Week 3 was a prime example of the old adage, “That’s why they play the game.” It was one of the most surprising weeks I have witnessed in recent history, and I should have been tipped off when the Thursday night game was actually entertaining.
No one could have foreseen what would unfold in a crazy weekend of football where the Baltimore Ravens defense that had been dominant through two weeks would disappear in London. The Bears would beat the Steelers and the Vikings would dominate the Buccaneers in a fashion that I did not see coming. That’s the beauty of fantasy football and the conundrum of streaming defenses, especially early in the season. While offenses are still finding their way they sometimes can suddenly click and make a defense look like a worse unit than they’ll end up being mid way into the season. Let’s look at the Week 4 streaming defense options.
Jacksonville Jaguars (at New York Jets)
Coming into the season, the Jaguars defense was one to keep an eye on with the additions of Calais Campbell and Barry Church. Through the first three weeks of the season this unit has put up some impressive numbers and two very productive fantasy performances. Jacksonville has posted 13 sacks while forcing 8 turnovers and has scored a defensive touchdown. They are generating consistent pressure with Campbell as well as youngsters Dante Fowler Jr. and Yannick Ngakoue, leading to those nice turnover totals. The Jets offense was efficient last week against Miami but the Jaguars defense is a different monster. Veteran quarterback Josh McCown will be hard-pressed to move the ball against the aggressive Jaguars defense and turnovers are always on the table with McCown.
Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)
As a longtime Lions supporter it was tough to see last week’s game end the way it did but was nice to see how their defense played without some key players. Both starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis and safety Tavon Wilson missed the game and Detroit still produced big plays. They managed to pick off Matt Ryan three times and now have seven interceptions in the first three weeks. The Vikings offense came to life last week against a banged-up Tampa Bay defense but I’m not convinced backup quarterback Case Keenum will be able to duplicate his outstanding performance. Furthermore, the Lions will likely get Davis back in the middle of their defense, which is a definite plus.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
After dropping their third game in a row the Bengals will be looking to take out some frustrations on their division rival. Despite losing against Green Bay game in overtime Sunday, the Bengals defense had a nice fantasy day. The Bengals sacked Aaron Rodgers six times and returned an interception for a touchdown. Cincinnati will also be getting linebacker Vontaze Burfict back as he’s finished serving his three-game suspension further bolstering their fantasy potential. Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer had a decent game against the Colts last week for Cleveland but continues to make rookie mistakes. Through three weeks he has turned the ball over eight times while producing five touchdowns. The Browns have also allowed 11 sacks to date, meaning plenty of big plays are in store for Cincinnati this week.
Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago Bears)
The Packers defense has been a middle-of-the-road unit to date, but this matchup should provide this group with a jump start. They will get to face the very shaky Mike Glennon under center for Chicago and that bodes well. Yes, the Bears managed to upset the Steelers in overtime but it was in spite of Glennon. Glennon has turned the ball over four times and managed just three touchdown passes in the first three weeks. Chicago is trying its best to keep the game out of Glennon’s hands as the team ran the ball 38 times in Week 3 while attempting just 22 passes. Look for the Packers to key on stopping Jordan Howard and force Glennon to take to the air. The Packers are averaging three sacks per game while the Bears have allowed seven sacks and Clay Matthews will be getting after Glennon all night long.
Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee Titans)
After a disastrous first-week drubbing by the Jaguars, the Texans defense has started to turn things around. Houston managed to sack Tom Brady five times last week in their surprisingly close loss, with Jadeveon Clowney accounting for a pair. In the last two weeks, they have racked up eight sacks with two fumble recoveries and a defensive score. One Texan due for a big week is J.J. Watt, as he’s yet to record a sack in 2017 (he has been credited with 10 quarterback hurries as well as four hits). With Clowney picking up his game offenses will have to commit more to stopping him which should help Watt bust loose. The Titans haven’t been a particularly good matchup for opposing defenses but the Texans did manage five sacks and two takeaways in their meetings last season without Watt. This is more riding a defense on the rise than it is chasing a struggling offense.
Tennessee Titans (at Houston Texans)
Yes. I see this game as presenting opportunities for both defenses to rack up fantasy points. While rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson is coming off the best performance of his brief career he did turn the ball over twice against the Patriots. Rookie quarterbacks are going to make mistakes and Watson has turned the ball over four times and the Texans offensive line has allowed 15 sacks so far this season. Watson’s mobility may keep the sack totals down, but the pressure he faces leads to turnovers. Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, and Erik Walden have combined to sack the quarterback four times and have 20 quarterback hurries. This divisional game has the makings of a hard-hitting affair with big plays occurring for both defenses.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Two weeks ago, it would have been laughable to consider the Seahawks defense a streaming option as many owners drafted this unit as an every-week play. How has that worked out? Through the opening three weeks of the season the Seahawks are among the lowest-scoring defense/special teams units. They’ve amassed just six sacks and a pair of turnovers heading into Week 4. So why the optimism this week? The Colts have already ruled Andrew Luck out for the game and I don’t believe Jacoby Brissett will enjoy the success he had last week, posting a passing score as well as two on the ground. Brissett will be facing an angry Seahawks defense and he will be facing them in Seattle. The up/down theory is in full effect as I see a down week for a Colts team coming off their first win and an up week for a defense the will have the “12th man” factor in its favor.
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