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Streaming Defense Week 2: Rams DST Primed To Stay Hot

Streaming Defense Strategy

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 2 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 2 Options to Target in Drafts

Here are some team defense options to stream in Week 2.

Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans

Los Angeles had the second-highest Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (76.1) in Week 1. Granted, that came against Houston's haggard O-line, but the Rams brought the heat.

L.A. sacked QB C.J. Stroud three times, forced a pair of turnovers, and held the Texans out of the end zone.

In Week 2, the Rams travel to Tennessee to take on a rookie QB making his second start. The Titans were limited to a meager 133 total yards, including 1.8 yards per pass, and lost a pair of fumbles in their 20-12 loss to Denver.

Tennessee's mediocre offensive line allowed Cam Ward to be sacked six times in the opener.

This is going to be a problem against a Rams pass rush that can force a lot of pressure. The Titans are implied for only 17.75 points in this one.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

The offseason hype on QB Bryce Young has slowed considerably after Carolina's inauspicious opener. Young completed 18 of 35 passes (51.4%) for 154 yards (4.4 yards per attempt) and 1 TD.

The Panthers managed just 255 yards of total offense in a 26-10 loss in Jacksonville and lost three turnovers, including a pair of INTs.

This week sends them to Arizona to face a a Cardinals defense that improved from 32nd in DVOA in 2023 to 14th last season.

The Cards' Week 1 victory at New Orleans included limiting QB Spencer Rattler to 4.7 YPA and earning PPF's third-highest defensive grade (75.6) on the slate.

Targeting the Panthers looks like a solid streaming strategy until Young and his mates prove otherwise.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

San Francisco allowed 25.6 points per game last season, fourth-most in the NFL. They were solid against the pass, though, surrendering the fifth-fewest yards in that area.

GM John Lynch prioritized shoring up the run defense in the offseason and spent his first two draft picks on Edge Mykel Williams and DT Alfred Collins.

The new-look defense played well in Week 1, holding Seattle to 230 total yards (146 passing), forcing a pair of turnovers, and limiting the Seahawks' time of possession to just 22:02.

San Francisco gets another excellent matchup in Week 2. The Saints mustered only 13 points at home against the Cardinals in their opener.

QB Spencer Rattler threw for 206 scoreless yards in that one. He has totaled just 4 TD passes across eight career contests and has yet to reach 250 yards in a game.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

There is a little more risk with the Patriots. The Dolphins looked abysmal in Week 1 but still sport the talent to rebound.

However, there is also the possibility that Miami is toast.

The body language on the sidelines was one of the few things that looked as bad as Miami's offense Sunday. QB Tua Tagovailoa had three turnovers and just 3.9 yards per pass.

Meanwhile, New England was able to generate pressure on QB Geno Smith. The Patriots came away with 8 hurries, 4 sacks, and an additional 2 QB hits. They also grabbed an INT and held the Raiders to 62 rushing yards.

If you miss out on the top streaming DST options for Week 2, there is some risk/reward appeal to New England.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you are looking ahead to Week 3 (and perhaps beyond).

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis looked far better on offense with a new signal caller in Week 1, but the Colts' defense deserves credit, too.

It held Miami to 211 total yards and 8 points. Indy also logged 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, and 5 passes defensed in the victory.

Denver should bring a tougher challenge this week. But Week 3's home tilt against Cam Ward and the Titans looks like a matchup to target.

If you want to get ahead of other defense streamers in your league, consider stashing the Colts now.

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.