Streaming the right defense / special teams (D/ST) can be a lot more impactful than you think for Fantasy Football. For example, the Saints D/ST scored 24 Fantasy Points in Week 5 which was the 20th best score of the week. Doing the math, if there are 10 or 12 people in your league setting a full lineup, having a Top-20 play can push you toward a win in your matchup. For Week 5, eight D/ST scored above 10 Fantasy Points and 16 teams scored under 10 Fantasy Points. So identifying which team to target if you are streaming may be easier said than done and there are clear gaps in production week to week.
There were four teams on a BYE week in Week 5 (Cleveland, LA Chargers, Seattle, and Tampa Bay), and for Week 6 half of that with only Green Bay and Pittsburgh off. When I think of “streamers” for Fantasy Football, I think of options that should be widely available on waivers. “Widely available” to me, typically means being rostered in 50% or less of Fantasy Leagues. Here are some D/ST to consider adding heading into Week 6 that can give your lineups a boost for the week.
Week 6 DST Streamers
Kansas City Chiefs
Keep in mind, that the Chiefs face the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. The Chiefs D/ST have scored double-digit Fantasy Points twice now this season, have allowed 10 or fewer points twice, and never have been scored on for over 20 points. The Chiefs D/ST have had a fumble recovery every game, and have totaled 13 sacks on the year.
The Broncos offense is smack dab in the middle ranking 16th in yards per game generated so far this season, and have looked fairly inconsistent as an offense. With the Broncos allowing the most points per game as a defense, this may allow Patrick Mahomes and company to run up a score to where the Chiefs can simply keep the Broncos’ offense off the field and manage this game.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have not necessarily been stellar as a D/ST this season, but their second-best week came in Week 1 against the Colts who they face again in Week 6. In Week 1, Jacksonville finished the game with an interception, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries while allowing just 15 points to the Colts. Another solid outing was in Week 4 where the Jaguars had a D/ST touchdown, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and four sacks (again) against the Falcons who only scored seven points in the game.
The Colts did have Jonathan Taylor return on a limited basis after his big payday, but also lost Anthony Richardson who is set to miss some time with an AC joint injury. Gardner Minshew is a solid backup quarterback option but is nowhere near the playmaker Richardson is. Already having a solid game against the Colts this season brings optimism for another decent day for the Jaguars D/ST.
New England Patriots
The Patriots’ D/ST may be a little more on the plus side of 50% rostership, but not by much if so. The Patriots D/ST have only scored above 10 Fantasy Points once this season but have faced the Eagles, Dolphins, and Cowboys offenses in three of their games. This may have impacted them being on waivers or not. The Patriots have finished three games this season with three sacks, totaling 12 on the season.
Week 6, New England will face the Las Vegas Raiders who are coming off of a Monday Night Football win. Looking at the Raiders this season, they have never finished a game above 18 points scored. Las Vegas has scored the fourth least total yards per game and is tied for the third least points per game scored on the year.
Las Vegas Raiders
We’re talking about two teams from the same game here for Week 6. The Raiders have not been a strong D/ST option through four weeks but showed life on Monday Night Football in Week 5 against the Packers. The Raiders finished Week 5 with three interceptions and two sacks while allowing a season-low 13 points. In Week 1 the Raiders held the Broncos to 16 points as well.
The Patriots have been struggling as an offense, and have scored the least points per game this season at 11. I will again credit that the Patriots have faced some tough competition, but scoring three total points across the last two games combined is simply horrible. If we target players hot in Fantasy Football, we should do the opposite when it comes to streaming D/ST.
Houston Texans
The Texans D/ST has scored double-digit Fantasy Points in three of their five games this season. In week 1 the Texans finished with four sacks, and in Week 4 they finished with three. Both in Week three and four the Texans had an interception and they are coming off of a Week 5 performance with two fumble recoveries.
The Saints have scored the 11th least points per game this season, and have generated the eighth least total yards per game. Having Alvin Kamara back has been a boost, but Derek Carr has thrown for under 190 yards in three straight games now. The Saints are coming off of a hot week scoring 34 against New England, but have had three weeks scoring under 20 points.
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