Streaming Defenses: Week 12 Options

Written by

Updated on November 30, 2021 12:00AM EST

I mentioned last week that Week 12 would be strange, with the best matchups mostly going to terrible defenses. Projections are bunched together much tighter than usual, which means it's probably not the right week to use FAAB on the position unless you've got more than you know what to do with. If anything, it's a good time to look ahead and check out schedules for the weeks ahead.

Among our Week 12 streaming picks, the Eagles are most likely to be a strong start for Week 13 as well, though they do then have a bye coming up Week 14. Other options if you're looking ahead to Week 13 include the Colts, Cardinals (if they're dropped on bye), Vikings and Chiefs.

If you're more inclined to look toward the playoffs, some of the defenses available on waivers that should be startable Weeks 15-17 include the Seahawks (Weeks 16-17), Chargers (16-17), Saints (16-17), Eagles (15-17) and Jaguars (15-16). We'll take a closer look once the calendar turns to December, but those are the five that stick out as likely to be startable in multiple playoff weeks.

Granted, it's usually a game of guesstimation when looking more than 1-2 weeks ahead, as our perceptions of teams are sure to change, not to mention the impact injuries will have (QB injuries and benchings, in particular, have a massive impact on D/ST streaming strategy and weekly rankings).

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

Note: These recommendations

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 12

1. Chicago Bears (at DET)

25% Yahoo, 13% ESPN

Team implied total: 22.5

Opponent implied total: 19.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 13: 22nd (vs. ARZ), Week 14: 28th (at GB)

It's easy to make fun of Jared Goff, who appeared on the verge of becoming a top-10 QB (in 2017-18) yet obviously ended up as something much less. Just remember that Goff is still miles ahead of Tim Boyle and other low-end backups, something the Lions re-learned Sunday when Boyle threw for 77 yards and two interceptions. The Bears defense is startable either way this week, but we might bump them down a couple spots from here if they end up facing Goff rather than Boyle or David Blough. As bad as the Lions have been, Chicago is 3-7, banged up and playing on the road.

2. Houston Texans (vs. NYJ)

2% Yahoo, 1% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 13: 27th (vs. IND), Week 14: 23rd (vs. SEA)

Coming off their second win and now playing host to one of the three teams that's arguably even worse than them, the Texans have an excellent opportunity to continue messing up their draft position. If you are streaming Houston this week, it's probably best to root for a Zach Wilson return, though Joe Flacco presents an excellent matchup as well. If both Wilson and Goff end up starting for their respective teams, I'll likely push the Texans up ahead of the Bears.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)

% Yahoo, 14% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.25

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 13: 19th (vs. LAC), Week 14: 11th (vs. SF)

The Steelers are only middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to team defenses, but there are signs of trouble brewing, even after the late rally in Los Angeles. Najee Harris, despite playing well, is averaging just 3.6 YPC behind a wretched O-line, while Ben Roethlisberger's sack rate is up to 5.8 percent after four straight seasons of 3.6 percent or lower.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have shown a respectable pass rush with 2.5 sacks per game, led by prized offseason signing Trey Hendrickson (9.5 sacks, 15 QB hits). The defensive improvement from bad to mediocre may not get as much attention as Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, but for the first time in a while, Cincinnati should have the edge on both sides of the ball in a matchup against Pittsburgh.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)

19% Yahoo, 13% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.75

Opponent implied total: 21.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 13: 5th (at NYJ), Week 14: BYE

Among defenses that meet our streaming qualification, Philadelphia sits just fourth in the Week 12 rankings. However, that's still good for eighth overall, and, as mentioned above, there isn't much gap between the top and middle this week. It might make sense to roll with the Eagles and lock in next week's matchup with the Jets. Philly then goes on bye in Week 14, but a soft December schedule means you can expect to see the Eagles featured in this space at some point later in the month.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. ATL)

2% Yahoo, 1% ESPN

Team implied total: 22.75

Opponent implied total: 23.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 13: 28th (at LAR), Week 14: 24th (at TEN)

We knew Week 12 would have two of the season's ugliest matchups in Jets-Texans and Bears-Lions, but the Southern Brawl coming up in Duval might just be the worst of all, with the Falcons coming off a shutout loss and the Jaguars still being the Jaguars. Betting odds suggest I should have Atlanta's defense listed here, but my gut says the Jags pull it off, especially if Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is out again. If you disagree, the Falcons also make for a solid start this week, checking in just one spot below Jacksonville in the rankings (see below).