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 18. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have had an average fantasy defense, ranking 15th at 5.9 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring performances, against the Broncos and Vikings. Their only negative-scoring performance was against the Cowboys.
In week 18, the Colts play the Houston Texans. The Texans score just 16.1 points per game. Houston may be without rookie running back Dameon Pierce, which will limit them. The Colts can take advantage and have a big day. They are rostered in just 31 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
This season, the Chargers have a below-average fantasy defense, scoring 5.4 points per game and ranking 19th in the game. They have three games in which they scored double-digit points: against the Raiders, Colts and Rams. Their three negative-scoring games were against the Jaguars, Browns and Chiefs.
In week 17, the Chargers play the Broncos. Denver did play better against the Chiefs after the firing of Nathaniel Hackett, but they still average a league-worst 16 points per game. Pair that with the Chargers playing two straight good games defensively and they should play well. The Chargers are rostered in just 25.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Houston Texans
Houston has not had a good fantasy defense this season, ranking 27th and scoring 4.1 points per game. Their one double-digit scoring game came against the Tennessee Titans in week 16. Their negative-scoring games were against the Chargers, Raiders and Chiefs.
This week the Texans play the Colts. Indianapolis scores just 16.1 points per game and are having injury issues. Jonathan Taylor is out at running back and Sam Ehlinger is likely going to start at quarterback for the finale. Houston can play well and are rostered in 1.6 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers rank 21st for fantasy defenses this season at 5.3 points per game. In games against the Bengals, Saints, Colts and Ravens, they scored double-digit points. They scored negative points against the Eagles and Bills.
The week 18 matchup for the Steelers is the Browns. The Browns have struggled since Deshaun Watson’s return, scoring 16.8 points per game. What makes it worse is some of those points were scored by the defense. With the Steelers having a playoff game potentially on the line, they can play well. They are rostered in 43.7 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a below-average fantasy defense, ranking 23rd and scoring 5.1 points per game. They scored double-digit points in three games: vs. the Patriots, the Texans and the Steelers. Their two negative-scoring games came against the Jets and the Ravens.
In week 18, the Dolphins play the Jets, who have had offensive issues and are out of playoff contention. The Jets score 18.1 points per game and the Dolphins will want to play well to potentially make the playoffs with a win. They are rostered in just 40.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
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