Streaming Defenses: Week 11 Options

Written by

Updated on November 12, 2019 8:40PM EST

With 10 weeks of football in the books, it's time to take a look at the cumulative results for D/ST streaming picks. We discuss five options each and every week, choosing from defenses with ownership below 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN.

The No. 1 choice has reached double-digit fantasy points under Yahoo standard scoring in eight of 10 weeks, with only the Colts in Week 4 falling shy of six points. The average of 13.6 fantasy points is better than any individual unit besides New England (19.7) and San Francisco (13.8).

Our No. 2 picks also have been impressive with an average of 9.6 points, including just one instance of fewer than six. No. 3 picks have been a tad better at an average of 9.8 points, albeit with three scores of four or fewer points (and four others in double digits).

No. 4 has been our weak spot, with a meager average of 3.9 points and just one double-digit performance. No. 5 choices have been disappointing to a lesser extent, averaging 6.8 points.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses with ownership of less than 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 11

1. Oakland Raiders (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

5% Yahoo ownership, 1% ESPN

No. 4 has been our weak spot, with a meager average of 3.9 points and just one double-digit performance. No. 5 choices have been disappointing to a lesser extent, averaging 6.8 points.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Top Streaming Options for Week 11

1. Oakland Raiders (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

5% Yahoo ownership, 1% ESPN

Team implied total: 29.5

Opponent implied total: 19.0

Upcoming Ranks — Week 12: 17th (at NYJ), Week 13: 32nd (at KC)

The Oakland defense is tied for 27th with 5.2 fantasy points per game, but it's at least been a semi-competent unit since Week 3, averaging 6.8 points in the last six outings. Fortunately, semi-competent is all that's required for the upcoming matchup, with Ryan Finley making his second NFL start after giving up two defensive TDs to the Ravens in his first game under center. The Bengals have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to team defenses, and they may prove even more generous than that if the rookie continues to get starts instead of Andy Dalton.

2. New York Jets (at Washington Redskins)

22% Yahoo ownership, 21% ESPN

Team implied total: 18.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 12: 25th (vs. OAK), Week 13: 12th (at CIN)

You won't go very far in life starting the Jets D/ST as a road underdog. This is a rare exception, thanks to the incompetent play we've seen from Dwayne Haskins, who has eight sacks, four interceptions and zero touchdowns through 44 career pass attempts. No doubt, Washington will try to win with its rushing game, but the plan isn't likely to work against a Jets team that only does one thing well — stop the run. Gang Green has allowed a league-low 3.0 YPC, and even the pass rush showed signs of life with 10 sacks the past two weeks. The cornerbacks, of course, are brutal. Absolutely brutal. The bet here is that Haskins is too lousy to take advantage, or at least that he makes enough mistakes to counteract whatever good comes from Terry McLaurin.

3. Washington Redskins (vs. New York Jets)

3% Yahoo ownership, 9% ESPN

Team implied total: 19.75

Opponent implied total: 18.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 12: 21st (vs. DET), Week 13: 28th (at CAR)

It feels gross, and rightfully so, considering Washington is 1-8 with a minus-12.3 average point differential. On the bright side, the defense has been better than the offense, ranking 24th in DVOA and 20th in scoring (24.3 ppg). That's still pretty bad, but it's better than the Jets offense, which is 32nd in DVOA and 30th in scoring (14.4 ppg). This game should be sufficiently disgusting to produce fantasy points for both defenses.

4. Carolina Panthers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

54% Yahoo ownership, 54% ESPN

Team implied total: 28.0

Opponent implied total: 22.5

Upcoming Ranks — Week 12: 27th (at NO), Week 13: 1st (vs. WAS)

I don't make a habit of streaming defenses against veteran quarterbacks with prolonged track records of avoiding turnovers, but there are a few things working in Carolina's favor this week against the Falcons. For starters, Atlanta's pass-heavy offense draws a difficult matchup, with the Panthers ranking fourth in NY/A (5.6), 12th in QB pressure rate (24.6%), 2nd in sack rate (9.9%) and fourth in INT rate (3.6%). Opponents have been far more successful attacking Carolina on the ground, something that hasn't really been a part of the Falcons' repertoire. With Mohamed Sanu traded away and both Devonta Freeman (foot) and Austin Hooper (knee) expected to miss this game, Matt Ryan is stuck with Brian Hill, Russell Gage and Jaeden Graham as his complementary weapons. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley are well positioned to pile up volume, but this isn't a good recipe for success on the team level.

Note: The Panthers have an F matchup in Week 12, followed by an A+ in Week 13.

5. Cleveland Browns (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

56% Yahoo ownership, 38% ESPN

Team implied total: 21.25

Opponent implied total: 18.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 12: 4th (vs. MIA), Week 13: 13th (at PIT)

I don't buy the Browns as 2.5-point favorites, but I do have two eyes that tell me Mason Rudolph stinks. The second-year pro ranks 31st among 34 qualified passers at 6.6 YPA, only avoiding sacks and interceptions because he's been able to rely on dump-offs in most games. This should be a more competitive contest, potentially leading to some throws downfield (read: interception opportunities). A short week is a nice bonus for what should be an ugly battle between wild-card hopefuls from the AFC North.