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Streaming Defense Week 1

Streaming Defenses Strategy

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

If you wisely drafted your fantasy defense/special teams at the end of your fantasy 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 1 and beyond.

How Does DST Scoring Work?

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.

More Unpredictable Categories

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. 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.

Target Positive 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 five season-long scoring DSTs. 

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

Streaming Defense Week 1 Options

With no games played yet, we need to assess Week 1 matchups on paper based on the changes in personnel and offensive systems.

Some factors that indicate a favorable Week 1 matchup:

• Rookie QBs
• Ineffective QBs
• Downgrades in offensive personnel
• New, complex offensive schemes

Let’s dig into our streaming defense options for Week 1.

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

The Saints defense was reasonably strong last year, ranking 15th in DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average) and 11th in Pro Football Focus Defensive Grades.

The personnel remains largely the same, though they addressed their weaknesses with rookie CB Kool-Aid Mcinstry, LB Willie Gay, and EDGE Chase Young. 

More importantly, they face a Panthers offense that bombed last year, ranking 31st in scoring and 32nd in yards.

The Panthers look different with overhauls to their personnel (adding Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Brooks, Xavier Legette, Robert Hunt, etc.) and new HC Dave Canales.

Still, there likely will be growing pains early in the season.

In their two matchups last year, the Panthers averaged only 11.5 points against the Saints.

If QB Bryce Young is pushed to be more aggressive in this new offense, it could lead to a few turnovers and a big Week 1 performance for the Saints Defense.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

The Bengals defense disappointed last year, ranking 23rd in DVOA and 26th in PFF grade. But they made significant upgrades this offseason.

Their biggest issue was the run defense, so DL Sheldon Rankins and two Day 2 rookies, Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson, were added.

They also have two new safeties in the rotation in free agents Geno Stone and Vonn Bell.

Ultimately, the Bengals’ strong pass rushers generate sack opportunities against struggling OLs.

The Patriots are the worst on-paper offense in the league. 

Though rookie QB Drake Maye will likely ride the bench in Week 1, veteran starter Jacoby Brissett offers little scoring upside due to the team's lack of weapons.

Last year, the Patriots ranked 31st in scoring and 30th in yards. Their O-line ranked 31st in PFF pass-blocking grade last season, and they did little to improve.

Add in an unexciting first-time play-caller, OC Alex Van Pelt, and the Patriots' offense is the biggest early-season target when streaming defenses.  

Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans

The Bears ended last season on a hot streak, ranking as a top 10 fantasy defense from Weeks 10 through 17.

For the season, they ranked 17th in DVOA and 24th in PFF grade.

Trading for DE Montez Sweat helped the team surge late in the season. He had six sacks in his first six games with the Bears.

They also addressed their secondary weakness by adding safeties Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens.

The Titans averaged 16 points per game last year with Will Levis at QB. For the season, they were 27th in scoring offense and 28th in yards. 

They may also be without WR DeAndre Hopkins in Week 1 due to his knee injury. Even if he plays, he will likely be less than 100%.

The addition of HC Brian Callahan, who brings his system along with new talent, should help the Titans. But implementing such a large scheme change could cause growing pains.

A winning strategy involves targeting defenses against the Titans early in the season. 

Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos

The Seahawks defense was inconsistent last year, ranking 15th in PFF grade but 28th in DVOA. 

However, they also addressed their weaknesses in the front seven by adding first-round rookie DT Byron Murphy, free agent DT Johnathan Hankins, and LB Jerome Baker.

Bringing in Mike Macdonald, former DC of the top-rated Ravens defense, should also make a huge difference.

For Week 1, it's likely they will get to hone in on rookie QB Bo Nix’s first NFL start.

The Broncos' offense isn’t particularly strong either. They were 19th in scoring offense and 26th in yards last season, and they downgraded their weapons by trading away WR Jerry Jeudy.

It's likely Nix will struggle in his first start on the road against a well-coached defense. The Seahawks DST has some big play upside.

New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Giants defense wasn’t particularly strong last year, ranking 27th in PFF grade and 21st in DVOA. 

But they traded for Pro Bowler DE Brian Burns and made a few early draft picks in their secondary.

A better pass rush should improve sack numbers and give some good upside for Week 1.

Conversely, the Vikings QB situation might be one of the worst in the NFL.

The Giants will get either journeyman Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy in Week 1. Whichever starts the season will be ripe for turnovers.

Playing the Giants in Week 1 has a low floor, but the ceiling potential to be a top-five defense for the week exists.

Looking Ahead to Weeks 2 & 3

When streaming defenses, keeping an eye on the next week or two can help break ties to see if you can string together a few starts from a particular defense.

The Seahawks have a strong matchup in Week 2 at the Patriots before a tough matchup at home against the Dolphins.

The Giants may have the best early schedule of our Week 1 suggestions. They are on the road against the Commanders in Week 2 and in Cleveland against the Browns in Week 3.

The Chargers defense is a sneaky pick for these upcoming weeks. They travel to Carolina in Week 2 and then face the Steelers on the road in Week 3.

Ultimately, see how Week 1 goes to get more information before deciding on what defense to stream in the future weeks.

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:

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.