Streaming Defenses: Week 8 Options

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Published on October 26, 2021

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

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 8

1. Cincinnati Bengals (at NYJ)

21% Yahoo, % ESPN

Team implied total: 26.5

Opponent implied total: 16.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 13th (vs. CLE), Week 10: BYE

The Bengals are an easy No. 1 among widely available defenses, heading to the Meadowlands after a five-sack showing against Lamar Jackson in Sunday's romp over the Ravens. Despite forcing just six turnovers in seven games, Cincinnati's defense has been impressive from a real-life standpoint, ranking 5th in NY/A (5.8), 7th in YPC allowed (4.0) and T-5th in sacks (19).

The Bengals shouldn't have too much trouble with Joe Flacco, who figures to start for the Jets just six days after being acquired in a trade. Flacco did play for the team last year, but that was with HC Adam Gase and OC Dowell Loggains, not Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur. It'll probably still be a disaster, even if it's slightly less of a disaster than the Zach Wilson show.

2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. JAX)

12% Yahoo, 7% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.25

Opponent implied total: 20.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: BYE, Week 10: 26th (at

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

Top Streaming Options for Week 8

1. Cincinnati Bengals (at NYJ)

21% Yahoo, % ESPN

Team implied total: 26.5

Opponent implied total: 16.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 13th (vs. CLE), Week 10: BYE

2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. JAX)

12% Yahoo, 7% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.25

Opponent implied total: 20.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: BYE, Week 10: 26th (at GB)

This is a one-week streamer, through and through, with the excellent Week 8 home matchup followed by a bye and then a trip to Lambeau Field. One thing we can say for the Seattle defense is that it's been much better than the Jacksonville offense... just don't dig too much further than that. There's definitely a higher level of trust with the Bengals this week, but Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer also have Jets-level meltdown potential on any given Sunday.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NYG)

35% Yahoo, 6% ESPN

Team implied total: 31.0

Opponent implied total: 21.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 21st (vs. GB), Week 10: 20th (at LV)

This is one of those times where following the betting odds feels a little gross. The Chiefs defense has been beyond bad this year, while the Giants offense has at least shown flashes of promise through all the injury woes. Ultimately, I'm splitting the difference between Vegas and my gut, dropping the Chiefs to a couple spots lower than where we'd put them if we simply based it off implied totals. That's still good enough for No. 9 in the weekly rankings, and No. 3 among defenses that meet our ownership requirements on Yahoo/ESPN.

4. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. NE)

17% Yahoo, 2% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.25

Opponent implied total: 21.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 8th (at PHI), Week 10: 11th (vs. MIN)

Their last game was a beatdown in Baltimore, but the Chargers should do much better after a Week 7 bye, heading into a five-game stretch where they'll likely be favorites each week (vs. NE, at PHI, vs. MIN, vs. PIT, at DEN). And while there isn't exactly a premium matchup among the bunch, the Chargers should at least be startable up until their Week 13 visit to Cincinnati.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (at DET)

6% Yahoo, 4% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.5

Opponent implied total: 22.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 21st (vs. LAC), Week 10: 17th (at DEN)

This is our weekly pillow fight, a battle of incompetence between Detroit's offense and Philly's defense. I favored the latter by a wider margin before Week 7, but the Lions actually brought their claws to Los Angeles this past Sunday, while the Eagles melted like ~~cheese whiz~~ provolone all over the Raiders' field. Even with the excellent matchup ahead, Philadelphia should be a last resort rather than a priority.