Streaming Fantasy Defenses Week 8
We are now past the halfway point of the regular season in your leagues. From this week until week 12 we are going to see some pretty heavy-hitting players on bye. This makes streaming even more important as you try and jostle with your league mates for a playoff spot. The difference between winning a matchup or losing and watching your season slip away could come down to whether or not your stream the right player at the right time.
Last week I gave you some streaming options that hit and could have propelled you to a victory.
- Kansas City Chiefs D/ST – 24 points
- Arizona Cardinals D/ST – 14 points
- Josh Allen – 21.28 points
- Jacoby Brissett – 27.64 points
Remember streaming fantasy defenses is like a lot like trying to find the best sportsbook. The obvious choice might not be for you. Check out Silentbet which allows you to view the best online bookmakers and decide on the most reliable option that fits your sports betting needs. The NFL season is only at the halfway point, there’s still time to get into the action.
The following are my recommended top streaming options for week 8.
Streaming Defenses
50% owned Yahoo/34% owned ESPN
This defensive unit has been one of the best in football since week 3. From week 3 to week 7, the Steelers had 15 sacks, 8 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, and 1 touchdown. Through this same time frame, the Steelers have scored double-digit fantasy points in every game. I have been asking myself how they are so under-owned while performing so well. I think part of the answer is they were on a bye last week and must have been dropped. Use this to your advantage. Grab them now. The Steelers play the Miami Dolphins in week 8. In case you missed it, the Dolphins are bad. They have only scored more than 15 twice this year. In the 6 games the Dolphins have played in this year, they have given up 13 turnovers and 24 sacks. This is a matchup with a red hot defense and an ice-cold offense. It is screaming week winner and if you have the chance to grab the Steelers defense, you should.
9% owned Yahoo/5% owned ESPN
Playing the Lions this week is very similar to taking the plunge with the Cardinals last week. Daniel Jones and the Giants have been very friendly to opposing defenses this season and the Lions are so low owned, they are available almost everywhere. Since Daniel Jones’s blow-up game against the Buccaneers (4 games), the Giants have 12 turnovers and have allowed 13 sacks. As I pointed out earlier, the Cardinals put up 14 points and up until last week they had only scored more than 5 points 1 time while scoring 2 or fewer 4 times. The Lions are at home and should be looking for a rebound after 2 losses and the turnover-prone Daniel Jones should provide this defense the opportunity.
Streaming Quarterbacks
17% owned Yahoo/22% owned ESPN
Teddy Bridgewater is undefeated as a starter this season and has only gotten better as the season has moved along. In week 8 Bridgewater will square off with the Arizona Cardinals who are allowing the 4th most points to quarterback in 2019. Over the last 3 games, Bridgewater is averaging 278.3 passing yards per game and 2.3 touchdown passes per game. With Alvin Kamara possibly sitting out another week, the Saints may have to lean on Bridgewater in this one to carry the team. If you are a team with Lamar Jackson or Dak Prescott on a bye, Bridgewater is a perfect fill-in.
7% owned Yahoo/6% owned ESPN
Mason Rudolph has been cleared and should be back for this week’s juicy matchup with the Dolphins. The Dolphins defense bleeds points. They are allowing the 2nd most points to quarterbacks on the season. Rudolph has thrown 2 touchdowns in every game he has played in but 1 so far this season. He should continue that trend against the Dolphins. My only concern is the Steelers still do not seem committed to him being a starting-caliber quarterback. In the 2 games he started and finished, he is only averaging 27.5 pass attempts. Maybe that changes after the bye week, but there is still a little concern entering the week, but the matchup is too good to pass on.
Streaming Tight Ends
28% owned Yahoo/16% owned ESPN
As I said last week, tight end is a barren wasteland and it hasn’t gotten any better. If you are in need of a streaming option at tight end, Darren Fells is someone to consider. Fells has been the preferred option at tight end for Deshaun Watson. Fells will see the Oakland Raiders in week 8. The Raiders are giving up the 3rd most points to tight end this year. Fells has seen ups and downs this season but I am comfortable investing in a passing offense like the Texans against a defense that has struggled against tight ends.
3% owned Yahoo/3% owned ESPN
Ricky Seals-Jones has developed a nice rapport with Baker Mayfield. The matchup against the Patriots this week is not a great one but with Stephon Gilmore shadowing OBJ this week and more attention being given to Jarvis Landry, Seals-Jones could find himself in a position where he is seeing more opportunities. Against the Seattle Seahawks, before the bye, Seals-Jones saw 6 targets and was able to turn one of the catches into a touchdown. The Browns will have the throw the ball in this game and that should bring plenty of opportunities for Seals-Jones.
Streaming Runningbacks/Receivers
- Chase Edmonds – 49% owned Yahoo/32% owned ESPN
- Mark Walton – 20% owned Yahoo/4% owned ESPN
- Ty Johnson – 5% owned Yahoo/2% owned ESPN
- Corey Davis – 41% owned Yahoo/44% owned ESPN
- Kenny Stills – 15% owned Yahoo/15% owned ESPN
Father to a daughter and son as well as a husband to a wife. I have a healthy obsession with football and not so healthy obsession with ice cream. I have been following the NFL closely for over a decade all while working full-time jobs, primarily as a police officer.
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