Streaming Defenses Week 9: D/ST Picks for Fantasy Football This Week

Before we get to the usual streaming picks for Week 9, let's take a look at my estimated D/ST rankings for fantasy playoffs in Weeks 15-17. It doesn't make sense to be planning so far ahead in most leagues/situations, but there are always exceptions, like a 7-1 team in a league that doesn't have bye weeks or regular-season prizes (making it so there's no major strategic difference between being the 1 seed or 2-3).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 80 percent on NFFC. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 9

1. Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)

• 37% Yahoo, 88% NFFC
• Team implied total: 29.0     Opponent implied total: 25.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 13th (at SF),  Week 11: 9th (vs. SEA)

The Rams have fielded a top-five defense for both real life and fantasy (8.7 PPG, 4th) but are nonetheless available in a lot of leagues after a Week 8 bye. It may be worth dropping some FAAB here, even though the matchups for Weeks 10-12 aren't great. The Rams do face the Panthers in Week 13, the Cardinals in Week 14 and the Falcons in Week 17, so there's some stash appeal beyond this coming Sunday.

2. Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)

• 51% Yahoo, 66% NFFC
• Team implied total: 28.0     Opponent implied total: 19.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 15th (at WAS),  Week 11: 18th (at PHI)

The Vikings apparently are turning back to J.J. McCarthy, who looked awful in Weeks 1-2 and will now be tasked with turning around a sinking ship. Whether or not he works out in the long term, McCarthy has a tall task immediately ahead of him. It doesn't help that LT Christian Darrisaw has been in and out of the lineup since returning from last year's knee reconstruction, most recently making an early exit last Thursday in a game that starting right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) was inactive for. This could look like Sam Darnold's matchup with the Lions in Week 18 last year.

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3. Baltimore Ravens (at MIA)

• 32% Yahoo, 43% NFFC
• Team implied total: 28.5     Opponent implied total: 21.0
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 10th (at MIN),  Week 11: 3rd (at CLE)

With Lamar Jackson apparently back, for real this time, the Ravens are favored by 7.5 points over a Miami team that may still be celebrating its dead-cat bounce. Nobody can accuse the Dolphins of quitting on their season, at least for now, but they still have a subpar offensive line and physically limited QB, with poor complementary weapons alongside De'Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. The Ravens, meanwhile, looked like the Ravens again after a Week 7 bye, albeit in a favorable setting (home against the Bears). Of course, a trip to Miami is hardly the inferno.        

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)

• 6% Yahoo, 42% NFFC
• Team implied total: 24.0     Opponent implied total: 21.0
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 14th (at HOU),  Week 11: 23rd (vs. LAC)

The Raiders should be somewhat better after their bye, if only due to the possibility of getting Brock Bowers (knee) and Jakobi Meyers (knee) back from injuries. They're still left with the issues created by poor blocking and poor coaching, as well as Geno Smith looking lost in Chip Kelly's offense. I don't trust Jacksonville's defense, by any means, but the Raiders' offense inspires even less confidence. Only the Titans have allowed more fantasy points per game to D/STs.

5. San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)

• 21% Yahoo, 51% NFFC
• Team implied total: 25.5     Opponent implied total: 22.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 20th (vs. LAR),  Week 11: 12th (at ARZ)

San Francisco's defense doesn't inspire fear without Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, but neither does the Giants' offense sans Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo. The 49ers thus head to New York as slight favorites, facing an injury-depleted offense that may become overly reliant on Jaxson Dart scrambling around to create plays. Dart can do it, but that also opens up risk for sacks, interceptions and fumbles, which are what we're looking for with D/ST streaming.

Week 9 Rankings

Tier 1: LAR, GB, LAC

Tier 2: NE, DET, DEN

Tier 3: BAL, JAX, SF, HOU

Tier 4: CHI, CIN, IND

1. Rams (vs. NO)  
2. Packers (vs. CAR)
3. Chargers (at TEN) 
4. Patriots (vs. ATL)
5. Lions (vs. MIN)  
6. Broncos (at HOU) 
7. Ravens (at MIA) 
8. Jaguars (at LV)  
9. 49ers (at NYG)
10. Texans (vs. DEN) 
11. Bears (at CIN)
12. Bengals (vs. CHI) 
13. Colts (at PIT)  
14. Seahawks (at WAS) 
15. Commanders (vs. SEA)
16. Cowboys (vs. ARZ)
17. Giants (vs. SF) 
18. Bills (vs. KC)
19. Chiefs (at BUF) 
20. Steelers (vs. IND)

Looking Ahead to Week 10

1. Broncos (vs. LV)
2. Colts (vs. ATL)
3. Browns (at NYJ) 
4. Jets (vs. CLE)
5. Bears (vs. NYG)
6. Bills (at MIA)
7. Texans (vs. JAX)
8. Seahawks (vs. ARZ)
9. Panthers (vs. NO) 
10. Ravens (at MIN)
11. Saints (at CAR)
12. Chargers (vs. PIT)
13. Rams (at SF)
14. Jaguars (at HOU)
15. Lions (at WAS)
16. Packers (vs. PHI) 
17. Eagles (at GB)
18. Vikings (vs. BAL)
19. Giants (at CHI)
20. 49ers (vs. LAR)

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. Houston Texans  
2. Denver Broncos 
3. Los Angeles Rams  
4. Kansas City Chiefs    
5. Seattle Seahawks 
6. Baltimore Ravens 
7. Green Bay Packers    
8. Philadelphia Eagles 
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
10. Buffalo Bills    
11. Detroit Lions 
12. New England Patriots 
13. Indianapolis Colts   
14. Pittsburgh Steelers   
15. Los Angeles Chargers
16. Minnesota Vikings 
17. New Orleans Saints
18. Cleveland Browns 
19. Washington Commanders
20. Jacksonville Jaguars