What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

2017 Streaming Defenses (1 Viewer)

That's a myth this year. On pace for his best completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio of his career. 
Yeah, he's been mediocre, kind of QB16-20 in terms of production / FFPA to D

He only has 5 interceptions and no fumbles lost

The O-line hasn't been great; not too many sacks but they always give up a boatload of hurries

ETA: actually, more like QB25-30 for FF production on a per game basis; his YPA, YPC and YPG are all career lows (like WAY lower than historical)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yeah, he's been mediocre, kind of QB16-20 in terms of production / FFPA to D

He only has 5 interceptions and no fumbles lost

The O-line hasn't been great; not too many sacks but they always give up a boatload of hurries
I'm sure Carolina D will do well but now Cutler has had a few games to get back into things and has Parker back.  Of course, I've always been a big fan of Jay. I hope he continues to play well. 

 
Got beaten to Chicago on the wire in one league so it's the Pats for me in that one. Don't feel particularly good about. In my other main league JAX appeared on the wire two weeks ago so I gobbled them up and will of course be riding them from here on out 

 
Looking at TEN hard for the playoff run (especially to pair with Detroit). Am I crazy?

TEN gets @IND and HOU weeks 12 and 13, and @SF in week 15.

They seem primed with some awesome matchups, but are they a dependable D?

 
I'm embarrassed to say I'm holding JAX, det and BAL in a league where I'm scratching for a playoff spot. The second I drop one they will be scooped and started against me so I'm holding until next season. Facing Baltimore is single handedly responsible for two of my 6 losses. 

 
Looking at TEN hard for the playoff run (especially to pair with Detroit). Am I crazy?

TEN gets @IND and HOU weeks 12 and 13, and @SF in week 15.

They seem primed with some awesome matchups, but are they a dependable D?
I don’t think you are crazy, but you might drive yourself crazy waiting to see the outcome of the tenn d.

i am rolling Detroit, the only week that gives me pause between now and the end of the season is the week 12 game against Minnesota.

 
Denver has been dropped everywhere. In my two important home leagues I'm thinking of using them against cinci. Something tells me this proud D takes it out this week on finally a lesser opponent. My other option is KC and outside Hill scoring, they give up way too many points.

 
I'm finally dropping HOU DEF (I have DET) to pick up a ww flier. (dynasty)
I like the Texans this week. I like them a lot if Gabbert plays. 

They're horrible vs. the pass but stout vs. the run. Plus they get some sacks and have shown an ability to turn takeaways into TDs. 

 
Lots of good streamers this week. 

In tier 1, I see AZ (@HOU) or KC (@NYG). AZ against T. Savage a good matchup and I'd think P. Peterson will be locked onto D. Hopkins. Also, pretty stout vs the run. If Fuller is out, nobody else really to take advantage of holes in the secondary.

KC is universally ranked as a top streamer. The NYG's are obviously a mess right now, but a) the game is NOT in Arrowhead, and b) I think the NYG's should be able to move the ball a bit. That said, A. Reid has a great history coming off a bye week. Still, KC is NOT a good defense.

Everyone keeps mentioning HOU. Ugh. That defense keeps getting destroyed week after week. Don't know how anyone could roll them out with confidence. Even against Gabbert.

Also keep coming back to LAC. Playing solid D, at home, and BUF seems like they are a mess.

 
Denver has been dropped everywhere. In my two important home leagues I'm thinking of using them against cinci. Something tells me this proud D takes it out this week on finally a lesser opponent. My other option is KC and outside Hill scoring, they give up way too many points.
I thought I was set with DEN. I used LAR the last two weeks given the matchups. Wow has DEN fallen off a cliff. But they seem to have a decent schedule ROS. I don’t know if I trust LAR. I am not sure what to do but I think DEN vs CIN this week at home should be okay. 

 
Denver has been dropped everywhere. In my two important home leagues I'm thinking of using them against cinci. Something tells me this proud D takes it out this week on finally a lesser opponent. My other option is KC and outside Hill scoring, they give up way too many points.
I am with you on Denver plus the home field advantage should be a factor.   I have the Vikings but don't trust them against LA and I need this win to stay in the hunt.  AZ is available too so that is a consideration until someone scoops them up.

 
BAL is a good one in case they were dropped for the bye week. 

I currently have PIT, but am contemplating dropping them for BAL as their schedule looks prime for some defensive (Fantasy) points

 
BAL is a good one in case they were dropped for the bye week. 

