Streaming Defenses: Week 7 Options

An increase in scoring and offensive efficiency has been one of the big stories of the 2020 NFL campaign, but Week 6 brought a temporary shift back toward old norms, in part due to some of the league's better offenses being on bye. Seven D/ST units scored double-digit fantasy points, including the top two recommendations from this column (MIA, NYG). Our other three picks finished between two and six points, so while it was a strong showing on the whole, we can't exactly claim consistency. 

The week ahead is the most interesting we've seen this year from a streaming perspective, as the top four picks for Week 7 also happen to have good matchups coming up in Week 8. The Chiefs look like a premium play for each of the next three weeks, and the Chargers arguably have five consecutive startable matchups on deck (don't count them out of the wild card hunt).

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

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 7

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG

32% rostered on Yahoo, 16% on ESPN

Team implied total: 23.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 4th (vs. DAL),  Week 9: Bye

The Eagles haven't forced many turnovers or done an especially good job of preventing points, but they still have an impressive pass rush led by Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson (quad). They rank fourth in sacks (3.5 per game), third in sack rate (9.2 percent), 10th in QB pressure rate (23.7 percent) and third in PFF's pass-rush grades (77.5), while the Giants offense is 24th in sack rate (7.8 percent) and dead last in PFF pass-blocking grade (45.6).

Daniel Jones and Co. have allowed the second most fantasy points to team defenses, including eight or more in each game prior to Sunday's win over Washington. The Eagles are a safe bet for at least a handful of points Thursday night, and they should have similar success the following week when they have 10 days' rest to prepare for the butter-fingered Cowboys.

2. Kansas City Chiefs at DEN

81% Yahoo, 44% ESPN

Team implied total: 29.5

Opponent implied total: 20

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 1st (vs. NYJ),  Week 9: 3rd (vs. CAR)

The Chiefs are available in a lot of ESPN leagues, where D/ST ownership is still partially driven by preseason ranks. Considering the solid Week 7 matchup is followed by back-to-back home games against the Jets and Panthers, it might be a good idea to use waiver priority or a few dollars of FAAB if the KC defense is available in your league. 

The Chiefs are eighth in fantasy scoring average (6.8), 12th in net yards allowed per pass attempt (6.2) and sixth in QB pressure rate (24.9 percent), despite facing a solid slate of quarterbacks so far (Deshaun Watson, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Brian Hoyer, Derek Carr, Josh Allen). Kansas City is still vulnerable to the run, but that tends to be less of a problem when favored by more than a touchdown.

3. Los Angeles Chargers vs. JAX 

28% Yahoo, 21% ESPN

Team implied total: 28.25

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 5th (at DEN),  Week 9: 9th (vs. LVR)

Coming out of a bye week, the Chargers defense is freely available in most fantasy leagues, lining up against a Jacksonville offense that's allowed four or more points to the opposing D/ST each week this season. The Jags haven't given up a return touchdown yet, but they've been generous in terms of both turnovers (1.5 per game, t-24th) and sacks (3.0 per game, t-24th), in part because they're averaging the fourth-most pass attempts per game (40.0). An inability to get stops on defense repeatedly forces Gardner Minshew into situations where he has to take risks and isn't able to hand the ball off to James Robinson.

4. New Orleans Saints vs. CAR

40% Yahoo, 40% ESPN

Team implied total: 29.25

Opponent implied total: 21.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 3rd (at CHI),  Week 9: 19th (at TB)

The Saints defense has been a big-time disappointment since its Week 1 throttling of the Bucs, scoring four or fewer fantasy points in each subsequent game. Injuries have been part of the problem, with starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins (shoulder) combining for three absences and DE Marcus Davenport unavailable until Week 5. 

This unit should be in better condition after a bye, and the pass rush appears formidable after Davenport's absence sparked a breakout from fellow defensive end Trey Hendrickson (4.5 sacks, 10 QB hits). With Davenport, Hendrickson and Cameron Jordan all healthy, the Saints' pass rush has the advantage over an inconsistent Carolina offense that sits 21st in PFF's pass-blocking grades (66.8) and 16th in sack rate (5.5 percent).

5. Cleveland Browns at CIN

24% Yahoo, 19% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.25

Opponent implied total: 23.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 8: 17th (vs. LVR),  Week 9: Bye

This is the fall-back option, as each of the four aforementioned defenses has an opponent implied total below 22 points and another solid matchup on deck in Week 8. The Brown are a one-week-only deal, hosting a Bengals team that's given up the third most fantasy points to team defenses. That's largely due to a Week 5 meltdown in Baltimore, though it's also true that the Bengals rank 30th in sack rate (8.9) and 25th in PFF pass-blocking grade (63.3), yielding four or more points to every opponent besides the Jags.

Week 7 Rankings

1. Buffalo Bills at NYJ
2. Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG
3. Kansas City Chiefs at DEN
4. Los Angeles Rams vs. CHI
5. Los Angeles Chargers vs. JAX
6. New England Patriots vs. SF
7. New Orleans Saints vs. CAR
8. Cleveland Browns at CIN
9. Dallas Cowboys at WAS
10. Washington Football Team vs. DAL
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at LVR
12. New York Giants at PHI
13. Chicago Bears at LAR
14. San Francisco 49ers at NE
15. Atlanta Falcons vs. DET
16. Seattle Seahawks at ARZ
17. Las Vegas Raiders vs. TB
18. Pittsburgh Steelers at TEN
19. Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE
20. Green Bay Packers at HOU

Looking Ahead to Week 8

1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. NYJ
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NYG
3. New Orleans Saints at CHI
4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. DAL
5. Los Angeles Chargers at DEN
6. Tennessee Titans at CIN
7. Green Bay Packers vs. MIN
8. Los Angeles Rams at MIA
9. Detroit Lions vs. IND
10. Indianapolis Colts at DET
11. Baltimore Ravens vs. PIT
12. Chicago Bears vs. NO
13. Pittsburgh Steelers at BAL
14. Denver Broncos vs. LAC
15. New England Patriots at BUF
16. Buffalo Bills vs. NE
17. Cleveland Browns vs. LVR
18. Carolina Panthers vs. ATL
19. Las Vegas Raiders at CLE
20. Miami Dolphins vs. LAR

Rest-of-Season Rankings

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