Welcome to Week 11! Last week looked rough for streaming defenses heading into the weekend. It felt that way, with only two defenses that were not rostered in most leagues coming up with double-digit fantasy points. One of them was highlighted here with a strong showing from the Patriots! Let’s just not mention the Giants and the Bears. If it helps, Kyren Williams will lend you his finger so you do not have to listen to any of the misses. This week still sees a lot of the best matchups with teams that are already rostered, but there are a few gems toward the top that stick out this time compared to last week. Next week, we will get our first look into defenses with some favorable matchups over the playoffs, but for now, let’s look at some of the teams that are rostered in around 50% of leagues or fewer.
Please note: there’s a decent chance that better teams above this 50% threshold are available 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.
Green Bay Packers
Opponent: @ Chicago Bears
ESPN % Rostered: 25%
Yahoo % Rostered: 31%
Green Bay was on a bye last week, so they are on the waiver wire in a lot of leagues. They now face a division rival with an offense in turmoil this week. Let’s look to take advantage of the situation and get in against an offense that has been allowing double-digit fantasy points on average to opposing defenses for the last three weeks since their bye. The Packers started off the season strong but coasted into their bye week. With some extra rest, look for Green Bay to pick back up on their fourth-best quarterback hurry rating in the league against this Chicago offense that has given up 18 sacks over their last three games. This puts Caleb Williams at the top of the most sacked list for the season, as well as leading the league in “poor” rated passes (per FantasyPros advanced metrics) The Bears have accumulated a combined 27 points over their three-game losing streak, failing to even reach 150 total yards of offense last week.
Miami Dolphins
Opponent: vs Las Vegas Raiders
ESPN % Rostered: 25%
Yahoo % Rostered: 31%
The Dolphins have now generated three turnovers in their last two games and, after last night’s four-sack performance, will now host Las Vegas this week. The Raiders come into this one off their bye week looking to plug the holes as they’ve just bled out fantasy points to opposing defenses. They have given up double-digit fantasy points in five of their last six games. Las Vegas has turned the ball over in every single one of their games this year, with multiple turnovers in five of their nine games. This puts them at the bottom of the turnover differential this year with a league-leading 19 giveaways. Miami is in the top ten of the fewest total yards allowed, in part thanks to their top-five best passing defense by yards allowed. The Raiders, meanwhile, have the third-fewest total offensive yards on the season.
Houston Texans
Opponent: @ Dallas Cowboys
ESPN % Rostered: 45%
Yahoo % Rostered: 45%
If I had a nickel for every time we’ve been teased with a Diggs-on-Diggs matchup to start the season only to get denied due to a season-ending torn ACL, I would have two nickels. This is not a lot, but it is weird that it’s happened two years in a row. While we will again miss the Trevon covering Stefon family reunion on the field for a second time now, we will at least have the opportunity to benefit from the Texans getting a shot at this shell of a Dallas offense. While I do not expect another five-turnover performance in one game, the Cowboys are no strangers to turnovers before handing the reins to Cooper Rush at quarterback, as they now have 15 turnovers over their last four games. This is fantastic news for Houston, who intercepted Jared Goff FIVE times last week (and still lost, somehow). While there won’t be any sunlight to blind the Cowboys receivers in this game, there will be a Texans pass rush that has the third-highest quarterback pressure rating in the league.
Honorable Mentions
Detroit Lions (E:63%, Y!:63%) – I’m jumping all over Detroit, hosting a Jacksonville team that might be starting Mac Jones for the remainder of the season. This is the start of a favorable three-game stretch for the Lions.
Los Angeles Rams (E:7%, Y!:24%) – The top two teams with the most sacks over their last four games both come from LA. This one travels to Boston to take on the Patriots with their five sacks and four turnovers in their last two games.
New York Jets (E:67%, Y!:74%) – After facing three young and mobile quarterbacks, getting to host an older and immobile Colts quarterback with his four interceptions and seven sacks in two games could be just what this New York defense needs to get right.
If you see something I don’t, leave a comment or hit me up with feedback @MikeoftheFF on Twitter or find me on Reddit!
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Larry Radloff / Icon Sportswire