2015 Streaming Defenses: Week 8

I've got Bob back with his streaming defense knowledge - read on for his insight.

It’s time for streaming some of those defenses again and I’m here to help. Specifically, I do the research, and you pick your best option from the lists below. This week marks a change to my research. I’ve decided to do some in-depth data mining on my own, instead of depending on the research of others. As such I’ve compiled an extensive research spreadsheet of both the Defenses’ and the Offenses’ generosity. This gives me a great rankings system to use for analysis. With that I look at the matchups, specifically the strengths of the Defs and the weaknesses of the Offs. Then I look at trends that are emerging. Finally I look at the teams from a coaching and leadership angle, which gives me some intrinsic data that can be used to split those hairs.

But first, as usual, let’s look back at last week’s results. 

The highly owned averaged over 13 points last week, but was high due to STL’s beat down and 23 points. The streams for MIN and ATL worked out, but WAS and PIT fell short. WAS was a particular disappointment, but what a game!

So what does this week look like? Here are a couple of links you can use to help you sift through the quagmire. As usual, my analysis, may or may not align with the pros.

• The Fake Football's Dreaming of Streaming: Week 8
• Yahoo's Getting Defensive: Week 8
• Rotoballer's Week 8 Defense Streamers and Starts
  

Here are the ownership and projections for Defs this week of the ‘highly owned’ defenses. Highly owned being better than 80% this week. There are only 4 highly owned recommendations this week, so look closely at the six streams below.

Highly Owned Defs
Team	Opp	Proj	Owned	Comments
SEA	@DAL	8.16	100%	SEA #5 Def, DAL #16 OFF, 3rd string QB for DAL, SEA is a very safe start.
ARI	@CLE	9.77	98%	ARI #2 Def, CLE #3 Off, Johnny back at the wheel, yeah 2nd best start of the week.
STL	SF	10.42	95%	STL #5 Def, SF #1 Off, SF is a mess and STL Def is tough, best start of the week.
BUF	Bye		93%	Bye week need and alternative
DEN	GB	5.89	93%	Uh oh, #1 Def against a top Off, you have to start them but temper expectations.
CAR	IND	7.75	87%	CAR #6 Def, IND #18 Off, I don't know what's going on with Luck, but until he proves he can manage the pressure, I start this defense.
NE	MIA	9.78	87%	NE #23 Def, MIA #21 Off, I don't like this matchup, MIA is surging behind their new coach, this could be a close game, and I'd look elsewhere.
PHI	Bye		85%	Bye week need and alternative

So I like only four of highly owned this week, so I give you six streams this week that could keep you in contention.

Week 8 Streaming Options
Team	Opp	Proj	Owned	Comment
GB	@DEN	7.25	73%	GB #7 Def, DEN #12 Off, this is going to be a bad day for Manning, this is the 6th best start with upside, start 'em.
ATL	TB	8.85	51%	ATL #8 Def, TB #5 Off, ATL is a better Def at home, 3rd best matchup of the week, best stream of the week
NYG	@NO	6.75	23%	NYG #9 Def, NO #6 Off, 4th best matchup of the week and 2nd best stream of the week.
MIN	@CHI	8.37	30%	MIN #6 DEF, CHIE #7 Off, don't look for points off the scoring or yards gained, as I think Cutler has all his weapons back, but expect a bunch of sacks and possible special teams points, 6th best matchup of the week, 3rd best stream of the week
KC	DET	5.73	45%	KC #14 Def, DET #9 Off, 8th best matchup of the week, KC is averaging 12+ pts in the last 3 games, 4th best stream,
NYJ	@OAK	6.33	58%	NYJ #10 DEF, OAK #26 Def, this one is based more on trends, good Defs have had their way with OAK where poor ones have done poorly. Jets are a good Def, they will stop Murray and force Carr into errors. Only the 12th best start but with upside.
HOU	TEN	6.91	70%	HOU #26 Def, TEN #2 Off, 26th and I'm suggesting starting them??? Well it has more to do with TEN than HOU. HOU still can get to the QB and with a new one behind center, that makes for upside. I don't like HOU but I like this matchup. Start if you don't have any other options.

That’s it for this week. Keep reading and keep streaming. Remember, every week there’s always one DEF on the waiver list that can come through for you that week. It’s just knowing which one it is; this week it’s Green Bay.