Streaming Defense Week 15: Jaguars Poised To Ground 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 15 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 15 Options to Target

The fantasy playoffs have arrived. 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. 

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

The surging Jaguars just overtook the Colts for the AFC South lead, powered by another strong defensive showing. They held Indianapolis to 285 yards and forced three turnovers.

Sloppy conditions and an early injury to Daniel Jones helped, but Jacksonville’s defense has driven the team’s winning streak. Over their last four games, the Jaguars have allowed just 233.5 yards and 13 points per game, while piling up 13 sacks and forcing six turnovers.

Jacksonville now ranks third in takeaways (23) and draws an ideal Week 15 matchup. The Jets rank 29th in total offense and sit tied for the 11th-most giveaways. Their QB situation is also in disarray. 

Justin Fields missed Week 14 with a knee injury, Tyrod Taylor exited with a groin injury, and undrafted rookie Brady Cook was forced into action. He completed fewer than half his passes, threw two INTs, and absorbed six sacks.

No matter who starts for New York, Jacksonville’s defense should stay hot. Still widely available, the Jaguars are the top streaming target for the opening round of most fantasy playoffs.

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns

The Bears, like the Jaguars, thrive on takeaways. Chicago leads the league in INTs (18) and total turnovers forced (27).

This week, they host a Cleveland offense that ranks 30th in total yards and 29th in scoring. The Browns erupted for 412 yards and 28 points against Tennessee, but that performance looks like an outlier. Cleveland still ranks last in net yards per drive and in the percentage of drives that end in points.

The Browns have also turned the ball over twice in three straight games. While Chicago’s defense can be vulnerable to yardage, this Cleveland unit has consistently struggled to move the ball, and its offensive line has allowed the 10th-most sacks.

Cleveland’s 16-point implied total is the fourth-lowest of the week. Don’t overreact to last week’s spike in production.

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

The Saints have been quietly solid on defense. They rank sixth against the pass, allowing 182.6 yards per game, and sit in the middle of the league in both takeaways (15) and sacks (28), despite facing the most rushing attempts per game. New Orleans ranks 12th in total defense, giving up 313.5 yards per game.

In Week 15, they host a Carolina team they handled easily in Week 10. The Saints held the Panthers to 175 yards and 7 points in that meeting, limiting Bryce Young to 124 passing yards, recording two sacks, and forcing two turnovers.

New Orleans has forced three turnovers in back-to-back games and 10 across its last five. Carolina remains vulnerable, tied for the 11th-most giveaways and ranking 23rd in pass-block win rate (59%). 

With a low implied total of 39.5, the second-lowest of the week, this matchup sets up another strong, overlooked performance from the Saints. A lower-scoring projection tells us the offenses are expected to struggle. In turn, that leads to muted offensive output. Points allowed are the main driver of defensive scoring. Fewer points allowed means more defensive points scored.

The low projection for this game makes the Saints look like a good streaming bet. And a Week 16 date with the lowly Jets gives the Saints some holding power. 

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 16 (and perhaps beyond).

San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts

The 49ers haven’t been a reliable fantasy defense, but the schedule puts them in streaming range. After hosting Tennessee in Week 15, they visit a Colts team that may be down to its third- or fourth-string QB.

Sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard struggled when forced into action in Week 14, averaging only 5.0 yards per attempt and throwing an INT. He also injured a knee, leaving his Week 15 status uncertain. If he can’t go, the Colts would turn to Brett Rypien from the practice squad.

San Francisco entered its Week 14 bye on an uptick after notching three sacks and two takeaways against Shedeur Sanders. The defense also matches up well with the Colts' run-heavy offense. The 49ers rank 12th against the run and have allowed only eight rushing TDs, tied for fourth-fewest.

The 49ers are sneaky, proactive add who could be in for a good couple of weeks.

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.