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 5. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
1. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are the 22nd-ranked fantasy defense, scoring five points per game. They scored 12 points for their best performance against the Cardinals. Their worst performance was in week 4 against the Eagles when they scored -1 points. They specifically have been good at pressuring the quarterback with 13 sacks on the season.
In week 5, the Commanders play the Chicago Bears. The Bears are scoring just 18.8 points per game this season and seem like they have issues on the field and off. Washington can take advantage and have a good performance. They are rostered in just 18.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Detroit Lions
Detroit has the eighth-best fantasy fantasy defense at 8.5 points per game. Their best outing was a 16-point outing against the Falcons. They had a bad performance against Seattle, when they registered -1 points. They have been racking up points by sacking the quarterback, with 13 on the season.
The Lions will play the Carolina Panthers in week 5. Carolina scores just 16.8 points per game and have struggled on the offensive line. The Lions can exploit that and pick up some sacks and big plays. Detroit is rostered in under five percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is scoring six fantasy points per game, which ranks them 18th for fantasy defenses. They scored 11 points for a season-best performance against the Jaguars in week 1. Their worst performance was against the Rams, when they tallied -2 points. They have forced six turnovers on the season.
The Colts play the Tennessee Titans in week 5. Tennessee scores 18 points per game and have had trouble being consistent on offense. Teams are stacking the box to slow down Derrick Henry and it has been hard for the Titans to pick up yards through the air. The Colts can have a solid outing against them. They are rostered in just 7.0 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Houston Texans
Houston has the 12th-ranked fantasy defense at 7.3 points per game. They have three double-digit scoring performances on the season, which came against the Ravens, Jaguars and Steelers. The Texans also have one negative-scoring performance, which was against the Colts.
The week 5 matchup for the Texans is with the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta scores just 15.5 points per game. They too struggle to move the ball through the air and focus on the ground game. Houston can limit big plays and have another solid performance. Houston is rostered in just 5.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Chicago Bears
The Bears are not a good fantasy defense, ranking 32nd at -1 points per game. Their best performance was a one-point game against Denver. Other than that, they have scored zero or negative points every week.
Week 5 presents an opportunity for the Bears to turn things around. The Bears will play the Washington Commanders. Washington scores 22.3 points per game, but that is a mix of good and bad outings. If the Bears run the ball and control the clock, their defense can put up a good performance too. They are available in over 99 percent of ESPN leagues.
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