Streaming Defenses: Week 11 Options

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Updated on November 18, 2020 8:52AM EST

Week 10 was another solid one for this space, with our top streaming pick (New Orleans) finishing second among all defenses at 14 fantasy points. The other four recommendations were less impressive, but they did each manage at least three points, leaving us with an overall average of 7.4 for the five teams listed.

Week 11 appears similarly favorable for streaming, as six of the Top 8 defenses in my weekly rankings are available on waivers in a lot of fantasy leagues. Even better, some of those teams also have friendly matchups ahead in Weeks 12 and 13, potentially setting up a situation where it makes sense to use the same defense for three or four consecutive games. Even a devout streamer like myself can appreciate spending a little less time on waivers/FAAB and a little more time on other hobbies.

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 11

1. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. NYJ)

44% rostered on Yahoo, 33% on ESPN

Team implied total: 27.75

Opponent implied total: 19.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 28th (at BUF), Week 13: 12th (vs. NE)

The Chargers defense has been pretty bad. Recently, it's been really bad, especially in

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

Top Streaming Options for Week 11

1. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. NYJ)

44% rostered on Yahoo, 33% on ESPN

Team implied total: 27.75

Opponent implied total: 19.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 28th (at BUF), Week 13: 12th (vs. NE)

The Chargers defense has been pretty bad. Recently, it's been really bad, especially in the most important moments. Even so, it's not on the same plane of incompetence the Jets offense inhabits, so the Chargers are 8.5-point favorites against a winless team that's making a cross-country trip with Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback.

Just remember that the Chargers have a tough matchup around the corner in Week 12, while the Vikings and Dolphins should be strong options for each of the next three weeks. Go with Minnesota or Miami if you want to lock in your D/ST starter for Weeks 11-13.

2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. DAL)

56% Yahoo, 37% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.5

Opponent implied total: 19.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 8th (vs. CAR), Week 13: 3rd (vs. JAX)

The Minnesota defense was an absolute disaster throughout September and October, allowing 23 or more points in six straight games while averaging only 2.3 fantasy points. November has been an entirely different story, with the Vikings racking up three straight NFC North victories in which their opponent scored 22 points or fewer.

Their defense is averaging 7.1 fantasy points this month, and they now get a home matchup with a Dallas offense that's allowed the third-most FPs to team defenses. Even with Andy Dalton back under center, the Cowboys' injury-ravaged offensive line should create a favorable setup for sacks and turnovers.

3. Miami Dolphins (at DEN)

59% Yahoo, 49% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.75

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 1st (at NYJ), Week 13: 5th (vs. CIN)

Miami is right on the fringe of our ownership requirement for this article, as a number of fantasy players have caught on to this strange new reality where the Dolphins have a top-10 defense. They scored six or more fantasy points in each of the past five games, moving all the way up to No. 4 in scoring average (9.4 FPs) for the season.

Meanwhile, The Broncos have allowed a league-high 10.6 fantasy points points per game to team defenses, including an average of 9.9 in Drew Lock's seven starts. Lock ranks 11th among qualified passers in sack rate (4.4), but he's 32nd out of 33 for interception rate (4.2). The Dolphins should stay hot this Sunday, and they'll also get juicy matchups in Weeks 12 and 13.

Mid-week update: Lock is injured and may not be able to play, which would leave Brett Rypien as Denver's starting QB. Rypien has thrown four picks on 40 NFL passes, so we can move the Dolphins D/ST up a spot (above Minnesota) if the Broncos end up starting Rypien rather than Lock.

4. Cleveland Browns (vs. PHI)

19% Yahoo, 21% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.5

Opponent implied total: 22.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 4th (at JAX), Week 13: 20th (at TEN)

Carson Wentz has lost his mojo, tossing a league-high 12 interceptions and now finishing five consecutive games with a completion percentage below 60.0. The Cleveland defense is merely average, but mediocrity is a solid step ahead of where Philadelphia's offense resides right now. The Eagles have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to team defenses, with no fewer than four in any game.

5. Washington Football Team (vs. CIN)

30% Yahoo, 45% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.75

Opponent implied total: 22.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 12: 7th (at DAL), Week 13: 19th (at PIT)

We've still seen only flashes of greatness from the oft-discussed Washington pass rush, with 19 of the team's 28 sacks coming in three games (all against NFC East opponents). Fortunately, mere competence should do the trick this week, with Washington playing at home against a Bengals team that's given up the fourth-most fantasy points to team defenses. Joe Burrow has been pretty good for a rookie, but he's also taken the second-most sacks (32) in the league, with his 8.0 sack rate placing 27th among 33 qualified passers.