Streaming Defenses: Week 8 Targets

Oct 27, 2015

When it comes to drafting a defense, I’m not someone to start the run. I’d rather wait until the end of the draft and play the defense that has the great match-up.

This practice is commonly known as streaming defenses. Every week, you target a mediocre defense that has a great matchup against a weak QB or offensive line. We have been writing this streaming feature for six years -- offering readers several available-on-the-waiver-wire defense picks each week -- and they averaged DT5, DT6, DT7, DT10, DT8 and DT7 numbers from 2009 to 2014. Generating top 10 DT numbers off the waiver wire allows fantasy owners to basically ignore the position on draft day, instead focusing on more important areas during the draft.

We’re headed into Week 8 and defenses, like the Broncos and Cardinals, have emerged from the stream and are weekly starters. If you’re still streaming, target a defense that is playing a below average QB. A home match-up is nice, but not absolute.

In Week 7, the New York Giants finished as DST3 with 24 fantasy points. Through six weeks, our defensive streaming suggestions are averaging 10 fantasy points per week, on par with DST10 numbers.

Generally, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of Yahoo fantasy leagues to be eligible. This ensures we are talking about defenses that are readily available.

Now, let’s take a look at the defensive targets for Week 8:

Green Bay Packers (vs. Denver Broncos)

The Packers are rolling into Sunday night with a nice match-up against the Broncos. These aren’t your 2013 Broncos, and Peyton Manning is susceptible to turnovers.

Mike Daniels leads a strong defensive line, producing three sacks and a QB pressure rate of 14 percent of his rush snaps, so he’s getting to the QB. Datone Jones also has a sack and has five total QB hits.