Streaming Defenses: Week 1 Targets

Sep 09, 2020

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Do you stream defenses in your fantasy football leagues or in DFS? If you have not it’s something you should consider. Streaming defenses means you will only roster a unit based on favorable matchups in the next week or two. The goal is to add and drop at the DST position based on upcoming matchups, rarely holding one for an extended period of time.

Other Week 1 Streaming Articles: QB | K | TE

We discussed in my introductory article the benefits of streaming defenses, how to do it, and what to look for from a statistical perspective. This column will combine that approach with our very own Kevin Zatloukal’s model for streaming defenses. The model revolves around the Vegas lines for predicting points scored by the opposing defense, the quarterback’s history for predicting interceptions thrown, and both the offense and defense’s history of allowing sacks. These elements are the most predictable parts of defensive scoring on a week to week basis. With that being said this article will tell you about four defenses you should be looking to stream in Week 1.

Top Streaming Picks

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals

Chargers DST Projected Output, Week 1
Team	Opp	Allowed	Pass Pts	Sack Pts	INT Pts	FP
LAC	CIN	20.2	1.01	2.57	1.96	5.54

The Chargers defense allowed the sixth-fewest total yards (313) and sixth-fewest passing yards per game (200.2) last season, and also ranked 18th in rushing yards (113) allowed per game. LA allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points (13.8) per game to opposing quarterbacks last season. Los Angeles has leaned heavily on the Cover 3 scheme to develop one of the NFL’s most formidable secondaries. Were you aware that the Chargers led the league by using Cover 3 on 66% of their 923 coverage snaps according to Pro Football Focus? This helped them limit their opponents’ explosive pass plays, allowing the second-fewest pass plays of 15 or more yards in 2019.

LA's defense will thrive against rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals questionable offensive line. There have only been five quarterbacks out of 27 who were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2000 who made their first career start in Week 1 to score 20 or more fantasy points. These five quarterbacks are Cam Newton, Robert Griffin, Marcus Mariota, Kyler Murray, and Carson Wentz. The Chargers are available in 54% of Yahoo! Leagues.