Streaming Defenses: Picking a Week 10 Team Defense

TOP STREAMING OPTIONS

New York Jets (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
38% Yahoo ownership - 53.5% ESPN ownership

There have been some lean weeks for team defense streaming -- especially when six teams were on bye -- but this doesn't appear to be one of those weeks, with a number of solid but non-elite units drawing highly favorable matchups. A bunch of these defenses will see their ownership numbers skyrocket as the week moves along, as it's not exactly a secret that some of these matchups are excellent. The Jets lead the way as my my No. 2 ranked unit for Week 10, drawing a home outing against a completely hopeless Rams offense that scored just 20 points over its last two games. The Jets defense is still somewhat vulnerable to the pass, but it's come a long way from its disastrous form earlier in the season, with an excellent defensive line helping to cover major deficiencies on the back end. In any case, the Los Angeles offense doesn't have the talent to attack Gang Green's weakness, as Kenny Britt's mid-career rejuvenation has often going to waste as a result of Case Keenum's incompetence. The Rams' offensive line is typically overmatched even when it doesn't have to face a defensive front like the Jets'.

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cleveland Browns)
43% Yahoo ownership - 49.0% ESPN ownership

This is another example in which everything points to success, with the Ravens playing a second straight home game on Thursday night, after coming out of a bye in impressive fashion Sunday against the Steelers. Meanwhile, the Browns be will playing a third game in 12 days, after taking a beating at the hands of the Cowboys on Sunday. Even with some key players potentially absent on defense, the Ravens should be able to hold Cleveland south of 20 points while coming up with some sacks and takeaways. The early lines out of Vegas give the Browns an implied team total in the range of just 17.5-18 points. This TNF matchup figures to look ugly on one side, if not both.

San Diego Chargers (vs. Miami Dolphins)
39% Yahoo ownership - 54.3% ESPN ownership

My top recommendation last week, the San Diego defense came through in a big way despite giving up 35 points, returning two of its three takeaways for touchdowns in a crazy 43-35 win over the Titans. The recent resurgence of Miami's running game means this week's matchup isn't quite so favorable, but let's remember that the Dolphins were at home for each of their past four games -- likely playing a big role in Jay Ajayi's massive breakout. Now headed across the country to face a similarly resurgent San Diego defense, the Miami offense may fall back into its turnover-prone, passing-centric ways. Should Philip Rivers provide an early lead against the shaky Miami defense, we could see the old Dolphins formula of high volume and plentiful mistakes from QB Ryan Tannehill.

Los Angeles Rams (at New York Jets)
66% Yahoo ownership - 29.9% ESPN ownership

If you can't get your hands on the New York defense, don't hesitate to dial up the other side of this matchup. For all the struggles on offense, the Rams have mostly looked excellent on defense this season, including in last week's narrow loss to the Panthers. The Jets offense, meanwhile, is even more mistake-prone than the Rams', though it at least has some ability to move the ball and put up points. Adding to the Jets' troubles, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (knee) may be absent or limited in Week 10. It's not out of the question that Bryce Petty could make his first career start.

Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
43% Yahoo ownership - 48.0% ESPN ownership

Coming out of a bye week, the Texans are eligible for this column for the first (and probably last) time all season. This is a great matchup for a defense that can't stop the run but is excellent against the pass, as the Jaguars typically can't run the ball even on the rare occasions when they stay close enough to keep trying. Brock Osweiler's presence does give this contest a decent chance to stay close, but if not, it's a good bet things will get ugly for Blake Bortles -- at least until the game is entirely out of reach in the fourth quarter. Bortles may be a garbage-time maven, but it's usually his early-game mistakes that put him in that situation in the first place.

Here are my rankings for this week and the remainder of the season: