This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 1 can be a bit tricky for streaming defenses, particularly in competitive leagues where some of the owners took early-season schedule into account when drafting. The Steelers' defense, for example, profiles as a mediocre unit, yet it's only available in 15 percent of Yahoo leagues ahead of a Week 1 contest in Cleveland.
Pittsburgh was a popular late-round draft pick among owners (including yours truly) who plan to stream defenses all season, thanks to a schedule that brings Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago, Baltimore and Jacksonville (in that order) over the first five weeks. The Steelers will be available in a lot of leagues later this season when their schedule heats up, but don't plan on scooping them anytime soon.
Fortunately, there are still some nice options available for those looking to pick up a team defense at the last second for Week 1. We'll narrow the criteria to includes defenses that are less than 60% owned in Yahoo fantasy leagues.
We'll also add a new feature at the bottom of the page this season, looking ahead to the following week for the best upcoming matchups. Some owners can afford to roster two D/ST units, in which case it might make sense to get an early jump on the competition by making a waiver claim the week before a defense faces an opponent like the Jets, Browns or Jaguars.
Top Streaming Options for Week 1
Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets)
35% Yahoo ownership
I have the Bills ranked as a top-five defense for Week 1, almost strictly on the basis of matchup. There's already talk about the Jets' offense being historically bad, with Josh McCown stuck behind a subpar offensive line while throwing passes to a group of wideouts that likely would be no better than No. 3 or 4 receivers on competent teams. The addition of Jermaine Kearse helps a little, but consider that he was slated for the No. 4 role in Seattle prior to last week's trade. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (suspension) is arguably the Jets' most promising pass catcher and he won't be available until Week 3.
Add it all up and you see why the Jets have an implied point total of 15.5, with Buffalo favored by 9.5 in a game that has an over/under of just 40.5. It's quite possible the Bills' defense won't be worth rostering again until Week 9 when it has a rematch with the Jets.
Los Angeles Rams (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
56% Yahoo ownership
The Rams may or may not have DT Aaron Donald (holdout), but the Colts definitely won't have Andrew Luck (shoulder). Given the importance of the quarterback position, this trade-off easily works in the Rams' favor, even though Donald is the league's most dominant defensive player besides J.J. Watt. With Scott Tolzien under center and 34-year-old Frank Gore running behind a lousy offensive line, Indianapolis has Week 1's third-lowest implied point total at 19, ranking ahead of only the Jets (15.5) and Jaguars (17).
The Rams' defense might even be worth keeping for Week 2 (vs. WAS) and Week 3 (at SF), though I'll probably look elsewhere next week unless Donald is back in the fold.
Atlanta Falcons (at Chicago Bears)
44% Yahoo ownership
The Atlanta defense was surprisingly effective down the stretch last season, allowing fewer than 20 points in four of six regular-season games after a Week 11 bye, and then making Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers look rather ordinary in the playoffs. The Super Bowl meltdown is probably influencing public perception of this unit more than it should, especially when considering that the Falcons added DT Dontari Poe in free agency and used their first-round pick on DE Takkarist McKinley. The Falcons shouldn't have to solely rely on Vic Beasley (15.5) for a pass rush this season, and they still have a couple elite talents behind him in CB Desmond Trufant and MLB Deion Jones.
The Bears have a strong offensive line to pave the way for Jordan Howard, but their likely struggles in the passing game explain why they're tied for the ninth-lowest implied point total (21.25) of Week 1. While not worth holding on to for next week's tricky matchup against Green Bay, the Atlanta defense should be a useful streaming target a few more times this season. Weeks 4 (vs. BUF), 6 (vs. MIA) and 8 (at NYJ) look particularly promising.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
23% Yahoo ownership
The Cincinnati defense didn't get any real help in the offseason and profiles as no better than mediocre, but it should still have the advantage Week 1 against a Baltimore team with major offensive line issues and a quarterback who missed all of training camp and the preseason. Joe Flacco has a pretty ugly track record on the road in general, with his struggles magnified at Paul Brown Stadium where he's won just twice in eight tries while tossing five touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As a diehard Ravens fan, I think the team's implied point total of 19.75 (tied for sixth lowest of Week 1) might actually be a bit generous.
Also consider that the Bengals have a plus matchup next week (vs. HOU) and prime matchups Weeks 4 (at CLE) and 5 (vs. BUF), though a Week 3 date in Green Bay and Week 6 bye significantly lessen the appeal of ownership beyond Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles (at Washington Redskins)
27% Yahoo ownership
This is really the only defense on the list included on its own merit rather than the basis of matchup. I don't quite understand why the Eagles are available in so many leagues, coming off a 2016 season in which they ranked fifth in Yahoo standard scoring. Philadelphia did lose a few solid contributors in the offseason, but the additions of DT Timmy Jernigan, CB Ronald Darby and DE Derek Barnett should make up for the difference (and then some).
The Redskins were a good offensive squad last season and have an implied total of 23.75 for a game that Vegas considers a pick-em, but nobody will be surprised if Kirk Cousins takes some time to adjust to a new offensive coordinator and wideout group. The Eagles do have a tough early-season schedule, which helps to explain the aforementioned low ownership. Weeks 2 (at KC), 3 (vs. NYG) and 4 (at LAC) are all far from ideal.
Week 1 D/ST Rankings
1. Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE)
3. Denver Broncos (vs. LAC)
4. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
5. Los Angeles Rams (vs. IND)
6. Atlanta Falcons (at CHI)
7. Carolina Panthers (at SF)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
9. New England Patriots (vs. KC)
10. Arizona Cardinals (at DET)
11. Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
12. Miami Dolphins (vs. TB)
13. Minnesota Vikings (vs. NO)
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (at HOU)
15. Green Bay Packers (vs. SEA)
16. Seattle Seahawks (at GB)
17. Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
18. New York Jets (at BUF)
19. Los Angeles Chargers (at DEN)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at MIA)
21. Washington Redskins (vs. PHI)
22. Tennessee Titans (vs. OAK)
23. Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG)
24. San Francisco 49ers (vs. CAR)
25. Kansas City Chiefs (at NE)
26. New Orleans Saints (at MIN)
27. Indianapolis Colts (at LAR)
28. New York Giants (at DAL)
29. Detroit Lions (vs. ARZ)
30. Oakland Raiders (at TEN)
31. Chicago Bears (vs. ATL)
32. Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT)
Looking Ahead to Week 2
The Oakland defense is among my least favorite, but a home matchup with the Jets is something we'll be happy to target all season. Added bonus with the Jets in for a cross-country flight.
The Tampa defense should at least be mediocre, making it a strong option for a Week 2 home date with the Bears. Mike Glennon's return to Tampa Bay figures to be less than triumphant.
The Baltimore defense is already 47-percent owned on Yahoo and undoubtedly will be a popular waiver claim ahead of next week's home game against the Browns.
The Titans will play in Jacksonville, likely facing Blake Bortles after the Texans shatter what little is left of his confidence this weekend. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Chad Henne is starting by next week.
The Chargers will be home against the Dolphins in what many will project as a shootout but might actually just be a blowout.
