Streaming Defenses Week 7: 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 80 percent on NFC. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 7

1. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)

• 55% Yahoo, 60% NFC
• Team implied total: 28.5     Opponent implied total: 17.0
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 17th (vs. WAS),  Week 9: 23rd (at BUF)

The Chiefs just made the Lions look average and now get another home game against a much weaker opponent. The Raiders ended their losing streak last week, but only because they got the easiest matchup possible — a home game against Tennessee. The Las Vegas offense failed to impress again, and only two teams have allowed more points to opposing D/STs this year. The Chiefs shouldn't have much trouble here, favored by more than a touchdown.

2. New England Patriots (at TEN)

• 48% Yahoo, 99% NFC
• Team implied total: 24.75     Opponent implied total: 17.75
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 2nd (vs. CLE),  Week 9: 14th (vs. ATL) 

The Patriots were one of the top adds last week, kicking off a prolonged stretch of friendly matchups after pulling off a Week 5 upset in Buffalo. The initial results were mediocre, with five fantasy points in a win over New Orleans, but the Patriots should fare better this Sunday against a pathetic Titans team that just fired coach Brian Callahan. New England ranks 10th in D/ST scoring, and Tennessee has given up the second-most fantasy points to the position. 

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3. Seattle Seahawks (vs. HOU)

• 47% Yahoo, 92% ESPN
• Team implied total: 21.75     Opponent implied total: 18.75
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: BYE,  Week 9: 21st (at WAS)

The Seahawks have been excellent against every QB they've faced besides Baker Mayfield, scoring eight or more fantasy points in each of their other five games this season. The Texans played well in Week 5 and should be healthy/rested after a Week 6 bye, but Seattle has been the better team this year and has arguably the best home-field advantage in the league. It's a tough spot for C.J. Stroud and his offensive line even if the Week 5 improvement (at Baltimore) wasn't entirely a mirage.

4. Chicago Bears (vs. NO)

• 5% Yahoo, 21% ESPN
• Team implied total: 26.0     Opponent implied total: 20.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 25th (at BAL),  Week 9: 5th (at CIN)

The Bears have won three in a row and now get highly favorable matchups in three of their next four games (with some chance of 4/4 if Lamar Jackson isn't back for Week 8). The first of those matchups may be the best of all, hosting a Saints offense that's been decent at avoiding sacks and turnovers but terrible at sustaining drives. Spencer Rattler's struggles should eventually lead to more big plays for opposing D/STs, starting this Sunday in a road game against a Bears defense that has 11 takeaways during the three-game winning streak.

5. Miami Dolphins (at CLE)

• 2% Yahoo, 1% NFC
• Team implied total: 19.0      Opponent implied total: 21.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 20th (at ATL),  Week 9: 26th (vs. BAL)

I'm going against the betting odds here because I don't buy the Browns as favorites over anyone besides the Titans right now. Even the Dolphins and Saints are a level of stink above Cleveland, at least on the offensive side of the ball. That said, Cleveland's defense is the more conventional play here, and also a solid option. The Browns have shown far more quality than the Dolphins on that side of the ball, but Miami's offense has at least been competent(ish). The Browns are already on their second QB of the season, with no hint of a decent passing game at any point yet.

Week 7 Rankings

Tier 1: KC, NE

Tier 2: DEN, PIT, CHI, GB, SEA

Tier 3: MIA, CLE, LAR, PHI, CAR, NYJ, MIN, SF

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

Looking Ahead to Week 8

1. Colts (vs. TEN) 
2. Patriots (vs. CLE) 
3. Buccaneers (at NO)
4. Bills (at CAR)
5. Eagles (vs. NYG)
6. Ravens (vs. CHI)
7. Packers (at PIT)
8. Broncos (vs. DAL)
9. Chargers (vs. MIN)
10. Falcons (vs. MIA) 
11. Bengals (vs. NYJ) 
12. Texans (vs. SF)
13. Jets (at CIN) 
14. Vikings (at LAC)
15. 49ers (at HOU)
16. Browns (at NE)
17. Chiefs (vs. WAS)
18. Steelers (vs. GB)
19. Giants (at PHI)
20. Dolphins (at ATL)

Rest-of-Season Rankings

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