Streaming Defense Week 14: Bucs the Last D You'll Need

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 14 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 14 Options to Target

This is the final regular-season week in the fantasy season. In a must-win slate, fantasy managers can leave nothing to chance, including making the best possible streaming defensive/special teams options. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay enters Week 14 with the easiest remaining defensive schedule. It starts with a favorable matchup against a New Orleans offense that ranks third-worst in scoring (15.2 points per game) and third in turnovers (19).

These teams met in Week 8, when the Saints committed four turnovers and allowed five sacks in a 23-3 loss. Tyler Shough played the second half, took two sacks, and threw an INT. Protection remains an issue. New Orleans has allowed the 11th-most sacks (32), including 9 in their last two games. 

Tampa Bay is middle-of-the-pack with 29 sacks, but they racked up 5 against this New Orleans O-line back in Week 8.

The likely absence of Alvin Kamara further weakens a struggling Saints offense that ranks fifth-worst in DVOA (-17.9%). Tampa counters with the league’s seventh-ranked defense by DVOA (-7.5%). The Bucs have also won five straight in this rivalry and opened as 7.5-point favorites.

New Orleans carries the third-lowest implied total of the week, helping to position Tampa Bay as the top streaming defense for Week 14.

The Bucs are also a strong hold for the fantasy playoffs:

• Week 15 vs. Atlanta
  Week 16 at Carolina
  Week 17 at Miami

Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns

Week 13 brought another quiet outing for the Titans, but their defense still sacked Trevor Lawrence three times. Tennessee now sits eighth in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate. The Titans have logged 21 sacks over their last six games and look ready to keep rolling in Week 14.

They travel to Cleveland to face a Browns offense that has allowed the 10th-most sacks (33) and ranks 31st in total offense at just 258 yards per game. Cleveland’s O-line sits 26th with a 57% pass-block win rate. The Browns also gave up three sacks to San Francisco on Sunday, a team that entered the week last in the league in sacks. The 49ers forced two turnovers and held Cleveland to 115 passing yards.

Tennessee’s offense is even weaker than Cleveland’s, and the opening total of 34.5 is the lowest on the Week 14 slate. It’s also December in Cleveland, with weather potentially being a factor. This looks like an ugly, low-scoring affair that should lead to lots of punts, potential turnovers, and a lack of offensive production. 

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Miami has won three straight behind a surging defense. The Dolphins have only allowed 213 passing yards per game since blowing out Atlanta in Week 9. Since then, Miami has gone 4-1, with 8 sacks and 7 turnovers forced during the three-game winning streak.

Miami’s run defense has improved dramatically from its early-season struggles and now ranks eighth in DVOA. The Jets struggle to produce yardage in any way, ranking 28th for the season. 

New York also ranks last in passing (146.8 yards per game) and has allowed the fifth-most sacks (41). The Dolphins already beat the Jets in Week 4, sacking Justin Fields twice and forcing 3 turnovers. Tyrod Taylor has replaced Fields under center for New York, but Taylor’s INT (4.1%) is significantly higher. 

This game sets up well for a Miami defense that has quietly been on a roll. 

Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings

Fading the Vikings has been profitable in fantasy. Minnesota leads the league with 26 turnovers, including 13 in its last four games. The Vikings are 0-4 in that span, averaging only 234.2 yards and 10.5 points per game.

J.J. McCarthy started three of those losses and is expected back in Week 14.

Washington's defense isn't good, which makes this a boom-bust play. But Minnesota powers the boom, ranking seventh-worst in scoring and dead last in plays per drive (5.2).

Washington has lost seven straight, yet still enters as a 1.5-point road favorite over a team with a better record. That says plenty about Minnesota’s offensive outlook.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 15 (and perhaps beyond).

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns

Chicago leads the league in takeaways. The Bears have intercepted 17 passes and recovered nine fumbles, ranking top-3 in both categories.

Next week, they host a Cleveland offense that ranks 31st in yards per game (258). The Browns haven’t topped 280 yards of offense since Week 5 and have committed four turnovers and allowed four sacks in Shedeur Sanders’ two starts.

Chicago has a tough matchup with Green Bay this week, but the Bears profile as a top-5 option for Week 15.

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.

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See how it can help you win your league:

Next Up

Week 14 IDP Waiver Wire: Are You Really Breaking Out?

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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.