Streaming Defenses: Week 14 Targets

Dec 06, 2016

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 with the great matchup. This practice is commonly known as streaming defenses. Every week, you target a mediocre defense with a great matchup against a weak QB or offensive line.

We have been writing this streaming feature for seven 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 2015. 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.

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.

Last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished with 12 fantasy points against the Chargers, putting them on the board as the DST4. Through 13 weeks, our suggestions are averaging nearly 11 fantasy points per game.

As always, continue to target a defense with a home matchup or facing a below average or rookie QB. Week 14 is here, so let’s take a look at who we’re targeting this week:

Cincinnati Bengals @ CLE

The Bengals are struggling but are coming off a big win against the Eagles and travel up 71 North to battle the hapless Browns.

Carlos Dunlap has been the pressure and sack monster for the Bengals and he now has sacks in three straight games, while also registering 19 total QB hits on the year. He’s also leading the team in defended passes with 14. The Browns don’t have an offensive lineman that can stop him and he notched a sack in the last go around with Cleveland. Geno Atkins was held out of the stat sheet, but did pressure the QB for three hits in their Week 7 tilt.

Vontaze Burfict has been a tackle machine over the last five weeks, notching 10 or more tackles in five straight. He’s also made big plays in two of the last three weeks and is coming off a two INT game against the Eagles.

Dre Kirkpatrick leads the Bengals with three INTs and seven defended passes. Shawn Williams has two INTs himself and is also putting pressure on the QB from the safety position.

The Browns offensive line is in shambles and who knows who they’ll roll out at QB this week. With the pictures that have been rolling out of Browns’ practice, it’s looking like RGIII. Either way, it’s a QB that has the propensity to turn the ball over behind a line that can’t protect an egg, let alone a QB. It’s just a question of who, out of Dunlap, Atkins or Burfict will knock him out first. The Bengals are available in 69 percent of leagues and face a Browns team that's 32nd in aFPA to opposing defenses.