Welcome to Week 5 of “I don’t like my defense this week, what else is out there?” Last week was 2 for 4 as the Giants and Vikings did what we expected, however, the Chiefs and Colts did not. I did not have high confidence in the former, it was listed last week as a risk, but I also did not expect the latter to let you down either. Derrick Henry woke up on the road to have the Colts perform worse against Tennessee than they did against Kansas City. That’s on me. When we’re digging around the waivers for streaming options, there’s just going to be some hit-and-miss. As always, we’re looking for teams rostered around 50% or lower rostered.
Please note that there is a good chance better teams are out there in your league than these four, but we cannot assume they’re out there for every league. Stay active and monitor the league home page, there is also a chance someone will drop a defense after the waivers clear for this week as well.
Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: Bears
ESPN % Rostered: 21%
Yahoo % Rostered: 42%
This week in “Who are the Bears going against this time?” we’re coming back to the Vikings. Minnesota has generated 6 turnovers through four games and they are going against the Bears, who have turned it over 7 times so far, including putting the ball on the ground 3 times last week. Even with season-high passing yards last week, Justin Fields still has not eclipsed 175 passing yards in a game yet. The Vikings have accumulated 9 sacks this season while the Bears have allowed 16 sacks in the same amount of time. There is some concern about the rushing game, the Vikings have faced some of the higher-ranked rushing attacks and will face another one going into this match-up, but I like the home team to stack the box and challenge the Bears to beat them through the air.
Teaming up for the takeaway@DalvinTomlinson @horribleharry99
📺: @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/QabxG39Ypt
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 2, 2022
Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: Texans
ESPN % Rostered: 6%
Yahoo % Rostered: 16%
Jacksonville comes home after a hard test on the road last week to host the Texans this week. The Jaguars have generated 9 turnovers through four games including an interception in every game played so far. They look to continue that streak against David Mills who has thrown 2 interceptions in back-to-back games coming into this matchup. We’re looking to take the defense that has had 9 sacks coming into week 5 against a Texans team that has allowed 11 sacks this season. Last week the Jaguars held the Eagles to just over 200 yards passing and now face a team that has yet to throw for more than 250 yards. With the success of holding Hurts to just 2.4 YPC, they did succumb to the slashing of Sanders and now face Dameon “Pierce‘d the hearts of fantasy owners all over”.
Chances are never given. They tooken like interceptions!@andrecisco7 | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/JruWqJjMfv
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 2, 2022
Tennessee Titans
Opponent: @ Commanders
ESPN % Rostered: 6%
Yahoo % Rostered: 9%
The ground gets a little shakier as we move on to the Titans taking to the road against the Commanders. I always add some caution taking teams on the road, but we cannot deny a matchup against a team allowing 17 sacks so far through four games. We are looking at taking a Titans defense going against a banged-up Washington O-line that includes Sam Cosmi listed as questionable but Rivera stated the hand injury could sideline him for multiple weeks. Tennessee has generated 6 turnovers including 3 interceptions in four games. Carson Wentz has thrown 5 interceptions so far on the season. Titans have held their last two opponents to under 100 yards rushing including an absolute brick wall performance last week against Jonathan Taylor. Look for the Titans to generate some contact behind the line of scrimmage and try to push Wentz out of the pocket as opponents have been doing against the Commanders so far this season.
When we needed it most! 💪🏽
📺: Watch #TENvsIND on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/pIymUtCBro
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 2, 2022
Miami Dolphins
Opponent: @ Jets
ESPN % Rostered: 32%
Yahoo % Rostered: 22%
We’re stretching our arms out here looking at a division match up taking the road team’s defense no less. Let’s take a look at the Dolphins. Miami has 6 sacks in four games, facing a Jets team that has been sacked 10 times this season. Two of New York’s 9 turnovers on the season came last week with Zach Wilson‘s season debut throwing two interceptions. Last year when Wilson played the Dolphins he had a QBR of 15 and only threw for 170 yards. He will now go into Week 5 missing Max Mitchell on his line who dislocated his knee last week. The Bengals were the first team to have a running back rush for more than 50 yards against the Dolphins and Mixon only had 61 yards. However, Miami has not faired nearly as well against two of the best rushing quarterbacks this season. Good news for the Dolphins though, barring one outlier last season against the Jaguars, it would appear Wilson does not possess that same type of rushing prowess.
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:
Denver Broncos – ESPN: 37.6% Y!: 70%
Philadelphia Eagles – ESPN: 58% Y!: 87%
Hit me up with some feedback @MikeoftheFF on Twitter
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)