I currently have PIT, but am contemplating dropping them for BAL as their schedule looks prime for some defensive (Fantasy) points
Grabbed Baltimore when they were dropped, mostly for the playoffs, but now debating between them and Cinci this week. Cinci has the better match-up, but they're a road dog. Baltimore is a better overall D, and if by some chance Hundley's injury is more serious than we've heard and they have to start Callahan, Ravens are a no-brainer. But assuming it is Hundley, he's been a mediocre NFL QB so far, but not overly generous to fantasy Ds. I guess it's because they're just being super-cautious with him.

 
Where do the saints fall in this? Weekly must start territory? Just grabbed them over KC even though KC has better match ups the next few weeks. 

 
Now seems like a good time to step back and look at the bigger picture. One risk this time of year is that we think we have a pretty good handle on the match-ups, but while match-ups are obviously a very important criterion, we sometimes overemphasize them and ignore what's going on around them. (A point driven home most forcefully to me a few years ago when I started the Lions D against Arizona a week after the Cards had been completely humiliated by the Seahawks. The part I forgot, which should have been pretty obvious to me as a Lions fan, was that Detroit was terrible and in the midst of losing their final 8 games of the season).

Anyway, I think it would be helpful to look at the different *types* of defenses out there to evaluate in tandem with their matchups:

  • Elite, set-it-and-forget-it Ds (Jacksonville, New Orleans). Maybe you sit these guys if it's a highly negative matchup (Saints vs Rams?) But for the most part, don't overthink it. Even if they're giving up points, they'll still generate enough sacks and TOs to be useful.
  • Momentum plays (Eagles, Rams, Minnesota, Atlanta last year, Pats most years). These are the teams that have mediocre to good Ds, but they're winning so much the D generally comes along for the ride. You do have to be careful in tough matchups (I'd be a little nervous about starting Philly vs Dallas this week). 
  • Legacies (Seattle, Denver). The danger here is complacency. You feel locked in because you invested so much draft capital, but don't just keep rolling them out there "because it's Seattle". Bye weeks are usually a good time to evaluate whether you're getting your money's worth
  • Good Ds with bad offenses (Baltimore, Cinci, Chicago). This is the category where overreliance on match-ups can kill you, as anyone who started Chicago vs GB last week can tell you. The problem is that the gamescript can easily get out of hand. And when the offense truly goes in the toilet (Houston since Watson's injury, Arizona any time Palmer is out), it can render the D unstartable. However, when the stars align these types of Ds can still put up elite production.
  • Unsustainable turnover machines (Buffalo, Detroit) Early in the season, both Ds were almost entirely reliant on TOs. Buffalo's rate has declined a lot, Detroit's a little (but they're still doing OK because of their match-ups). These guys can still be useful, but you have to be careful
There are probably a few more categories (wasn't sure where to put Steelers, Carolina and Washington), but my broader point is that it's important not to have tunnel vision on the matchup and ignore the context surrounding it.

 
So 

Anyway, I think it would be helpful to look at the different *types* of defenses out there to evaluate in tandem with their matchups:

  • Elite, set-it-and-forget-it Ds (Jacksonville, New Orleans). Maybe you sit these guys if it's a highly negative matchup (Saints vs Rams?) But for the most part, don't overthink it. Even if they're giving up points, they'll still generate enough sacks and TOs to be useful.
  • Unsustainable turnover machines (Buffalo, Detroit) Early in the season, both Ds were almost entirely reliant on TOs. Buffalo's rate has declined a lot, Detroit's a little (but they're still doing OK because of their match-ups). These guys can still be useful, but you have to be careful
There are probably a few more categories (wasn't sure where to put Steelers, Carolina and Washington), but my broader point is that it's important not to have tunnel vision on the matchup and ignore the context surrounding it.
Interesting cause right now I am going with Detroit @CHI vs the Saints vs WAS.   Am I overthinking it?

 
Lots of good streamers this week. 

In tier 1, I see AZ (@HOU) or KC (@NYG). AZ against T. Savage a good matchup and I'd think P. Peterson will be locked onto D. Hopkins. Also, pretty stout vs the run. If Fuller is out, nobody else really to take advantage of holes in the secondary.

KC is universally ranked as a top streamer. The NYG's are obviously a mess right now, but a) the game is NOT in Arrowhead, and b) I think the NYG's should be able to move the ball a bit. That said, A. Reid has a great history coming off a bye week. Still, KC is NOT a good defense.

Everyone keeps mentioning HOU. Ugh. That defense keeps getting destroyed week after week. Don't know how anyone could roll them out with confidence. Even against Gabbert.

Also keep coming back to LAC. Playing solid D, at home, and BUF seems like they are a mess.
Justin Pugh out for the Giants.  KC also has a bunch of home games coming up.  I might roll with them for a bit.

