While our 20-point or fewer streak was snapped, it was still another successful streaming week. We got fantastic performances from the Chargers, Steelers and Seahawks while having no team get blown up. That’s really all we can ask for but this happens to be one of the toughest weeks for D/ST streamers. One reason for that is because the Dolphins are on bye, which removes that free square. We also have many premier defenses with good matchups, so we need to get creative to find some good D/ST streamers. With that in mind, let’s get into our Week 5 D/ST streamers of the week.
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For help getting ready for NFL Week 5, check out our Week 5 Waiver Wire Recommendations and our Week 5 FAAB Guide.
Week 5 D/ST Streamers
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYJ)
This is definitely my favorite D/ST streamer of the week. Not only do we have a good defense in the Eagles, they also get to face one of the worst offenses in football. That’s evident when you see that the Jets rank dead-last in total yardage and 31st in points scored. They’re actually averaging fewer than 200 yards per game, which is truly horrific. One of the biggest problems with this offense is their O-line, with the Jets allowing the sixth-most sacks this season and the second-most QB hits. Having Luke Falk at quarterback is all you really need to know.
While this defense has struggled so far this season, they still ranked 12th in points allowed last season and are currently ranked eighth in interceptions this season. There’s still a lot of talent on this defense and they’re undoubtedly the superior unit against this Jets offense. Vegas absolutely loves them too, making them a 14-point favorite in a game with a 45-point total, thus projecting the Jets for only 15 points.
Buffalo Bills (at TEN)
Can we start giving this defense the credit it deserves? These dudes have been balling out for two years now and they continue to be under-owned. Surrendering the second-fewest yards in the NFL last season was a good indicator of how good they can be and they’ve backed it up so far this year. In fact, the Bills rank second yet again in yards allowed while sitting fifth in points surrendered. They happen to be ballhawks too, forcing eight turnovers this season, the fourth-best mark in the NFL.
That’s terrifying news for a struggling offense like this, with Tennessee ranked 26th in total yardage while allowing the fifth-most sacks in the league. This 38-point total happens to be the lowest total of the week and that only adds to Buffalo’s intrigue in what should be a low-scoring slobber knocker. All you can ask for from your D/ST streamer is a good matchup and a great situation and that’s just the case here.
Carolina Panthers (at JAX)
Carolina has quietly developed into a nice defense this season. That’s evident by the fact that they currently rank fourth in yards surrendered and second in passing yards allowed. That stingy secondary pairs beautifully with this defensive line, with the Panthers leading the league with 18 sacks. Those are stellar numbers from a D/ST streamer and it happens to come in a heavenly matchup. We’re talking about an offensive line who’s allowed 63 sacks since the beginning of last season, the fifth-worst mark in the league. It’s not just Jacksonville’s O-line that’s bad, with the offense ranking just 18th in points scored and 22nd in passing yards this season. This is yet another low 41-point total, with the Jags projected for just 18.5 points.
Tennessee Titans (vs. BUF)
Since this 38-point total is the lowest mark of the week, we actually like both defenses in this game. It’s easy to understand why this total is so low, with both of these weak offenses facing tough defenses. Let’s begin with Tennessee’s opposition, facing a Buffalo team that may be without their starting quarterback. It’s not just the QB that’s worrisome either, as they’ll also be sending out a 67-year-old RB and a receiving core full of nobodies.
That’s why this offense ranks 23rd in points scored after having a nightmare performance in Week 4. They happen to be bad at taking care of the ball too, allowing 10 takeaways, which is tied for the worst mark in football. Those ugly numbers are bad news against a defense like this, with the Titans ranked fourth in points allowed and sixth in total sacks. They actually enter this matchup as the 2.5-point favorite, with Buffalo projected for just 18 points.
New Orleans Saints (vs. TB)
Jameis Winston is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. While he’ll occasionally send your D/ST streamer into a frenzy with a gem, he’s just as likely to make your D/ST the top-scoring team of the week. The reason for that is because he doesn’t know how to take care of the ball, with Tampa allowing six giveaways this season. He actually ranks Top-3 in interceptions and fumbles combined since being drafted in 2015 and it’s always been his bugaboo. He also has a propensity to get sacked, which is evident when you see that the Buccaneers are allowing the eighth-most sacks and fifth-most QB hits this season.
Holding onto the ball for too long has led to all of these inefficiencies from Winston and that’s a huge boost for a quality defense like this. The season-long statistics may not be pretty but that’s going to happen when you face the Texans, Rams and Seahawks your first three games. The 10 points allowed to Dallas in Week 4 was more indicative of how good this Saints defense can be, allowing just 257 yards while forcing three turnovers. It’s one of the riskiest D/ST streamers of the week but there may be no better bet for a team to have at least two turnovers than New Orleans.
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