Fantasy Football Streaming Defenses, Week 9

These fantasy football streaming defenses for Week 9 are ones to consider picking up on your league’s waiver wire not only for this week’s competition, but for future matchups later this season.

Don’t be that Guy: As some of you have figured out, it is impossible for your team to make the playoffs this year. For the first time in 6 years and multiple leagues, I have found myself mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in one of my leagues. The first thing that went through my head last night was “it’s only fantasy football” and “you were just unlucky this year”. Both of those are lies but they helped me sleep last night.

As I reflect upon the season, I tried to figure out what went wrong. After a solid two hours of reflection, I have come up with three logical reasons.

1. My wife made me stop ordering NFL Sunday Ticket. She doesn’t understand that it is impossible to coach your team from a phone app. You need to be watching all 10 games at once in order to properly yell at your team for not catching that ball, or for throwing an interception. As the manager on my team, I feel like I let them down.
2. Josh Gordon didn’t post 300 yards per game like I had predicted. Nobody could have predicted this and to be honest, he probably didn’t draft himself in his own league so he’s been sandbagging it.
3. The NFL is scripted. All the players that I drafted would have been fantasy superstars, but just like the WWE, they are required to perform based on a pre-written script.

So, although I am thoroughly upset, I still won’t break the cardinal rule of fantasy. Tempted as I am, I will continue to play my starters and those I feel are the best option. Even though the best I can do is 7^th, I won’t make terrible trades or ignore my lineup for the next 8 weeks. Doing this not only annoys other people, but creates an unfair advantage for those who still have you on their schedule. Don’t be that guy (or girl). Suck it up and play for the sole reason of wrecking someone else’s chance to make the playoffs, like a real champion.

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Check the Stats: Kansas City Chiefs

One year ago I would have been including any team that was playing the Cleveland Browns for streaming options. But this year, they actually have done a respectable job both offensively and defensively (compared to previous years). They have only given up two +10 games to opposing defenses and have had their fair share of close games. But that is all about to change. With the release of both the head coach and offensive coordinator, there are going to be some issues. The likelihood that the Browns turn everything around in the short amount of time is a lot less probable than them completely imploding. I do still believe that they might have a good season before 2025, but they have already peaked for this year and it’s all downhill from here. For now, put them on your radar for a great defensive matchup.

Their first test without Hue Jackson is not a friendly one. The Kansas City Chiefs have been dismantling defenses as of late, scoring close to 37 points over the past four weeks. While their defense is not the best in the league, they do have the advantage of a high powered offense that keeps them in the lead and allows them ample time to rest between possessions. They have also been given plenty of opportunities to capitalize on quarterbacks making risky plays, trying to keep their team in contention. Over the past four weeks, they have scored two defensive touchdowns and are currently tied for 2^nd overall for most touchdowns by a defense/special team in the NFL.  Both of those touchdowns happened when the opposing team was down by two or more touchdowns. With the Browns scoring 17 points per game (over the past four games) and the Chiefs scoring 37, it is very likely the Browns will be trailing by at least two touchdowns early in the game.

Verdict: What is interesting about this game is how the stats line up. As a science teacher (part-time of course, my full time job is writing this article), we use statistics all the time to predict probabilities of an event occurring. The more similar the stats, the easier it is to predict. The stats between the Chiefs’ defense and Cleveland’s offense couldn’t be much more similar. The Chiefs have allowed an average of 17 points (past four games, excluding the Patriots), while the Browns have averaged 17 points offensively and both teams have either allowed or forced 1.5 turnovers and 3-4 sacks per game. Based on these statistics, it is easy to make reliable prediction.

Prediction: PA: 15-20, Total Yards: 250-300, Sacks: 3-4, Fumbles: 1, Interceptions: 1, TD: 1, Fantasy Points: 10-15

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Do You Believe in Magic?: Carolina Panthers

Last week, Jameis Winston threw four interceptions. The weeks before that, he averaged at least two interceptions per game and threw four more interceptions than touchdowns. Winston was an awesome quarterback for any fantasy team, that is if you had the defense he was playing against. Since his takeover, the Buccaneers have averaged 3 turnovers per game, 4 sacks, and over 8 fantasy points for opposing defenses. Unfortunately, Winston is not starting this week.

Welcome back Ryan Fitzpatrick. Winston relinquished his starting spot to Fitzpatrick in the second half last week after throwing four interceptions. Down by 18 points, Fitzpatrick rallied back, scoring 18 unanswered points, almost coming back to win the game. It was just another example of Fitzmagic doing what he does best, defying the odds. In just one quarter (and some change), he threw for just shy of 200 yards and two touchdowns. In fact, beside the one bad game he had against Chicago, he is averaging three touchdowns per game and over 32 fantasy points. It is amazing that they decided to start Winton over Fitzpatrick, who was arguably the best quarterback in the league in the first three weeks. One bad game and they sit him…dumb.

So why start the Panthers? Because they are a much better defense than the teams Fitzpatrick has played against (besides the Bears). He faced the Bengals, Eagles, Saints and Steelers. Those aren’t exactly defensive juggernauts. The Panthers are more like Chicago and will cause more disruption in the backfield, limiting his time to throw the long ball and forcing more mistakes. Although there is always the chance that Fitzpatrick goes off, he is less likely to continue his success against the Panthers’ stout defense.

Verdict: With the uncertainty of who is going to be the starting quarterback from week-to-week, a lot of pressure is put on both Winston and Fitzpatrick. Against quality defenses, one mistake could turn into several very quickly (think Chicago Bears). Fitzpatrick is a good quarterback, but he only has produced against sub-par defenses. When they play the Panthers, I’m betting he loses his composure after several forced plays or lack of production, causing the coaching staff to replace him this week or next week.

Prediction: PA: 18-24, Total Yards: 300-350, Sacks: 4, Fumbles: 0, Interceptions: 2, TD: 0, Fantasy Points: 8-12

Future Picks

Here are two potential stash options for next week.

1. New York Jets: As of late, they have not produced defensively, at least not compared to the early season production. But that is about to change next week. The Buffalo Bills have been allowing double-digit fantasy outings to every defense this year except two. Expect that trend to continue next week.
2. Washington Redskins/Atlanta Falcons: DO NOT DROP THE REDSKINS! They have a great fantasy matchup most weeks, including Week’s 14, 15 and 16. This week they have the Falcons, so some owners might be tempted to drop them. If they do, pick them up now. The Falcons on the other hand might be a speculative pickup. They play Cleveland next week and if things start to crumble for the Browns, the Falcons might not be a terrible stash.