I’m not even sure there are enough healthy bodies left to play a full slate of NFL games after the Saving Private Ryan level of injuries that was Week Two. But let’s just pretend that there are. Just for kicks.
Last week, our top streaming D came through for us, as the Tampa Bay defense showed its true colors: 17 PA, 5 sacks, 2 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles. Seattle and Washington held their own, but we were hoping for more.
Let’s dive into this week’s streaming options. As always, we’re looking for under 50% rostered in Yahoo! leagues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Den, 49%)
Yep. We’re rolling with this unit of playmakers one more week. This defense isn’t just one of these bend-don’t-break teams; it has aggressive, big-play talent on all three levels. Through two weeks, the Bucs have 6 sacks, 2 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles, while holding the high-octane Saints team to a respectable 28 points in Week One, and a Christian McCaffrey-led Panthers team to 17 points in Week Two.
This week, the sledding should be easier, as the 0-2 Broncos will be sending out backup QB Jeff Driskell, and will be without top wideout Courtland Sutton and RB Phillip Lindsay. Denver has given up the 6th-most fantasy points to opposing DSTs, including 7 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 lost fumbles, and most of that was with Drew Lock and Sutton on the field. The Broncos have allowed a league-leading 24 QB hits, one of the best indicators for sacks and turnovers.
Indianapolis Colts (NYJ, 41%)
The Colts stepped up their pass-rush game this offseason, adding stud DT DeForest Buckner on the interior to pair with DE Justin Houston. Through two games, this duo has 3 of the team’s 7 sacks. The Colts stuck it to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings in Week Two, notching 3 INTs and giving up just 11 points.
This week, Indy invites a dysfunctional Jets team into its friendly confines. Gang Green is averaging just 15 points per game, second-worst in the league, and Sam Darnold has been sacked 4 times and tossed 1 INT.
Los Angeles Chargers (Car, 30%)
Through two weeks, the Chargers D is showing that they can be dangerous even with the loss of stud safety Derwin James. After stymying Joe Burrow in Week One (13 points, 3 sacks, 1 INT), they managed to hold the high-powered KC offense to just 23 points for their encore. This week, they host Teddy Bridgewater and a CMC-less Panthers offense. Due to their tough Week Two matchup, the Chargers were dropped in a lot of leagues.
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will be picking their way through an O-line that has surrendered 6 sacks through two games. Add in Bridgewater’s 2 INTs and the team’s 2 lost fumbles, and the Panthers are a top-10 team in fantasy points allowed to defenses.
