Welcome to Week 10! Last week saw admirable performances from our picks starting with the Green Bay Packers handling the Los Angeles Rams and their unstable QB situation. If you go to the shores of New Jersey, legend has it you can pick up an empty conch and hear the quiet whispers of the Los Angeles Chargers racking up yet another sack on the New York Jets. The New England Patriots put in a serviceable performance on defense to get you through the week.
Now we’re on to Week 10. This week has a lot of top-tier defenses playing in more favorable games, leaving our selection of streaming candidates a bit thin. Let’s look at a few of our streaming options this week as we look for teams that are rostered in around 50 percent of leagues or lower.
Please note: there’s a decent chance that better teams above this 50 percent threshold are out there in your league, but we can’t assume they’re out there for everyone. We have to draw the proverbial line somewhere, so stay active and monitor the league home page; someone might drop a desirable defense after waivers clear.
Chicago Bears
Opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
ESPN % Rostered: 2%
Yahoo % Rostered: 3%
I know, the joke was to take defenses playing against the Chicago Bears, not take the Bears themselves! But did you hear the one about surrendering four sacks and throwing three interceptions including two D/ST touchdowns in only one game at home? Now imagine taking that act on the road to Soldier Field.
The Bears have been a punchline themselves, a true exercise in slapstick comedy, but they just signed newly acquired DE Montez Sweat to a long-term extension. Sweat just posted a 25% win rate in pass rush situations. which was tied for second-best among all EDGE rushers in Week 9. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have averaged double-digit points to opposing D/STs over their last five games with the lowest of those weeks being seven points; that’s a fantastic floor. Since their bye week, the Panthers have given up 10 sacks over their last two games. Chicago has the lowest rushing yards allowed in the NFL this year which will likely force Bryce Young to drop back to pass allowing for those sack totals to continue on their trend.
Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: vs. Washington Commanders
ESPN % Rostered: 35%
Yahoo % Rostered: 41%
Since I jumped all over the Washington Commanders’ absurd sacks allowed rate, they have tightened things up a bit with only four allowed over their past two games. However, Sam Howell has not cleaned up the interceptions, as his streak continues; it’s now going on three games in a row. I’m not too concerned about the dismal performance by the Seattle Seahawks last week; facing Lamar Jackson in Baltimore will do that to a D/ST. Before that game, Seattle was averaging 8.5 points in fantasy since their bye week. Over that stretch, they accumulated 10 sacks and 3 interceptions. Top 5 tackle leader in the league LB Bobby Wagner leads this group as a Top 10 defense in passing yards allowed and team sacks on the season. They have held their last four opponents to under 250 yards passing, including three performances under 200 yards.
Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: vs. New York Jets
ESPN % Rostered: 52%
Yahoo % Rostered: 49%
I am rolling with the Las Vegas Raiders here despite the rostered percentage rate because it gets shaky really fast after this one. The Raiders have been on a tear over their last five games in fantasy, averaging 10 points per game. Over that stretch, they have racked up 7 interceptions and 17 sacks in addition to a blocked kick and touchdown scored. This week, they conclude their two-game home stretch of hosting the New York teams as they welcome the Jets and their 8 sacks given up on MNF. That’s how many sacks Las Vegas registered against the Giants in that same week. New York has now surrendered back-to-back double-digit fantasy scores to opposing defenses and I like the odds of that streak continuing through Week 10. While QB Sack Wilson has been good in not throwing interceptions of late, the team has fumbled five times in their last two games.
These teams did not meet the consideration threshold for the main highlight section, but you should check to see if they’re available in your league:
New York Jets – ESPN: 65% Y!: 76% @ Las Vegas Raiders
Pittsburgh Steelers – ESPN: 67% Y!: 84% vs. Green Bay Packers
If you see something I don’t leave a comment or hit me up with feedback @MikeoftheFF on Twitter!
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)