After a return to normalcy with top teams showing out in Week 11, Week 12 was back to the unexpected as three of the top four D/ST performances through Sunday’s action were streamer-eligible pickups. The top performer of the day was Dallas, who came into the week rostered in just 19% of leagues but ended up with four sacks, three turnovers, and two kick return TDs for 24 points in total.
I not only didn’t pick the Cowboys as a Week 12 streamer, but I also picked their opponent, Washington, who finished with just five points in a 34-26 loss. Chicago matched that five point total in a loss to the Vikings while the Buccaneers showed up as expected, sacking Tommy DeVito four times and finishing with 12 points.
We don’t have any teams on a bye this week, but we do have a few “set it and forget it” defenses that are running into tough matchups in Week 13 as the fantasy regular season begins to wind to a close. Next week, we’ll go in-depth into the fantasy postseason schedule and find the defenses with the best matchups to help you coast to a fantasy title.
But for now, let’s take a look at the best fantasy football Week 13 defense streamers (D/ST).
TEAMS TO AVOID IN WEEK 13
MATCHUP-BASED
The San Francisco 49ers (75% rostered on Sleeper) were a mainstay near the top of the D/ST scoring rankings for the first half of the year, but have put up just eight total points in three games following their bye and fallen out of the top ten. With the Bills in primetime looming in Week 13 and only one favorable matchup through Week 17, this is the time to cut ties with San Francisco if you haven’t already.
The Philadelphia Eagles (66%) are the antithesis of the 49ers, starting slow and then turning on the jets after their bye week, scoring over 13 points per game over their last six. But now they’ll run into Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, who have allowed a measly 1.36 points per game to fantasy defenses in 2024. I almost always use this section to avoid the Ravens, and I see no reason not to do it again this week.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 13 DEFENSE STREAMERS (DST)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS DST (14% ROSTERED ON SLEEPER)
@ New York Jets | 1 PM
Seattle wasn’t a popular pick heading into a matchup with Arizona last week, but they recorded almost as many sacks (five) as points allowed (six) and tacked on a pick six for 20 points on the afternoon. They’re now the number eight ranked defense in fantasy scoring and have put up double digits points in five of 11 games this year.
I’m aware that 1PM starts on the east coast can be tough on west coast teams, but Seattle is 2-0 in two 1:00 games in Eastern Time this year. And in attempt number three, they’ll face a Jets offense that keeps falling from bad to worse.
Amidst a disappointing season in which they’re ranked 27th in both scoring and total offense, the Jets are now dealing with leaked reports about Aaron Rodgers wanting out and the team potentially benching him for the final few games of the season. It’s been confirmed he’s starting against Seattle, though, and that’s a really good thing for the Seahawks.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Rodgers’ physical attributes have fallen off a cliff, and the Jets don’t have the infrastructure around him to make up for it. Their run game has been abysmal as well, which doesn’t help take any pressure off of their aging, disgruntled QB.
Seattle is around the middle of the league when it comes to generating sacks, but that will be their best way to turn in a solid performance against the Jets. Rookie Olu Fashanu filled in at left tackle for Tyron Smith in Week 12 and held his own, but could be exposed if targeted by Seattle’s talented linebacker group.
Seattle’s schedule beyond Week 13 isn’t incredible, so they’re likely a one-week pick, but they should easily be able to turn in a top ten finish when the week is said and done.
DALLAS COWBOYS DST (19%)
vs. New York Giants | 4:30 PM (Thanksgiving)
The middle game of the Thanksgiving slate has looked like it was on track to be a dud for most of the season, and we’re certainly headed that way with Cooper Rush vs. Tommy DeVito in Dallas. But it’s Thanksgiving and you’re going to watch it anyway, so you might as well take advantage of one of the worst offenses the NFL has to offer.
The Bucs were my featured streamer pick of Week 12, and it had little to do with any faith I have in their defense. With Daniel Jones gone and DeVito slated to start, it was pretty obvious to any outside observer that the Giants were still in deep trouble. Tommy Cutlets was sacked four times and New York’s offense mustered up just seven points in a blowout loss.
Dallas hasn’t been a startable fantasy defense for most of this season, but have put up a few decent performances in recent weeks, most notably a 24-point showing in Week 12 against Washington. They’ve generated six turnovers over their last three games and sacked Jayden Daniels four times on Sunday to increase their season total to 28.
Much like last week, however, my pick here is less about the talent of the defense and more about the lack of talent for the Giants. They’ve lost six in a row, and I’d be shocked if that streak didn’t extend to seven this week.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5%)
@ New England Patriots | 1 PM
Indianapolis hasn’t been a top performer for most of this year, but have shown some promise recently putting up 17 points against Minnesota and seven against the Bills. They’ve had a tough schedule as of late but things start to ease up this week, and the Colts may very well find their way onto my playoff streamer picks with the Titans and Giants to close out the fantasy postseason.
They’ll have a bye next week, but first will travel to New England to face the 3-9 Patriots.
While most in New England are still high on Drake Maye, it’s clear that the offense the Patriots have put around him is not doing him any favors. Their pass catchers are tied for fourth in the league with 21 drops and their young receivers are not developing as they had hoped. And the offensive line has remained the team’s weakest link with 39 sacks allowed, the fifth-most in football.
The Colts don’t generate a ton of sacks but are eighth in turnovers forced and should end up with plenty of chances to disrupt New England’s offensive game plan. We’ll see if their performance in this game helps instill confidence in their standing as a potential fantasy playoff hero, but for the time being, I feel good turning to them in Week 13.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
New York Jets (37%): The Jets haven’t looked great defensively but will face a Seattle offense that’s given up the sixth-most points to opposing D/STs.
Los Angeles Chargers (36%): The Chargers didn’t look great against Cincinnati in primetime, and after a chance to redeem themselves in the Harbaugh Bowl on Monday, will head to Atlanta to face the Falcons.
Cleveland Browns (30%): The Browns held their own in a big win over the Steelers, and will face Denver this week on Monday Night Football.
