Streaming Defenses: Week 10 Options

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Published on November 10, 2020

Week 9 was a mixed bag for our streaming picks, with the Titans and Giants easily reaching double-digit fantasy points while Washington, Houston and Arizona combined for only 11. The overall average of 7.6 was solid, considering 21 of the 28 defenses in action scored less than that.

The upcoming slate looks even better for streaming, as five of the defenses in the Top 10 of my Week 10 rankings are available on waivers in a majority of fantasy leagues. Three of those five should be startable for each of the next three weeks, so it's possible I'm writing myself out of an audience here. I won't beg you not to leave me, but just know that I'll be a little sad if you do.

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 10

1. New Orleans Saints vs. SF

48% rostered on Yahoo, 39% on ESPN

Team implied total: 29.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 10th (vs. ATL), Week 12: 3rd (at DEN)

The New Orleans defense scored 23 fantasy points the past two weeks in road games against potential playoff teams. There is a track record of maddening inconsistency with this unit,

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

Top Streaming Options for Week 10

1. New Orleans Saints vs. SF

48% rostered on Yahoo, 39% on ESPN

Team implied total: 29.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 10th (vs. ATL), Week 12: 3rd (at DEN)

The New Orleans defense scored 23 fantasy points the past two weeks in road games against potential playoff teams. There is a track record of maddening inconsistency with this unit, but a home game versus Nick Mullens means you can make some mistakes and still come out of it with a few takeaways and sacks. Out of 33 qualified passers, Mullens ranks 25th in INT rate (3.0) and 21st in sack rate (6.3) — similar to what he did when he started eight games back in 2018 (3.6 INT rate, 5.8 sack rate).

Better luck next year https://t.co/Dox6xiDwpN
— Marshon Lattimore (@shonrp2) November 9, 2020

2. Green Bay Packers vs. JAX

37% Yahoo, 25% ESPN

Team implied total: 33

Opponent implied total: 19

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 15th (at IND), Week 12: 2nd (vs. CHI)

Jake Luton held his own in Sunday's loss to Houston, but a trip to Lambeau Field will be far more challenging than a home game against the Texans. Even if James Robinson is able to exploit Green Bay's soft underbelly, there's a good chance the rookie QB fouls things up with sacks and turnovers. The Packers defense should also be playable the following two weeks, facing human statues Philip Rivers and Nick Foles.

3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG

49% Yahoo, 43% ESPN

Team implied total: 24

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 7th (at CLE), Week 12: 19th (vs. SEA)

The Giants have improved as the season has moved along (and the schedule has gotten easier), but they've still allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to team defenses, including nine to the Eagles just three weeks ago. While the Giants will have home-field advantage this time around, the Eagles will be well-rested coming out of a bye week. Advantage: Philly.

4. Minnesota Vikings at CHI

23% Yahoo, 16% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 21

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 3rd (vs. DAL), Week 12: 9th (vs. CAR)

The Vikings looked much better the past two weeks, thanks in no small part to Dalvin Cook's brilliance. The defense shouldn't be considered reliable, but after a competent showing against Aaron Rodgers and a stomping of Matthew Stafford, the Vikings at least deserve to be back on the map as a streaming option for favorable matchups. It just so happens that they have nice matchups each of the next four weeks, with Monday's trip to Chicago followed by three straight home games against Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville. A trip to the playoffs isn't out of the question. Skol!

5. Detroit Lions vs. WAS

2% Yahoo, 5% ESPN

Team implied total: 25

Opponent implied total: 21.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 21st (at CAR), Week 12: 15th (vs. HOU)

The Washington offense versus the Detroit defense is our weekly pillow fight, and we'll give the edge to the guys who are playing at home. For all their other struggles, the Lions at least have semi-competent QB play, while Washington is down to a washed-up-looking Alex Smith. It's awesome that Smith is able to play again, but the post-surgery, 36-year-old version doesn't look like a quality NFL starter. He's already given up eight sacks and three interceptions on only 58 dropbacks.