If you are one of those hooligans who streams defenses each week, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be looking for 50% rostered or less in Yahoo! leagues.
Indianapolis Colts (Ind, 48%) vs. Hou
This one is a little tricky. When remotely healthy, the Colts D is a top-10 unit (10 sacks, 3 INTs, and 6 fumble recoveries). They just held Baltimore to 9 points for 3+ quarters and were one questionable illegal forward pass penalty away from their second Defensive TD of the season. This week, they welcome one of the juicier matchups of the week when they host the 1-4 Texans as 10-point favorites. The reason it’s a little tricky is the health of this unit. Stud CB Xavier Rhodes (concussion) left the game, as well as 3 other members of the secondary (not coincidentally, that’s when the Ravens comeback began). Even a banged-up Indy D should do damage against the Texans, but we’d all feel better about it if the injury report is kind to them by Friday.
Cincinnati Bengals (Cin, 9%) @ Det
Cincinnati’s defense is much improved this season. They’re still just middle-of-the-pack, but that’s still light years ahead of last year. They kept the roof on Aaron Rodgers last week (25 PA in overtime) and torched the Steelers in Week Three (12 FP in standard scoring). They did post a dud against the Jaguars two weeks ago, but it’s hard to pass up their great matchup this week. The winless Lions average just 19 points and 3 sacks allowed per game, while the Bengals defense averages 19 FPA and 2.5 sacks themselves.
Miami Dolphins (Mia, 15%) @ Jax (in London)
Miami has been a mess lately, but an overseas date with an even bigger mess might be just what the doctor ordered. The winless Jaguars give up the 2nd-most FPG to DSTs so far this season, including averaging just 17 points and almost 2 INTs per game. They don’t give up many sacks (1.6 per game), but they’ve been a comedy of errors that most defenses have feasted on. Miami’s unit has tons of talent — particularly in their secondary — and they might get Tua Tagovailoa back.