Streaming Defenses: Week 2 Options

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Published on September 15, 2020

It looks like we got an instant dose of karma for victory-lapping last year's streaming success. Week 1 was a disaster, with the top streaming pick (Philadelphia) scoring three fantasy points and the second choice (Detroit) scoring one. Both teams started off strong before suffering complete meltdowns, though in Philly's case it was more about the offense than the defense.

Our No. 3 pick, the Chargers, came up big with 11 points, but we got another dose of disappointment from picks No. 4 (Tennessee - 3 points) and No. 5 (Denver - 4 FPs). In all fairness, it was a tough week for defenses in general, with only a dozen scoring more than five fantasy points and only the Saints scoring a TD without their offense on the field.

Across the league, teams averaged 23.7 points and 1.03 turnovers per game, compared to 22.8 and 1.39 for last season as a whole. It's too soon to reach any conclusions, but we'll start to take notice if Week 2 brings similar results.

Fortunately for our purposes, there are a bunch of attractive D/ST streaming options, including a couple with multi-week starting potential. Each of the five defenses listed below is facing an opponent with an implied total of 20 points or less.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

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

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

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 2

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)

25% rostered on Yahoo, 43% on ESPN

Team implied total: 29.5

Opponent implied total: 20

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 3: 9th (at DEN), Week 4: 7th (vs. LAC)

While the final score may have seemed to suggest otherwise, the Tampa defense more than held its own Week 1 in the Superdome, limiting Drew Brees to 5.3 YPA and the New Orleans rushing attack to 2.4 YPC. The Saints scored only 17 points on the nine drives they started in their own territory, relying on a pick-six and a couple other turnovers to finish with 34 for the afternoon. This was the same impressive Bucs defense we saw in November and December last year, and they're now heading back home as 9.5-point favorites. Plus, the Tampa defense has startable matchups the following two weeks, facing Drew Lock and then Tyrod Taylor.

2. Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX)

51% Yahoo, 22% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.75

Opponent implied total: 16.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 3: 21st (at MIN), Week 4: 14th (vs. PIT)

I usually don't deviate too far from Vegas when it comes to D/ST streaming, but in this case it feels exaggerated for the Jags to be a 10.5-point underdog with an implied total well south of 20, facing a good-but-not-great Tennessee squad that just played in the late-night Monday game. If you're someone who strictly picks team defenses based on betting odds, you'll prefer the Titans over the Bucs here. Maybe I just have an especially bad case of Minshew Mania?

3. Arizona Cardinals (vs. WAS)

3% Yahoo, 1% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.5

Opponent implied total: 19.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 3: 16th (vs. DET), Week 4: 13th (at CAR)

It's been a while since the Cardinals appeared in this space, as the 2019 version of their defense was too gross for streaming even in top-five matchups. The 2020 iteration probably isn't good, but veteran offseason additions De'Vondre Campbell, Devon Kennard, Dre Kirkpatrick and Jordan Phillips at least increase the number of competent bodies on the field alongside superstars Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson. Following a competent Week 1 performance on the road against the defending NFC champs, the Arizona defense has a much easier task ahead in a home game versus Dwayne Haskins and Co.

Dwayne Haskins Jr. posted a 45.5 QBR playing with the team that recorded the worst pass block win rate of the week thus far. That's still not good, but the lack of pass protection is important context not fully accounted for by QBR.
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 14, 2020

4. Cleveland Browns (vs. CIN)

9% Yahoo, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 25

Opponent implied total: 19

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 3: 3rd (vs. WAS), Week 4: 23rd (at DAL)

One of the things we learned last season was not to judge a defense by what Lamar Jackson did to them. That's not to say the Browns have a good defense, but it should at least be on the level where we can stream against rookie quarterbacks. Joe Burrow took three sacks and tossed a pick in his NFL debut, playing behind an offensive line that got PFF's fifth-worst grade for pass blocking. Even if they score a decent number of points, the Bengals likely will surrender multiple sacks and at least one turnover this week.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (at LAC)

89% Yahoo, 20% ESPN

Team implied total: 28.5

Opponent implied total: 20

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 3: 31st (at BAL), Week 4: 10th (vs. NE)

TyGod isn't usually the best QB to target for streaming, because while he isn't especially good at scoring points, he's committed only 22 turnovers (18 INTs, four lost fumbles) in 47 career starts. Of course, part of that is averaging only 28.4 pass attempts per start, while Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs could push him up toward 30-35 if the Chargers fall behind by multiple scores. Such a scenario could lead to a handful of sacks, considering Taylor's career 9.4 percent sack rate is worst in the NFL among active quarterbacks with enough pass attempts to qualify for all-time leaderboards?