This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 11 brought me a few large slices of humble pie as an early treat for Thanksgiving, with my five streaming recommendations combining for just 26 fantasy points, including dud performances from the top two picks — Arizona (four points) and Baltimore (one point).
Week 12 sets up best for the defenses that are already owned in the majority of leagues, but we do still have a few nice streaming options, led by a pair of surging teams (Dallas and Indianapolis) that are expected to face backup quarterbacks. While the depth of options isn't great, it shouldn't be too difficult to land the Cowboys, Colts or Bills in a typical fantasy league.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Top Streaming Options for Week 12
1. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)
19% Yahoo ownership
Following road wins over the Eagles and Falcons the past two weeks, Dallas still hasn't given up more than 28 points in any game this season, with a solid pass rush (2.8 sacks per game) and impressive run defense (3.7 yards per carry) making up for a shortcoming in terms of takeaways (10). While the lack of big plays is obviously problematic for our purposes, it's only a matter of time before the solid real-life performance translates into a big fantasy stat line. Week 12 provides as good of a chance as any,
Week 11 brought me a few large slices of humble pie as an early treat for Thanksgiving, with my five streaming recommendations combining for just 26 fantasy points, including dud performances from the top two picks — Arizona (four points) and Baltimore (one point).
Week 12 sets up best for the defenses that are already owned in the majority of leagues, but we do still have a few nice streaming options, led by a pair of surging teams (Dallas and Indianapolis) that are expected to face backup quarterbacks. While the depth of options isn't great, it shouldn't be too difficult to land the Cowboys, Colts or Bills in a typical fantasy league.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Top Streaming Options for Week 12
1. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)
19% Yahoo ownership
Following road wins over the Eagles and Falcons the past two weeks, Dallas still hasn't given up more than 28 points in any game this season, with a solid pass rush (2.8 sacks per game) and impressive run defense (3.7 yards per carry) making up for a shortcoming in terms of takeaways (10). While the lack of big plays is obviously problematic for our purposes, it's only a matter of time before the solid real-life performance translates into a big fantasy stat line. Week 12 provides as good of a chance as any, with the Cowboys hosting Colt McCoy and the injury-ravaged Redskins on a short week. Fighting desperately to retain their spot atop the NFC East standings, the Redskins are 7.5-point underdogs with a measly implied total of 16.5.
2. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami Dolphins)
26% Yahoo ownership
While not exactly consistent from week to week, the Indianapolis defense is tied for fifth in takeaways (19) and tied for 15th in sacks (26), with an average of 9.3 fantasy points the past four games. Hoping to maintain their midseason surge, the Colts play host to a banged-up Miami team that may have Brock Osweiler replacing Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) under center for another week. The Dolphins have given up the ninth most fantasy points to team defenses, including double digits in four of 10 games. Listed as 10-point underdogs with an implied total of 20.25, the Dolphins don't seem especially likely to turn in a competitive performance this week.
3. Buffalo Bills (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
14% Yahoo ownership
This should be one of the ugliest games of the 2018 season, featuring two teams that have the vast majority of their talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills defense somehow has managed 2.5 sacks and 1.5 takeaways per game without much help from the offense, proving to be a playoff-caliber unit. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have given up the sixth most fantasy points to team defenses, with Blake Bortles taking a major step backward and seemingly in danger of being benched soon. Jacksonville may be a three-point favorite, but the implied total is only 20.25 in a game tied for the lowest over/under (37.5) of the season.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
16% Yahoo ownership
There's a major drop off after our third recommendation, but the Bengals should work in a pinch if the Cowboys, Colts and Bills are already taken. This one is obviously about the matchup rather than strength of defense, as the Bengals rank 31st in points allowed (31.2) and 32nd in yards (449). They've at least been reasonably opportunistic with 2.3 sacks and 1.4 takeaways per game, reaching double-digit fantasy points on four occasions. This is a boom-or-bust selection with potential for a complete crash, but it might be a risk worth taking if you feel outgunned in your Week 12 matchup. The Browns carry a modest implied total of 22.25 as three-point underdogs on the road.
5. Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)
8% Yahoo ownership
Looking to the other side of a potentially ugly AFC North showdown, the Cleveland defense has already proven its worth by piling up more takeaways (25) than any team besides Chicago. The Browns do rank t-24th in points allowed (26.3) and 31st in yards (420), but the numbers are partially a product of four overtime contests as well as some struggles on the other side of the ball. Reasonably effective on a per-play basis, the Cleveland defense should be in good health coming out of a Week 11 bye, while Cincinnati faces the prospect of another game without A.J. Green (toe) in the lineup. I don't expect this game to reach its over/under (47.5).
Week 12 D/ST Rankings
1. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. ARI)
2. Baltimore Ravens (vs. OAK)
3. Chicago Bears (at DET)
4. Dallas Cowboys (vs. WAS)
5. New England Patriots (at NYJ)
6. Indianapolis Colts (vs. MIA)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (at BUF)
8. Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
9. Buffalo Bills (vs. JAC)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (at DEN)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
13. Cleveland Browns (at CIN)
14. Carolina Panthers (vs. SEA)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
16. Tennessee Titans (at HOU)
17. Denver Broncos (vs. PIT)
18. San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
19. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
20. New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL)
Looking Ahead to Week 13
1. Houston Texans (vs. CLE)
2. Tennessee Titans (vs. NYJ)
3. Green Bay Packers (vs. ARI)
4. Miami Dolphins (vs. BUF)
5. Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. WAS)
7. Chicago Bears (at NYG)
8. Los Angeles Rams (at DET)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (at OAK)
10. Indianapolis Colts (at JAC)
11. Carolina Panthers (at TB)
12. Buffalo Bills (at MIA)
13. Denver Broncos (at CIN)
14. Cleveland Browns (at HOU)
15. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
16. Washington Redskins (at PHI)
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (at IND)
18. New Orleans Saints (at DAL)
19. New England Patriots (vs. MIN)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC)
Rest-of-Season Rankings
1. Chicago Bears
2. New England Patriots
3. Houston Texans
4. Minnesota Vikings
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Los Angeles Chargers
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Seattle Seahawks
11. Washington Redskins
12. Carolina Panthers
13. Indianapolis Colts
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Buffalo Bills
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Denver Broncos
18. Green Bay Packers
19. Philadelphia Eagles
20. Miami Dolphins
