DFS Army’s Gthom goes over the defenses to stream this week. The defenses to stream listed below are normally found in at least 50-percent of ESPN leagues (prior to waivers).
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Eagles D/ST @ Dallas Cowboys – 54%
Since their BYE week, the Eagles have been a force on the defensive side of the ball. Since then, the Eagles’ D/ST is the fourth overall in fantasy points scored, averaging 9.6 fantasy points—the fifth-highest clip over that stretch. The Eagles have stuffed the stat sheet as well, with five turnovers and 16 sacks.
Now, the struggling and injured Cowboys are in the Eagles’ crosshairs, offering a promising outlook for the Eagles’ D/ST.
The Cowboys’ offense has struggled significantly this season. They rank 31st in rushing yards per game, 31st in red zone touchdown percentage, 30th in yards per carry, 30th in turnover differential, and 29th in penalties per game. Now, their leader and quarterback, Dak Prescott, will miss time with a hamstring injury, and their best playmaker is also dealing with an AC joint sprain that may require rest. This is a big issue for the Cowboys, as their limited offensive production has mainly come from passing, and their running game has been ineffective.
The Eagles’ D/ST is a strong play this week. While backup quarterback Cooper Rush is likely to start for Dallas and has shown discipline in previous starts, the Eagles still offer turnover upside.
Giants D/ST @ Carolina Panthers – 5%
While the Giants have had their struggles this season, the strength of their team lies in the defense. Yes, their defense has resembled Swiss cheese leading into this game, but they still show strong metrics in fantasy-relevant areas. They rank 1st in sack rate, 9th in both opponent passing yards per game and opponent third-down conversion rate, and 11th in opponent touchdown rate. Additionally, they have amassed 35 sacks this season, leading the NFL.
On the other side is the Panthers, who rank near the bottom in nearly every meaningful offensive statistic. Key indicators include Carolina allowing the 2nd-highest interception rate, 4th-highest turnover rate, and 7th-highest sack rate.
Sacks and turnovers are the backbone of fantasy defenses, and with these two teams clashing, this matchup could produce solid production from your D/ST position.
Bears D/ST vs New England Patriots – 44%
It may surprise some that the Chicago D/ST ranks as the 6th highest overall fantasy defense this season, averaging 9.5 fantasy points per contest, the 4th highest mark at the position. Two of the biggest reasons for their success this season are their 7th-ranked sack rate and their takeaways per game, which rank 4th in the NFL. On top of this, the Bears excel at limiting opposing teams’ scoring opportunities, ranking 3rd in opponent third-down conversion rate and 5th in opponent points per game.
The Bears now turn their attention to Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. While Maye’s rise on the depth chart has boosted the Patriots’ offense, they remain vulnerable to giving up fantasy points to opposing D/STs. Since Maye took over in Week 6, the Patriots have allowed opposing D/STs to score at the 8th-highest rate, and when adjusted for schedule, they give up 3.2 fantasy points above expectation to the position (5th highest).
Breaking it down further, New England’s rookie quarterback has struggled with ball security. In his three full NFL starts (he left Week 8 against the Jets with an injury), Maye has committed six turnovers, including four interceptions and two lost fumbles. Additionally, he has been sacked 10 times (11 if counting the Jets game) over three games.
The growing pains of New England’s rookie quarterback, combined with their underperforming team, put Chicago’s defense in a strong position heading into Week 10.