I get it, defenses are lame. Every year in almost every league I find myself streaming a defense and putting my defensive faith into the void.
Aside from the big dogs in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, it’s so much more worth it to stream weekly than to pay up in drafts. It’s frustrating to have to dig into weekly defensive ranks and checking your leagues to see if they’re available. That’s what this article will help relieve.
I’ll be highlighting my top projected defenses who are also below 50% ownership in ESPN leagues. I know ownership varies between host sites but ESPN has the highest amount of leagues, so I’m rolling with it.
My projections are based on Vegas odds, defensive and offensive player projections, starters and positional matchups! Let’s get started.
LA Rams – 16.8% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – @PHI
This is my number one streaming choice in my leagues. With three sacks against the Dallas Cowboys week 1, they face a much more inferior offensive line in Philly. They gave up a league-high EIGHT SACKS against the Washington Football Team in week 1 and are expected to be missing the same linemen. Those potential sacks alone are thrusting the Rams up my defensive ranks and odds are they’re still available in your league.
TB Buccaneers – 41.5% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – @CAR
This one is about the points. Carolina has the second-lowest implied score according to Vegas at 19, 11 points lower than their week 1 score. TB had the strongest running defense in 2019 and they look just as good this season. I expect them to be able to slow down Carolina this week and willing to start them if needed.
TEN Titans – 27.6% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – JAX
Jacksonville has by far the lowest implied points total from vegas at 16.5, it’s not looking pretty. Tennessee was also able to find themselves in the backfield against Denver for the second-most QB knockdowns, which would’ve translated to sacks even more if Drew Lock weren’t so good at avoiding sacks. Gardner Minshew, on the other hand, was sacked four times last week against a weaker defensive line. I expect high sacks and a low score in this matchup to allow me to enjoy a free defensive stream from Tennessee.
KC Chiefs – 30.2% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – @LAC
Kansas City’s defense looked really damn good week 1 against the Texans. The LA Chargers offense, however, was mediocre. Vegas has LA tied with Carolina for a low 19 implied point total. It’s looking to be a one-sided affair in this matchup and I expect KC’s defense to hold it down again.
