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Streaming Defense Week 7: Seahawks Set To Soar Vs. Texans

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 7 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 7 Options to Target

We are nearly halfway through a 2025 season that seems to be flying by. If you have successfully employed a weekly streaming defense appraoch this season, there is no reason to abandon that strategy now. 

This week, 4 teams look like good streaming options. 

Week 7 byes: Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens 

Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans

The Seahawks come off a controlling win at Jacksonville to face a Texans offense that has still posted more bad outings than good this season.

Houston started 0-3 before beating the Titans and injury-depleted Ravens. The two road games before that Baltimore trip found the Texans averaging just 268 yards of offense and totaling five turnovers against the Rams and Jaguars.

Seattle is tied for second in sacks (20) and interceptions (7). The defense also allows the second-fewest rushing yards per game (79.0) and the sixth-fewest points (19.5).

HC Mike Macdonald and DC Aden Durde lead a disciplined unit that might get healthier this week. S Julian Love and CB Devon Witherspoon each finished last week with a limited Friday and a "doubtful" designation. And CB Riq Woolen seems likely to return from his concussion. 

A reinforced secondary would only add fantasy upside.

New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans

The Titans enter Week 7 in chaos, led by an interim head coach set to host the franchise's former coach. Mike Vrabel has turned around the Patriots, and his defense allows just 83.5 rushing yards per game, which is the fourth lowest. New England has 13 sacks and has forced 7 turnovers, and gets an opportunity to pile up more facing the Titans.

Tennessee ranks 31st in scoring (13.8), rushing (81.8), and passing (150.8). Overall, the Titans sit last in total offense. Their offensive line has been a disaster, allowing a league-high 20 sacks, including six last week, to a Raiders pass rush ranked 27th by PFF.

The Titans have scored 21 or fewer points in all six games and are projected for only 17.5 against a Patriots defense ranked 11th, allowing 24.6 points per game.

New England also has staying power. After this week, the Patriots play three of their next four at home:

• Week 8 vs. Cleveland
• Week 9 vs. Atlanta
• Week 10 at Tampa Bay
• Week 11 vs. New York Jets

Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints

Only Miami allows more rushing yards per game than Chicago. But that weakness might not matter this week.

New Orleans ranks 18th in rushing and has failed to reach 90 ground yards in three of its past four games.

If that trend holds, the Saints will need to throw, which would be good news for Chicago. The Bears sit tied for second in interceptions (7) and have forced nine total turnovers, including a pick-6.

Meanwhile, New Orleans ranks 27th in EPA per pass and has produced as many turnovers as TDs in its two road games so far.

Chicago opened as a 4.5-point favorite and should handle a 1-5 Saints squad.

Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins

Cleveland allows the third-fewest rushing yards (79.7) and total yards per game (262.3). The pass rush has cooled, with only three sacks in the past three games after recording 11 in the first three. Still, Week 7 looks like a get-right spot for Myles Garrett and company. Pro Football Focus grades Cleveland No. 1 overall and No. 1 in pass rush.

The matchup helps. Miami’s offensive line ranks last in pass blocking, per PFF. 

Miami is also projected to score only 18.5 points, which is tied for fourth-lowest in Week 7.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 8 (and perhaps beyond).

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

The Colts have been one of the top streaming defenses this season but remain under-rostered. Indianapolis has generated 16 sacks and forced nine turnovers in six games.

That success should continue in Week 8 when they host a Tennessee offense that ranks last in total yards and has allowed a league-worst 20 sacks.

In Week 3, the Colts dominated the Titans 41-20 in Nashville, holding them to 282 total yards and sacking QB Cam Ward four times.

Indianapolis is 4-0 at home, outscoring opponents by an average of 33.3 to 17.3. Expect another strong outing from a Colts defense that’s become a weekly streaming staple.

The Colts also play Pittsburgh and Atlanta in their following two games, which give them solid holding power.

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 7 IDP Waiver Wire: Who's That New Guy in Charge in Cincinnati?

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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.