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 in week 13. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
1. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has been a bad fantasy defense this season, ranking 29th and scoring 3.1 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring performances this season, which were against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The Browns have two outings where they scored negative points, against the Dolphins and the Chargers.
The week 13 matchup for the Browns is the Houston Texans. The Texans score just 15.8 points per game this season. Teams have started to shut down the run and the offense has therefore failed to move the ball consistently. While the Browns haven’t been good this season, this game provides a good opportunity for a solid outing. They are rostered in 9.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have been a below-average fantasy defense this season, ranking 20th and scoring 4.5 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring performances, which were against the Bucs and the Bears. Their worst performance came in week 12, when they scored -5 against the Eagles.
In week 13 the Packers play the Chicago Bears. A lot of their effectiveness against the Bears could come if Justin Fields is ruled out for the game. It is worth watching the injury report throughout the week. If he doesn’t play, the Packers should be started. In the event that he does, the Packers can still have a nice game if they focus on stopping the run. The Packers are rostered in 44.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Defensively, the Vikings have been average, ranking 18th for fantasy and scoring 5.2 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring games, which were against the Bills and the Packers. The Vikings hae registered two negative-scoring performances this season. One was to the Cowboys, while the other was to the Lions.
This week the Vikings play the New York Jets. Mike White looked good this week in place of Zach Wilson, but the offense will likely be far from high-powered moving forward. Michael Carter sprained his ankle in week 12, so the rushing attack will likely take a step backward. The Vikings can take advantage of the situation and play well. They are rostered in 27.6 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have had an average fantasy defense, scoring 5.5 points per game and ranking 17th. They have three double-digit scoring performances; against the Cardinals twice and the Giants. Seattle has just one negative-scoring performance, which was in a game vs. the Saints.
In week 13, the Seahawks play the banged up Los Angeles Rams. Matthew Stafford didn’t play in week 12 and Cooper Kupp is still out for a few more weeks. The Seahawks will be able to stack the box to stop the run and limit the Rams, even if Stafford is able to play. Seattle is rostered in 11.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has been decent defensively this season, ranking 21st for fantasy at 4.3 points per game. They have scored double-digit points three times this season: at the Rams, vs. the 49ers and vs. the Bears. Their two negative-scoring games came against the Buccaneers and Bengals.
This week the Falcons play the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers score just 17 points per game and have struggled to move the ball with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett under center. The Falcons don’t have the best defense, but they should be able to create some confusion for the rookie. They are rostered in 9.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
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