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Streaming Defense Week 5: Grab Browns' Elite Pass Rush

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 5 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 5 Options to Target

Bye weeks have arrived, which means more people are relying on choosing this week's best streaming defense. 

The Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week.

Here are several defenses to stream this week, plus a sneak peek at a DST with an advantageous matchup in Week 6 (and more beyond that).

Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings

In London

Apathy is nothing new for Browns fans. This week, the misery gets shared internationally.

Cleveland's offense is driving this season's futility. The defense has been elite. Pro Football Focus grades Cleveland's defense first overall, against the run, and in pass rush.

That defensive line boasts two of PFF's top-6 pass rushers in DE Myles Garrett (92.0 pass rush grade, second) and DT Maliek Collins (91.5 grade, sixth).

The Browns sit tied for seventh in the league with 11 sacks and are going to be a major problem for a Vikings' O-line that has surrendered a league-worst 18 sacks through four games.

QB Carson Wentz took six sacks Sunday and is expected to be under center again in Week 5. Wentz also tossed a pair of INTs in that game.

The Browns rank first in the league against the run, allowing just 70.3 yards per game on the ground. Shutting down RB Jordan Mason will allow the Browns to increase pressure on Wentz, which will lead to turnover opportunities.

This game also features the week's low for projected points: 37.5. That points to little downside risk on the scoring front.

Getting the Browns will also provide benefits beyond Week 5. The Cleveland D looks startable for its following five games as well, sandwiching a Week 9 bye:

• Week 6 at Pittsburgh
• Week 7 vs. Miami
• Week 8 at New England
• Week 10 at N.Y. Jets

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans

The Cardinals enter Week 5 as a top 10 fantasy stop unit. Jonathan Gannon's defense has only recorded 8 sacks but has forced 4 turnovers and scored a TD and a safety. PFF grades Arizona's pass rush 11th, and its special teams unit sixth.

Playing against an easy schedule, the Cardinals have allowed only 74 points, sixth-fewest in the league. That run of appealing games continues this week. 

The Titans looked dreadful in Houston, mounting just 175 yards of offense in a shutout loss. Tennessee ranks last in total offense per game (210.5 yards) and points per game (12.8)

Tennessee's 15.5 projected points for Week 5 match last week's season-low prediction. Expect another low-scoring affair on Sunday, which sets a sturdy fantasy floor for the Cardinals D.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Turnovers have been a major issue for the Raiders. QB Geno Smith has thrown a league-high 7 INTs, and the Raiders have turned the ball over eight times in total. The Colts, meanwhile have snagged 4 INTs and recovered a pair of fumbles during their 3-1 start. 

Indianapolis has also piled up 10 sacks and returned an INT for a TD in Week 3.

PFF ranks Indy's coverage 10th-best in the league and its special teams eighth. This is a talented and opportunistic defense taking on an offense prone to giving the ball away. 

The Colts could also help you beyond Week 5. A Week 6 home date with the Cardinals presents upside, and a Week 8 visit by the Titans figures to rank Indy among our top 5 defenses.

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

The loss of WR Malik Nabers will put more pressure on the Giants' defense. Fortunately, life without their top offensive weapon begins with an appealing Week 5 home matchup against the winless Saints. New York is favored to win, and the Saints sport the third-lowest projected score (19.5) of the week.

New York has allowed the third-most yards on defense, but they can get after the opposing passer. PFF grades the Giants' pass rush eighth. They have recorded multiple sacks in each of their four games and will be a problem for a Saints' O-line that PFF ranks 24th in pass protection. 

Meanwhile, the Saints are averaging just 177 passing yards per game and rank 29th, scoring just 16.5 points per game.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 6 (and perhaps beyond).

New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints

If you're using the Texans or Vikings defense, consider trying to get ahead of the Week 6 bye.

New England won't make sense this week against Buffalo, but a Week 6 visit to New Orleans looks much more attractive.

The Saints gave the Bills a bigger challenge than expected in Week 4 but have still managed the league's fourth-fewest points. The Patriots have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game (77.5) and have held their past two opponents to less than 200 yards passing.

The Pats gained upside in that area by getting lead CB Christian Gonzalez back healthy for the first time this season in Sunday's beatdown of the Panthers.

Bonus: The Pats follow that Saints matchup with a visit to Tennessee and a home date with Cleveland. So you're probably getting at least three weeks of usability. 

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:

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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.