Streaming Defenses: Week 6 Options

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Published on October 14, 2020

While four of our five streaming recommendations for Week 5 scored seven or more fantasy points, we also saw our first negative score since last October, courtesy of the defending Super Bowl champs. It was a tough pill to swallow for anyone who lost a close matchup with the Chiefs defense in their lineup, but the overall picture has still been highly favorable for streaming in 2020.

Our 25 recommendations (a handful each week) have averaged 8.04 fantasy points, which is better than the weekly average for all but five teams (BAL, IND, NE, PIT, TB). Overall, defenses have scored 851 fantasy points in 154 games, averaging 5.53 per week under Yahoo standard scoring.

The upcoming slate gives us a bunch of nice options that are widely available in fantasy leagues, as the Week 6 schedule includes a few "basement brawls" between less-than-stellar teams. The only bad news is that none of our recommendations offers multi-week appeal, with each of them looking at a bye week or a more difficult matchup after this coming Sunday.

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 6

1. Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ)

5% rostered on Yahoo, 3% on ESPN

Team implied total:

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

Top Streaming Options for Week 6

1. Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ)

5% rostered on Yahoo, 3% on ESPN

Team implied total: 27.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: Bye, Week 8: 19th (vs. LAR)

Following a big performance against the Niners last weekend, the Miami defense is up to ninth in fantasy scoring average (6.6), backed by a No. 9 ranking in DVOA against the pass. The Dolphins haven't had much luck stopping the run — 32nd in DVOA, 27th in YPC (5.0) — but that shouldn't be too much of a problem this week, playing as eight-point favorites against a Jets offense that no longer has Le'Veon Bell.

Old man Frank Gore ranks 41st among 43 qualified rushers with 3.2 YPC, and rookie La'Mical Perine (3.7 YPC) hasn't done much better with his 15 carries. Given the deficiencies in terms of coaching and blocking, it shouldn't make too much of a difference whether Joe Flacco or Sam Darnold (shoulder) is the starting quarterback. The Jets are 30th in PFF's team pass-blocking grades and 30th in ESPN's pass-block win rate.

2. New York Giants (vs. WAS)

3% Yahoo, 2% ESPN

Team implied total: 23

Opponent implied total: 20.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 14th (at PHI), Week 8: 25th (vs. TB)

The Giants defense hasn't necessarily been impressive, but it has at least been feisty, while the Washington offense is giving off more of a rollover-and-die vibe. Sitting 16th in DVOA and 14th in fantasy scoring average, the Big Blue D should be good for at least a handful of points against a Washington squad that's been fifth-most generous in the league to team defenses.

Only Cincinnati has given up more sacks than Washington's 21, a total that includes three or more in every game and eight in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Neither Kyle Allen nor Alex Smith has what it takes to turn this mess around, leading an offense with subpar pass blocking (22nd in PFF grade, 29th in PBWR) and Terry McLaurin as the only useful pass catcher.

3. Carolina Panthers (vs. CHI)

2% Yahoo, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 23.25

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 28th (at NO), Week 8: 17th (vs. ATL)

It appears an offseason exodus was mostly addition by subtraction, as the 2020 Panthers defense hasn't been nearly as bad as the 2019 version. Running backs are still having plenty of fun against Carolina, but things haven't gone so well for opposing quarterbacks, with DC Eric Washington directing a unit that ranks 13th in DVOA against the pass and seventh in net yards allowed per attempt (5.9). This will be the Panthers' first matchup against a bottom-tier offense, after they faced the Raiders, Bucs, Chargers, Cardinals and Falcons the past five weeks.

Unfortunately, we do need to keep an eye on injuries, as DE Brian Burns (concussion), DT Kawann Short (shoulder) and DE Yetur Gross-Matos (ankle) all made early exits from the Week 5 win over Atlanta. We'll need to bump the Panthers down a spot — below Washington — if the Friday injury report looks unfavorable for their trio of pass rushers.

4. Washington Football Team (at NYG)

8% Yahoo, 9% ESPN

Team implied total: 20.5

Opponent implied total: 23

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 13th (vs. DAL), Week 8: Bye

Road underdogs don't usually make for the best streaming picks, but in this case we have a specific matchup to exploit, with Washington's talented defense line taking aim at a Giants offense that ranks dead last in PFF's pass-blocking grades and 28th in ESPN's pass-block win rate. After facing three of the best O-lines in the league over the past three weeks, Chase Young and Co. should get back on track with multiple sacks Sunday afternoon. The Giants have allowed eight or more fantasy points to every D/ST they've faced this year.

5. Detroit Lions at JAX

1% Yahoo, 2% ESPN

Team implied total: 28.5

Opponent implied total: 25.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 7: 21st (at ATL), Week 8: 13th (vs. IND)

This catfight is tied for the fourth-largest over/under (54) of Week 6, with a pair of declawed defenses set to do battle in Duval. The Jaguars should be able to move the ball, but they're also a good bet to give up a few sacks and at least one turnover each week, even against subpar defenses. Gardner Minshew and Co. have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to D/STs, despite facing a pretty soft schedule (IND, TEN, MIA, CIN, HOU) to date.

Minshew generally does a good job avoiding interceptions, but he's 21st among qualified passers in sack rate (7.5 percent) this season, and he's lost nine fumbles in 17 NFL starts. Meanwhile, the Lions are coming out of a Week 5 bye, hoping to get CBs Desmond Trufant (hamstring) and Justin Coleman (hamstring) back in the lineup. Even if the two cornerbacks don't play, Detroit should be a functional D/ST option in a pinch.