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.
CLE Browns – 31.3% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – WAS
Vegas currently has Washington’s implied point total at 18.5, the second-lowest in the league for week 3. Last week, the Football Team faced the Arizona Cardinals where they were sacked four times and lost two fumbles. In other words, they fed the defense some fantasy points. I expect the Cleveland DST to handle themselves just as fine this week in their own stadium.
TEN Titans – 29.2% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – MIN
The Minnesota Vikings offense last week can be described in one word: oof. The Vikings faced the Indianapolis Colts, who finished the week tied for the most fantasy DST points. I believe Tennessee has the defensive build to force Kirk Cousins to potentially throw another three interceptions and make three more sacks.
PHI Eagles – 22.6% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – CIN
Philly Philly! Facing an LA Rams team in week 2 that seemed to know every move the Philly defense was going to make gave them a rough number in the fantasy points department. I see that going a different direction this week facing Cincinnati. Cincy currently has a low implied score combined with the three fumbles Joe Burrow already has on the season means Philly could have a solid outing this week.
ATL Falcons – 3.4% ESPN Ownership
Opponent – CHI
I expect this game to be a one-sided affair in favor of Atlanta. Their high-powered offense is going to lead Chicago into a negative game script which typically favors a DST in fantasy. In week 2, Chicago faced the New York Giants who finished the week as the seventh-best DST. Fun fact: New York’s defense isn’t threatening. If I’m desperate and need a different DST play, I’m cool with playing Atlanta.
