Streaming Defense Week 16: Saints March All Over The Jets

Streaming Defense Strategy

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Fantasy Defense production relies on weekly matchups more than any other position.

If you wisely selected your fantasy defense/special teams at the end of your draft -- according to our Redraft Strategy Playbook -- then the best strategy involves streaming the position to take advantage of those matchups.

Let’s dive into how DST works and ensure you stream to maximize your points for Week 16 of the season.

Breaking Down the Basics of DST Scoring

Most fantasy football leagues score team defenses on the following categories:

• Points allowed
• Sacks
• Interceptions
• Fumble recoveries
• TDs

At 6 points per TD, that category (including return scores) often produces the widest swings. Pick a DST that happens to find the end zone in a given week, and you’ve almost certainly got a top-10 unit.

The problem: Those scoring plays aren’t predictable.

Since 2020, 88 players have had a season with 4+ interceptions. Only 28 of them scored at least one TD, about 31.8%. 

Turnover volume doesn’t necessarily equal defensive TDs, so don’t rely on those random scores.

Why Turnovers and Sacks Aren’t Reliable

It’s not just the TDs. INTs are also volatile. The same players rarely top the leaderboard in that category year to year.

Fumble recoveries are even less predictable. And even sack totals fluctuate.

We’re still interested in team defenses that can make big plays, though. We want stud pass rushers and DBs who get their hands on the ball in coverage.

But as far as DST scoring categories go, points allowed is the one we want to chase the most.

The Real Edge: Exploiting Matchups

The first reason you shouldn’t just count on a single fantasy defense every week is the volatility of most scoring categories. The other is the volatility of opponents.

There will undoubtedly be team defenses better at limiting opponent scoring than others. But if one of those top fantasy defenses is playing the Eagles or Chiefs, for example, you’ll probably want to start a different DST instead.

Strategizing every week based on favorable matchups can be just as advantageous as having one of the top 5 season-long scoring DSTs. 

Embrace the stream and come back here weekly to find the best options. 

Streaming Defense Week 16 Options to Target

The fantasy postseason marches on. Every game is a must-win, and every lineup decision carries greater weight. Finding the right defense to stream can make all the difference in keeping your championship dream alive. 

New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets

The Saints remain one of the most overlooked defenses in fantasy football. In Week 15, they held Carolina to 281 yards and 17 points, improving to 11th in total defense (311.2 yards per game) and sixth against the pass (180.6). They also limited Bryce Young to 154 yards, marking their fifth straight game allowing fewer than 190 passing yards and forcing at least one turnover.

That streak should continue in Week 16. The Jets have failed to reach 160 passing yards in four of their last five games and have committed three turnovers in back-to-back contests with undrafted rookie Brady Cook under center. Cook has taken nine sacks in two games.

New York ranks 29th in total offense (275.5 yards per game), has allowed the third-most sacks (50), and sits tied for third-most giveaways (20).

This is a near-perfect matchup for a Saints team riding a two-game winning streak. Their defense will also be in play for a Week 17 matchup with the Titans.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers

It’s no secret the Cowboys struggle against the pass. Dallas allows the most passing yards (276.1) and total yards (396.9) per game, which normally removes them from streaming consideration. But the Chargers are unlikely to exploit that weakness.

Justin Herbert is playing through a broken left hand, and the Chargers’ passing game has collapsed. Over their last four contests, they have averaged only 153 passing yards and 1 passing TD per game. Protection has been even worse. Los Angeles ranks 31st in run-block win rate and last in pass-block win rate. 

Herbert has taken 49 sacks, tied with Geno Smith for most in the league.

Dallas' pass rush, meanwhile, is trending up. Fourteen of its 29 sacks have come in the past six games, along with four takeaways. Despite a 10-4 record, the Chargers enter as 1.5-point underdogs.

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

The Falcons spent the offseason rebuilding a pass rush that finished 31st in sacks last year. The investment has paid off. 

Atlanta enters Week 16 ranked second in the league with 48 sacks, including five on Baker Mayfield last Thursday. They’ve also climbed to sixth in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate and have piled up a league-high 32 sacks over their past seven games.

That surge meets an Arizona offensive line that has allowed 47 sacks, tied for the fifth-most. The Cardinals have produced yards but remain inconsistent on the scoreboard, ranking 22nd in points and tied for the 10th-most turnovers (18). They’ve committed multiple giveaways in four of their last six games.

Injuries only add to the concern. Arizona played without both starting tackles in Week 15. If Paris Johnson Jr. and Evan Brown remain out, Atlanta’s front could dominate.

The Falcons have allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards, while the Cardinals rank 26th in rushing and may be without RB Bam Knight.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 17.

New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders

Targeting the Raiders has been a dependable fantasy strategy. Per ESPN’s scoring, Las Vegas has allowed the third-most points to opposing defenses (7.4 per game). The biggest driver has been protection issues. The Raiders have surrendered a league-high 54 sacks and sit tied for the 10th-most giveaways (18). That includes 15 INTs, third-most in the NFL.

Their offense hit a new low in Week 15, getting shut out in Philadelphia while producing only 75 total yards. Perhaps Geno Smith will be ready for Week 16, but his presence doesn’t guarantee improvement. Smith ranks last in QBR (30.8), sits tied for the league lead in INTs (14), and has taken the most sacks (49).

Regardless of who is under center, the Raiders rank last in total offense (244.1 yards per game) and average only 14 points. The Giants haven’t been able to generate sacks consistently but have tallied 3+ in six games, including two of their past three.

It’s an upside unit if you’re in need for Week 17.

Want More Help Streaming Defenses?

Use our Free Agent Finder to find the right defense to stream each week and the best overall waiver wire options.

You can sync your league and rosters to instantly get recommendations based on your specific league scoring and settings.

See how it can help you win your league:

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Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.