Streaming Defenses: Week 7 Options

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Updated on October 18, 2019 11:56AM EST

Week 6 was another win for streamers, with the top three picks from this space each reaching double-digit fantasy points. Washington put up 10 points despite nearly blowing a two-score lead to the Dolphins, while Carolina (21 FP) and Denver (23 FP) simply dominated from start to finish. The only bad news? Our fourth and fifth choices, the Packers and Dolphins, combined for just four fantasy points.

Before we get started on Week 7 picks, I need to mention that the Bills D/ST and 49ers D/ST don't technically meet the ownership requirements of this column, but they are available in a decent portion of fantasy leagues, with the former returning from a bye week and the latter coming off what was supposed to be a difficult matchup. The Bills are my top-ranked defense this week, followed by the 49ers at No. 2 and the almighty Patriots close behind at No. 3.

It's not a bad idea to drop a few bucks on the Bills or 49ers in FAAB leagues, considering there's a sizable drop off after the top three options this week. The recommendations discussed below are meant for anyone who isn't fortunate enough to start the Bills, Patriots or Niners.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses with ownership less than 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring,

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@RotowireNFL_JD).

Top Streaming Options for Week 7

1. New Orleans Saints (at Chicago Bears)

60% Yahoo ownership, 70% ESPN

Team implied total: 17.75

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 8: 8th (vs. ARZ), Week 9: Bye

The Saints defense is pulling its usual trick — an ugly start to the season, followed by rapid improvement. Top cornerback Marshon Lattimore got the best of Mike Evans and D.J. Chark the past two weeks, and 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport is tied for third in the league with 12 QB hits. Whether it's Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) or Chase Daniel under center, the Bears aren't likely to find much success against a defense that shut down Dak Prescott, Jameis Winston and Gardner Minshew the past three weeks. Is anyone else confused about the Bears being three-point favorites?

2. Green Bay Packers (vs. Oakland Raiders)

52% Yahoo ownership, 38% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.25

Opponent implied total: 20.25

Upcoming Ranks — Week 8: 26th (at KC), Week 9: 13th (at LAC)

The Packers defense hasn't lived up to its September hype, proving competent rather than excellent once some good QBs cropped up on the schedule. A home date with Derek Carr makes for a nice get-right spot, though the Raiders have done a good job avoiding sacks and turnovers (so far). While their secondary hasn't been consistent, the Packers at least have maintained a steady pass rush, with offseason acquisitions Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith notching 12 QB hits apiece and combining for 13 sacks.

3. Tennessee Titans (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

50% Yahoo ownership, 76% ESPN

Team implied total: 21

Opponent implied total: 19

Upcoming Ranks — Week 8: 10th (vs. TB), Week 9: 15th (at CAR)

I'll be honest: the Titans land at No. 3 by default, with betting odds used as a tiebreaker when I can't decide between a bunch of similarly mediocre options. My confidence in this Titans team is non-existent, but the defense is tied for sixth in fantasy points (9.0), and the Chargers have allowed 8.3 per game (10th-most) to D/STs.

4. Detroit Lions (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

3% Yahoo ownership, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 22

Opponent implied total: 23

Upcoming Ranks — Week 8: 7th (vs. NYG), Week 9: 10th (at OAK)

The Detroit defense is available in nearly every fantasy league, with a Week 5 bye sandwiched between matchups against Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Don't let low ownership fool you — the Lions actually have a pretty good defense. They're 13th in the league with 8.2 fantasy points per game, scoring five or more each week despite facing Rodgers, Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Philip Rivers and Kyler Murray. I know Kirk Cousins looked good the past two weeks...and I still think he's worse than any of the other quarterbacks Detroit has faced this season. Of course, there's always a chance the Vikings jump out to an early lead and are able to keep Cousins in cozy situations throughout the afternoon — thus, the modest ranking.

5. New York Giants (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

31% Yahoo ownership, 36% ESPN

Team implied total: 26

Opponent implied total: 23

Upcoming Ranks — Week 8: 27th (at DET), Week 9: 20th (vs. DAL)

The Giants have shown unexpected signs of life, recording either three or four sacks in each of their past five games. That's not to say Kyler Murray will have trouble moving the ball, but he's likely to take some sacks along the way, as his 21 through six weeks are fourth-most in the league. Giants outside linebacker Markus Golden has rebounded from a pair of injury-plagued seasons in Arizona to regain his 2016 form, piling up five sacks and 11 QB hits the past five weeks.