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Streaming Defense Week 10: Browns Poised To Dominate The Jets

Streaming Defense Strategy

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Fantasy Defense production relies on weekly matchups more than any other position.

If you wisely selected your fantasy defense/special teams at the end of your draft -- according to our Redraft Strategy Playbook -- then the best strategy involves streaming the position to take advantage of those matchups.

Let’s dive into how DST works and ensure you stream to maximize your points for Week 10 of the season.

Breaking Down the Basics of DST Scoring

Most fantasy football leagues score team defenses on the following categories:

• Points allowed
• Sacks
• Interceptions
• Fumble recoveries
• TDs

At 6 points per TD, that category (including return scores) often produces the widest swings. Pick a DST that happens to find the end zone in a given week, and you’ve almost certainly got a top-10 unit.

The problem: Those scoring plays aren’t predictable.

Since 2020, 88 players have had a season with 4+ interceptions. Only 28 of them scored at least one TD, about 31.8%. 

Turnover volume doesn’t necessarily equal defensive TDs, so don’t rely on those random scores.

Why Turnovers and Sacks Aren’t Reliable

It’s not just the TDs. INTs are also volatile. The same players rarely top the leaderboard in that category year to year.

Fumble recoveries are even less predictable. And even sack totals fluctuate.

We’re still interested in team defenses that can make big plays, though. We want stud pass rushers and DBs who get their hands on the ball in coverage.

But as far as DST scoring categories go, points allowed is the one we want to chase the most.

The Real Edge: Exploiting Matchups

The first reason you shouldn’t just count on a single fantasy defense every week is the volatility of most scoring categories. The other is the volatility of opponents.

There will undoubtedly be team defenses better at limiting opponent scoring than others. But if one of those top fantasy defenses is playing the Eagles or Chiefs, for example, you’ll probably want to start a different DST instead.

Strategizing every week based on favorable matchups can be just as advantageous as having one of the top 5 season-long scoring DSTs. 

Embrace the stream and come back here weekly to find the best options. 

Streaming Defense Week 10 Options to Target

Last week, our “look ahead” defense was the Jacksonville Jaguars. That matchup looks even more appealing this week with QB C.J. Stroud injured. However, because of the Jaguars’ Week 9 trip to Las Vegas, Jacksonville (54% rostered on Yahoo) no longer meets our criteria. However, the Jags are an excellent choice if they are available.

Week 10 Byes

• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• Kansas City Chiefs 
• Tennessee Titans

Cleveland Browns at New York Jets

It won’t be pretty, but it should be helpful for fantasy defenses. This matchup features two bottom-10 offenses and the lowest implied total (36.5) of Week 10. Both the Browns and Jets are strong streaming options.

We give the edge to Cleveland. The Browns rank second in total defense (276.9 yards allowed) and 10th in sacks (24), and have forced 10 turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Jets have turned it over 10 times and allowed 31 sacks,  fourth-most in the league. New York's volatile, Justin Fields-led offense is likely to struggle against a talented Cleveland pass rush that PFF ranks as the NFL’s best unit. 

And that pass rush is still getting better. Cleveland racked up 10 sacks and recovered a pair of fumbles in its last two games before the Week 9 bye.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

Fading the Saints continues to pay off. New Orleans ranks 20th in total offense but 31st in scoring (15.3 points per game). Tyler Shough’s first start in Week 9 didn’t spark improvement.  The Saints produced just 224 yards, one TD, and two turnovers in a 34-10 loss to the Rams.

The Panthers upset Green Bay 16-13 last week, holding the Packers to one TD and forcing two turnovers. Over their past three games, they’ve allowed only 210 passing yards per game, forced four turnovers, and collected nine sacks.

Carolina has won four of its last five and now faces a 1-8 Saints team that is 0-4 on the road, outscored 135-56, and committed more turnovers (8) than TDs (5) in those losses.

With New Orleans projected for only 17.5 points, fading the Saints again looks like a sharp Week 10 strategy.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Buffalo is rostered in just more than half of Sleeper leagues but far fewer on Yahoo (43%) and ESPN (36.5%). 

The Bills visit a reeling Dolphins team that has lost 14 of its last 15 matchups against Buffalo and just fired its GM.

Miami ranks 20th in total offense (291.4 yards per game) and 26th in scoring (20.0 points per game). Turnovers have crushed them. The Dolphins lead the league with 15 giveaways. Tua Tagovailoa is tied for the NFL lead in INTs (11) and second in fumbles (6).

Buffalo ranks second against the pass (169.9 yards allowed per game) and eighth in sacks (25). That’s bad news for a Dolphins offensive line that Pro Football Focus grades as the second-worst in pass protection.

The Bills opened as 9.5-point road favorites and should jump ahead early, forcing Miami to throw into a strong secondary. That game script would set up perfectly for sacks and takeaways, making Buffalo the top streaming defense for Week 10.

New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are even more incompetent on offense than the Jets. Cleveland’s offense ranks 31st in yards (263.5 per game), 31st in scoring (15.8), and last in offensive DVOA. Cleveland has also committed 10 turnovers.

New York’s defense ranks eighth against the pass but struggles against the run, allowing 135.8 rushing yards per game. 

Cleveland, however, ranks 31st in passing and 29th on the ground. If Quinshon Judkins remains out with the shoulder injury he suffered last game, the setup only gets better for the Jets.

This game sets up both squads to be quality streaming defenses in Week 10.

Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants

The Bears have allowed their share of yards (368.8 per game, 12th-most) and points (28.4, fourth-most), yet remain a strong fantasy defense thanks to their ability to force turnovers.

Chicago leads the league in takeaways (19) and INTs (13). Even after giving up 470 yards and 42 points to Cincinnati, the Bears still produced three sacks, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions.

This week, they host a Giants team that has turned it over nine times and allowed the sixth-most sacks (27). Chicago might yield yards and points, but their playmaking defense makes the Bears a solid start again in Week 10.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 11 (and perhaps beyond).

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers 

Only Houston, Cleveland, and Denver allow fewer yards per game than Atlanta. The Falcons have been particularly tough against the pass, allowing an NFL-low 174.8 yards per game. 

In addition, the Falcons have forced 11 turnovers, and Carolina has committed 13 of them. 

Adding the Falcons could help your team beyond Week 11 as well. Atlanta has the second-easiest DST strength of schedule from Weeks 11-14. 

After this home game with the Panthers, the Falcons have back-to-back road games against two of the league's worst offensive teams, the Saints and Jets.

Want More Help Streaming Defenses?

Use our Free Agent Finder to find the right defense to stream each week and the best overall waiver wire options.

You can sync your league and rosters to instantly get recommendations based on your specific league scoring and settings.

See how it can help you win your league:

Next Up

Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Colston Loveland Leads the Pack

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Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.