For DST, the Matchup Is the Strategy

No fantasy position depends on weekly matchups more than defense.

If you waited to draft fantasy defense/special teams, as our Redraft Strategy Playbook recommends, the best move is to stream the position and chase matchups.

Let’s break down how DST scoring works and identify the best Week 1 streaming targets.

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

Because TDs are worth 6 points, including return scores, they create the biggest weekly swings. If your DST finds the end zone, you’ve almost certainly got a top-10 week.

The problem: Those scoring plays aren’t predictable.

Instead, points allowed give us the most predictable signal for DST fantasy scoring. In general, target defenses that are expected to allow the fewest points in a given week over trying to chase less-predictable big plays.

That often means simply targeting defenses facing the worst NFL offenses. 

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Why Turnovers and Sacks Aren’t Reliable

TDs aren’t the only volatile category. INT leaders rarely repeat from year to year. Fumble recoveries are even less predictable. And even sack totals fluctuate.

We still want defenses with playmakers, especially stud pass rushers and DBs who get their hands on the ball.

But as far as DST scoring categories go, we want to chase points allowed the most.

The Real Edge: Exploiting Matchups

Don’t lock yourself into one defense all season. DST scoring is volatile, and so are weekly opponents.

Some defenses will be better than others at limiting points. But if one of them draws the Eagles or Chiefs, you’ll probably want a different DST that week.

Embrace the stream and come back here weekly to find the best options. 

Week 9 Defenses Worth Streaming

Week 10 Streaming Defenses

TIP

Use our fantasy defense rankings and projections each week to pick up the best DST.

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Chargers)

Rostered: 47.4% on ESPN (sub-40% on other platforms)

No offense has been easier to stream against than the Chargers. L.A. scores just 15.1 points per game, fewest in the league. Only the Dolphins (15.8) join them below 16.

The Chargers also help defenses in two other vital categories: They lead the league with 2.4 giveaways per game and allow the second-most sacks at 3.9 per game.

Things might get even worse this week. Justin Herbert injured a finger on his non-throwing hand in Week 9, so we’ll see about his status for this game.

Backup QB Trey Lance sits on IR with a groin injury, so the Chargers would need to play DJ Uiagalelei if Herbert can’t go. The former undrafted free agent had never thrown an NFL pass before he went 2-of-7 in Sunday’s loss to Houston. That would only increase the Ravens’ appeal.

Don't let Baltimore’s season-long numbers scare you off. The Ravens’ 26.2 points per game for the season (seventh-highest) are inflated a bit by the 35, 36, and 33 points they allowed to the Bengals, Bills, and Jaguars the past three weeks. Those teams rank third, first, and fourth in scoring, respectively.

Before that stretch, Baltimore allowed 22 points per game, which would sit 15th in the league. The defense is also trending up in the turnover column, with three takeaways in each of the last two games.

The Ravens are 5.5-point favorites, and the Chargers' 16.5 implied points are the fewest of Week 10. The game's 38.5 total is also the week's lowest.

Against an offense this broken, Baltimore brings a high floor and exciting ceiling.

Green Bay Packers (vs. Vikings)

Rostered: 19.1% on ESPN

The Vikings head into Monday night ranked 26th in scoring at 20.0 points per game. They also take 3.0 sacks per game, tied for seventh-most.

Carson Wentz looks likely to start again for Minnesota. Kyler Murray has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which is expected to be a multi-week injury.

Wentz played most of Week 1 against Green Bay, when the Vikings did put up 5 TDs. But they managed only 9 points the next week against the Bears, and Wentz averaged just 138 passing yards per game across those two starts.

Wentz also made five starts last year for the Vikings. Over these seven games, he has averaged 3.6 sacks and 0.71 INTs per game, plus just 213.1 passing yards and 1.29 TDs per game.

The Vikings offense has been friendly to opposing DSTs all season. They have allowed 2+ sacks in every game and 3+ sacks in six of their seven games. They also have turned the ball over in four games.    

The Packers' defense looks ready to take advantage. Green Bay has 8 takeaways over its last three games and 10 sacks over its last two.

This isn't just a hot streak, either. The Packers lead the league with 2.1 takeaways per game and are tied for fifth with 2.9 sacks per game.

New York Giants (vs. Commanders)

Rostered: 26% on Sleeper

The Giants already know how to rattle Jayden Daniels. They sacked him five times when these teams met in Week 5.

Washington's offense ranks just 21st in scoring at 21.5 points per game and are tied for 14th in sacks taken at 2.5 per game.

The one knock is the Commanders’ strong ball security. Washington ranks 30th with just 0.6 giveaways per game, lowering the Giants’ big-play chances.

This could be another tight matchup. New York's upside relies heavily on the potential for sacks and limiting Washington’s scoring. The Giants have provided scant sack production overall and rank second-worst in pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference. But they did rack up 5 sacks in the first meeting with the Commanders and 7 in Sunday’s win at Philadelphia.

The team also plays fairly stout defense. The Giants rank:

  • Fifth in yards allowed per game
  • 12th in points
  • And third in both passing yards and net yards per pass attempt

That makes the Giants a boom-or-bust option this week against a Commanders’ offense still struggling with injuries to their WR and RB groups.