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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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is taken down by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55), Thursday, October 31, 2024, in East Rutherford.
Texans D/ST @ Dallas Cowboys – 45%
Everyone saw the disaster the Cowboys put on display in Week 10, their first game without their starting quarterback. Dallas turned the ball over repeatedly, coughing up four fumbles and throwing one interception. The team managed just 11 first downs, 146 total yards, and averaged only 2.6 yards per play. This allowed the Eagles D/ST to finish as the top-scoring defense with 20 fantasy points.
While this performance may not be repeated in Week 11, Dallas remains a team to target for opposing defenses for the rest of the 2024 season. Some might believe Cooper Rush could turn things around, as he performed well in 2022, but it’s worth noting the Cowboys had seven Pro Bowlers that year; in 2024, they’ll be fortunate to have even one.
The Texans defense comes into this matchup with strong fantasy production over their last five games, scoring 43 fantasy points, the sixth-highest total in the NFL. They are averaging the eighth-most fantasy points per game at 8.6. This season, Houston also ranks eighth in sack rate at 8.63% and fifth in takeaways per game with an average of 1.8.
Look for the Texans to overpower the Cowboys in Week 11’s Monday Night Football showdown.
Saints D/ST vs Cleveland Browns – 38%
The Browns enter Week 11 freshly recovered from their BYE week. From Weeks 7 to 9, they allowed the most fantasy points to D/STs, giving up 12 points per game. Adjusted for opponent strength, they’ve allowed 5.8 fantasy points above expectation to opposing defenses.
Cleveland has been a favorable matchup for D/STs all season, largely due to their poor sack rate allowed, which is 11.26%, the worst in the NFL. To make matters worse, the Browns will be starting Jameis Winston, known for turnovers. In his two starts, he has recorded four turnovers, six interceptable passes, and eight dangerous plays.
The Saints defense stepped up in Week 10, even after losing their top pass defender. Expect them to carry this momentum into Week 11 against the Browns. While Cleveland may put up points, their combination of sacks allowed and turnovers should make the Saints a solid play for fantasy managers.
Packers D/ST @ Chicago Bears – 25%
The Bears offense is struggling, to say the least. Leading into Week 11, they fired their offensive coordinator as the unit appears to have regressed after showing some incremental progress earlier in the season.
Chicago ranks 31st in both yards per play and third-down conversion rate, 30th in points per game, and 28th in both yards per carry and yards per pass. In terms of sacks and turnovers, the Bears allow a sack on 11.18% of dropbacks, the second-highest rate in the NFL. Additionally, they protect the football relatively well, tallying the sixth-lowest giveaway average as an offense.
The Packers defense has been floundering over their last four games, averaging 5.3 fantasy points per game, ranking 21st in the NFL. Despite recent struggles, Green Bay matches up favorably against Chicago. Since Week 6, the Bears have allowed an average of nine fantasy points to opposing D/STs (ranking 24th) and 3.5 fantasy points above expectation (27th).
Sleepers:
- Dolphins D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Rams D/ST @ New England Patriots
- Titans D/ST vs Minnesota Vikings
- Colts D/ST @ New York Jets