Streaming Defenses: Week 8 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses

This looks like another week with plenty of good streaming options, as there are still a bunch of injured QBs and all 32 teams will be playing. In other words, save your FAAB or waiver priority for other positions or later this season, 

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 8

1. Atlanta Falcons (at TEN)

• 13% Yahoo, 20% ESPN
• Team implied total: 19.75     Opponent implied total: 17.25
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 17th (vs. MIN),  Week 10: 10th (at ARI)

The Falcons have done a better job preventing points and yards than scoring fantasy points, though they did manage eight sacks the past two weeks against Washington and Tampa Bay. This is the best defense Atlanta has fielded in years, boosted by a slew of veteran offseason additions who should enjoy teeing off on Malik Willis or Will Levis this Sunday. The Titans' decision to trade S Kevin Byard to Philadelphia on Monday is the latest hint that QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) is expected to miss more time. Willis has 14 sacks and three interceptions on 80 career dropbacks, and Levis has yet to play in the regular season.

2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. CLE)

• 69% Yahoo, 39% ESPN
• Team implied total: 21.5     Opponent implied total: 18.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 27th (at BAL),  Week 10: 6th (vs. WAS)

The Browns have three different QBs with three interceptions this year and have given up the fourth most fantasy points to team defenses. They also just lost RB Jerome Ford to an ankle injury, leaving only Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong in the backfield. Neither is likely to take much pressure off probable starter PJ Walker, whose penchant for chucking deep balls into coverage has led to 14 career INTs on only 294 pass attempts (4.8 INT rate). The Seahawks likely will drop a couple spots in my rankings if Deshaun Watson ends up starting, but they'd still be playable given that they've scored the fourth most fantasy points per game this year (10.2) and Watson has mostly been awful.

3. Detroit Lions (vs. LV)

• 56% Yahoo, 50% ESPN
• Team implied total: 26.5     Opponent implied total: 18.5
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: BYE,  Week 10: 24th (at LAC)

The Raiders have thrown at least one interception each week this season, struggling even when QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back) has been healthy. They reportedly expect Jimmy G back this week, but it's still an excellent rebound spot for the Lions as eight-point home favorites against a Raiders team that doesn't do anything well. Move Detroit up even higher in the rankings if Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell ends up starting instead of Garoppolo.

4. Miami Dolphins (vs NE)

• 48% Yahoo, 66% ESPN
• Team implied total: 28.25     Opponent implied total: 18.75
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 28th (at KC) ,  Week 10: BYE

New England has allowed the second most fantasy points to D/STs even after the impressive win over Buffalo this past Sunday. It was perhaps a sign of improvement, but the Patriots have still been brutal overall, including a 24-17 loss to these same Dolphins in Foxborough back in Week 2. A trip to Miami isn't likely to go any better, giving the Dolphins a good chance to repeat their Week 2 score of nine fantasy points.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. CHI)

• 7% Yahoo, 3% ESPN
• Team implied total: 28.25     Opponent implied total: 18.25
• Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 9: 7th (at NYJ),  Week 10: 23rd (vs. DET)

Tyson Bagent's first NFL start went rather well, albeit with the qualifier of a 2.1 aDOT that was the shallowest all season by any starting QB. There's still disaster potential if he's forced to play from behind and actually push the ball downfield some, which might happen this week with the Bears facing Justin Herbert on the road instead of Brian Hoyer at home. 

Week 8 Rankings

1. New York Jets (at NYG)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
3. Atlanta Falcons (at TEN)
4. Baltimore Ravens (at ARI)
5. Buffalo Bills (vs. TB)
6. Seattle Seahawks (vs. CLE)
7. Detroit Lions (vs. LV) 
8. Kansas City Chiefs (at DEN)
9. Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)
10. Dallas Cowboys (vs. LAR)
11. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. CHI)
12. Houston Texans (at CAR)
13. New York Giants (vs. NYJ)
14. San Francisco 49ers (vs. CIN)
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (at PIT)
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. JAX)
17. Cleveland Browns (at SEA)
18. New Orleans Saints (at IND)
19. Minnesota Vikings (at GB)
20. Indianapolis Colts (vs. NO)

Looking Ahead to Week 9

1. Cleveland Browns (vs. ARZ)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. TEN)
3. New Orleans Saints (vs. CHI)
4. Indianapolis Colts (at CAR)
5. New England Patriots (vs. WAS)
6. Houston Texans (vs. TB)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (at NYJ)
8. Washington Commanders (at NE)
9. Los Angeles Rams (at GB)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. NYG) 
11. Baltimore Ravens (vs. SEA)
12. Minnesota Vikings (at ATL)
13. New York Jets (vs. LAC)
14. Green Bay Packers (vs. LAR)
15. Tennessee Titans (at PIT)
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at HOU)
17. Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIN)
18. New York Giants (at LV)
19. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BUF)
20. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DAL)

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Philadelphia Eagles 
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Cleveland Browns
7. New York Jets
8. Pittsburgh Steelers  
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Miami Dolphins
11. Buffalo Bills
12. Detroit Lions
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. New Orleans Saints
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. Houston Texans
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Atlanta Falcons
19. Los Angeles Rams 
20. Minnesota Vikings