One of the biggest strategies in fantasy football is streaming defenses. Each week owners will look at matchups and make waiver wire acquisitions to find their starting defense. Here are fantasy football defenses to stream week 8. (Note: All defense mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
*All stats and rankings from before Monday Night Football
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have an average fantasy defense this season, ranking 15th in the league. They have had one double-digit performance, which came against the Steelers. Their one negative-scoring performance came against the Packers. Most recently, they put up five points against the Baltimore Ravens. With 19 sacks, five interceptions and one fumble recovery on the season, the Bengals are capable of big plays.
In week 8, the Bengals play the New York Jets. Not only have the Jets struggled to score this season, they will also be without rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. If the Bengals play decently, they should be one of the highest-scoring defenses of the week. They are currently rostered in 23 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has had a great fantasy defense, which ranks third in the league, thanks to their ability to force turnovers. They have 11 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, 11 sacks and three touchdowns on the season. The Cowboys have notched two double-digit scoring performances on the season, against the Eagles and the Patriots. Their worst performances have finished with the Cowboys notching four points, which has happened twice.
The Cowboys defense could have DeMarcus Lawrence back for their game against the Vikings. Minnesota scores just 24.5 points per game and Dalvin Cook has missed time with an ankle injury. The Cowboys should be able to continue their streak of forcing turnovers in this game. Coming off a bye, they should be more than ready for this game and could be a defense to use the rest of the season. Dallas is rostered in just under 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Washington Football Team
Washington’s defense has not lived up to expectations this year and rank 27th in the league. A -8-point performance against the Bills is really dragging their scoring average down. Since that week, Washington’s defense has been much better and they even scored seven points against the Packers in week 7. If they keep improving as the season goes on, Washington can produce more big plays.
In week 8, Washington is playing at Denver. The Broncos are scoring just 20 points per game, which gives Washington another opportunity to have a big day. They could keep improving in this game and are only currently rostered in 36 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Chicago Bears
The Bears’ offense is struggling, but their defense ranks fourth in the league in fantasy points scored. They have two negative-scoring performances this year, but also have a good 22-point performance against a solid Cincinnati team. They have a whopping 21 sacks so far this season and can generate more big plays if their offense can find a way to stay on the field and give them more breaks.
San Francisco is the opponent for week 7. Both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo have struggled so far at quarterback for the 49ers. The team is on a four-game losing skid and they only score 22.5 points per game. It should be a defensive slugfest and the Bears should be able to score a decent amount of points. They are available in over 80 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has not played good defense this year and they rank 30th in fantasy. They have three negative-scoring games, one game scoring no points and a season-high of nine points scored against the Washington Football Team. They don’t rush the passer well, with just eight sacks on the season, but they also have played a very difficult schedule so far.
This week gives the Chiefs an opportunity to play much better because of their opponent. They will match up with the New York Giants. Not only do the Giants only score just 19.9 points per game, but they are dealing with injuries all over on offense. It will be hard for them to put up a lot of points and the Chiefs could force some turnovers against Daniel Jones. They are rostered in 6.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
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