Welcome to Week 16! Last week saw a lot of touchdowns with 10 of the 16 games going over (and a few by quite a bit). Only five DSTs scored double-digit points this past week, and we were lucky enough to pick two of them with the Jaguars handling business in New York as well as the Bears prevailing against Cleveland with the second-highest fantasy points on the day! Unfortunately, the 49ers decided to gift us with a donut while hosting Tennessee, but sadly, the fate of fantasy is often fickle. This quote from the head coaches of Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Green Bay after their Week 15 games sums it up pretty well: “It doesn’t look good.” While they were not referring to their fantasy team’s playoff performance like I am, I invite you to join me in swearing off fantasy …at least until mock draft season begins next year. For everyone else, we move on to see what matchups are in store for streaming this week as we focus in on DSTs playing against teams that are also looking forward to their next season’s draft position in around 50 percent of leagues or fewer.
Please note that there’s a decent chance that better teams above this 50 percent threshold are available in your league, but we can’t assume they’re available to 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.
Buffalo Bills
Opponent: @ Cleveland Browns
ESPN % Rostered: 44%
Yahoo % Rostered: 55%
The Bills are rolling into Cleveland with the second-highest amount of blitzes dialed up, in addition to the fewest yards after catch allowed in the league. This is a Cleveland offense that is reeling from last week, with only nine first downs gained to go with three interceptions and five sacks allowed. For the second week in a row, the leading rusher for the Browns was their quarterback, who was held to under 30 yards rushing both times. Buffalo went into New England last week and held the former number one team in the AFC to under 200 yards passing. While their three-game defensive touchdown streak did come to an end, they started a three-game interception streak going into this week’s game. The Bills will be looking to continue the pressure from their three-sack performance last week, taking on a Browns’ offense that has given up 10 sacks over their last three games.
New Orleans Saints
Opponent: vs. New York Jets
ESPN % Rostered: 10%
Yahoo % Rostered: 19%
Don’t look now, but over the past five games, the Saints are averaging about eight fantasy points per game on defense and get to host the stumbling Jets this week. New Orleans comes into this one with back-to-back wins and has only allowed over 300 total offensive yards once (301) over their last three games. The Jets have not confirmed who the starting quarterback will be for this game, but if things stay as they are now, rookie quarterback Brady Cook will be in line for his second career start against the NFC South spoilers. Last week in his starting debut, Cook threw three interceptions and was sacked three times. The Jets have now allowed 14 sacks over their last four games and seem to have one eye on the future, paying close attention to the final standings in relation to next season’s draft.
Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: @New York Giants
ESPN % Rostered: 38%
Yahoo % Rostered: 35%
Fun fact: the Vikings have not allowed a receiving touchdown in five games straight, both to opposing offenses and to Justin Jefferson. Minnesota has faced top-rated offenses in four of their last five games and finds themselves in New York this week before heading home to finish the season against even more top-rated offenses in the division. The Vikings now have eight sacks over their last three games, thanks to an overall league-leading blitz rating on the season. Their defensive front also has the third-highest hurry rate against opposing quarterbacks and has the fourth-highest overall quarterback pressure rating in the league. While Minnesota should be a decent pick overall this week, they will really shine in leagues that do not count yards against in fantasy.
After the Cut
Kansas City Chiefs (E:30% Y!:57%) – This DST has allowed 20 or fewer points against in 3 of their last four games, with seven sacks in just two games, and now play Tennessee this week.
Tennessee Titans (E:11% Y!:18%) – Titans will be hosting Gardner Minshew this week and a Chiefs offense that has already been eliminated from the postseason.
Atlanta Falcons (E:23% Y!:21%) – DSTs against the Cardinals have come out with a consistent average over the past four weeks. Falcons could be a solid floor option on waivers this week for competitive leagues.
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 Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire