Arizona's defense is a strong pickup ahead of the fantasy playoffs. 

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST 

• Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd) 
• Week 16 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (30th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 31.6%

The Bengals defense also has some great matchups in the fantasy football playoffs, especially with games against the Titans (Week 15) and the Browns (Week 16) in the first two weeks. Although Cincinnati has given up over 30 points in three of the past four games, this defense has played well against some of the worst offenses this season. 

Back in Week 6, this unit held the Giants to only seven points and then scored 16 fantasy points against the Browns one week later. It's definitely a risk to roll with a defense like the Bengals, considering they have totaled only 19 sacks all year. However, having the sack leader in Trey Hendrickson (11.5) does make this Cincinnati defense an appealing option in the fantasy playoffs. 

The Titans have given up 33 sacks this season (tied for the fifth most in the NFL), while the Browns lead the league in sacks allowed (46) through 11 weeks. As a result, the Bengals defense is a great option to stash on your bench for the fantasy football playoffs. This unit ranks 13th in pass-rush win rate (43%), and Hendrickson has totaled 55 pressures this year. 

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. All of these defenses are under 50% rostered in ESPN leagues. 

• Week 12: Stream the Commanders versus the 28th-ranked Cowboys
• Week 13: Stream the Commanders versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
• Week 14: Stream the Buccaneers versus the 31st-ranked Raiders
• Week 15: Stream the Bengals versus the 32nd-ranked Titans

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