NFL
Fantasy Football Defensive Streaming: Week 5 Edition
Philadelphia had a fine day defensively against San Francisco last week, and are a great streaming option again in Week 5.

Even with the influx of youth in the form of Shaun Hill becoming the starter once he returns from injury, causing some ambiguity which makes the Eagles' match up even more enticing.

Vegas has Philadelphia as seven-point favorites in a game with a 47 point over/under. The point spread and the game being played in Philly makes the Eagles a good bet to finish as a top-12 defense in fantasy for Week 5.

Cleveland Browns

Owned - ESPN: 4.9%, Yahoo: 9%
Week 4 numberFire Rank: 10th

I’ve been burned by this defensive unit before (Week 3 vs. Baltimore), but I’m going back to the well one more time.

Coming off their bye week, the Browns should be fully rested, and fully enraged at the way they let the game slip away in Week 3 against their rival, the Baltimore Ravens.

Cleveland has been middling in terms of Adjusted Defensive NEP (ranking 23rd), but this week’s opponent could be just the remedy they need.

Cleveland travels to Tennessee on Sunday, who will most likely be without their starting quarterback is still skeptical about Sankey’s footwork.

The Titans are favored by 1.5 points at home, but aren’t a very good team. Look for Cleveland to come out angry and aggressive.

New Orleans Saints

Owned - ESPN: 79.2%, Yahoo: 14%
Week 4 numberFire Rank: 11th

The Saints’ ownership number in ESPN leagues makes them a borderline inclusion on this list, but I’m assuming that some owners may drop New Orleans following their sub-par performance last Sunday night against Dallas.

The Saints allowed 190 yards rushing and failed to force a turnover against the Cowboys in their embarrassing 38-17 defeat. And while none of this brews much optimism, the Saints return home this week to face Tampa Bay, a place where New Orleans typically thrives.

Despite currently ranking 31st in Adjusted Defensive NEP, the Saints are 10.5-point favorites against a Tampa Bay team who could fall victim to a letdown following their come-from-behind upset in Pittsburgh last Sunday. It also bodes well that Tampa Bay ranks 29th offensively so far this season.

New Orleans is heading home, and should be looking for redemption and to avoid going 1-4 to start the season. And while this is by no means a “guaranteed home-run play,” in a week where promising streaming options are limited, a home team favored by 10-plus points is the closest thing you will get to a sure-thing.

Deeper Streamers

Green Bay (vs. Minnesota Vikings), Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Related News

An Introduction to FanDuel Research

Jim Sannes  --  Oct 1st, 2014

The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast, Mailbag 7/21/23

JJ Zachariason  --  Oct 1st, 2014

The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast, Approaching Unique Leagues

JJ Zachariason  --  Oct 1st, 2014