Congratulations. You are in the fantasy playoffs. Now it is time for win-or-go-home single elimination football. Every edge you obtain matters, including fielding a fantasy defense capable of putting up a massive scoring line to help you get through to the next week.
There are set-it-and-forget-it defenses like the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens you can plug in and not worry about changing all season long. But for most managers, streaming defenses becomes the most effective way to play – including in the fantasy playoffs.
Things Change Quickly
Season-long counting stats can be helpful in fantasy, but how an offense or defense performed in September does not matter anymore. We are in “what have you done for me lately” mode.
We also want to identify offenses that can be exploited. Those can change overnight. The Houston Texans with CJ Stroud were not an offense to stream against. But the Texans with Davis Mills? Come on down.
Defensive Stashes
It is also time to roster multiple defenses. Depth matters less and less as the playoffs move along. Rostering a strong Week 15 defense is a must, but rostering a solid option for Weeks 16 and 17 can also be an edge that can put your team in position to win not only now, but down the line.
For this article, I am only going to list defenses available in 60-percent or more of Yahoo Leagues. With most fantasy managers only rostering one defense, that should give you plenty of options.
Automatic Starts
This will rule out a few obvious defenses here are a few no brainers like these:
Kansas City
Miami
Cleveland
New Orleans
Dallas and Baltimore are the two top-scoring defenses in fantasy, but both have tricky matchups this week. The Ravens travel to Jacksonville, and Dallas heads to Buffalo.
Week 15 Options
Las Vegas (8%) vs Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is out, and Easton Stick is in. No really, the Chargers Quarterback is Easton Stick. Even with Herbert, the Los Angeles offense has been on one of the worst downward spirals in football. The Chargers have scored 17 points combined in their last three games. The Raiders just held Minnesota to 3 points and registered five sacks. They are also home favorites in what should be a low-scoring game.
Atlanta (33%) vs Carolina
The Falcons defense has been on a solid run. Over their last three games, Atlanta has registered six sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. They are also one of three NFC South teams with a 6-7 record so every week becomes must-win territory if they are going to make the playoffs.
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1734627538322813233
This week’s matchup is about as good as it gets for the Falcons. Carolina cannot score, and has allowed the fourth-most sacks in the league. This is a smash spot.
Tennessee (6%) vs Houston
Tennessee just defeated Miami in an emotional come-from-behind Monday night victory. The Titans registered five sacks on Tua Tagovailoa, giving them 12 in their last three games played. They become a must add defense, even if you like your current option this week better. The Titans go up against Davis Mills and the decimated Houston Texans offense twice over the next three weeks.
Cincinnati (25%) vs Minnesota
The Bengals have won two straight and just held the Colts to 14 points. Over the season, no team has more interceptions than Cincinnati. This week they face off against a reeling Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has a QB decision to make, and is likely without Justin Jefferson. The Vikings have scored 13 points over their last two games combined.
Indianapolis Colts (42%) vs Pittsburgh
The Colts defense had a second-quarter pick-six that saved their day fantasy-wise in a disappointing 34-14 loss to Cincinnati. Indianapolis has the third-most sacks in the league and now faces off against Mitch Trubisky and the reeling Steelers’ offense. Pittsburgh has lost back-to-back games to Arizona and New England.
Chicago (5%) at Cleveland
Chicago may be ranked as a mid-tier defense this week, but if you are in a deep league where managers may have squirreled away the top options, they could be a strong option. Cleveland has the most turnovers in the NFL, and despite the newfound excitement surrounding Joe Flacco, he is a 38-year-old statue.
The Bears defense has a lot of juice heading into this one, with back to back NFC North wins and a combined 23 points allowed to Minnesota and Detroit. Over Chicago’s last three games, the Bears have registered eight sacks, and added nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
