This article is part of our Streaming Defenses series.
Week 5 continued our run of good fortune in this space as four of the five recommendations scored at least seven fantasy points. The 49ers did next to nothing and the Titans were a mild disappointment with seven points in a prime matchup, but the Bengals, Cardinals and Panthers exploded for a combined total of 55 points.
It might seem like we're due for a rough patch, and I have to admit Week 6 looks treacherous for streaming. Most of the favorable matchups go to defenses that are owned in the vast majority of leagues, leaving us to pick through the scraps for diamonds in the rough.
Of course, there are still some decent options that should be able to provide at least a handful of fantasy points, albeit without the same kind of upside we saw last week.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Top Streaming Options for Week 6
1. Green Bay Packers (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
53% Yahoo ownership
This is far and away our top play below 60 percent ownership (barely), as Green Bay sits at third overall in my Week 6 D/ST rankings, seven spots above our next streaming option. The Packers defense has scored just three fantasy points in two road games, but it's been surprisingly effective at Lambeau Field with at least seven points in each contest, including 23
Week 5 continued our run of good fortune in this space as four of the five recommendations scored at least seven fantasy points. The 49ers did next to nothing and the Titans were a mild disappointment with seven points in a prime matchup, but the Bengals, Cardinals and Panthers exploded for a combined total of 55 points.
It might seem like we're due for a rough patch, and I have to admit Week 6 looks treacherous for streaming. Most of the favorable matchups go to defenses that are owned in the vast majority of leagues, leaving us to pick through the scraps for diamonds in the rough.
Of course, there are still some decent options that should be able to provide at least a handful of fantasy points, albeit without the same kind of upside we saw last week.
Note: These recommendations are limited to D/ST units with under 60 percent ownership on Yahoo as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Top Streaming Options for Week 6
1. Green Bay Packers (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
53% Yahoo ownership
This is far and away our top play below 60 percent ownership (barely), as Green Bay sits at third overall in my Week 6 D/ST rankings, seven spots above our next streaming option. The Packers defense has scored just three fantasy points in two road games, but it's been surprisingly effective at Lambeau Field with at least seven points in each contest, including 23 against the Bills two weeks ago. Green Bay hosts a San Francisco offense that's given up the second most points to opposing defenses, highlighted by a five-turnover, four-sack debacle in Sunday's 28-18 home loss to the previously winless Cardinals. Coming off that ugly performance, it's no surprise to see C.J. Beathard and Co. listed as 10-point underdogs with an implied total of 18.25. The 49ers may end up going to battle without the services of RB Matt Breida (knee) and/or WR Marquise Goodwin (quad/hamstring).
2. New York Jets (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
22% Yahoo ownership
Gang Green's defense has been one of the pleasant surprises of the 2018 campaign, averaging 10.6 fantasy points and 2.8 sacks per game despite getting minimal help from Sam Darnold and the rest of the offense in three of five outings. Andrew Luck is playing good football and keeping the Colts at least reasonably competitive, but his team's complete inability to run the football gives every opponent a decent shot to pile up sacks and takeaways. Indianapolis has turned the ball over nine times in five games, with Luck now on pace for an NFL record of 784 pass attempts. Coming off a blowout win over Denver last week, the Jets are 2.5-point favorites in a game with an over/under of 45.5.
3. Washington Redskins (vs. Carolina Panthers)
4% Yahoo ownership
Washington was dismantled by Drew Brees on Monday and now faces a Carolina team that's given up the fourth fewest points to opposing defenses, but there's reason to think this could be a rebound spot. For starters, the Redskins allowed just 44 points in three games prior to a Week 4 bye, averaging 8.3 fantasy points in matchups with the Cardinals, Colts and Packers. On the other side, Carolina's offense has been blessed by the matchup gods so far this season, facing the Cowboys, Falcons, Bengals and Giants (with three of the four games played at home). A road trip to Washington will be Cam Newton's biggest test to date, potentially forcing him to throw more than 35 passes for just the second time this season. This looks like an even matchup on both sides of the ball, with early lines making it a pick'em and setting the over/under at 45 points.
4. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
16% Yahoo ownership
The Cowboys have surrendered no more than 24 points in any game this season, averaging three sacks per contest but with just four takeaways through five weeks. While obviously not a dominant unit, the Dallas defense at least makes for a decent option in favorable matchups. As it turns out, the Jaguars have been far friendlier than expected from that standpoint, surrendering the fifth most fantasy points to team defenses after Blake Bortles' four-pick meltdown Sunday in Kansas City. Of course, it wasn't just a matter of one bad performance, as the Jags also committed seven turnovers through the first four weeks of the season, struggling to find an identity on offense without a healthy Leonard Fournette (hamstring). Jacksonville is listed as a three-point favorite, but the line does provide some encouragement with our lowest over/under (41) of Week 6.
5. Seattle Seahawks (at Oakland Raiders)
21% Yahoo ownership
The Seahawks at least held their own in Sunday's 33-31 loss to the Rams, with a pair of interceptions off Jared Goff bringing the team's season total to nine (No. 2 in the league). It did end a three-game streak allowing 17 or fewer points, but we can still view the Seattle defense as at least a league-average unit. Mediocrity just might be enough to get the job in Week 6 when the Seahawks travel to Oakland to face an offense that's given up the ninth most fantasy points to team defenses. The Raiders still don't have any kind of identity, and Derek Carr has thrown a league-high eight interceptions. Seattle is a 2.5-point favorite on the road, with Oakland carrying an implied total of 22.25.
Week 6 D/ST Rankings
1. Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARZ)
3. Green Bay Packers (vs. SF)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (at DAL)
5. Los Angeles Rams (at DEN)
6. Chicago Bears (at MIA)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
8. Baltimore Ravens (at TEN)
9. Tennessee Titans (vs. BAL)
10. New York Jets (vs. IND)
11. Los Angeles Chargers (at CLE)
12. Washington Redskins (vs. CAR)
13. Dallas Cowboys (vs. JAC)
14. Seattle Seahawks (at OAK)
15. Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
16. Indianapolis Colts (at NYJ)
17. Oakland Raiders (vs. SEA)
18. Carolina Panthers (at WAS)
19. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
20. Miami Dolphins (vs. CHI)
Looking Ahead to Week 7
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
2. Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
3. Minnesota Vikings (at NYJ)
4. Indianapolis Colts (vs. BUF)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CAR)
7. Denver Broncos (at ARZ)
8. Washington Redskins (vs. DAL)
9. Detroit Lions (at MIA)
10. Arizona Cardinals (vs. DEN)
11. New England Patriots (at CHI)
12. Houston Texans (at JAC)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CLE)
14. Cleveland Browns (at TB)
15. Miami Dolphins (vs. DET)
16. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CIN)
17. Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)
18. Buffalo Bills (at IND)
19. Chicago Bears (vs. New England Patriots)
20. Tennessee Titans (at LAC)
Rest-of-Season Rankings
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Chicago Bears
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. Minnesota Vikings
7. Houston Texans
8. Tennessee Titans
9. New England Patriots
10. Washington Redskins
11. Los Angeles Chargers
12. Carolina Panthers
13. Denver Broncos
14. Cincinnati Bengals
15. Seattle Seahawks
16. New Orleans Saints
17. Cleveland Browns
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. Green Bay Packers
20. Indianapolis Colts
