Our streaming Ds came through for us in Week 11, hitting at #1, #5, and #6 in standard leagues. Let’s see if we can keep it rolling as we round the corner and head toward the fantasy playoffs. Let’s dive into this week’s streaming options. As always, we’re looking for under 50% rostered in Yahoo! Leagues.
New York Giants (NYG, 13%) @ Cin
With the Giants’ offense struggling so much at the beginning of the season, the defense took a lot of lumps, but this is actually a solid unit. With a pass rush led by Leonard Williams and the addition of Logan Ryan in the secondary, Big Blue has shown it can do damage against weaker opponents. Enter Ryan Finley and the worst O-line in the game. This Cincinnati offense was already good for opposing DSTs even with Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon, but without either of them, their top-5 FPG to DSTs could actually go up. The Giants have 9 sacks, 4 INTs, and 3 fumble recoveries over the last four games, allowing 21 PPG.
Seattle Seahawks (Sea, 27%) vs. Phi
What a difference a pass rush makes. For the first seven weeks, the Seahawks managed 3 sacks in a game just once. Between the improved health of Jamal Adams, HC Pete Carroll adjusting Bobby Wagner’s role to blitz more, and the acquisition of Pro-Bowl rusher Carlos Dunlap, the team now has 16 sacks in their last four games. This has allowed their secondary to hold up better, and consequently, their points allowed have dropped. The ‘Hawks have held the Rams to 23 points and the Cardinals to 21 points over the last two weeks. Their opponent this week, from Philadelphia, weighing in at 4.1 sacks and 1.5 INTs per game, ranks as a #3 opponent for DST production. Also, this D might be worth hanging onto past this week, as their schedule is quite inviting: NYJ, NYG, @ Was.
Dallas Cowboys (Dal, 13%) vs. Was
I know, I know. But hear me out (err, read me out). The Cowboys defense has improved lately, and it’s not a fluke. Not only are the players starting to play faster under Mike Nolan’s scheme (remember that they didn’t have a preseason to fully learn this new system), but some key players have contributed to the turnaround. Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee have returned from injury, young safety Donovan Wilson has been seeing more snaps and making an impact, and DeMarcus Lawrence has been heating up and playing like his old self. After averaging a league-high 36 points and 410 yards allowed per game through the first six weeks, they’ve allowed a respectable 25 PPG and 351 YPG since Week 7. This week, they face a top-10 offense for DST FPG, as Washington has been steadier with Alex Smith, but still barely able to reach 20 points per game.
