Streaming Defenses: Week 6 Options

With bye weeks now kicking in, competition for streaming becomes a bit tougher. I've never been one to look too far ahead in the season for D/ST strategy — partly because QB injuries throughout the year have such a huge impact — but it is good to have at least a loose plan for the upcoming 2-3 weeks. Per usual, we're here to help.

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 6

1. Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)

49% Yahoo, 47% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.5

Opponent implied total: 16.5 

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 18th (at SF),  Week 8: 16th (vs. TEN)

As bad as the Indianapolis defense looked Monday night in Baltimore, this is still the obvious streaming pick for Week 6 if you're able to make it happen. The Texans' implied total (16.5) is two points south of any other team, while they and the Giants are the only underdogs facing spreads of more than seven. Houston has given up the sixth most fantasy points to team defenses, including five or more in four straight.

2. Green Bay Packers (at CHI)

25% Yahoo, 23% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.75

Opponent implied total: 20.25 

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 7th (vs. WAS),  Week 8: 24th (at ARZ)

Injuries have robbed the Packers of their two best defensive players, and yet they've still managed either six or seven fantasy points each week during a four-game win streak. The schedule has certainly helped, which should continue the next two weeks against Justin Fields and then Taylor Heinicke. After that, things start to get tough, with Green Bay potentially getting only two or three playable matchups after the Washington game. The Packers still have to face the Cardinals, Chiefs, Rams, Browns and Ravens, with Seattle being the easiest out-of-division matchup after Week 7. Stream and dump.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (at DET)

10% Yahoo, 19% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.25

Opponent implied total: 22.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 22nd (at BAL),  Week 8: 4th (at NYJ)

Already 1-0 in Kitty Bowls after their less-than-resounding TNF win over the Jaguars a few weeks back, the Bengals shouldn't have any trouble finding their claws this week. They've yet to allow more than 25 points in a game, while Detroit hasn't scored more than 17 since the wild Week 1 game against San Francisco. 

4. Miami Dolphins (at JAX)

15% Yahoo, 19% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.5

Opponent implied total: 21.0 

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 14th (vs. ATL),  Week 8: 28th (at BUF)

Few things in the NFL have been worse than Miami's defense this year, but Jacksonville's offense is one of them. Only the Jets have allowed more fantasy points to D/STs, with Duval yielding seven or more in four out of five games so far. James Robinson should have a nice day against Miami's weak front seven, but Trevor Lawrence figures to be the usual mess, now missing two starting O-linemen (C Brandon Liner - ankle, G A.J. Cann - knee) in addition to WR DJ Chark's season-ending ankle injury.

5. Dallas Cowboys (at NE)

54% Yahoo, 47% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.75

Opponent implied total: 22.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: Bye,  Week 8: 18th (at MIN)

While Mac Jones has been better than his rookie counterparts, New England still has given up the fifth most fantasy points to team defenses, with Big Mac ranking 24th in INT rate (2.4) and 15th in sack rate (5.5). Not bad for a rookie, but not good either, and you may have heard that the Cowboys actually have a defense this year. Lack of depth may cause issues down the road, but the unit should at least remain respectable as long as CB Trevon Diggs and LB Micah Parsons stay healthy.

Week 6 Rankings

1. Colts (vs. HOU)
2. Rams (at NYG)
3. Steelers (vs. SEA)
4. Packers (at CHI)
5. Buccaneers (at PHI)
6. Bengals (at DET)
7. Dolphins (at JAX)
8. Broncos (vs. LV)
9. Cowboys (at NE)
10. Jaguars (vs. MIA)
11. Bills (at TEN)
12. Panthers (vs. MIN)
13. Chiefs (at WAS)
14. Seahawks (at PIT)
15. Ravens (vs. LAC)
16. Browns (vs. ARZ)
17. Vikings (at CAR)
18. Raiders (at DEN)
19. Cardinals (at CLE)
20. Patriots (vs. DAL)

Looking Ahead to Week 7

1. Cardinals (vs. HOU)
2. Patriots (vs. NYJ)
3. Rams (vs. DET)
4. Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
5. 49ers (vs. IND)
6. Ravens (vs. CIN)
7. Packers (vs. WAS)
8. Browns (vs. DEN)
9. Raiders (vs. PHI)
10. Saints (at SEA)
11. Panthers (at NYG)
12. Giants (vs. CAR)
13. Seahawks (vs. NO)
14. Dolphins (vs. ATL)
15. Falcons (at MIA)
16. Eagles (at LV)
17. Chiefs (at TEN)
18. Colts (at SF)
19. Jets (at NE)
20. Broncos (at CLE)

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. Los Angeles Rams
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. San Francisco 49ers
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Dallas Cowboys
9. New England Patriots
10. Cleveland Browns
11. Green Bay Packers
12. New Orleans Saints
13. Denver Broncos
14. Chicago Bears
15. Los Angeles Chargers
16. Minnesota Vikings
17. Cincinnati Bengals
18. Carolina Panthers
19. Las Vegas Raiders
20. Kansas City Chiefs