Streaming Defenses: Week 9 Options

Last week was brutal for this space, ending a hot streak that had lasted nearly two months. Our top choice (New Orleans) scored seven fantasy points, but the other four defenses combined for only three points. We did include a warning that it would be a tough week for streaming, as seven of the top eight defenses in the weekly rankings were widely owned in fantasy leagues.

The upcoming slate looks far more friendly, albeit without much to offer in terms of multi-week streaming potential. But let's focus on the good news, with the Top 8 of the Week 9 D/ST rankings including five defenses that are commonly available on waivers in fantasy leagues.

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 9

1. Washington Football Team vs. NYG

18% rostered on Yahoo, 23% on ESPN

Team implied total: 23.25

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 18th (at DET),  Week 11: 9th (vs. CIN)

The Giants should be annoyed with the schedule-makers for this one. They're on a short week after a Monday game, traveling to Washington for a divisional game against a Football Team™ coming out of a bye. The oft-discussed Washington pass rush hasn't exactly been consistent, but it is averaging 3.1 sacks per game overall, and the Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (9.0 per game) to team defenses.

2. Tennessee Titans vs. CHI

48% Yahoo, 39% ESPN

Team implied total: 26

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 11th (vs. IND),  Week 11: 17th (at BAL)

Coming off their worst performance of the Ryan Tannehill era, the Titans should get back on track as 5.5-point home favorites over the mediocre Bears. While 14 teams have allowed more fantasy points to team defenses, the Bears have been plenty generous in terms of sacks (2.5 per game) and interceptions (1.25 per game). They haven't lost any fumbles or given up any D/ST touchdowns, but that should come in due time if their struggles on offense continue. Nick Foles ranks 18th among qualified passers in sack rate (5.3) and 23rd in INT rate (3.0), once again showing that he's little more than a high-end backup.

 Editor's Note (Thursday): Green Bay replaces Tennessee as the second-best streamer, after a slew of 49ers were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The updated D/ST rankings for Week 9 put the Packers at No. 5, one spot ahead of the Titans.

3. Houston Texans at JAX

5% Yahoo, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 28.75

Opponent implied total: 22.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 20th (at CLE),  Week 11: 16th (vs. NE)

No need to waste any time making excuses for the Houston defense; this one is all about the potential for the Jaguars to collapse with sixth-round rookie Jake Luton making his first NFL start. Maybe Luton is the next Gardner Minshew (thumb), but it's more likely we see the usual level of incompetence associated with a rookie who was a late-round pick. Would anybody besides Deshaun Watson's fantasy managers be upset if the NFL just cancelled this game?

4. Arizona Cardinals vs. MIA

14% Yahoo, 19% ESPN

Team implied total: 26

Opponent implied total: 21.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) —  Week 10: 13th (vs. BUF),  Week 11: 25th (at SEA)

On the one hand, Miami is a much better team than anyone expected, featuring an above-average defense and a half-decent running game. On the other, Tua Tagovailoa looked pretty shaky in his first NFL start, and the Dolphins would probably be better in the short term with Ryan Fitzpatrick taking snaps. In any case, the Arizona defense has also been a pleasant surprise this year, ranking 10th in fantasy scoring average (7.0) and ninth in DVOA (-5.7%). A home game against a rookie QB puts the Cardinals solidly in streaming territory, even with their best player (Chandler Jones) out for the year due to a biceps tear.

5. New York Giants at WAS

12% Yahoo, 17% ESPN

Team implied total: 19.75

Opponent implied total: 23.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 10: 15th (vs. PHI),  Week 11: Bye

The Giants would probably be a couple spots higher if not for the aforementioned scheduling disadvantage. Their defense has been surprisingly respectable this year, tied for 12th in fantasy scoring average (6.25) and allowing only 3.7 YPC on the ground. The secondary remains vulnerable, but Kyle Allen is far from a lock to take advantage, and he tends to make big mistakes even when he puts up yards and points. The Giants defense took advantage of one of those errors back in Week 6, scoring a season-high 14 fantasy points thanks to a scoop-and-score on an Allen fumble.

Week 9 Rankings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers at DAL - moved up from No. 2 with Andy Dalton out
2. New England Patriots at NYJ
3. Washington Football Team vs. NYG
4. Kansas City Chiefs vs. CAR
5. Green Bay Packers at SF - moved up from No. 12 due to SF's injuries and COVID-19.
6. Tennessee Titans vs. CHI
7. Houston Texans at JAX
8. Arizona Cardinals vs. MIA
9. New York Giants at WAS
10. Baltimore Ravens at IND
11. Atlanta Falcons vs. DEN
12. Indianapolis Colts vs. BAL
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. NO
14. Los Angeles Chargers vs. LV
15. Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
16. New York Jets vs. NE
17. Seattle Seahawks at BUF
18. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
19. Denver Broncos at ATL
20. San Francisco 49ers vs. GB

Looking Ahead to Week 10

1. Philadelphia Eagles at NYG
2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
3. Green Bay Packers vs. JAX
4. Baltimore Ravens at NE
5. Chicago Bears vs. MIN
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at CAR
7. New Orleans Saints at SF
8. Detroit Lions vs. WAS
9. Minnesota Vikings at CHI
10. Miami Dolphins vs. LAC
11. Tennessee Titans vs. IND
12. Los Angeles Chargers at MIA
13. Arizona Cardinals vs. BUF
14. New England Patriots vs. BAL
15. New York Giants vs. PHI
16. Las Vegas Raiders vs. DEN
17. Cleveland Browns vs. HOU
18. Washington Football Team at DET
19. Denver Broncos vs. LV
20. Houston Texans at CLE

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. New England Patriots
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Indianapolis Colts
9. Chicago Bears
10. New Orleans Saints
11. Los Angeles Rams
12. Washington Football Team
13. San Francisco 49ers
14. Green Bay Packers
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Philadelphia Eagles
17. Cleveland Browns
18. Tennessee Titans
19. Arizona Cardinals
20. Denver Broncos