Streaming Defenses Week 6: D/ST Picks for Fantasy Football This Week

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 6

1. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. TEN)

• 3% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 23.0     Opponent implied total: 18.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 30th (at KC),  Week 8: BYE

One of the few good things you can say about the Las Vegas defense is that it isn't the Tennessee offense. This is one of the least appealing matchups we'll see all season, but that could mean sneaky D/ST value on both sides of the game (I also like the Titans D/ST as a cheap play for DFS at $2,400 on DraftKings). If we were to merely go by betting odds, the Raiders would be an easy choice at No. 1 here. As is, I think it's more of a toss-up, with the Saints also perfectly capable of getting blown out (by New England). The Patriots are also an easy choice if you anticipate needing a multi-week starter.

2. New England Patriots (at NO)

• 13% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 24.5     Opponent implied total: 21.0
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 3rd (at TEN),  Week 8: 5th (vs. CLE)

New England's reward for upsetting the Bills in Buffalo is three consecutive games against last-place teams with horrific QB play. You might say the Patriots don't have a real strength besides QB play, but their defense has at least shown enough recent progress to confidently be started in elite matchups. 

Utility may even stretch beyond Week 8, as the Patriots have a Week 9 home game against the Falcons, a Week 11 home game against the Jets, a Week 12 trip to Cincinnati and a Week 13 home game against the Giants. Depending on the specifics of your league/situation, it's a slate that may be worth spending some FAAB to pick on. I'd prioritize the Patriots over the Raiders in most situations, even though Vegas ranks slightly higher for this week alone.

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3. Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARZ)

• 49% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 27.0     Opponent implied total: 20.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 17th (at LAC),  Week 8: 2nd (vs. TEN)

I'm a bit surprised to see Indianapolis available in so many leagues after a Week 5 home matchup with the Raiders. While the Colts' early success largely has been driven by their offense, they've also taken care of business on the other side of the ball against lesser teams, putting up 13 fantasy points against Miami (Week 1), 15 against Tennessee (Week 3) and 17 against Las Vegas (Week 5). Another double-digit performance might be asking a lot, but it's in play against the fledgling Cardinals, who head to Indy as 6.5-point underdogs after a memorable Week 5 meltdown.

4. Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)

• 9% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 26.25     Opponent implied total: 23.25
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 25th (vs. WAS),  Week 8: 22nd (at DEN)

Despite winning two of their past three games, the Panthers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to D/STs this season, largely maintaining their reputation as a premium matchup for the position. The offensive line and running game are solid now, but Bryce Young is still awful, and he doesn't have any real receiving weapons besides rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan. The Cowboys' defense isn't any better, but a matchup with Young always brings hope for turnovers, with risk of a complete offensive meltdown if the Panthers' running game doesn't get going early.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA)

• 13% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 23.5     Opponent implied total: 23.0 
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 19th (vs. LAR),  Week 8: BYE

Jacksonville's defense and Seattle's offense rank high among pleasant surprises in the NFL this year, both playing at a top-10 level after big schematic changes during the offseason (Seattle also overhauled the personnel). I'll give a slight edge to the home team here, although Monday's effort against Kansas City was a poor one, apart from the incredible pick-six by LB Devin Lloyd.

Week 6 Rankings

Tier 1: GB

Tier 2: PHI, PIT, LAR

Tier 3: LV, DEN, NE, IND

Tier 4: BUF, DAL, JAX, WAS

Tier 5: TB, LAC, TEN, CLE, SEA. NO, SF, NYJ 

1. Packers (vs. CIN)
2. Eagles (at NYG) 
3. Steelers (vs. CLE)
4. Rams (at BAL) - assuming Lamar Jackson is out
5. Raiders (vs. TEN)
6. Broncos (at NYJ)
7. Patriots (at NO) 
8. Colts (vs. ARZ)
9. Bills (at ATL) 
10. Cowboys (at CAR)
11. Jaguars (vs. SEA)
12. Commanders (vs. CHI)
13. Buccaneers (vs. SF) 
14. Chargers (at MIA) 
15. Titans (at LV)
16. Browns (at PIT)  
17. Seahawks (at JAX) 
18. Saints (vs. NE)
19. 49ers (at TB)
20. Jets (vs. DEN)

Looking Ahead to Week 7

1. Broncos (vs. NYG)
2. Chiefs (vs. LV)
3. Patriots (at TEN)
4. Steelers (at CIN)
5. Bears (vs. NO)
6. Packers (at ARZ)
7. Jets (vs. CAR)
8. Eagles (at MIN) 
9. Panthers (at NYJ)
10. Dolphins (at CLE) 
11. Seahawks (vs. HOU)
12. 49ers (vs. ATL)
13. Vikings (vs. PHI) 
14. Browns (vs. MIA)
15. Texans (at SEA)
16. Lions (vs. TB)
17. Colts (at LAC)
18. Chargers (vs. IND)
19. Jaguars (vs. LAR)
20. Saints (at CHI) 

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers  
2. Denver Broncos  
3. Minnesota Vikings 
4. Los Angeles Rams  
5. Philadelphia Eagles 
6. Buffalo Bills   
7. Detroit Lions 
8. Houston Texans  
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Kansas City Chiefs 
11. Seattle Seahawks  
12. Pittsburgh Steelers  
13. Indianapolis Colts  
14. Washington Commanders
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
16. New England Patriots 
17. San Francisco 49ers
18. Arizona Cardinals  
19. Cleveland Browns        
20. Los Angeles Chargers