Streaming Defenses: Picking a Week 10 Defense

This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.

Chiefs

Peyton Manning has thrown at least one interception in every game this season and in four of his last five games has thrown at least two interceptions, signs that point to his demise physically. The Chiefs rank 15th in YPA (7.0) and shouldn't have too many problems getting after Manning and forcing him to make uneven throws. On his deep throws you can especially see Manning has to put all of his body into it, just to get enough air under the ball. WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are great weapons, but have combined for a total of five TDs this season. TE Owen Daniels has emerged, but is averaging less than 30 yards a game. Eighth in sacks per game (2.6), the Chiefs can make Manning uncomfortable in the pocket and should force a few turnovers.

On the ground, the Broncos are still in a committee with Ronnie Hillman (4.2 YPC) and C.J. Anderson (3.6 YPC), though the former has shown to be the better runner this season. The Chiefs are tied for 11th in the league in YPC (4.0) and if they can stymie these two runners will have a decent shot at winning the game. When these teams met in Week 2, it was an even game 24-24 with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, before the Broncos defense returned a fumble for a TD. I suspect we'll see a similarly close game divisional game here. Vegas has this over/under set at 42 with the Broncos favored by 6, which puts this at about a 24-18 game. Facing the Broncos on the road, the Chiefs defense/special teams has an ownership of 22.3 percent at ESPN and 38 percent at Yahoo.

Steelers

The Browns rank 26th in yards per game (5.2) and are 29th in points per game (19.7), making them an intriguing option to stream against almost ever week. This week against the Steelers, QB Josh McCown may not play as he continues to deal with injured ribs. If he can't go, expect to see Johnny Manziel again. Neither QB has many exciting options, as WR Travis Benjamin has cooled significantly since his red hot start, while Andrew Hawkins and possibly Dwayne Bowe are the next best options at WR. TE Gary Barnidge and RB Duke Johnson Jr. are the second and third most targeted players on the team, which speaks to the lack of weapons downfield. The Steelers rank 17th in YPA (7.1), so they'll have some work to do here, but it's a nice matchup and improves if McCown can't go.

The combination of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. have produced two runs of over 20 yards and one rushing TD on the season, as the Browns have among the worst rushing attacks in the league. The Steelers are tied for 11th in YPC (4.0) and should have a plus matchup here. The Browns are averaging 12 points per game over their last three games and haven't shown much of a pulse lately. I'm optimistic the Steelers, who are still fighting for their season can help owners out here, while the Browns look forward to a bye in Week 11. Vegas has this over/under set at 41 with the Steelers favored by 4.5, which puts this at about a 23-18 game. Facing the Browns at home, the Steelers defense/special teams has an ownership of 37.6 percent at ESPN and 46 percent at Yahoo.

Bucs

The Cowboys have lost six games in a row and four of those games scored two touchdowns or less, as their offense has hit the wall without QB Tony Romo. Matt Cassel has a 6.9 YPA and has in some ways looked worse than Brandon Weeden, whom he replaced. The Bucs are 17th in YPA (7.1) and will have to defend WR Dez Bryant, which is difficult, but made easier if Cassel is throwing the ball. TE Jason Witten leads the Cowboys in almost all receiving stats, but isn't likely to stretch the field or get much after the catch, in his 13th season in the league. WR Cole Beasley is good at working the underneath routes and will need to be held in check, but even then, he won't stretch the field.

Darren McFadden is averaging 4.1 YPC and has been as spry as ever, also catching passes out of the backfield, as the Cowboys best RB this season. He'll find it tough to run this week though, as the Bucs rank fourth in YPC (3.7). Until Romo returns this is an offense to pick on every week and on the road, this week is no different. Vegas has this over/under set at 43 with the Bucs favored by 1.5, which puts this at about a 22-21 game. Facing the Cowboys at home, the Bucs defense/special teams has an ownership of 6.3 percent at ESPN and 5 percent at Yahoo.

Raiders

QB Teddy Bridgewater suffered a late hit to the head last week and is dealing with a concussion heading into this week's game against the Raiders. The team expects him to be able to play, but he still needs to pass the league's concussion protocol, before retaking the field. If he plays, the Raiders will have a much tougher matchup than if they face backup Shaun Hill. Assuming Bridgewater plays though, the Raiders and their 15th ranked pass defense (7.0 YPA) will have to contend with Bridgewater-Stephon Diggs connection that been emerging as of late. Diggs has great speed and can stretch the field, but also work underneath routes and use his elusiveness to evade defenders. Veteran Mike Wallace and TE Kyle Rudolph will also get some targets, but neither is much cause for concern, outside of the redzone.

On the ground, RB Adrian Peterson is always to be feared, as he leads the league in rushing. And yet he's failed to score a TD in six of his nine games this season and has only one TD in his last four games. The Raiders are tied for 15th in YPC (4.1) and could be in for a long day against AP, but even still, a game plan based around Peterson makes for a lower scoring game than if the Vikings were to air it out. Overall the Vikings rank 29th in YPP (5.1) and if they're without Bridgewater become a nice matchup for owners. Vegas has this over/under set at 44 with the Raiders favored by 3, which puts this at about a 24-21 game. Facing the Vikings at home, the Raiders defense/special teams has an ownership of 4.3 percent at ESPN and 5 percent at Yahoo.

Titans

At 8-0, the Panthers are a team to be feared, but mostly because they run the ball well and play excellent defense. QB Cam Newton ranks 16th in YPA (7.4) and is averaging over an interception a game. TE Greg Olsen can do it all and is Cam's favorite target, but past Olsen the depth at WR/TE is thin. Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown, and Devin Funchess are a lackluster bunch, but seem to come up with enough catches to keep defenses honest. The Titans rank 22nd in YPA (7.3), so neither unit should have much of an advantage here.

On the ground, the Titans rank 15th in YPC (4.1) and will need to play some inspired defense to slow down Cam (4.7 YPC) and RB Jonathan Stewart (3.9 YPC), especially in the red zone, where Newton likes to freelance and use his elusiveness and size to make defenders miss. Overall, the Panthers are middle of the road in yards per play (5.4), but with their stout defense are able to grind out wins. This game shouldn't get away from the Titans, who are now finally rid of Ken Whisenhunt, but I don't expect them to win this game either, making them a shaky defense to stream, unless you're desperate. Vegas has this over/under set at 43.5 with the Panthers favored by 4.5, which puts this at about a 24-20 game. Facing the Panthers at home, the Titans defense/special teams has an ownership of 20.6 percent at ESPN and 9 percent at Yahoo.

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