Streaming Defense Week 9: Rams Ready to Feast on the Saints

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 9 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 9 Options to Target

Pickings are slim in Week 9, but three defenses offer quality streaming value, and one has the potential to help you beyond this week.

Week 9 byes: 

• Cleveland Browns
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

The Rams entered their Week 9 bye on a high note, after crushing Jacksonville 35-7. Now rested, they return home for one of the best defensive matchups on the slate. 

Los Angeles hosts a 1-7 Saints team that is 0-3 on the road and has been outscored 101-46 in those games.

New Orleans ranks 27th in total offense, averaging 295 yards per game. Turnovers have been costly. The Saints sit tied for the second-most giveaways (12) in the league. A Week 8 QB change didn’t help, as both Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough threw interceptions in a 23-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

The matchup heavily favors the Rams’ defense. L.A. ranks second in the NFL with 26 sacks and tied for eighth with 10 takeaways.

The Rams opened as 13.5-point favorites, the largest spread of Week 9, and are expected to get WR Puka Nacua back. That should help push them to an early lead, forcing New Orleans into a pass-heavy script and creating more sack and turnover opportunities.

The Rams look like one of the top defensive plays for Week 9.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders remain in rough shape. Their last outing produced just 95 total yards in a 31-0 loss at Kansas City.

Las Vegas ranks 30th in total offense (276.4 yards per game), 31st in scoring (14.7 points per game), and tied for 31st in turnovers (12).

Jacksonville thrives on takeaways. The Jaguars rank second in forced turnovers (14) and INTs (10). Pro Football Focus also grades their pass coverage 11th in the league.

QB Geno Smith sits tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions, and the Raiders’ depleted pass-catching corps offers little support.

After back-to-back losses to NFC West contenders, Jacksonville enters a rebound spot. The Jaguars’ opportunistic defense comes off a bye to face a struggling offense. The unit already ranks sixth in fantasy scoring and makes for a strong Week 9 streaming defense.

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals

This one's a risk-reward play you should only target if you're really in need.

Cincinnati's three-worst weeks as a scoring matchup for team defenses have come in the three games since Joe Flacco took over. A key piece of that: no turnovers the past three weeks.

That said, the past two weeks found the Bengals playing struggling defenses in the Steelers and Jets. The week before saw them tallying just 18 points and 268 total yards at Green Bay.

Beyond that, Flacco opened this season playing far more erratic football for Cleveland. The QB's first four outings included just 2 TD passes vs. 6 INTs. And his career numbers show a 2.4% INT rate that's not far off his 3.8% TD rate. It's also worth noting that Flacco's dealing with a right shoulder injury.

The Bears, meanwhile, lead the league in both INTs and total takeaways this season. There's definitely a chance they change Cincinnati's turnover luck.

But Chicago's also been a soft defense overall: 

• 25th in scoring
• 25th in total yards
• 24th in DVOA

There's a chance we get some old Flacco in this game. There's also a chance we keep getting Cincinnati Flacco and the Bears play bites you.

Go Chicago only if you're hard up for an option and can't get the Rams or Jaguars.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 10 (and perhaps beyond).

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Jacksonville is a strong streaming defense this week and is worth keeping for Week 10. The Jaguars travel to Houston for a rematch with a Texans team they beat 17-10 in Week 3.

In that game, Jacksonville held Houston to 271 total yards and one TD while forcing three turnovers.

The Texans still struggle up front. Houston’s beleaguered O-line ranks 30th in pass block win rate, while Jacksonville ranks second in forced turnovers (14).

If you grab the Jaguars for this week’s matchup with the Raiders, consider holding them for another favorable spot against Houston.

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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