This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
TOP STREAMING OPTIONS
Miami Dolphins (at Los Angeles Rams)
62% Yahoo ownership – 57.3% ESPN ownership
The Dolphins are the best unit to fire up off the waiver wire this week as they enter on a major roll. Not only have they recorded multiple sacks in their last four games, but they've had at least three in their last three. They've also picked off opposing quarterbacks at least twice in three of their last four games. The better news is they face rookie quarterback Jared Goff in the first start of his career, and he'll likely be running for his life behind an offensive line that's allowed its quarterback to be sacked at least three times in each of their last three games. Put it all together, and the Dolphins are in line for a potentially big day despite playing on the road.
New York Giants (vs.
TOP STREAMING OPTIONS
Miami Dolphins (at Los Angeles Rams)
62% Yahoo ownership – 57.3% ESPN ownership
The Dolphins are the best unit to fire up off the waiver wire this week as they enter on a major roll. Not only have they recorded multiple sacks in their last four games, but they've had at least three in their last three. They've also picked off opposing quarterbacks at least twice in three of their last four games. The better news is they face rookie quarterback Jared Goff in the first start of his career, and he'll likely be running for his life behind an offensive line that's allowed its quarterback to be sacked at least three times in each of their last three games. Put it all together, and the Dolphins are in line for a potentially big day despite playing on the road.
New York Giants (vs. Chicago Bears)
41% Yahoo ownership – 69.4% ESPN ownership
The primary reason for adding the Giants is they face Jay Cutler, and even though he had a fairly mistake-free game against the Vikings in Week 8, he's been extremely generous to defenses in his four 2016 appearances. In those games, he's been sacked a whopping 14 times, and the Bears average two giveaways, as well. After a slow start to the season, the Giants' defense come on lately, generating multiple sacks in each of its last four games while piling up an impressive eight takeaways in its last three. The Bears are without OG Kyle Long, so this appealing matchup couldn't look much better.
Dallas Cowboys (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
56% Yahoo ownership – 46.6% ESPN ownership
Even though the Ravens have a stellar run defense, they'll likely struggle to stop the juggernaut that is the Cowboys rushing attack. That should allow the Dallas defense to remain fresh and ready to get after a Ravens offense that's been inconsistent to say the least. Joe Flacco has been sacked multiple times in seven games this year, and the Baltimore offense has turned the ball over six times in their last three matchups. Look for the Cowboys to get to Flacco, as their pass rush is starting to heat up — they've recorded at least three sacks in two of their last three games. The main concern is that Dallas hasn't had a takeaway in its last two games, but the Cowboys have a solid chance of reversing that trend against this offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cleveland Browns)
36% Yahoo ownership – 31.7% ESPN ownership
The prescription for many ailing defenses is a matchup against the Browns, especially after their quarterback has been sacked at least four times in each of their last two games. In addition, they've also turned the football over at least twice in three of their last four contests. Although the Steelers have struggled to sack the quarterback much of the year, they've notched five sacks in their last two games. It also seems that improved pressure has helped force at least one takeaway in three straight. Of course, this is a road divisional game, so they are properly placed as the fourth option on this list.
Tennessee Titans (at Indianapolis Colts)
15% Yahoo ownership – 14.3% ESPN ownership
Well, there are leagues where there's very little on the waiver wire, so in that case, why not take a shot with the Titans? They face an Indy offense that's allowed Andrew Luck to get sacked multiple times in each game this season, and the Titans defense should extend a trend that's seen it generate multiple sacks in five of its last six games. They Titans also are coming off their best performance of the year when they created three takeaways against the Packers, and the Colts have given the ball away twice in each of their last two games. Although this is far from a premium matchup, it'd be surprising if they weren't able to put plenty of pressure on Luck, which could make them a productive unit despite being on the road.
RANK | WEEK 11 | SEASON |
1 | KC | DEN |
2 | MIN | KC |
3 | ARI | ARI |
4 | MIA | NYG |
5 | SEA | SEA |
6 | NE | PHI |
7 | LA | MIN |
8 | NYG | LA |
9 | DET | MIA |
10 | DAL | NE |
11 | CIN | BUF |
12 | BUF | CAR |
13 | CAR | BAL |
14 | PIT | HOU |
15 | PHI | SD |
16 | WAS | CIN |
17 | GB | PIT |
18 | OAK | GB |
19 | TEN | CHI |
20 | BAL | WAS |
21 | HOU | DAL |
22 | NO | TEN |
23 | SF | OAK |
24 | CHI | NYJ |
25 | CLE | JAX |
26 | JAX | DET |
27 | IND | ATL |
28 | TB | TB |
29 | IND | |
30 | CLE | |
31 | NO | |
32 | SF |