Streaming Defenses: Week 15 Options

The 2020 season is still well on track to be the highest-scoring in NFL history, but it does seem defenses have fought back in recent weeks, Monday's Ravens-Browns classic aside. Week 14 featured six defense touchdowns and another two on special teams, with half the D/STs in the league scoring eight or more fantasy points.

That group includes three of my five streaming recommendations for Week 14, though I also chose a couple duds in Carolina and Houston. Hopefully we'll be a little more consistent this week as most fantasy leagues head into semifinals.

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 15

1. Arizona Cardinals (vs. PHI)

24% rostered on Yahoo, 35% on ESPN

Team implied total: 27.5

Opponent implied total: 21

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 16: 10th (vs. SF),  Week 17: 19th (at LAR)

A dominant performance at the Meadowlands pushed the Cardinals up to 13th in fantasy scoring average (6.54) and sixth in sacks (37), with Haason Reddick's breakout season helping the pass rush stay afloat sans Chandler Jones (IR - biceps). Reddick won't have five sacks again, but he should get some pressure on Jalen Hurts, facing a Philadelphia O-line that's missing its top four tackles.

2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)

46% Yahoo, 39% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.75

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 16: 29th (at NO),  Week 17: 11th (at DET)

Mitchell Trubisky has been a bit better than Nick Foles, but opposing D/STs have still averaged a healthy 7.4 points per game in the 26-year-old's six starts. Out of 35 qualified passers, Mitch is 28th in completion percentage (63.8), 27th in YPA (6.7), 24th in INT rate (2.5) and 23rd in sack rate (7.0). Meanwhile, the Minnesota defense has been respectable since a Week 7 bye, including a 10-FP performance in the 19-13 win over Chicago in Week 10. The rematch is crucial for both teams, as the winner will be right in the mix for the No. 7 seed, while the loser will be all but eliminated from playoff contention.

3. Tennessee Titans (vs. DET)

16% Yahoo, 22% ESPN

Team implied total: 31

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 16: 30th (at GB),  Week 17: 16th (at HOU)

If the betting odds are any indication, Chase Daniel will be starting at QB for the Lions this week. However, I'm not quite ready to rule out Matthew Stafford (ribs/thumb), as Detroit technically can still reach the playoffs with three straight wins and a little bit lot of help. A No. 11 ranking for the Tennessee defense this week splits the difference — it's a few spots too high if Stafford is starting, or a few spots too low if it's Daniel. I'll revisit the situation later this week, potentially bumping the Titans D/ST above the Vikings and/or Cardinals.

4. Cleveland Browns (at NYG)

51% Yahoo, 53% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.25

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 16: 2nd (at NYJ),  Week 17: 18th (vs. PIT)

The Browns defense and Giants offense both looked horrendous in Week 14, run ragged by Lamar Jackson and Haason Reddick, respectively. Taking a broader outlook, the Cleveland defense has an advantage in this matchup, as it's at least been borderline competent for most of the season, while the Giants still don't have an NFL-caliber passing game. Only four teams have allowed more fantasy points to D/STs, with Daniel Jones ranking 23rd in INT rate (2.4) and 33rd in sack rate (8.8).

Note: The Browns are our No. 4 streaming pick for Week 15, but it's between them or Arizona if you're looking to cover the next two weeks. Cleveland gets the coveted Jets matchup for fantasy championship week.

5. Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)

57% Yahoo, 66% ESPN

Team implied total: 29.75

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 16: 22nd (vs. TEN),  Week 17: 9th (at CHI)

While still average-to-subpar from a real-life standpoint, the Packers defense has scored four or more fantasy points in six straight games, taking advantage of pass-rush opportunities when opponents have abandoned the run. The real mismatch here is Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams against the Carolina defense, so we should see the Packers establish a lead again.

Week 15 Rankings

1. Los Angeles Rams vs. NYJ
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at CIN
3. Baltimore Ravens vs. JAX
4. Seattle Seahawks at WAS
5. Arizona Cardinals vs. PHI
6. Minnesota Vikings vs. CHI
7. Buffalo Bills at DEN
8. San Francisco 49ers at DAL
9. Miami Dolphins vs. NE
10. Indianapolis Colts vs. HOU
11. Tennessee Titans vs. DET
12. Cleveland Browns at NYG
13. Green Bay Packers vs. CAR
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at ATL
15. New England Patriots at MIA
16. New York Giants vs. CLE
17. Washington Football Team vs. SEA
18. Dallas Cowboys vs. SF
19. Denver Broncos vs. BUF
20. Chicago Bears at MIN

Looking Ahead to Week 16

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. NYG
2. Cleveland Browns at NYJ
3. Houston Texans vs. CIN
4. New Orleans Saints vs. MIN
5. Washington Football Team vs. CAR
6. Chicago Bears at JAX
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at DET
8. Philadelphia Eagles at DAL
9. Dallas Cowboys vs. PHI
10. Arizona Cardinals vs. SF
11. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. IND
12. Kansas City Chiefs vs. ATL
13. Los Angeles Chargers vs. DEN
14. Buffalo Bills at NE
15. Carolina Panthers at WAS
16. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CHI
17. Indianapolis Colts at PIT
18. Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
19. San Francisco 49ers at ARZ
20. Miami Dolphins at LV

Week 17 Estimate

These rankings figure to change a lot between now and Week 17, when we usually see a few playoff teams resting key players and a couple non-playoff teams starting their backup quarterbacks. The addition of a seventh playoff spot theoretically means more teams have something on the line, but guys like Chase Daniel, Jarrett Stidham, Jake Luton and C.J. Beathard could still end up making starts. 

The problem right now is that we don't know which it will be, though Daniel is a pretty strong guess given that Matthew Stafford (thumb/ribs) is banged up and the Lions are on the brink of elimination. Anyway, here's my guess at Week 17 rankings, assuming every team is playing its starters and going all-out to win...

1. New England Patriots vs. NYJ
2. Baltimore Ravens at CIN
3. Indianapolis Colts vs. JAX
4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. WAS
5. Kansas City Chiefs vs. LAC
6. New York Giants vs. DAL
7. New Orleans Saints at CAR
8. Washington Football Team at PHI
9. Green Bay Packers at CHI
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. ATL
11. Minnesota Vikings at DET
12. Seattle Seahawks at SF
13. Dallas Cowboys at NYG
14. Los Angeles Rams vs. ARZ
15. Buffalo Bills vs. MIA
16. Tennessee Titans at HOU
17. Pittsburgh Steelers at CLE
18. Cleveland Browns vs. PIT
19. Arizona Cardinals at LAR
20. Detroit Lions  vs. MIN