RADIO
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. So, if you like to stream defenses or plan your defenses out in advance, you have come to the right place. We will be looking at the best defensive options to pick up for Week 6 through Week 9.
Also, pay attention to see if the Vikings defense gets dropped on its bye. Some fantasy managers might have to drop Minnesota in Week 6 because of the bye. If that happens, immediately pick it up because it is a set-it-and-forget-it option for the rest of the season. If you have it, definitely hold it through the bye.
But, without further ado, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 6 through Week 9. If you want only specific Week 6 defensive rankings, be sure to check them out here.
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 6-9
When looking at which defenses to stream every week, a lot needs to be taken into account. However, the opponent is the most important part when picking a defense to start. Over the first five weeks of the season, offenses like the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins should be your top target when looking for a defense.
Defenses playing those four offenses are averaging over 10 fantasy points per game to start the season. So you'll see a common theme in this article to pick up defenses playing those offenses.
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 55% or less of ESPN leagues.
- “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 6
- “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 6 D/ST Streamers
Chicago Bears D/ST (Temporary Streamer/Must-Add)
- Week 6 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (16th)
- ESPN Rostership: 48.5%
- Over-Under: 44.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 21.5
The Bears defense should be added in all leagues ahead of Week 6, especially given the way it has looked to start the year. It has scored at least seven fantasy points in four of five games this season while forcing at least two turnovers and totaling at least three sacks in all five contests. Last week, it had four sacks and forced three turnovers against the Panthers.
If you don't have the roster spot to keep it for the long haul, though, it should at least be picked up and started this week against the Jaguars. Chicago ranks second in pass-rush win rate (54%), and Trevor Lawrence has turned over the ball 61 times since 2021. That is tied with Josh Allen for the most over the past four seasons.
So it is a strong play this week and could be used in the coming weeks as well. Despite having a bye next week and playing the Commanders in Week 8, Chicago plays the Cardinals in Week 9 and the Patriots in Week 10. Therefore, it is worth a spot on your roster moving forward.
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 6 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (31)
- ESPN Rostership: 10.1%
- Over-Under: 43.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.5
The Eagles were on this list last week because of their extremely easy schedule in the coming weeks. However, if you didn't pick them up before their bye, make sure to do it before their Week 6 matchup against the Browns. That's because fantasy managers can potentially use them in three of the next four weeks. Philadelphia plays Cleveland this week, the Giants in Week 7, and the Jaguars in Week 9.
Despite struggling defensively through the first five weeks of the season, fantasy managers should not be scared to play the Eagles defense against the Browns on Sunday. Opposing defenses are averaging 11 fantasy points versus that offense this year, and quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-leading 26 times. The Eagles also rank 12th in pass-rush win rate to start the season, so they are a strong play in Week 6.
You can then keep them in your lineup next week -- assuming they play well against the Browns. As a result, they are one of my preferred defensive adds this week because they are a part-time streamer.
Houston Texans D/ST (Temporary Streamer)
- Week 6 Opponent: New England Patriots (28th)
- ESPN Rostership: 21.1%
- Over-Under: 38.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 15.75
Aside from its strong Week 2 performance against the Bears, the Texans defense has not been a solid fantasy option this season. It has totaled just two sacks while forcing zero turnovers over the past two weeks. However, Week 6 is a prime opportunity for Houston's defense to bounce back following two subpar outings.
The Drake Maye era begins. pic.twitter.com/eOIvc8HhNf
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024
Not only will Drake Maye be making his first career start on Sunday, but New England's offensive line will have a hard time protecting him. The Patriots rank tied for first in pressure rate allowed through the first five weeks and have allowed the second-most sacks (19). That's certainly great news for Houston's defense, considering it ranks sixth in pressure rate. That makes the Texans a top-3 play in Week 6.
After this week, though, they should probably be dropped in most formats. The only other matchup that fantasy managers could use them for over the next couple of weeks is Week 8 against the Colts. However, when the Texans played them back in Week 1, Houston allowed 27 points and scored only four fantasy points.
