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 9. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
The Rams have a good fantasy defense, ranking ninth in the league at 8.1 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring games, which were against the Texans and Ravens. Their lone negative game of the season was against the San Francisco 49ers in week 5.
This week, the Rams are matching up with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints showed some offensive life earlier in the season, but averaged 16 points per game with two straight games under that mark. Coming off a bye, the Rams have had extra time to prepare and are at home, which should make things harder for Spencer Rattler and the rest of the offense. The Rams are rostered in 35.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Chargers have a solid fantasy defense this season, ranking 15th in the league at 5.8 points per game. Their two double-digit scoring outings were against the Raiders and the Vikings. They have one negative scoring game this season, which was against the Colts in week 7.
In week 9, the Chargers are playing the Tennessee Titans. The Titans score a league-low 13.8 points per game. They haven’t scored more than 20 points in the last three weeks. Cam Ward is going through rookie struggles and firing Brian Callahan hasn’t ignited a spark for the offense. The Chargers can take advantage and have a solid performance. They are rostered in 41.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
Jacksonville has had a solid fantasy defense this year, scoring 6.9 points per game and ranking 12th in the league. They have three double-digit scoring games, which were against the Panthers, Texans and 49ers. Their one negative scoring output was against the Rams in week 7 when they scored -1.
The week 9 game for the Jaguars is against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have the 31st-ranked scoring offense in the league at 14.7 points per game. While the Raiders are coming off a bye, the Jaguars are too and they already have the upper hand in the matchup. The Raiders have struggled with turnovers this season and the Jaguars can take advantage. Jacksonville is rostered in 9.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Ravens have had a bad fantasy defense, ranking 31st in the league at 0.7 points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was against the Browns in week 2. They have four negative-scoring games, which were against the Bills, Lions, Chiefs and Texans.
Baltimore plays the Miami Dolphins on a short week in week 9. The Ravens looked a little better against the Rams right before the bye and then played decently against the Bears after their bye. As they’ve gotten healthier, they can play better down the stretch. While the Dolphins have a solid offense, they have had some bad games this year and the Ravens could cause another. They should only be started in desperation, but they could have a good game on a short week. The Ravens are rostered in 29.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
The 49ers have had a below-average fantasy defense this season, ranking 23rd in the league at 3.5 points per game. They have one double-digit scoring game, which was in week 1 against the Seahawks. San Francisco has two negative scoring performances, which were against the Bucs and the Texans.
This week, the 49ers are matching up with the New York Giants. The Giants score 21.6 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. While they have shown some life as of late, running back Cam Skattebo left their week 8 game with an ankle injury. The 49ers have plenty of defensive injuries, but could play well in this matchup, but they shouldn’t be played unless a team is desperate. San Francisco is rostered in 18.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
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