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 5. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 55 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats are from before Monday Night Football)
The Bengals have a quality fantasy defense this season, ranking eighth in the league at 7.8 points per game. They have one double-digit game, which came against the Bucs in Week 1. Cincinnati has no negative-scoring games so far, although they did put up 0 against the Steelers in Week 3. They have 14 sacks this season, bolstering their ranking.
In Week 5, the Bengals play the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are scoring a league-low 11.5 points per game. Cincinnati can take advantage and maybe force some turnovers to really help the cause. Miami will be without star running back De’Von Achane, making things a bit easier too. The Bengals are rostered in just 17.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
Dallas has the worst fantasy defense in the league, scoring just 0.3 points per game. They have no double-digit scoring games so far this season. The Cowboys have one negative-scoring game, which came in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. They have just four sacks and two turnovers forced this season.
The Cowboys get a favorable matchup in Week 5, as they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay is starting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels in place of the injured Baker Mayfield. Daniels threw two interceptions in his debut and the Cowboys should be able to play well given the situation. They are rostered in 6.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Bears have a good fantasy defense this season, ranking fifth at eight points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was against the Eagles in Week 3. So far, Chicago doesn’t have a negative scoring game. They have forced six turnovers this season.
In Week 5, the Bears play the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have struggled to score, as they are averaging 18.3 points per game this season. Their offensive line has struggled and it will likely be tough for them to put up a lot of points with that going on. Chicago’s defense has some weaknesses, but the Packers may not be able to exploit them. The Bears are rostered in 38.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
Cleveland has a below-average fantasy defense, ranking 21st in the league at 4.0 points per game. They have one negative-scoring game, which was against the Jaguars in Week 1. The Browns have no double-digit scoring games so far this season, with their highest outing being eight points against the Steelers. They have registered 11 sacks and four turnovers this season.
The Week 5 matchup for the Browns will be the New York Jets. New York scores 19.3 points per game, ranking in the bottom half of the league. With the Browns playing solidly over the last few weeks, they should be able to limit points and maybe force some turnovers to have a solid game. They are rostered in 41.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Jets have an average fantasy defense, scoring 4.8 points per game and ranking 17th in the league. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was in Week 1 against the Titans. The Jets have no negative scoring games, but are coming off back-to-back performances in which they scored no points. They have registered nine sacks and four turnovers this season.
Cleveland is coming to town for the Jets in Week 5. The Browns are scoring 20.3 points per game, making them a below-average offense. Cleveland is playing better than expected this season, and this game could bring them back down to earth. Either way though, it should be a defensive slugfest. The Jets are rostered in 11.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
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