New Orleans Saints D/ST (Recruit Streamer)
- Week 6 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6th)
- ESPN Rostership: 51%
- Over-Under: N/A
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A
You aren't picking up the Saints defense to play it in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if you have an extra bench spot or want to lock down a defense for the coming weeks, New Orleans is a strong pickup this week.
The Saints play the Broncos (Week 7), Chargers (Week 8), Panthers (Week 9), and Browns (Week 11) over the next couple of weeks. So, realistically, you can start this defense in four of the next six games. Denver, Los Angeles, Carolina, and Cleveland all rank bottom 10 in points scored per game.
Not only is the matchup great for New Orleans in those weeks, but the Saints have had one of the stronger defenses in the early going. They held the Cowboys, Eagles, and Falcons to 26 points or under this season while scoring a combined 25 fantasy points in those three contests. They are certainly worth a pickup if you have the roster spot ahead of Week 6.
Buffalo Bills D/ST (Borderline Part-Time Streamer)
- Week 6 Opponent: New York Jets (22nd)
- ESPN Rostership: 25%
- Over-Under: 40.5 points
- Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19
The Bills defense will enter Week 6 as a top-10 play against the Jets. New York has scored 17 or fewer points in back-to-back games and ranks 27th in pass-block win rate (50%) to start the season. While Buffalo's defense struggled against the Ravens and Texans over the last two weeks, it is still a nice play this week.
The advantage of also picking it up ahead of Week 6 is that it has plenty of nice matchups upcoming. It plays the Titans in Week 7, and opposing defenses are averaging 14.5 fantasy points against Tennessee's offense this year.
Buffalo will then play the Dolphins in Week 9 and the Colts in Week 10. Even if Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) returns for that game, the Bills defense could still be a solid start. Back in Week 2, it scored 19 fantasy points while holding Miami to 10 points. As a result, fantasy managers should be picking up this defense for the next few weeks.
Recruit Streamers
If you have Week 6 already figured out, let's look ahead at some defensive options that you could start in Week 7:
- Washington Commanders (47.4% rostership)- Week 7 opponent: 23rd-ranked Panthers
- Cincinnati Bengals (21.5% rostership)- Week 7 opponent: 31st-ranked Browns
- Indianapolis Colts (10.7% rostership)- Week 7 opponent: 30th-ranked Dolphins
Fool’s Gold Streamers
Cincinnati Bengals D/ST at New York Giants
- Week 6 Opponent: New York Giants (27th)
- ESPN Rostership: 21.5%
When fantasy managers are searching for a defense this week, they could be looking to pick up the Bengals. Opposing defenses have scored the sixth-most fantasy against the Giants offense this year, so they look like a nice matchup for Cincinnati in Week 6. However, New York has been a solid offense recently.
Daniel Jones was dialed in, maybe the best tape he's had with the #Giants
Below are the four throws that stood out. What I like to see:
✅Throwing WRs open
✅Throwing into space
✅Far hash throw ✅20+ air yards
✅Ball placement (outside shoulder, upfield shoulder)
✅Arm talent pic.twitter.com/pkeQHfR9bq— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) October 8, 2024
Daniel Jones has only been sacked seven times across the past four games while turning over the ball just once during that span. As for the Bengals, they rank in the bottom half of the league in pressure rate and have yet to total more than two sacks in a game this season. Cincinnati also totaled zero sacks just two weeks ago against a Panthers offensive line that ranks 29th in pass-rush win rate (31%).
As a result, fantasy managers should stay away from the Bengals defense in fantasy this week. It doesn't get to the quarterback much and has given up 103 points to the Commanders, Panthers, and Ravens over the last three weeks. There are better defensive options out there for Week 6.
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 6: Stream the Texans versus the 28th-ranked Patriots
- Week 7: Stream the Bills versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
- Week 8: Stream the Lions versus the 32nd-ranked Titans
- Week 9: Stream the Chargers versus the 31st-ranked Browns
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