I'm an election results addict. I know some of you are, too, so I don't feel alone in this. I could blame it on growing up outside DC or on just relishing the drama. Hard to say, but I'll be honest: hard to even think about fantasy football right now. Fortunately for you all, Bob is magical and on it with this week's streaming defense article. Now I'm off to take deep breaths and jump back in to election results...
Welcome back fellow streamers. Well, it was a tough week for
the highly owned, due to the fact that none of them played any juicy targets (in
case you didn’t notice, targets are in red text). But the streamers had a bunch
of tasty targets and took advantage. Highly owned only averaged 7.8 points this
week compared to 13.5 points for the top streamers. So as you can see, as we
progress through the season, strategic streaming defenses can make a big
difference.
We learned a couple of things this week due to the results. First,
I’ve been drumming on this a bunch lately, so you better take heed. The
Chargers are for real, and will continue to dominate on defense heading into
the playoffs. You should pick them up and keep them because their schedule gets
even better going forward. Second, the Cowboys are starting to fire on all
cylinders, even defense. Sure they had an easy target this week, but the
Cowboys are averaging double digits in the last four weeks, against good teams
too, like Packers, Eagles and Bengals. And their schedule going forward is also
favorable. So either participate or watch as others snap them up for a playoff
run.
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Week
9 Highly Owned
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||||
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DEN
|
@OAK
|
100%
|
8/14
|
3
|
|
MIN
|
DET
|
98%
|
12
|
7
|
|
SEA
|
BUF
|
98%
|
12
|
9
|
|
PHI
|
@NYG
|
87%
|
11
|
7
|
|
KCC
|
JAC
|
86%
|
14
|
13
|
|
Avg
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
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Streams
for Week 9
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||||
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CAR
|
@LAR
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75%
|
12
|
11
|
|
SDC
|
TEN
|
10%
|
10
|
19
|
|
GB
|
IND
|
44%
|
10
|
7
|
|
DAL
|
@CLE
|
15%
|
9
|
11
|
|
BAL
|
PIT
|
32%
|
9
|
16
|
|
MIA
|
NYJ
|
4%
|
8
|
17
|
|
TEN
|
@SDC
|
57%
|
6
|
1
|
|
Avg
|
|
|
|
13.5
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This week we have all of the top defenses back and playing,
so there’s a lot to pick from this week. But remember, it’s targets and not
track record when it comes to picking a good streaming defense, instead of
stubbornly holding on to past defenses that just aren’t producing.
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Week
10 Highly Owned
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||||
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Team
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OPP
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%Owned
|
Proj Pts
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Comments
|
|
DEN
|
@NOS
|
100%
|
10
|
Saints tend to give up points but only to tough Defs. Start the
Broncos and expect your normal payback.
|
|
SEA
|
@NE
|
99%
|
6
|
Pats are 4th stingiest off against Defs. You have to start the
Seahawks but temper expectations.
|
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MIN
|
@WAS
|
98%
|
9
|
So which Min Def will show up this week? They've dropped off the
last two weeks, many citing fatigue. But you have to start them even against
a team that doesn't give up Def pts easily.
|
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KC
|
@CAR
|
97%
|
13
|
CAR is the 3rd best team for giving up Def pts, and KC has been
coming on. Start and enjoy the pts.
|
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PHI
|
ATL
|
93%
|
10
|
ATL is the 3rd stingiest against Defs. And PHI has had two
disappointing weeks. I like PHI at home, but not much upside.
|
|
CAR
|
KC
|
91%
|
8
|
CAR has been doing better lately but KC is stingy against Defs
with their ball control style. Start 'em but temper your expectations.
|
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ARI
|
SF
|
87%
|
16
|
Boy do I like this one. Top Def meets top target. Start with
confidence and enjoy the upside.
|
|
NE
|
SEA
|
71%
|
8
|
Many
held on to the PATs through the bye, so they count as a highly owned even at
71%. They have a good matchup at home. Expect their average Def outing.
|
|
Streams
for Week 10
|
||||
|
SD
|
MIA
|
39%
|
12
|
This is my favorite stream this week. SD is avging 13 pts/game
since Bosa joined. And MIA can be generous, this is my #1 stream.
|
|
BAL
|
CLE
|
41%
|
12
|
And we have a surging DEF against one of our favorite targets. This
one could get ugly. Ravens DEF is poised for another great week. Should be
highly owned after this week. 2nd best stream.
|
|
LAR
|
@NYJ
|
65%
|
12
|
Jets are averaging giving 14 pts/game and over 16 pts/game to
good Defs. RAMs can be good, but on the road let's look at a little less. Still
the 3rd best Stream.
|
|
DAL
|
@PIT
|
57%
|
10
|
The Cowboys have averaged over 10 points in last 4 games. Steelers gave up 16 points to BAL, expect
some points from the 'new' DAL defense. 4th best stream.
|
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CHI
|
@TB
|
2%
|
8/12
|
Down the list of streams but not out. Depending on availability
of Winston, CHI could get some points even on the road. My 5th best stream
with a floor of 8 points but a high ceiling.
|
I’ll give you a couple of honorable mentions here in case
you can’t snag any of the above. Watch out for WAS getting some points against
MIN, since the MIN run game is in shambles, and may be heading for target
offense area. Also, ATL may surprise PHI. Even the Giants got 8 points from
them last week, and they are having a tough time with receivers lately.
Finally, a few I didn’t include in spite of juicy targets: Jets
against a generous Rams team, don’t do it. Some are predicting a good day for
the Jets, but the only island in New York is Staten Island. Packers against
TEN. Even though the Titans won’t be able to run against GB, they have found
their stride through the air, so I don’t like the matchup. And finally, if the
Jaguars had any kind of defense, I would have liked the matchup against HOU,
but they don’t, ‘nuf said.
Comments