Streaming Defenses: Week 16 Options

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Updated on December 28, 2021 9:21AM EST

Keep in mind that we're publishing this Wednesday morning, with no knowledge of which players will go on the COVID-19 list between Wednesday and Sunday. It looks like a pretty good week for streaming, as is, and other opportunities may open up if there are more outbreaks or a starting QB is forced to sit out. As of Wednesday morning, the three starting QBs on the reserve/COVID-19 list are Baker Mayfield, Taylor Heinicke and Jared Goff, with the latter added Monday.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@JerryDonabedian).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 16

1. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)

50% Yahoo, 38% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.75

Opponent implied total: 15.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 8th (at WAS), Week 18: 24th (vs. DAL)

While they haven't forced many turnovers of late, the Eagles continue to play solid defense in the second half of the season, holding three opponents in a row under 20 points. One of those was the Giants in a 13-7 loss Week 12, back before Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury. Not that Jones lit it up in that game, but we've seen since then that Mike Glennon is much worse. And now it sounds like

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@JerryDonabedian).

Top Streaming Options for Week 16

1. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)

50% Yahoo, 38% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.75

Opponent implied total: 15.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 8th (at WAS), Week 18: 24th (vs. DAL)

2. Los Angeles Chargers (at HOU)

50% Yahoo, 33% ESPN

Team implied total: 27.5

Opponent implied total: 18.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 9th (vs. DEN), Week 18: 13th (at LV)

While certainly not the worst of the rookie quarterbacks, so far, Davis Mills has endured his share of struggles and still ranks bottom 10 among qualified passers in sack rate and interception rate. The Texans have even let him chuck it around a bit since going hyper-conservative in his first few starts, giving opponents opportunities to come up with the big plays that can swing a fantasy matchup. The Chargers defense has been far consistent, but it does have a few playmakers who will be ready to take advantage of the inevitable mistakes from Mills.

3. Seattle Seahawks (vs. CHI)

35% Yahoo, 31% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.0

Opponent implied total: 18.5

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 7th (vs. DET), Week 18: 27th (at ARZ)

While Justin Fields increasingly looks salvageable, the bumblin' Bears are still a mess overall, coughing up 10 turnovers the past three games. They've given up the sixth most fantasy points to team defenses this year, and Fields continues to struggle with the sacks and turnovers even now that his playmaking ability is starting to shine. Matt Nagy, unfortunately, hasn't shown similar progress and also remains prone to mistakes, though we can at least give him credit for making Monday's loss to Minnesota entertaining. His upcoming trip to Seattle should bring more turnovers, more penalties and more anger.

4. New Orleans Saints (vs. MIA)

53% Yahoo, 61% ESPN

Team implied total: 20.75

Opponent implied total: 17.75

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 5th (vs. CAR), Week 18: 11th (at ATL)

The Saints have played great defense for most of the year, while Miami has given up the eighth most fantasy points to D/STs. That might suggest New Orleans should be higher in the rankings, but Miami isn't actually a top-10 matchup, with the point total impacted by Jacoby Brissett's hideous play under center earlier this year. Of course, Tua Tagovailoa has been no better than league-average, and Miami's no better than mediocre along the O-line and at the skill positions. The Saints aren't much better on offense right now, leaving this game with easily the lowest over/under (38.5) of Week 16.

5. Atlanta Falcons (vs. DET)

4% Yahoo, 7% ESPN

Team implied total: 24.25

Opponent implied total: 18.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 17: 30th (at BUF), Week 18: 15th (vs. NO)

I already moved the Falcons up one spot with Goff now in some danger of missing the game, and they'll be an adequate choice even if Detroit's starting QB manages to play, considering the Lions have allowed the ninth most fantasy points to defenses this season. While the Falcons aren't a viable fantasy option in most situations, a home game against the Lions puts any defense in play. Atlanta bumped up to a six-point favorite with the Goff news as Detroit's implied total dropped below 19.0.