Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (2024)

This is one of those weeks when it might make sense to use FAAB on a defense. The top two in my weekly rankings, Detroit and Washington, are unrostered in a comfortable majority of fantasy leagues ahead of matchups with the Panthers and Bears, respectively. And then we have Miami, fresh off a humiliating loss at Buffalo but nonetheless holding fantasy appeal thanks to upcoming home games against the Giants and Panthers.

If you can't get your hands on those three, the backup plan involves two games with close spreads and low over-unders Jets-Broncos and Texans-Falcons

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 5

1. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (1) Detroit Lions (vs. CAR)

  • 12% Yahoo, 5% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 27.0 Opponent implied total: 18.0
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 15th (at TB), Week 7: 18th (at BAL)

Giants-Dolphins and Panthers-Lions (#KittyBowl) were the only Week 5 games that opened with spreads of more than a touchdown. In the first case it's largely because Miami has a prolific offense and thus the largest implied total on the slate, though the Giants' struggles (especially on offense) are also a factor. In the second case it's mostly because Carolina looks completely hopeless on offense and thus has the smallest implied total.

Detroit's strong

This is one of those weeks when it might make sense to use FAAB on a defense. The top two in my weekly rankings, Detroit and Washington, are unrostered in a comfortable majority of fantasy leagues ahead of matchups with the Panthers and Bears, respectively. And then we have Miami, fresh off a humiliating loss at Buffalo but nonetheless holding fantasy appeal thanks to upcoming home games against the Giants and Panthers.

If you can't get your hands on those three, the backup plan involves two games with close spreads and low over-unders Jets-Broncos and Texans-Falcons

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 5

1. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (2) Detroit Lions (vs. CAR)

  • 12% Yahoo, 5% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 27.0 Opponent implied total: 18.0
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 15th (at TB), Week 7: 18th (at BAL)

Giants-Dolphins and Panthers-Lions (#KittyBowl) were the only Week 5 games that opened with spreads of more than a touchdown. In the first case it's largely because Miami has a prolific offense and thus the largest implied total on the slate, though the Giants' struggles (especially on offense) are also a factor. In the second case it's mostly because Carolina looks completely hopeless on offense and thus has the smallest implied total.

Detroit's strong showings on defense the past two weeks are also a factor as is a three-day rest advantage though I'm not quite ready to buy in beyond this week given the lack of premium talent beyond DE Aidan Hutchinson and continued injury woes in the secondary. Road trips to Tampa and Baltimore will provide better tests Weeks 6-7 after the Lions feast on their feline cousins this weekend.

2. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (3) Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)

  • 26% Yahoo, 19% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 25.75 Opponent implied total: 18.75
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 14th (at ATL), Week 7: 13th (at NYG)

Chicago's offense has already yielded 17 sacks, eight turnovers and three defensive touchdowns, with all four opponents to date (GB, TB, KC, DEN) scoring 11 or more fantasy points. As we saw this past Sunday, even the good version of Justin Fields makes big mistakes at an astronomical rate relative to other starting QBs. The Commanders figure to take advantage, just as they did Weeks 1 and 2 in favorable matchups against the Cardinals and Broncos. I wouldn't worry too much about Washington getting run over by the Bills and Eagles the past two weeks, considering Fields gives up sacks and turnovers at about twice the rate of those teams' QBs.

3. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (4) Miami Dolphins (vs. NYG)

  • 48% Yahoo, 61% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 29.75 Opponent implied total: 19.25
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 2nd (vs. CAR), Week 7: 25th (at PHI)

As much as the offense has carried them this year, the Dolphins mostly played respectable defense prior to Sunday's full-on meltdown in Buffalo. It was one of those games that created questions for January, but in terms of the immediate future we should be able to get plenty of fantasy points from the Miami D/ST in upcoming home games against two teams (CAR, NYG) that are a combined 1-7 and both averaging less than 17 points.

The Dolphins still have a solid group of defensive starters on paper, especially if they get OLB Jaelan Phillips (ankle) and/or S DeShon Elliott (ankle) back in the lineup after Week 4 absences. Even without those two, Miami's defense might be healthier than a Giants offense that not only got embarrassed by the Seahawks on Monday but also lost starting center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and top interior OL backup Shane Lemieux (hip) to injuries and that's in addition to RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring) already being out.

4. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (5) Denver Broncos (vs. NYJ)

  • 40% Yahoo, 7% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 22.75 Opponent implied total: 20.75
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 30th (at KC), Week 7: 16th (vs. GB)

Denver's defense came up big in the second half of Sunday's 31-28 win over Chicago, but only after a six-quarter stretch of play that was one of the worst by any unit (offense or defense) in NFL history. I don't really have any great analysis here, other than basically agreeing with the betting odds. Just hold your nose and hope Zach Wilson does what he does best. His career INT rate of 2.9 percent and sack rate of 9.3 percent are borderline Fieldsian, and Wilson doesn't rip off long runs to partially atone for his brutal mistakes.

5. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (6) Atlanta Falcons (vs. HOU)

  • 4% Yahoo, 3% ESPN
  • Team implied total: 21.25 Opponent implied total: 20.25
  • Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 6: 9th (vs. WAS), Week 7: 17th (at TB)

I debated listing the Texans rather than Falcons here, as C.J. Stroud is already far better than Desmond Ridder. On the other hand, Atlanta's defense and running game have been better than Houston's and we know the Falcons will hide Ridder unless they fall behind by multiple scores (and sometimes even then). It makes the Falcons a slightly better bet to come away with sacks and turnovers in the event of a close game, and they get a second tiebreaker going in their favor because I like Atlanta's Week 5 matchup (vs. WAS) a bit better than Houston's (vs. NO).

Week 5 Rankings

  1. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (7) Lions (vs. CAR)
  2. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (8) Commanders (vs. CHI)
  3. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (9) Ravens (at PIT)
  4. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (10) Patriots (vs. NO)
  5. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (11) Bills (vs. JAX)
  6. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (12) Dolphins (vs. NYG)
  7. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (13) 49ers (vs. DAL)
  8. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (14) Broncos (vs. NYJ)
  9. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (15) Falcons (vs. HOU)
  10. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (16) Jets (at DEN)
  11. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (17) Texans (at ATL)
  12. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (18) Packers (at LV)
  13. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (19) Saints (at NE)
  14. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (20) Colts (vs. TEN)
  15. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (21) Bengals (at ARZ)
  16. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (22) Titans (at IND)
  17. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (23) Eagles (at LAR)
  18. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (24) Chiefs (at MIN)
  19. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (25) Steelers (vs. BAL)
  20. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (26) Cowboys (at SF)

Looking Ahead to Week 6

  1. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (27) Eagles (at NYJ)
  2. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (28) Dolphins (vs. CAR)
  3. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (29) 49ers (at CLE)
  4. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (30) Vikings (at CHI)
  5. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (31) Bills (vs. NYG)
  6. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (32) Rams (vs. ARZ)
  7. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (33) Chiefs (vs. DEN)
  8. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (34) Ravens (at TEN)
  9. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (35) Falcons (vs. WAS)
  10. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (36) Patriots (at LV)
  11. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (37) Texans (vs. NO)
  12. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (38) Cowboys (at LAC)
  13. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (39) Saints (at HOU)
  14. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (40) Commanders (at ATL)
  15. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (41) Lions (at TB)
  16. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (42) Jaguars (vs. IND)
  17. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (43) Raiders (vs. NE)
  18. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (44) Bengals (vs. SEA)
  19. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (45) Colts (at JAX)
  20. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (46) Buccaneers (vs. DET)

Rest-of-Season Rankings

  1. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (47) San Francisco 49ers
  2. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (48) Dallas Cowboys
  3. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (49) Buffalo Bills
  4. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (50) Philadelphia Eagles
  5. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (51) Baltimore Ravens
  6. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (52) Cleveland Browns
  7. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (53) Miami Dolphins
  8. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (54) New Orleans Saints
  9. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (55) New England Patriots
  10. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (56) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  11. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (57) Kansas City Chiefs
  12. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (58) New York Jets
  13. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (59) Detroit Lions
  14. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (60) Tennessee Titans
  15. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (61) Green Bay Packers
  16. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (62) Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (63) Cincinnati Bengals
  18. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (64) Los Angeles Rams
  19. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (65) Houston Texans
  20. Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (66) Atlanta Falcons
Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Fantasy Options for Team Defenses (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 5913

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.