Streaming Defenses: Week 10 Options

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Updated on July 9, 2020 11:42AM EST

On paper, Week 9 looked great for streaming, with a handful of low-owned defenses drawing friendly matchups. In practice, the output from our five selections was mediocre, as only Carolina reached double-digit fantasy points. The lone consolation was a low-scoring week for team defenses overall, which meant six points from the Eagles or Jets was enough to tie for 11th-best.

The upcoming week has six teams on bye, thinning out the pool of streamers to choose from. However, many of the best matchups go to low/medium-owned defenses, so it isn't the desperate situation we might otherwise fear. It starts with a near-tie at the top, where both Baltimore and Indianapolis land in cushy spots.

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

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses with ownership less than 60 percent on Yahoo or 30 percent on ESPN as of Tuesday morning. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 10

1. Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)

49% Yahoo ownership, 34% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.75

Opponent implied total: 17.75

Upcoming Ranks — Week 11: 13th (vs. HOU), Week 12: 15th (at LAR)

The Ravens' past two games featured 18 fantasy points against the Seahawks and 13 more against the Patriots, albeit on the basis of three defensive touchdowns. A lackluster pass rush is a real concern for January, but it shouldn't matter too much Week 10 in Ryan Finley's first start for Cincinnati. The Ravens haven't allowed more than 23 points in a game since September, with their defense notching at least a handful of fantasy points in each of the past four matchups. Playing as 10-point favorites against a rookie quarterback in his first NFL action, Baltimore shouldn't have any problem forcing a couple turnovers.

2. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami Dolphins)

36% Yahoo ownership, 38% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.0

Opponent implied total: 16.5

Upcoming Ranks — Week 11: 8th (vs. JAX), Week 12: 14th (at HOU)

The Colts defense has rebounded nicely from its September struggles, running off four consecutive games with at least seven fantasy points and no more than 23 points allowed to the opposition. The Dolphins recently looked decent for the first time all season, but their overall product has still been overwhelmingly hideous, and they're now losing a huge portion of their offense with Preston Williams (knee) out for the season and Mark Walton suspended for the next four weeks. It's a toss-up between Indianapolis and Baltimore for the No. 1 spot in the Week 10 rankings.

3. Green Bay Packers (vs. Carolina Panthers)

33% Yahoo ownership, 29% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.75

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks — Week 11: Bye, Week 12: 20th (at SF)

Last week's travesty in Los Angeles aside, the Packers have been a well-rounded team, using an impressive pass rush to make up for some shortcomings at other positions on defense. Their issues against the run should ensure Christian McCaffrey of his typical stat line, but Kyle Allen probably won't be so lucky. Among 33 qualified passers, Allen is 29th in completion percentage (60.7), 28th in YPA (6.8) and 31st in sack rate (9.5). It's only a matter of time before the interceptions follow.

4. Cleveland Browns (vs. Buffalo Bills)

57% Yahoo ownership, 30% ESPN

Team implied total: 21.5

Opponent implied total: 18.5

Upcoming Ranks — Week 11: 10th (vs. PIT), Week 12: 2nd (vs. MIA)

We would've highlighted this as an elite D/ST matchup before the season, or maybe even a few weeks ago, but now it's more of a low-end consideration, with the Cleveland defense and Josh Allen approximately equal in the level of trust they inspire (read: zero). The Browns at least have shown a decent floor with multiple sacks in every game, and the Bills have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to team defenses. It should be a pillow fight for the ages.

5. New York Giants (at New York Jets)

54% Yahoo ownership, 36% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.0

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks — Week 11: Bye, Week 12: 12th (at CHI)

This isn't a matchup I expected to have much interest in streaming, but the Giants defense is perhaps slightly less awful than anticipated, while the Jets offense serves no purpose apart from making the Dolphins and Bengals feel better about themselves (cute, right?). The Jets have dropped below the Dolphins for last place in the offensive DVOA rankings, and no team has given up more fantasy points to D/ST units. Luke Falk is part of that equation, but even Sam Darnold's starts have yielded 10, 25, 15 and 8 fantasy points for the opponent. Adding injury to insult, the Jets may need Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell to replace Le'Veon Bell (knee) in the backfield.