Welcome to the Defensive Streamers Week 3! Last week’s offerings were a mixed bag with Jacksonville and Indianapolis combining for two sacks Sunday. Seattle performed well, but the Texans were my best pick with a seven-sack, two turnover performance. Not the best start, but now we have two weeks of information to use when making roster decisions. Remember, if you have a top defense such as San Francisco, Pittsburgh, or the Jets, you should ignore these. These options are only for those in dire need.
I will provide four options, along with a fifth, deep streamer only for the most desperate fantasy managers. As a reminder, I will offer up defenses that are available in 60% or more of Yahoo Leagues. Let’s get to it!
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (40%) vs. Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay has been a surprise this season, starting with two wins, but the offense has been the bright spot so far. That will change when Bo Nix and the Broncos come to Tampa on Sunday. Nix threw four interceptions, to go along with four sacks as well.
Even without Calijah Kancey, Antoine Winfield Jr., and potentially Vita Vea, this is still a plus matchup. Fun fact: only one skill position player has eclipsed 100 total yards of offense for the Broncos, Josh Reynolds. Tampa Bay is right on the cutoff of streaming territory, but I legally must mention every defense that plays against the Broncos.
Green Bay Packers (26%) vs. Tennessee Titans
The Packers were on the ropes last weekend without Jordan Love, but the defense answered the call. The Packers held the Colts to 338 yards of offense and picked off Anthony Richardson three times. Now they get to face off against the Titans and Will Levis, who is a walking turnover machine. The Titans are tied with the Broncos in giveaways, plus they have given up an average of three sacks per game. So, Tennessee is tied for 1st place in turnovers, while Green Bay is tied for 1st in forcing turnovers on defense. Don’t make this difficult.
Seattle Seahawks (38%) vs. Miami Dolphins
The Seahawks are back after last week’s effort, and they have an intriguing matchup. Miami comes to town with Skylar Thompson as the starting quarterback, and we have seen him perform before. Thompson has only one career start under his belt, a Wild Card matchup against the Bills. He finished with a 40% completion rate, threw two interceptions, and was sacked four times. There is the pending threat of a big play from Tyreek Hill at any time, but Seattle has played some strong defense so far. Thompson has his work cut out for him. It’s hard enough to win in Seattle as a visiting team, but now the Seahawks have the highest pressure rate in the league.
Las Vegas Raiders (34%) vs. Carolina Panthers
I hesitated to put the Raiders here but ultimately came back to them. The Panthers are atrocious on offense. Carolina ranks inside the bottom five in rushing and passing yards per game. The Panthers give up an average of two turnovers per game.
But Andy Dalton is in charge now, making me cool my jets on this proposal. I do not see the Panthers becoming a juggernaut on offense, but a competent team. It’s a possibility. The Raiders are a competent defense, and it helps that they have a plus matchup next week.
The “Not-in-my-league” option
Reminder: this is only for the most desperate. I would recommend the other defenses above before rostering this defense.
Tennessee Titans (2%) vs. Green Bay Packers
It’s time for the Malik Willis revenge game! Green Bay came out with Willis and attempted only 14 passes in a run-heavy game plan. There will be no element of surprise against the Titans, who are in the top ten in rushing yards allowed.
Green Bay has an unimposing team total of 18. This game has the potential to become a low-scoring slog—it’s one of only two games where both teams have a team total of 20 or less. You could find a much worse option to stream than the Titans.
Week 4 Options to Stash
Cincinnati Bengals (22%) vs. Carolina Panthers – Dalton’s revenge game?
Las Vegas Raiders (34%) vs. Cleveland Browns – Are Deshaun Watson‘s best games behind him?