Streaming Defenses: Picking a Week 16 Defense

This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.

Redskins

26th in the league in YPA, QB Sam Bradford makes for a nice target this week for the Redskins. He's thrown a TD in all but one game this season, but often not more than that. WR Jordan Matthews and TE Zach Ertz have been his bread-and-butter this season, but neither has been remotely consistent, though Matthews has scored a TD in three of his last four games. The Redskins rank tied for 24th in YPA and can be thrown on and should most of the game focused on Matthews.

On the ground it's anyone's guess what the Eagles will do as DeMarco Murray has underachieved (3.4 YPC) and Ryan Matthews has not yet been given more carries. And there's always Darren Sproles to contend with as well. The Redskins are terrible against the run, ranking 31st in YPC (4.9) and will need to hope the Eagles keep it on the ground, as they look to chew up the clock. The hope with this pick is that these divisional rivals play a tight lower scoring game, where neither team pulls too far ahead. Vegas has this over/under set at 48 with the Eagles favored by 3, which puts this at about a 26-23 game. Facing the Eagles on the road, the Redskins defense/special teams has an ownership of 8.4 percent at ESPN and 9 percent at Yahoo.

Colts

The Dolphins have lost four of their last five and six of their last eight, as they've pretty much quit on the season. QB Ryan Tannehill ranks 25th in YPA (6.92) and hasn't improved from last season or the season before. WR Jarvis Landry is a special talent, but Rishard Matthews and Kenny Stills have left much to be desired this season. The Colts rank 23rd in YPA (7.2) and would be best served to keep Landry doubled and let the remainder of the roster beat them.

RB Lamar Miller has been productive this season with a 4.9 YPC, but he's currently nursing a quad injury, though he's expected to play. He has failed to score in five of his last six games and will be going up the Colts run defense that ranks 25th in YPC (4.3). With these two sputtering offenses this should be a fairly low scoring affair. Vegas has this over/under set at 44 with the Dolphins favored by 1, which puts this at about a 23-22 game. Facing the Dolphins on the road, the Colts defense/special teams has an ownership of 5.5 percent at ESPN and 17 percent at Yahoo.

Lions

The 49ers are last in the NFL in offensive yards per play (4.9) and are an easy target if you're looking for a defense to stream. In their last two games they've mustered just 24 points total and in previous weeks they were no better. QB Blaine Gabbert ranks 23rd in YPA (7.08) and has almost as many interceptions (six) as touchdowns (seven). For a Lions defense that ranks 21st in YPA (7.1) this is hardly a tough task. The only real threat the 49ers have downfield is Torrey Smith, who catches maybe two passes per game and rarely finds pay dirt. WR Anquan Boldin is the go to option, but lacks the foot speed to beat defenders off the line.

The Lions are ranked tied for 15th in YPC (4.1) and have proven tough at times to run against. RB Shaun Draughn is battling a knee injury and is day-to-day. His 3.5 YPC say much of what you need to know about the 49ers running game since they lost Carlos Hyde to IR. At home, it's tough to see how the Lions mess this up, though I'm sure they'll find a way. Vegas has this over/under set at 43 with the Lions favored by 9, which puts this at about a 26-17 game. Facing the 49ers at home, the Lions defense/special teams has an ownership of 18.2 percent at ESPN and 24 percent at Yahoo.

Vikings

No Odell Beckham, no worries? Considering he's suspended for one game and will likely (at least in my view) have that suspension upheld, the Vikings have a much easier task on their hands. Eli Manning can sling it around, though ranks 20th in YPA (7.14) and will have to turn to Rueben Randle to make up for the loss of ODB. The Vikings rank 12th in YPA (6.7) and could possibly have LB Anthony Barr and DB Harrison Smith back for this game, after both missed Week 15.

RB Rashad Jennings has averaged 4.0 YPC and has two rushing TDs on the season. He should find some room to run against the Vikings who rank 23rd in YPC (4.3), though have played better as of late. Still, it's tough to ask the Giants to lean on their run game, as it's not how they're built on offense, though without ODB they may be forced to. Vegas has this over/under set at 45.5 with the Vikings favored by 6, which puts this at about a 26-20 game. Facing the Giants at home, the Vikings defense/special teams has an ownership of 42 percent at ESPN and 32 percent at Yahoo.

Dolphins

Like the 49ers, the Colts are ranked last in offensive yards per play (4.9) and have taken on water since their starting QB was injured. The Colts are still fighting for their playoff lives though and on the road will be looking to gain ground on the Texans. QB Matt Hasselbeck just can't get it done though, as he ranks 32nd in YPA (6.60) and is lucky to not take a career ending hit at age 40. That said, the Dolphins rank 29th in YPA (7.6) and can be taken advantage of, though Hasselbeck is likely the wrong QB to do so. WR T.Y. Hilton has scored in only one of his last seven games, same for Donte Moncrief, neither of whom has found any chemistry with Hasselbeck.

On the ground the Colts are even worse, as RB Frank Gore has chugged along for just 3.6 YPC with no effective RB to spell him or serve as a change of pace. The Dolphins rank 16th in YPC (4.1) and shouldn't have many problems slowing this ground game down. Unless the Dolphins have absolutely quit on the season, they should be able to keep Hasselbeck and company close in a low scoring game. Vegas has this over/under set at 44 with the Dolphins favored by 1, which puts this at about a 23-22 game. Facing the Colts at home, the Dolphins defense/special teams has an ownership of 33.5 percent at ESPN and 30 percent at Yahoo.

Here are my rankings for this week, the next two weeks, and the remainder of the season: