Streaming Defenses: Week 14 Options

Depending on your league format, Week 14 likely represents the end of the regular season or the beginning of the playoffs. This leaves many of us with must-win matchups, while others have meaningless contests (not ideal) or bye weeks (very much ideal).

Our streaming recommendations will continue to focus on the current week, but we'll also provide rankings and notes for Weeks 15 and 16, as there's no doubt a number of readers are more focused on what's ahead. If you fall into that last group, I can only hope this article has played some role in your successful journey to the playoffs.

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 14

1. San Francisco 49ers (vs. WAS)

49% rostered on Yahoo, 42% on ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 20

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 15: 5th (at DAL),  Week 16: 18th (at ARZ)

This isn't the cupcake matchup it once appeared to be, but it should at least be a low-scoring game, tied for the lowest over/under (43.5) of Week 14. And while Alex Smith's steady hand has helped lead Washington back to respectability, it's not like the veteran quarterback is setting the world on fire with his passing, as he's produced only 6.6 YPA in four starts while taking multiple sacks in each game. This could be the week when Smith is finally forced to take some shots downfield, especially if Antonio Gibson (knee) can't play.

2. Carolina Panthers (vs. DEN)

7% Yahoo, 4% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.25

Opponent implied total: 21.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 15: 32nd (at GB),  Week 16: 14th (at WAS)

The Panthers defense scored 17 and 19 fantasy points in its final two games before a Week 13 bye, coming back to life after a run of tough matchups against the Saints, Falcons, Chiefs and Bucs. The Week 14 draw is best-of-the-season material, as Denver has given up the second-most fantasy points to team defenses, including five or more in four consecutive games.

3. Dallas Cowboys (at CIN)

16% Yahoo, 10% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 20

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 15: 17th (vs. SF),  Week 16: 8th (vs. PHI)

The Cowboys being a streaming option for a road game is a true testament to how pathetic the Bengals have looked since Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending knee injury. Actually, they were borderline pathetic even before that happened, and now they've become Ohio's version of the New York Jets. Any defense facing Brandon Allen or Ryan Finley is a solid streaming option.

4. Tennessee Titans (at JAX)

32% Yahoo, 16% ESPN

Team implied total: 30.25

Opponent implied total: 22.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 15: 13th (vs. DET),  Week 16: 30th (at GB)

Mike Glennon mostly looked competent the past two weeks, but his long-term track record is that of a mediocre backup, i.e., the type of QB who has a decent shot of imploding on any given Sunday. Oddsmakers expect this game to be high-scoring, but it should mostly be going in Tennessee's favor, with the road team favored by 7.5 points. While the Jags can lean on James Robinson if it's a competitive contest, things could get ugly if they fall behind early and need 40-plus dropbacks from Glennon.

5. Houston Texans (at CHI)

9% Yahoo, 10% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.5

Opponent implied total: 22

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 15: 25th (at IND),  Week 16: 3rd (vs. CIN)

The Houston defense has shown signs of life since a Week 8 bye, averaging 6.2 fantasy points and 2.4 sacks while picking up three wins in the past five games. This isn't the same lifeless squad we saw under Bill O'Brien in September and October, though it's been too little too late from a non-fantasy standpoint. 

The Bears have gone in the other direction, losing six consecutive games after a 5-1 start. They've given up five or more fantasy points to the opposing D/ST in every contest throughout the losing streak, including double digits in four of six. Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles may have different styles of play, but they're essentially the same in terms of overall quality (or lack thereof).

Week 14 Rankings

1. Seattle Seahawks vs. NYJ
2. New Orleans Saints at PHI
3. Los Angeles Rams vs. NE
4. San Francisco 49ers vs. WAS
5. Carolina Panthers vs. DEN
6. Dallas Cowboys at CIN
7. Kansas City Chiefs at MIA
8. Tennessee Titans at JAX
9. Houston Texans at CHI
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. MIN
11. Cincinnati Bengals vs. DAL
12. Chicago Bears vs. HOU
13. New York Giants vs. ARZ
14. Arizona Cardinals at NYG
15. Baltimore Ravens at CLE
16. Washington Football Team at SF
17. Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
18. Buffalo Bills vs. PIT
19. Pittsburgh Steelers at BUF
20. Indianapolis Colts at LV

Looking Ahead to Weeks 15-16

Week 15

1. Los Angeles Rams vs. NYJ
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at CIN
3. Baltimore Ravens vs. JAX
4. Minnesota Vikings vs. CHI
5. San Francisco 49ers at DAL
6. Buffalo Bills at DEN
7. Miami Dolphins vs. NE
8. Seattle Seahawks at WAS
9. Green Bay Packers vs. CAR
10. Arizona Cardinals vs. PHI
11. Indianapolis Colts vs. HOU
12. Cleveland Browns at NYG
13. Tennessee Titans vs. DET
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at ATL
15. New York Giants vs. CLE
16. New England Patriots at MIA
17. Dallas Cowboys vs. SF
18. Denver Broncos vs. BUF
19. Chicago Bears at MIN
20. Washington Football Team vs. SEA

Week 16

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. NYG
2. Cleveland Browns at NYJ
3. Houston Texans vs. CIN
4. New Orleans Saints vs. MIN
5. Washington Football Team vs. CAR
6. Chicago Bears at JAX
7. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. IND
8. Dallas Cowboys vs. PHI
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at DET
10. Philadelphia Eagles at DAL
11. Kansas City Chiefs vs. ATL
12. Los Angeles Chargers vs. DEN
13. Arizona Cardinals vs. SF
14. Carolina Panthers at WAS
15. Buffalo Bills at NE
16. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CHI
17. Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
18. San Francisco 49ers at ARZ
19. Miami Dolphins at LV
20. Los Angeles Rams at SEA

Notes

• The Texans are startable in Week 14 and a top option for Week 16. But you won't want to use them Week 15 at Indianapolis.
• The Cowboys face Brandon Allen / Ryan Finley in Week 14 and Carson Wentz / Jalen Hurts in Week 16. I didn't expect Dallas to be a streaming/stash option, but the matchups are good enough to consider it, especially if Tuesday night's game in Baltimore isn't an embarrassment.
• The 49ers are a good choice for Weeks 14 and 15, but not so much for Week 16. My favorite D/ST strategy — apart from leagues where I stashed the Rams — is to combine San Francisco with either Cleveland (at NYJ in Week 16) or Houston (vs. CIN in Week 16).
• The Lions are hanging around in the wild-card race, but they'll be out of it if they lose to Green Bay and Tennessee the next two weeks. If that happens, the Lions might decide to pull Matthew Stafford (thumb) out of the lineup before their Week 16 game against Tampa Bay. It probably won't play out that way, but at least keep it in mind if you're already interested in picking up the Bucs defense.
• The Vikings and Bills are solid choices if you're looking ahead to Week 15 and can't grab the 49ers.