 
So 

Interesting cause right now I am going with Detroit @CHI vs the Saints vs WAS.   Am I overthinking it?
I mean, it's defensible. Comes down to how much emphasis you put on match-up vs. overall talent. Just looked at NO's numbers and they've only had a few really high-scoring games, mostly against bad offenses (Miami, TB), whereas Detroit's production has been more consistent.

Anyway, I was probably a bit too categorical in my original post. None of these are really hard and fast rules, just things to be aware of.

 
I like the Texans this week. I like them a lot if Gabbert plays. 

They're horrible vs. the pass but stout vs. the run. Plus they get some sacks and have shown an ability to turn takeaways into TDs. 
Ended up keeping them. Might play them over DET this week.

 
So, two big pieces of news this morning:

1. Gabbert starting for AZ. HOU D, albeit lousy, gets an upgrade.

2. The Bills just announced that their rookie QB is starting at QB NOT T. Taylor. Shocking. Didn't see this coming. That puts LAC higher up the list.

I picked up both KC and AZ and now tempted to take a look at both HOU and LAC.

 
So 

Interesting cause right now I am going with Detroit @CHI vs the Saints vs WAS.   Am I overthinking it?
I think the saints have a better match up with washington. whashinton is going to put it in the air way more than buffalo did, the saints should have ample opportunity for sacks and interceptions 

 
Chargers have to be in the mix.  At home v. a rookie QB.  You know Buf will run which isn't the Chargers' strength but without the threat of TT taking off, the defense may stack the box and force the throw.  

 
KC coming up against Giants. Then New England KC the following 2 weeks against Buffalo and Peterman 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Like the Bengals matchup better, but don't know if I could resist picking up the Eagles regardless of matchup if they were on the wire just to have what I believe is a Top 5 D overall.
I have the Bengals right now for this week vs Denver and then Week 12 vs the Browns. 

You think the Eagles are a better play the rest of the way? 

 
Chargers have to be in the mix.  At home v. a rookie QB.  You know Buf will run which isn't the Chargers' strength but without the threat of TT taking off, the defense may stack the box and force the throw.  
And they play cleveland in two weeks. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
For those considering Cinci this weekend, here's one more potential point in their favor: Lynch was promoted to QB2 this week, and if Osweiler struggles or they're losing Denver could make the switch.

 
For those considering Cinci this weekend, here's one more potential point in their favor: Lynch was promoted to QB2 this week, and if Osweiler struggles or they're losing Denver could make the switch.
Really struggling with this one. Both Cincy and Denver out there. I think both are good plays with a slight lean to Denver in a get right game. The bonus of Cincy though is you can hold for week 12 vs Cleveland and pair them with someone to get to week 14 vs Chicago.

 
Really struggling with this one. Both Cincy and Denver out there. I think both are good plays with a slight lean to Denver in a get right game. The bonus of Cincy though is you can hold for week 12 vs Cleveland and pair them with someone to get to week 14 vs Chicago.
Agree. Denver is the better play this week, but if you have to pick one for the next month it's Cinci. I have them paired with the Rams in one league, Rams/Ravens in another.

ETA: While i think Denver is a better pick this week, they also have a lower floor. What if it's not a get-right game, and that offense continues to drag them down to the pits of hell? Cinci is mediocre, but the wheels are less likely to come off 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
The "experts" have Arizona ranked pretty darn high. Picked up the Texans for this game but now I'm thinking of making the switch. I do try to stick to the home teams when possible though.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Stuck between DET, BAL and LAC this week. Tie breaker might be the fact LAC are at home, always prefer DEF's at home.
Not much of a home field advantage for the San Diego LA Chargers. That said, it's potentially a good matchup because of a rookie QB facing a legit pass rush and secondary. Depends on game flow...

Rolling with DET right now.

 
I've got BAL, but picked up LAC this week.  Think I'm rolling with the Chargers at home.  Not trying to over think this much.

 
I'm also eyeing DEN on the wire on one league, but currently have NO and they've been great for awhile and are at home.  Is Kirk Cousins enough to make the switch, or keep rolling with the Saints?

 
I'm also eyeing DEN on the wire on one league, but currently have NO and they've been great for awhile and are at home.  Is Kirk Cousins enough to make the switch, or keep rolling with the Saints?
I dropped NO for KC who has better matchups the next few weeks. 

 
Grabbed the Chargers anywhere they were available.  The Bills are an absolute mess right now.  And, it's not so much about the game being at home for the Chargers, but rather that it's not on the road.  Would be a totally different story if they were playing in Buffalo.  Against a rookie QB, I see them stacking the box to shut down McCoy, and when BUF is forced to throw, Bosa and Ingram will make things very uncomfortable for the Bills offense.  

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top