Things are starting to come into a bit more focus in the land of streaming defenses after we now have two games worth of film to evaluate — except for in the case of Miami and Tampa Bay, but we did at least get to see them in action finally.
Two weeks is still too small of a sample size to really have a handle on just how good from a fantasy perspective teams will continue to be. What is easier to observe is the offenses that have struggled and look prepared to do so for the immediate future.
The early-season strategy of streaming defenses that play error-prone offenses is still in full effect.
New England Patriots (at Houston Texans)
The Patriots defense hasn’t been a dominant force by any means but finally gets a break after facing veteran quarterbacks Alex Smith and Drew Brees. They get to face rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, and that should make for a productive week. At their best, the Patriots like to make an offense one-dimensional and then exploit mismatches in matchups. With Watson, the Texans are already a one-trick pony with a run-heavy offense in an attempt to protect their young quarterback from making mistakes. Look for the Pats to take away the run game and force Watson to have to throw the ball more creating big play opportunities.
Baltimore Ravens (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Ravens may not be a streaming option much longer as owners may decide to just hang on to one of the top-scoring fantasy defenses through two weeks. After shutting out Cincinnati in Week 1, the Ravens beat up on Cleveland, racking up 3 sacks while forcing 5 turnovers and allowing just 10 points. This week they face Blake Bortles, who struggled to protect the football last week, tossing a pair of interceptions and losing a fumble. I may sound like a broken record but I will once again implore owners to stream the defense that faces Bortles on a weekly basis. The Ravens defense will have another big game in London this week.
Cleveland Browns (at Indianapolis Colts)
It’s highly unlikely the Browns will make the streaming list but sometimes the matchup is just too good to pass on. With Andrew Luck continuing to be sidelined with his shoulder issue, the Colts offense has been struggling to say the least. It ranks 24th or worst in rushing yards as well as passing yards and total yards per game. Indianapolis has given up 8 sacks while turning the ball over 4 times and has given up a safety as well as two defensive touchdowns. The Browns defense hasn’t produced eye-popping numbers to date but they did manage a pair of sacks and an interception against the ravens last week. Look for better numbers against a Colts offense that continues to shoot itself in the foot.
Pittsburgh Steelers (at Chicago Bears)
Let’s add Mike Glennon to the list of quarterbacks it is wise to stream defenses against. Glennon turned in his best Blake Bortles impersonation in Week 2 tossing a pair of interceptions and also lost a fumble against the Buccaneers. Through two weeks, Glennon has been sacked 5 times and faces a Steelers defense that is averaging 4.5 sacks per game heading into this matchup. Pittsburgh has also been credited with 28 quarterback hurries and 12 hits. Even if both Stephon Tuitt and T.J. Watt miss the game, the Steelers can still bring the pressure to force Glennon into untimely errors. Cameron Heyward and Anthony Chickillo have combined for 8 hurries and 4 hits on opposing QBs while racking up 3 sacks.
Indianapolis Colts (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Yes, both defenses in this Week 3 matchup between 0-2 teams are worth streaming. As sloppy as the Colts offense has been, the Browns are right there with them when it comes to giving up fantasy points to opposing defenses. Rookie DeShone Kizer struggled with migraines last week and it showed in his performance. Kizer completed less than 50 percent of his passes, threw 3 interceptions and lost a fumble. The Browns offensive line has struggled to protect the quarterback, as Kizer has been sacked 9 times and the team has allowed 10 overall. The Colts defense actually had a decent game against a struggling Arizona offense last week, putting up 4 sacks and an interception. This game could be a comedy of errors as both offenses have been turnover-prone out of the gate in 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs (at Los Angeles Chargers)
Despite losing safety Eric Berry for the season in Week 1, the Chiefs defense has put together a top-12 fantasy performance. They’ve beaten two quality teams in the Patriots and Eagles due mainly to an impressive pass rush. Last week, defensive end Chris Jones had a huge week, posting 3 sacks along with 2 forced fumbles and an interception. More importantly, edge-rushing outside linebacker Justin Houston is finally healthy again and playing like it. Houston has notched 3 sacks in the first two weeks, and the Chiefs have 9 on the season. The Chargers haven’t been a particularly good matchup for defenses in the first two games but recent history against the Chiefs says that could change. In the last four regular season games between the teams, Philip Rivers has just 3 touchdown passes against 4 interceptions, and the Chiefs have 8 sacks.
Dallas Cowboys (at Arizona Cardinals)
The Cardinals have stumbled out of the gate in 2017, and their offense is not currently on the same page. It certainly doesn’t help that RB David Johnson will miss extended time or that WR John Brown can’t seem to get or stay healthy. It took overtime for Arizona to beat a less-than-stellar Indianapolis Colts team and turnovers cost them in Week 1 against Detroit. On the season, the Cardinals have allowed 5 sacks and turned the ball over 5 times. They’ve also allowed a defensive touchdown. The Cowboys defense stumbled in Denver last week, but still managed a pair each of sacks and turnovers. DeMarcus Lawrence has 4 sacks on the season and faces a weak Arizona offensive line that grades out among the worst in pass-blocking according to PFF. An angry Dallas defense will take out some frustrations this week against a floundering Cardinals offense.
Green Bay Packers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
While the aforementioned Cardinals offense stumbled out of the gate, the Bengals have absolutely fallen on their face. Through two games the Bengals, have yet to score a touchdown and some finger-pointing has already sprung up. Most of those fingers are pointed squarely in the direction of QB Andy Dalton. In the first two games, at home, Dalton has thrown 4 interceptions and lost a fumble. The offensive line hasn’t really helped matters as they have allowed 9 sacks in the first two weeks. The Packers defense will look to bounce back from their drubbing by the Falcons against a fantasy-friendly and mistake-prone Bengals offense this week. Look for the Packers to post their first pick of the season while also improving on the 6 sacks they’ve posted.
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