Streaming Defense Week 12: Raiders Ready to Rumble on Browns

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 12 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 12 Options to Target

The fantasy playoffs are coming into view, making every lineup decision matter a little more.

Whether you’re streaming defenses to survive bye weeks or stockpiling options for the stretch run, Week 11 offers several under-the-radar opportunities.

Week 12 Byes

• Denver Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Miami Dolphins
• Washington Commanders

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns

The Raiders have quietly fielded a respectable defense. They rank 17th overall, allowing 326.8 yards per game. After forcing the fourth-fewest turnovers in 2024, they sit at a solid 15th this year with 11 takeaways through 10 games.

Despite the improvement, Las Vegas hasn’t been a reliable fantasy defense. That changes in Week 12. The Raiders host a Browns offense that ranks 31st in total yards (257.3 per game) and has struggled badly through the air. Cleveland averages just 159.4 passing yards and has thrown only 9 TD passes. Only 26.3% of their drives have resulted in points, the lowest rate in the league.

Those issues are likely to worsen. Dillon Gabriel is in concussion protocol, and rookie Shedeur Sanders is expected to make his first NFL start. Sanders relieved Gabriel last week and struggled badly. He completed just 4 of 16 passes for 2.9 yards per attempt, threw an INT, lost a fumble, took two sacks, and drew an intentional grounding penalty. He finished with 6 net yards on 16 dropbacks and a 13.5 passer rating.

Las Vegas matches up well. The Raiders sit tied for second in yards allowed per carry (3.8). If they can bottle up Quinshon Judkins, Sanders will be forced to throw behind an offensive line PFF grades as the league’s worst in pass protection. Based on last week, that’s a recipe for trouble.

Cleveland’s implied total of 16.5 points is the lowest on the slate. The Raiders offer real top-12 upside in this matchup. That makes them our top streaming defense for Week 12.

Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bears remain a give-and-take defense. They allow plenty of yards (364.6 per game, sixth-most), but excel at taking the ball away. Chicago leads the NFL with 22 takeaways, driven by an opportunistic secondary that ranks first with 15 INTs. S Kevin Byard leads the league with 5, while LB Tremaine Edmunds and CB Nahshon Wright have 4 each.

Chicago has struggled against the pass. In their three games against teams that rank 14th or better in passing yards (at Detroit, vs Dallas, at Cincinnati), the Bears have allowed an average of 480 yards and 36 points while generating just 1.67 sacks per game. 

In their seven games against teams that rank 19th or worse:

• 330.8 yards
• 22.3 points
• 2.3 sacks

Additionally, 10 of their 15 INTs have come against these opponents. That bodes well for Week 12. 

The Steelers rank 28th in total offense (286.9 yards per game), and QB Aaron Rodgers may miss the game with a wrist fracture. Even with Rodgers, Pittsburgh sits 25th in passing DVOA.

If Rodgers is out, Mason Rudolph would start. Rudolph’s career INT rate (2.8%) is double that of Rodgers. And even if Rodgers plays, he has thrown 7 INTs and averaged just 205.8 passing yards in his nine full games this season.

Chicago has recorded multiple sacks in every home game. Facing a bottom-5 offense, possibly with a backup QB, should allow DC Dennis Allen to stay aggressive. The Bears’ ball-hawking defense is a strong Week 12 streaming play.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals

Only the Bears have more takeaways than Jacksonville. The Jaguars have 13 INTs and 5 fumble recoveries. 

They dominated the Chargers on Sunday, holding them to a season-low 135 yards and 6 points while collecting 3 sacks and an INT.

Jacksonville now ranks as a top-10 fantasy defense entering Week 12. They face an Arizona offense that has allowed the fifth-most sacks (34) and sits tied for the 11th-most giveaways (13). That has included 3.6 sacks per game and and seven total turnovers in QB Jacoby Brissett's five starts. Arizona has turned it over five times in just the last two games, including two Brissett INTs against San Francisco.

The Jaguars have produced only 15 sacks this season, but seven have come in the last three games, and they now rank eighth in pass-rush win rate.

Arizona ranks 18th in pass-block win rate and has allowed the fourth-most pressures (90). This is a clear pressure advantage for Jacksonville.

Like Chicago, Jacksonville is a bet on turnovers. They’ve forced four in their last three games and have started to generate more sacks. They’re a strong Week 12 streamer against a protection-poor offense. 

Bonus: If you grab the Jaguars to use this week, then you can keep them to play against the lowly Titans in Week 13.

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s season took another hit Sunday. QB Michael Penix went down with a knee injury and will miss at least four games. Kirk Cousins took over and struggled, completing just 6 of 14 passes for 4.8 yards per attempt. Cousins appears to be a clear downgrade, which is good news for New Orleans in Week 12.

Brandon Staley’s defense has been sharp. New Orleans ranks ninth in passing yards allowed and has forced 12 turnovers, tied for 13th in the league. The unit forces a turnover on 11.9% of opponent drives, 10th-best in the NFL.

If New Orleans contains the run, Cousins will be forced to do more with a limited receiving corps missing Drake London. Last season, Cousins led the league with 16 INTs, and his 41.5% success rate this year is the second-lowest of his career.

The Saints are slight favorites in what profiles as a low-scoring matchup. Atlanta’s implied total of 18.5 points is the fifth-lowest of the week. New Orleans should be able to suppress scoring and generate turnovers, making the Saints a strong under-the-radar streaming defense for Week 12.

Streaming Defense for Next Week

Stash this defense if you're looking ahead to Week 13 (and perhaps beyond).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers and Jaguars offer value for the next two weeks, but forward-thinking managers should also consider the Buccaneers for the fantasy playoffs. Tampa has the easiest remaining schedule for defenses:

• Week 13 vs. Arizona
• Week 14 vs. New Orleans
• Week 15 vs. Atlanta
• Week 16 at Carolina
• Week 17 at Miami

Four of those opponents rank inside the bottom 7 in scoring. Three rank inside the bottom 11 in turnovers.

Tampa’s defense sits tied for fifth in takeaways (16) and tied for 10th in sacks (26). No one else will be chasing the Bucs ahead of their Week 12 matchup with the Rams -- and you shouldn’t play them in that one. But stash them now before your league mates wise up.

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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Next Up

Week 11 IDP Hits: Lots Going on with Volatile Bears D

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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.