Fantasy football: Top 5 for streaming defense week 2
Headed into week 2 of the fantasy football season, owners are starting to have a little bit of an idea of where teams stand on both sides of the football. As you set your lineup for week 2, check out these top 5 to consider for if your streaming defense week 2.
More from Fantasy Football
- Top 10 fantasy football dynasty wide receivers heading into 2023
- Fantasy Football: How high should Alexander Mattison’s ADP rise after Dalvin Cook release?
- Top 10 fantasy football dynasty running backs heading into 2023
- Top 10 dynasty quarterbacks heading into 2023
- 5 players fantasy football owners should hope are traded this offseason
If you’ve played fantasy football before, you know that one of the methods many owners use to fill their spot at team defense is a strategy called “streaming.” The thought behind the strategy is that rather than locking in one defense for the whole season, it’s better to rotate defenses every week focusing on matchups and availability.
Streaming defense can be a good strategy or it can backfire based on one thing–picking the right defense to stream. One of the key things to consider when streaming defense is the matchup the defense will face. If you have a team facing a turnover machine or an offensive line in shambles, even a not-so-great defense can look dominant.
Another factor to consider is your league’s scoring system. Make sure you know whether your league rewards keeping opponents scores low, forcing turnovers, scoring touchdowns, or sacks. Each league tends to approach defense a little differently which can affect which defenses have value and which will bust for you this week.
With those ideas in mind, check out my top 5 widely available options to consider for if your streaming defense week 2. I only listed defenses available in over half of ESPN leagues as of mid-afternoon on Wednesday and included the ownership percentage for each team.
vs Denver Broncos. 20.5% owned. Kansas City Chiefs. 1. player. 124. The Chiefs defense was solid until garbage time in week 1 against a bad offensive team in Houston. Playing a Broncos offense that struggled on Sunday, they’ll welcome in Denver to Thursday Night Football at Arrowhead. In week 1, the Broncos allowed the sixth-most points to its opposing D/ST, and I expect the Chiefs defense to be hounding and harassing the Ponies on what is sure to be a raucous night at Arrowhead Stadium.
10.4% owned. Tennessee Titans. 2. player. 35. The Browns will likely have to send Johnny Maziel in at center for the injured Josh McCown in their week 2 matchup with the Titans. Tennessee’s defense looked good in their opener against Jamei Winston allowing just 14 points and coming up with two picks and a touchdown. Tennessee added four sacks, and if they can pressure Johnny Football on Sunday they could be lined up for more forced turnovers.. @ Cleveland Browns
42. Perhaps the demise of the 49ers defense was greatly exaggerated. Odd alternate uniforms aside, San Francisco looked good holding the Vikings to just 3 points in their Monday Night Football opener. They picked up five sacks and an interception while smothering Teddy Bridgewater and a Vikings team many thought would be much improved. The 49ers aren’t in the best matchup on a short week this week in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers won’t have Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, so there is some upside to the matchup. If you’re looking for a more long-term solution at defense, the 49ers looked good enough to play going forward at least in their week 1 matchup. . @ Pittsburgh Steelers. 18.2% owned. San Francisco 49ers. 3. player
3.8% owned. New Orleans Saints. 4. player. 15. If you’re strictly playing the matchups, the Saints have a good one as they come home to the dome to face Winston and the Bucs. New Orleans’ defense didn’t look good at all in their opener against the Cardinals in Arizona, but they have a much better matchup this week and always seem to play better at the Superdome. . vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. player. 44. Like the 49ers, the Falcons are also on the road after a short week as they travel to the Giants. New York’s offense looked out of sync in week 1 while the Falcons had a solid pass rush and held the Eagles to almost nothing on the ground. Atlanta’s defense was horrible last year, but coach Dan Quinn has them trending the right way. If you missed the top four on this list, taking a flier on the Falcons D is a move that could pay off.. @ New York Giants. 2.8% owned. Atlanta Falcons