Three sneaky fantasy football defenses to stream in week 9 could swing your matchup
A low-rostered search
The recommendations focus on defenses rostered in fewer than 30% of Yahoo! Sports leagues, with an exception possible when a matchup makes a case for going beyond that limit. The aim is to find a usable Week 9 option for managers who need to stream a defense.
The three teams discussed are Detroit, New York and Dallas. Their appeal varies: Detroit’s matchup offers sack potential, the Giants bring pressure, and the Cowboys face an Indianapolis offense that has recently allowed fantasy points to opposing defenses.
Detroit can chase sacks
The Lions face Miami, whose offense has improved but remains a potential target for fantasy defenses. Willis has taken the seventh-most sacks, while Detroit ranks third in sacks.
Detroit’s high-powered offense could leave Miami playing from behind, creating more chances for Willis to drop back. There is uncertainty about how the Lions will handle a mobile quarterback, particularly without linebacker Jack Campbell, but Miami has allowed opposing DSTs at least eight fantasy points in six of seven games.
Giants bring the pressure
The Giants face Philadelphia, with McKee expected to start. New York has the NFL’s second-highest blitz rate at 40.3%, behind Minnesota’s 71%; Cincinnati has the lowest rate at 18.9%.
McKee is being sacked 3.3 times per game, second only to Deshaun Watson, and the Eagles are tied with Indianapolis for the most pressures allowed. If Philadelphia’s passing game struggles, its ineffective ground game could leave New York with fewer threats to contain beyond Saquon Barkley, Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue.
Dallas is a risky play
The Cowboys are not a comfortable fantasy choice, given the possibility that they could finish with the NFL’s worst defense. Still, Indianapolis has given up double-digit fantasy points to opposing defenses in each of the past three weeks.
Those defenses were the Titans, Vikings and Jaguars. Dallas could produce a top-12 DST result, but the matchup does not remove the risk if the Cowboys fail to capitalize.
Key points
- Detroit’s sack production and Miami’s recent results make the Lions a streaming option.
- The Giants’ 40.3% blitz rate could trouble a pressured Eagles offense.
- Indianapolis has allowed opposing defenses double-digit fantasy points in three straight weeks.
- Dallas has potential, but its defense remains a risky play.