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Week 4 Defenses to Stream (Fantasy Football)

Week 4 Defenses to Stream (Fantasy Football)

Last week’s picks didn’t pan out. The Thursday Night Football game turned into a shootout, the Bucs couldn’t overcome numerous starters missing the game despite facing backup quarterback Case Keenum, the Packers played catch-up all day, and the Dolphins lost outright to the Jets. Things didn’t go according to plan, but they were far from the only no-shows defensively in Week 3. Even those who spent draft capital on squads such as the Seahawks, Panthers, Patriots, and — worst of all — Ravens weren’t immune to poor fantasy scoring outputs. In other words, while streaming doesn’t always work out as planned, drafting top defense/special teams (D/ST) units doesn’t assure you anything. This week, I’ve got four selections below that will hopefully help me get back on track and relegate Week 3 to little more than a hiccup. The ownership differences are fairly sizable between ESPN and Yahoo!, so while I’ve tried to select only defenses with ownership rates below 50% at both sites in previous weeks, that’s becoming increasingly difficult. Having said that, the streaming choices touted below should provide options for gamers at ESPN and Yahoo! alike, even if all four options aren’t available at your specific league home.

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*Odds are from Pinnacle, and statistics and ranks in the tables are from Pro-Football Reference

Jaguars

Opponent Spread/Total Ownership
ESPN/Y!
Points Allowed Per Game (Rank) Turnovers Forced (Rank) Sacks (Rank)
@ NYJ  -3.5/39.5  88.3%/42%  17.0 (4th)  8 (T-2nd)  13 (1st)

 
The young Jaguars’ DST is an elite unit that, as you can see in the table, ranks in the top five in points allowed per game, turnovers forced, and sacks. The Jets sprung a home upset against the visiting Dolphins, but Miami’s defense isn’t in the same class as Jacksonville’s. ESPN gamers have the right idea, but Yahoo! gamers are a little slow on accepting Jacksonville’s elite defense. The Jets are tied for the eighth most turnovers (five) and rank in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed (seven). They lack playmakers on offense and have tallied the ninth fewest total yards of offense (842) — with the Monday Night Football game being played as I write this and both the Buccaneers and Dolphins having a bye week in Week 1 — and 11th fewest points per game (17.3). The game’s over/under total of only 39.5 points and Jacksonville serving as a favorite adds to the case for using them this week.

Eagles

Opponent Spread/Total Ownership
ESPN/Y!
Points Allowed Per Game (Rank) Turnovers Forced (Rank) Sacks (Rank)
 @ LAC  +1/46.5  13.6%/64%  22.7 (20th)  6 (T-5th)  8 (T-10th)

 
The Eagles surprisingly failed to sack Eli Manning last week, but they did intercept him a couple of times. They travel west this week to face the host Chargers, and while I typically avoid defenses that are underdogs, this is almost a pick ’em. Philadelphia’s defense is aggressive, though, and units that force turnovers and get after the quarterback can provide fantasy points even in shootouts. As you can see here, defenses on squads coached by Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz tend to do well taking the ball away from opponents. Last week, turnover-prone Philip Rivers tossed three interceptions and took a pair of sacks. Rivers has had an outstanding career, but he’s no stranger to turning the ball over. He led the league in interceptions last year with 21, and was tied for the lead in 2014 with 18. The odds are good for Philadelphia forcing at least one turnover, if not more, this week.

Bengals

Opponent Spread/Total Ownership
ESPN/Y!
Points Allowed Per Game (Rank) Turnovers Forced (Rank) Sacks (Rank)
 @ CLE -3.5/40  58.8%/19%  20.0 (T-9th)  2 (T-23rd)  10 (T-5th)

 
Cincinnati’s defense has been saddled with the burden of being tied to a horrific offense this year, but the offense came alive in Week 3 following the firing of Ken Zampese after their Week 2 loss. Bill Lazor took over as the offensive coordinator last week, and the offense came alive. The Bengals scored the first touchdown of the game, and Cincinnati led or were tied until suffering a heartbreaking loss on a field goal in overtime. Working with a lead, the defense was all over Aaron Rodgers and sacked him six times. The Bengals’ fourth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Carl Lawson, was a one-man wrecking crew with 2.5 sacks. The Bengals also forced a pick-six. Cincinnati’s defense is poised for another huge game against their in-state rival. The Browns have the most turnovers (nine) and are tied for the fourth most sacks taken (11). Neither rank should come as a surprise with a rookie quarterback, DeShone Kizer, most evaluators deemed a bit of a project leading them. The Browns are tied for the fourth most points per game allowed (25.3), enhancing the odds of the Bengals taking an early lead that would allow their defense to ratchet up the pressure in obvious, catch-up, passing situations. The game’s over/under total of only 40 points is also inviting for using Cinci’s D/ST.

Falcons

Opponent Spread/Total Ownership
ESPN/Y!
Points Allowed Per Game (Rank) Turnovers Forced (Rank) Sacks (Rank)
 vs. BUF  -8/48.5  16.2%/30%  22 (16th)  2 (T-23rd)  9 (T-8th)

 
The Falcons offense leads the way for Atlanta, but their ability to hang points in bunches can set up favorable situations for their defense. At home this week, they’re more than a touchdown favorite against the visiting Bills. Buffalo’s offense has been anemic and has scored the eighth fewest points per game (16.7) while ranking 10th in total yards of offense (856). They’ve been very Jets like offensively, but Buffalo’s defense has pushed them to a 2-1 start out of the gate. The defense will be facing by far their greatest challenge of the year this week, and the spread indicates how oddsmakers feel about their odds of passing their test. Atlanta’s done a good job of getting after the quarterback, and even without Vic Beasley (15.5 sacks in 2016 and two in two games this year) last week in Detroit (he’s expected to be out this week, too), they sacked Matthew Stafford a couple of times. The Falcons should have an easier time getting after Tyrod Taylor this week. Detroit’s only allowed six sacks in three games, while the Bills have ceded nine sacks. Last year, the Bills allowed the fourth-most sacks (46). If the Bills fall behind early — which is a very good possibility — the Falcons will be in a great spot to rack up fantasy points.


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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.

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