Streaming Defenses: Week 10 Options

Week 9 was a mixed bag for our streaming picks, with the Titans and Giants easily reaching double-digit fantasy points while Washington, Houston and Arizona combined for only 11. The overall average of 7.6 was solid, considering 21 of the 28 defenses in action scored less than that.

The upcoming slate looks even better for streaming, as five of the defenses in the Top 10 of my Week 10 rankings are available on waivers in a majority of fantasy leagues. Three of those five should be startable for each of the next three weeks, so it's possible I'm writing myself out of an audience here. I won't beg you not to leave me, but just know that I'll be a little sad if you do.

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

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 10

1. New Orleans Saints vs. SF

48% rostered on Yahoo, 39% on ESPN

Team implied total: 29.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 10th (vs. ATL),  Week 12: 3rd (at DEN)

The New Orleans defense scored 23 fantasy points the past two weeks in road games against potential playoff teams. There is a track record of maddening inconsistency with this unit, but a home game versus Nick Mullens means you can make some mistakes and still come out of it with a few takeaways and sacks. Out of 33 qualified passers, Mullens ranks 25th in INT rate (3.0) and 21st in sack rate (6.3) — similar to what he did when he started eight games back in 2018 (3.6 INT rate, 5.8 sack rate).

2. Green Bay Packers vs. JAX

37% Yahoo, 25% ESPN

Team implied total: 33

Opponent implied total: 19

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 15th (at IND),  Week 12: 2nd (vs. CHI)

Jake Luton held his own in Sunday's loss to Houston, but a trip to Lambeau Field will be far more challenging than a home game against the Texans. Even if James Robinson is able to exploit Green Bay's soft underbelly, there's a good chance the rookie QB fouls things up with sacks and turnovers. The Packers defense should also be playable the following two weeks, facing human statues Philip Rivers and Nick Foles.

3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG 

49% Yahoo, 43% ESPN

Team implied total: 24

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 7th (at CLE),  Week 12: 19th (vs. SEA)

The Giants have improved as the season has moved along (and the schedule has gotten easier), but they've still allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to team defenses, including nine to the Eagles just three weeks ago. While the Giants will have home-field advantage this time around, the Eagles will be well-rested coming out of a bye week. Advantage: Philly.

4. Minnesota Vikings at CHI

23% Yahoo, 16% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 21

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 3rd (vs. DAL),  Week 12: 9th (vs. CAR)

The Vikings looked much better the past two weeks, thanks in no small part to Dalvin Cook's brilliance. The defense shouldn't be considered reliable, but after a competent showing against Aaron Rodgers and a stomping of Matthew Stafford, the Vikings at least deserve to be back on the map as a streaming option for favorable matchups. It just so happens that they have nice matchups each of the next four weeks, with Monday's trip to Chicago followed by three straight home games against Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville. A trip to the playoffs isn't out of the question. Skol!

5. Detroit Lions vs. WAS

2% Yahoo, 5% ESPN

Team implied total: 25

Opponent implied total: 21.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 11: 21st (at CAR),  Week 12: 15th (vs. HOU)

The Washington offense versus the Detroit defense is our weekly pillow fight, and we'll give the edge to the guys who are playing at home. For all their other struggles, the Lions at least have semi-competent QB play, while Washington is down to a washed-up-looking Alex Smith. It's awesome that Smith is able to play again, but the post-surgery, 36-year-old version doesn't look like a quality NFL starter. He's already given up eight sacks and three interceptions on only 58 dropbacks.

Week 10 Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens at NE
2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
3. New Orleans Saints vs. SF
4. Green Bay Packers vs. JAX
5. Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at CAR
7. Minnesota Vikings at CHI
8. Chicago Bears vs. MIN
9. Detroit Lions vs. WAS
10. Tennessee Titans vs. IND
11. Las Vegas Raiders vs. DEN
12. Miami Dolphins vs. LAC
13. Los Angeles Chargers at MIA
14. New York Giants vs. PHI
15. New England Patriots vs. BAL
16. Cleveland Browns vs. HOU
17. Arizona Cardinals vs. BUF
18. Washington Football Team at DET
19. Buffalo Bills at ARZ
20. Los Angeles Rams vs. SEA

Looking Ahead to Week 11

1. Pittsburgh Steelers at JAX
2. Los Angeles Chargers vs. NYJ
3. Minnesota Vikings vs. DAL
4. Miami Dolphins at DEN
5. Washington Football Team vs. CIN
6. Cincinnati Bengals at WAS
7. Philadelphia Eagles at CLE
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAR
9. Cleveland Browns vs. PHI
10. New Orleans Saints vs. ATL
11. Houston Texans vs. NE
12. Baltimore Ravens vs. TEN
13. Kansas City Chiefs at LV
14. Denver Broncos vs. MIA
15. Green Bay Packers at IND
16. New England Patriots at HOU
17. Tennessee Titans at BAL
18. Carolina Panthers vs. DET
19. Seattle Seahawks vs. ARZ
20. Los Angeles Rams at TB

Rest-of-Season Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Washington Football Team
8. New England Patriots
9. Los Angeles Rams
10. San Francisco 49ers
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Cleveland Browns
13. Chicago Bears
14. Indianapolis Colts
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Green Bay Packers
17. Tennessee Titans
18. Arizona Cardinals
19. Los Angeles Chargers
20. Denver Broncos