Hello and welcome to the third edition of what I am calling Down the Stream! The purpose of this series is to help those streaming the less important fantasy positions (Defense, Kicker, Tight End etc.) find the perfect matchups/pickups on a week to week basis. Last week we took a long look at the Chiefs’ Defense and they had a MONSTER five turnover game so if you haven’t gotten to them already you’ve probably missed the chance. Anyways, let’s take a few more looks at who I think are the best defenses (under 50% owned) that you should be picking up for the Fantasy Playoffs.
Cleveland D/ST vs Las Vegas (Past Month: 23.25 Points Allowed Per Game, 2 Turnovers Per Game,
2 Sacks Per Game, 47% owned)
I mentioned in the header that Kansas City collected a gluttonous FIVE turnovers, but who was on the opposite side of that? Why, the Las Vegas Raiders of course! Now obviously it’s wishful thinking for another meltdown from a solid offense like Las Vegas’s but two or three turnovers is well within reach. Especially when you consider that this is a Cleveland offense that is averaging two turnovers a game in the past month AND has two touchdowns in the past five weeks. Tough stats considering the only non-playoff team they faced during that span was the measly Detroit Lions. Looking at Las Vegas, they’ve only avoided giving up more than one turnover twice in the same five week span. This is a Raiders offense that needs help and Cleveland won’t be the ones throwing them a life raft this week.
Philadelphia D/ST vs Washington (Past Month: 18.25 Points Allowed Per Game, 1.25 Turnovers Per Game, 1 Sack Per Game, 32% Owned)
It may surprise you to know that since Week 10, the Eagles have had the 10th highest scoring fantasy defense. This stat becomes less surprising when you learn that the Eagles have only played one team over .500 in that span. However, the Birds have yet another easy match up against a sputter 6-7 Washington. Washington is barely above the 20 points per game margin and can thank their defense for most of their success. They’ve turned the ball over every game since week 4 and now may be forced to start Kyle Allen after starter Taylor Heinicke went down against the Cowboys. The Eagles D have shown that they can take care of business against the trash cans of the NFL and right now Washington is just a plain dumpster fire.
Cincinnati D/ST vs Denver (Past Month: 22 Points Allowed Per Game, 2 Turnovers Per Game, 3.5 Sacks Per Game, 16% Owned)
Yeah, you read that right; 3.5 sacks per game in the past month. This is a Bengals pass rush that has absolutely dominated this season, as they sit 3rd in the NFL in sacks this season. On the other side of the football, the Broncos have given up the tenth most sacks in the NFL this season. Also, Teddy Bridgewater has been hurried 63 times, the 2nd most in all of football. Now, I know I just threw a lot of stats out but the short is that the Broncos are not very good at protecting the passer and the Bengals are very good at getting to the QB. Throw in wildly inconsistent offensive production from Denver and the fact that the Bengals are averaging 2 turnovers per game, and well let’s just say this is an underrated start for needy fantasy owners.
Hello and welcome to the third edition of what I am calling Down the Stream! The purpose of this series is to help those streaming the less important fantasy positions (Defense, Kicker, Tight End etc.) find the perfect matchups/pickups on a week to week basis. Last week we took a long look at the Chiefs’ Defense and they had a MONSTER five turnover game so if you haven’t gotten to them already you’ve probably missed the chance. Anyways, let’s take a few more looks at who I think are the best defenses (under 50% owned) that you should be picking up for the Fantasy Playoffs.
Cleveland D/ST vs Las Vegas (Past Month: 23.25 Points Allowed Per Game, 2 Turnovers Per Game,
2 Sacks Per Game, 47% owned)
I mentioned in the header that Kansas City collected a gluttonous FIVE turnovers, but who was on the opposite side of that? Why, the Las Vegas Raiders of course! Now obviously it’s wishful thinking for another meltdown from a solid offense like Las Vegas’s but two or three turnovers is well within reach. Especially when you consider that this is a Cleveland offense that is averaging two turnovers a game in the past month AND has two touchdowns in the past five weeks. Tough stats considering the only non-playoff team they faced during that span was the measly Detroit Lions. Looking at Las Vegas, they’ve only avoided giving up more than one turnover twice in the same five week span. This is a Raiders offense that needs help and Cleveland won’t be the ones throwing them a life raft this week.
Philadelphia D/ST vs Washington (Past Month: 18.25 Points Allowed Per Game, 1.25 Turnovers Per Game, 1 Sack Per Game, 32% Owned)
It may surprise you to know that since Week 10, the Eagles have had the 10th highest scoring fantasy defense. This stat becomes less surprising when you learn that the Eagles have only played one team over .500 in that span. However, the Birds have yet another easy match up against a sputter 6-7 Washington. Washington is barely above the 20 points per game margin and can thank their defense for most of their success. They’ve turned the ball over every game since week 4 and now may be forced to start Kyle Allen after starter Taylor Heinicke went down against the Cowboys. The Eagles D have shown that they can take care of business against the trash cans of the NFL and right now Washington is just a plain dumpster fire.
Cincinnati D/ST vs Denver (Past Month: 22 Points Allowed Per Game, 2 Turnovers Per Game, 3.5 Sacks Per Game, 16% Owned)
Yeah, you read that right; 3.5 sacks per game in the past month. This is a Bengals pass rush that has absolutely dominated this season, as they sit 3rd in the NFL in sacks this season. On the other side of the football, the Broncos have given up the tenth most sacks in the NFL this season. Also, Teddy Bridgewater has been hurried 63 times, the 2nd most in all of football. Now, I know I just threw a lot of stats out but the short is that the Broncos are not very good at protecting the passer and the Bengals are very good at getting to the QB. Throw in wildly inconsistent offensive production from Denver and the fact that the Bengals are averaging 2 turnovers per game, and well let’s just say this is an underrated start for needy fantasy owners.
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