Streaming Defenses: Week 16 Options

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Published on December 22, 2020

Our streaming recommendations for the fantasy semifinals mostly worked out well, with four of five scoring at least six points and finishing Top 15 in D/ST scoring. The top pick, Arizona, was one of five defenses to reach double digits, while our No. 2 pick (Minnesota) was the lone disappointment of the bunch.

The Cardinals are a strong choice again for Week 16, facing an injury-riddled 49ers team that no longer has any playoff-related motivation to activate Jimmy Garoppolo or George Kittle from injured reserve. For what it's worth, I initially listed the Cardinals as my No. 4 streaming pick for Fantasy Super Bowl week, before moving them up to second upon further examination.

It's extra important to keep an eye on injuries and QB changes at this time of year, as some of those decisions made by non-contending teams can have a big impact on D/ST rankings (see: Stafford, Matthew). The likes of Detroit, Carolina and New England could use the final two weeks to evaluate young players and backup quarterbacks who otherwise haven't seen much playing time.

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 16

1. Houston Texans (vs. CIN)

17% rostered on Yahoo, 11% on

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

Top Streaming Options for Week 16

1. Houston Texans (vs. CIN)

17% rostered on Yahoo, 11% on ESPN

Team implied total: 27

Opponent implied total: 18

Week 17 Estimated Rank: 27th (vs. TEN)

Prior to Monday's big upset, the Bengals had given up nine or more fantasy points to D/STs in five straight games, including 18 in Week 14 against Dallas, of all teams. The Houston defense is bad, no doubt, but it's not quite on the same level of incompetence as Bengals quarterbacks Brandon Allen (knee) and Ryan Finley. Consider it a true testament to Allen, Finley and coach Zac Taylor that the Bengals are a nine-point underdog to this 4-10 Houston team. It doesn't help that Tyler Boyd (concussion) might be out.

2. Arizona Cardinals (vs. SF)

34% Yahoo, 40% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.25

Opponent implied total: 22.25

Week 17 Estimated Rank: 19th (at LAR)

The Cardinals continue to generate a pass rush without Chandler Jones (IR - biceps), ranking fourth in sacks (43) and fifth in blitz rate (39.1 percent) after piling up 14 sacks the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the 49ers have given up the third most fantasy points to team defenses, including double digits in four of their past five games. Mistake-prone Nick Mullens (elbow) may not be able to play this week, but it's not like CJ Beathard is any better, with his 10 NFL starts yielding 35 sacks, 12 interceptions and five lost fumbles, not to mention a 1-9 record and 57.7 completion percentage.

#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo won't play next week and is unlikely to play again in 2020, but TE George Kittle's situation is more complicated.
My story on the futures of the SF stars: https://t.co/Myxb7KQiNa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2020

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DET)

51% Yahoo, 66% ESPN

Team implied total: 31.5

Opponent implied total: 21.5

Week 17 Estimated Rank: 11th (vs. ATL)

The Bucs had a top-five defense through the first two months of the season, but we've mostly seen mediocre performances since early November, with four different QBs throwing for three or more TDs against Tampa. While the trend isn't ideal, the Bucs are favored by 10 points this week, facing a Detroit team that might shut down Matthew Stafford (ribs/thumb) now that playoffs are officially out of the question. Chase Daniel has a decent enough reputation as far as backups go, but he gave up four INTs and 13 sacks in three starts for Chicago between 2018 and 2019.

Note: Move the Bucs up a spot (ahead of Arizona) if Daniel starts, or down a spot (behind Washington) if Stafford starts. This ranking was intended to reflect some uncertainty, as the Lions hadn't yet named their Week 16 starter when we posted Streaming Defenses on Tuesday morning.

4. Washington Football Team (vs. CAR)

34% Yahoo, 63% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 21

Week 17 Estimated Rank: 12th (at PHI)

Washington is tied for sixth in fantasy scoring average (7.7), after hitting double digits in three of the past five games. While the Week 15 matchup with Russell Wilson wasn't fruitful for fantasy purposes, the Football Team did well to limit Seattle to 20 points in a one-score loss. Ron Rivera's crew can all but clinch a playoff spot with a win over his former team, favored by 2.5 points in a game with the smallest over/under (44.5) of the week.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN)

29% Yahoo, 28% ESPN

Team implied total: 26

Opponent implied total: 22.5

Week 17 Estimated Rank: 32nd (at KC)

The Chargers are tied for 24th in team-defense scoring with an average of only 4.6 points, but they did play a little better the past two weeks while winning back-to-back games for the first time in 13.5 months. Even if Joey Bosa (concussion) can't play, the Chargers should be good for a handful of fantasy points in a home matchup with Denver, a team that's been the second most generous to D/STs.