This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 4 was an interesting one for my streaming recommendations, with the first three picks (JAX, CIN, GB) putting up at least eight points in Yahoo! standard scoring, while the last two (ATL, DAL) combined for just one point. The Cowboys actually finished dead last among all 32 teams with negative-three points.
I'm hoping to find more consistency this week, though it won't be easy now that bye weeks are in effect. The Falcons, Saints, Broncos and Redskins will be resting, and the remaining games don't have many matchups that pit strong defenses against weak offenses. As a result, there are a bunch of viable streaming options this week, but only one that really stands out the way Jacksonville (at NYJ) and Cincinnati (at CLE) did last week.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo! as of Tuesday morning.
Top Streaming Options for Week 4
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
41% Yahoo ownership
This is the one streaming option I'm truly excited about, as the Cardinals have somewhat quietly become an excellent matchup for team defenses. They've surrendered the seventh most points per game to the position, despite facing the Lions, Colts, Cowboys and 49ers (not exactly murderer's row) through four weeks. Carson Palmer has taken a league-high 17 sacks, which is a predictable result of playing without a running game behind a subpar offensive line.
The Eagles are well equipped to take advantage of this favorable matchup, even if stud defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf) misses another game. While only tied for 14th in the league with 10 sacks, the Philadelphia defense has been impressive once schedule is taken into account. Three of the four teams the Eagles faced have allowed eight or fewer sacks all season, and only one of those games was played in Philadelphia. With DT Timmy Jernigan (and possibly Cox) supported by edge rushers Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry and Derek Barnett, the Eagles should manage at least three sacks against an Arizona team with an implied total of just 19.25 points. This may just be a one-game pickup, as the Eagles' Week 6 opponent (at Carolina) appeared to get on track this past Sunday.
Oakland Raiders (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
32% Yahoo ownership
This recommendation starts and ends with matchup, as the Baltimore offense has been hideous through the first quarter of the season. Nine teams have surrendered more fantasy points to team defenses, but only two have produced fewer yards per game (269.8), and only the Dolphins have averaged fewer points than Baltimore's 15.0. The Ravens put up just 16 points — including seven on a Ryan Mallett garbage-time touchdown — while turning the ball over six times the past two weeks.
The Oakland defense is far from impressive, but it's coming off a solid Week 4 outing in Denver and has at least managed to hold each of its opponents to 27 or fewer points. Khalil Mack should have no problem tearing apart Baltimore's porous offensive line, and the Ravens haven't shown any hint of being able to take advantage of a shaky Oakland secondary. Though bookmakers have held off on posting the line for this game due to Derek Carr's back injury, it's safe to assume the Ravens will have an implied total no higher than 20 points. The Oakland defense should be dropped after this week, as it draws tougher matchups against the Chargers and Chiefs the next two games.
Detroit Lions (vs. Carolina Panthers)
36% Yahoo ownership
The Carolina offense finally found its way in Sunday's 33-30 win over the Patriots, but that doesn't mean we can totally forget how poorly the unit played through three weeks. Just one week prior, Cam Newton took four sacks and three interceptions while leading his team to just 13 points against a New Orleans defense that was terrible in its first two games. Reality probably falls somewhere in between, with the Carolina offense presenting a mid-range matchup for opposing team defenses.
I'm still a bit skeptical of the Detroit defense, but the unit at least appears vastly improved from last season and clearly should no longer be viewed as subpar. The leading scorer among team defenses in Yahoo! standard leagues, the Lions somehow have produced at least 12 points each week — a feat that's extremely rare even for elite defenses. While I wouldn't bet on the streak to continue this week, something in the range of six-to-nine points is a reasonable expectation. Carolina has an implied total of 20.25 points, with the Lions favored by three. You'd want to drop Detroit after this game, as Week 6 brings a road matchup in New Orleans, followed by a Week 7 bye.
New York Jets (at Cleveland Browns)
4% Yahoo ownership
The Browns have given up the second most points to team defenses this season, easily leading the league in interceptions (nine) and ranking T-7th in sacks allowed (13). There are very few instances in which the defense facing Cleveland won't be a streaming option — and that includes a home matchup against another rebuilding team.
Of course, the Jets, unlike the Browns, have actually displayed some level of competence during their rebuilding season, pulling off back-to-back wins over the Dolphins and Jaguars. Now facing a Browns team that lost to the 1-3 Bengals by 24 points last week, the Jets suddenly have a visible path to a winning record. While this defense only has six sacks on the season, it's done well to limit opposing passers to just 6.0 yards per attempts. DeShone Kizer essentially seems to be a lock for at least one interceptions and two sacks each week, unless he's benched for Kevin Hogan in the second half of a blowout (as was the case Sunday against Cincinnati).
Indianapolis Colts (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
2% Yahoo ownership
This is another recommendation that's all about matchup, as the 49ers have been hideous on offense with the exception of a Week 3 explosion against the Rams. Brian Hoyer is on pace for 52 sacks and 16 interceptions while averaging just 5.8 yards per pass attempt and completing less than 60 percent of his passes.
The Indy defense isn't a shutdown unit by any means, but it's at least shown an ability to come up with big plays to complement the large chunks of yardage it allows. Rookie first-round pick Malik Hooker already has three interceptions, with Indy's team total of six placing them tied for third in the league. Still, it's hard to make the case this is about anything more than the matchup, as the Colts only have nine sacks and are surrendering 396.3 yards per game (second worst in the league). We're pretty much just hoping for a Hoyer meltdown on the road.
Honorable Mentions: Los Angeles Rams (vs. Seattle Seahawks); Buffalo Bills (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Week 5 D/ST Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ARZ)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. JAC)
3. Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
4. Oakland Raiders (vs. BAL)
5. Houston Texans (vs. KC)
6. Detroit Lions (vs. CAR)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU)
8. Seattle Seahawks (at LA)
9. Arizona Cardinals (at PHI)
10. New York Jets (at CLE)
11. Indianapolis Colts (vs. SF)
12. Buffalo Bills (at CIN)
13. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BUF)
14. Baltimore Ravens (at OAK)
15. Carolina Panthers (at DET)
16. Los Angeles Rams (vs. SEA)
17. New York Giants (vs. LAC)
18. Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN)
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (at PIT)
20. Los Angeles Chargers (at NYG)
21. Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)
22. San Francisco 49ers (at IND)
23. Tennessee Titans (at MIA)
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NE)
25. New England Patriots (at TB)
26. Cleveland Browns (vs. NYJ)
27. Dallas Cowboys (vs. GB)
28. Green Bay Packers (at DAL)
Note: These rankings may change considerably throughout the week. I'm having a hard time with anything beyond the top three, so injury situations will have a larger impact that usual this week.
Looking Ahead to Week 6
The Ravens should be available in some leagues and have a home matchup with the Bears.
The Redskins host Hoyer and the 49ers in Washington.
The Falcons come out of a bye to host Jay Cutler and the Dolphins.
The Bucs travel to AZ and could be back in decent shape from a health standpoint by that time.
The Titans host the Colts on Monday Night Football.
