Fantasy Football Defenses to Stream Week 8

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 defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)

1. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have a good fantasy defense this season, ranking eighth in the league at 8.2 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring games, which were against the Vikings and Bills. They have not scored less than three points in a game all season long. 

In week 8, the Falcons match up with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are struggling with turnovers this season and score just 20 points per game. At 1-6, the Dolphins seem like they are slipping and aren’t competing hard, especially after losing 31-6 to the Browns. The Falcons can take advantage of the situation and show how the talent of their young defense. They are rostered in 18.6 percent of ESPN leagues.  

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have a below-average fantasy defense, ranking 21st at 5.2 points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was against the Jets in week 3 when they tallied 16 points. Their one negative scoring games was against the Seahawks in week 5. Tampa Bay still plays on Monday Night Football in week 7 that will need to be monitored. 

Week 8 pits the Bucs against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have scored just 17.9 points per game and are coming off a game against the Bears where they scored just 14 points. Todd Bowles having a complex defense can pose a problem for the Saints and quarterback Spencer Rattler. Tampa Bay is rostered in 16.8 percent of ESPN leagues. 

3. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo doesn’t have a good fantasy defense, ranking 24th at 4.7 points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which came against the Jets in week 2 when they scored 12. They have one negative scoring game, which was in week 1 against the Ravens, when they totaled -2. 

The Bills are coming off a bye to play the Carolina Panthers in week 8. While the Panthers have showed some life in the last few weeks, quarterback Bryce Young injured his ankle in week 7 against the Jets and his status for this game is unkown. Sean McDermott should have the defense ready to play coming off the bye and can have a good game against the Panthers. Buffalo is rostered in 38 percent of ESPN leagues. 

4. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have had a bad fantasy defense, ranking last in the league at 0.3 points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was against the Browns in week 2. Baltimore has four negative-scoring games, which came against the Bills, Lions, Chiefs and Texans. 

In week 8, the Ravens play the Chicago Bears. The Bears seem to have the offense rolling now, as they score 25.3 points per game. Baltimore is a bad defense and it is an immense risk to play them, but the hope is that the bye can help them have more time to fix things and for players to get healthy. Look for other options first, but in desperation the Ravens could be played. They are rostered in 32.2 percent of ESPN leagues. 

5. Cincinnati Bengals

 Cincinnati has not been good defensively this season, as they rank 31st at 1.0 points per game. They have no double-digit scoring games this season, with their highest output being a seven-point game against the Browns in week 1. They have two negative-scroing games, which were against the Vikings and Broncos in weeks 3-4. 

This week, the Bengals play the New York Jets. The Jets score 18.4 points per game and just benched starting quarterback Justin Fields. In the last two games, the Jets have scored 17 total points with the combination of Tyrod Taylor and Fields getting playing time. The offense is without Garrett Wilson and is so risk-averse that they have trouble on capitalizing on situations they can score. Cincinnati can be started in desperation, as they still are unproven as a defense. They are rostered in just 2.0 percent of ESPN leagues. 

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