2015 Streaming Defenses: Week 9

Bob is baaaack! He's got thoughts and deep wisdom on defenses this week, which I definitely need help with since I'm a Seattle girl this year. So let's read on.

It’s the dreaded Week 9, six teams on Bye, including the ARI and SEA Defs. Heck, even the Chiefs are missing and becoming a force on Def. Along with that, two other notable Defs, GB and CAR, are facing each other this week, and neither team gives up Def points easily. What’s a girl to do? (I was asking Sara, not me, I’m a man…)

So let’s get to it and I’ll try to show some enthusiasm in the face of distress. First, as usual, I’m big on accountability, so how’d we do last week? It was a pretty good week for the highly owned and recommended. SEA, CAR, ARI, and STL all did well, but they were supposed to, given the weak opponents for each. NE surprised, and are looking like a juggernaut now. Did you know they are leading in sacks? And I was flat out wrong about DEN, but I don’t think anyone saw that beat down coming. 

The streams were a mixed bag. Four of them did well, but the Jets and GB were a disaster. Didn’t see that one coming. And my bonus pick of the Texans paid off in spades. But alas, they too, are on a Bye this week.

So what does this week look like? Here are some links you can use to help you sift through week 9. As usual, my analysis, may or may not align with the pros.

• The Fake Football's Dreaming of Streaming: Week 9
• NFL.com's Week 9 Waiver Wire: Streaming Defenses to Target 
• Rotoballer's Week 9 Defensive Streamers and Starts

Here are the ownership and projections for Defs this week of the ‘highly owned’ defenses. Highly owned being better than 80% this week. There are only 2 highly owned recommendations this week, with 3 warnings on expectations.

Highly Owned
Team	OPP	Owned	Yahoo Pts	Comments
SEA	BYE	100%	0	Bye week keep them stashed but need a stream
ARI	BYE	99%	0	Bye week keep them stashed but need a stream
STL	@MIN	98%	8.19	STL is 4th best defense and front seven will contain AP, forcing passing situations for MIN. Start 'em.
DEN	@IND	95%	8.87	Best of the highly owned matchups, IND can't pass protect, start w/confidence
CAR	GB	90%	5.46	After what DEN did to GB, I'm going to suggest you start, but temper expectations because GB is still greedy giving up points to Defs, and will make adjustments from last week.
GB	@CAR	88%	7.64	What happened to GB last week? They have another tough matchup this week, CAR is the 10th stingiest, temper expectations.
NE	WAS	88%	8.39	11th best start, and WAS is vulnerable on the road, but stingy with Def pts, NE is second in sacks, start NE but temper expectations, and you may see some upside from an energized NE Def

I like only two of highly owned this week, so I give you five streams this week and two more if you have no other options, because I’m generous like that. Besides, it’s a tough week with 2 top Defs out and another that is on the rise.

Week 9 Best Streams
ATL	@SF	64%	8.17	Number 1 matchup, SF is #2 target, in complete disarray, may have new QB, start ATL looking to get back on track with upside.
CIN	CLE	33%	8.15	Number 6 matchup, CLE is 3rd best target, with either QB this is a good stream, with upside at home.
NYJ	JAC	70%	7.94	Number 7 best matchup, Jets were embarrassed last week, as the week before. Turns out the Jets amass points against poor offenses and falter against good ones. JAC is a poor offense, start with confidence.
NYG	@TB	39%	8.14	Number 2 matchup, TB is 4th most generous, NYG is 7th best defense and leads the league in INTs.
PHI	@DAL	70%	7.18	Number 4 best matchup, DAL is still without Romo, this is a safe stream.
MIN	STL	60%	6.47	Number 5 matchup, 10th best target, 10th best Def, MIN is 2nd against Pts, but with STL running the ball well, you may want to temper expectations.
NO	TEN	4%	6.12	Number 8 best matchup, TEN has risen to #1 target and NO is improving, start if Mettenberger plays, I'd pass if Mariota returns.

The streams are listed in order I think they will score, in spite of the matchups. That’s the best I can do for you this week. Remember, every week there’s always one DEF on the waiver list that can come through for you that week. Last week I said it would be Green Bay…oops. This week watch what the Falcons do to a team that is imploding.