Happy Thanksgiving to you, your friends, and your family from all of us at QB List! As the kickoff of Week 12 approaches, one thing I am thankful for in fantasy: the Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions all put up decent fantasy performances last week to get us through our Week 11 matchups! A reminder that this is a holiday week for the NFL. Four games kick off before Sunday, so make sure you are on top of things before lineups lock. This week offers a few standout matchups as well as a few defenses that might be available on your waiver wire. 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 fewer.
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.
New England Patriots
Opponent: @ New York Giants
ESPN % Rostered: 28%
Yahoo % Rostered: 26%
“Let’s not make this complicated. We’re taking the D/ST opposing a team that has surrendered double-digit points to opposing fantasy defenses for three(now four) straight weeks.” That is what was written last week and it still applies this week. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke…” The New England Patriots will be going down the coast to play New York and will face off against the 25-year-old rookie from New Jersey, QB Tommy DeVito. This starting quarterback in the NFL, who still lives with his parents, has been sacked 20 times in his last three games including NINE last week! In those three games, DeVito has thrown three interceptions and now faces a Belichick-led defense coming off the bye. This Patriots D/ST is on a five-game interception streak, and they also rank in the Top 10 in rushing yards against; containing RB Saquon Barkley will be their top priority.
Denver Broncos
Opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
ESPN % Rostered: 5%
Yahoo % Rostered: 33%
This Denver Broncos defense has an astounding 12 turnovers in their last three games while continuing a crazy seven-game interception streak! This was against the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, two of the upper-tier quarterbacks in the NFL. They are also averaging 10 fantasy points per game over that last three-game stretch which included two of the league’s Top 10 offenses. Now they get to face 5th round rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson who posted a 55 percent completion rate last week and threw an interception (but no touchdowns) after taking over for Deshaun Watson, who’s out for the season. DTR has thrown four picks in his last two meaningful matchups (not counting the Seattle game). The Broncos have not allowed a single receiver to go over 60 yards receiving since the first Chiefs game five weeks ago. The Browns are a Bottom 10 team in the NFL in passing yards, inclusive of games with Watson under center (most of them).
Tennessee Titans
Opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
ESPN % Rostered: 5%
Yahoo % Rostered: 6%
I am taking the moveable object in this game versus the stoppable force. I admit there are not a lot of glorious stats to write about when it comes to the Tennessee Titans D/ST, but there’s a lot to be said about this Carolina Panthers offense. Tennessee has recorded 10 sacks over their last four games and rank in the Top 10 in rushing yards allowed per attempt. The Panthers have surrendered 20 sacks over their last four games and have turned the ball over five times in that same span; they have also given up three touchdowns to opposing defenses. QB Bryce Young is the third most sacked quarterback on the season, and Carolina is Bottom 5 in just about every offensive category, including total yards and points scored.
Bonus Consideration: The Cincinnati Bengals (E:15% Y!:29%) are not looking like the best statistical option of late, but a closer look reveals that they’re coming off a four-game gauntlet against a murderer’s row of offenses. DE Trey Hendrickson is Top 10 in the league in sacks and now hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just fired their offensive coordinator for a consistent lack of production. The Steelers rank in the Bottom 5 in yards per play, red zone efficiency, and first down conversions.
Watching the Wire
These teams didn’t meet the rostered threshold for the highlight section, but you should check to see if they are available in your league:
Miami Dolphins (E:69% Y!:79%) – @New York Jets
Kansas City Chiefs (E: 59% Y!:72%) – @Las Vegas Raiders
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)