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Streaming Defense Week 12

Streaming Defenses Strategy

Fantasy Defense production relies on weekly matchups more than any other position.

If you wisely selected your fantasy defense/special teams at the end of your draft -- according to our Redraft Strategy Playbook -- then the best strategy involves streaming the position to take advantage of those matchups.

Let’s dive into how DST works and ensure you stream to maximize your points for Week 12 and into the fantasy playoffs.

How Does DST Scoring Work?

Most fantasy football leagues score team defenses on the following categories:

• Points allowed
• Sacks
• Interceptions
• Fumble recoveries
• TDs

At 6 points per TD, that category (including return scores) often produces the widest swings. Pick a DST that happens to find the end zone in a given week, and you’ve almost certainly got a top-10 unit.

The problem: Those scoring plays aren’t predictable.

Since 2020, 88 players have had a season with 4+ interceptions. Only 28 of them scored at least one TD, about 31.8%. 

Turnover volume doesn’t necessarily equal defensive TDs, so don’t rely on those random scores.

More Unpredictable Categories

It’s not just the TDs. INTs are also volatile. The same players rarely top the leaderboard in that category year to year.

Fumble recoveries are even less predictable. And even sack totals fluctuate.

We’re still interested in team defenses that can make big plays. We want stud pass rushers and DBs who get their hands on the ball in coverage.

But as far as DST scoring categories go, points allowed is the one we want to chase the most.

Target Positive Matchups

The first reason you shouldn’t just count on a single fantasy defense every week is the volatility of most scoring categories. The other is the volatility of opponents.

There will undoubtedly be team defenses better at limiting opponent scoring than others. But if one of those top fantasy defenses is playing the Eagles or Chiefs, for example, you’ll probably want to start a different DST instead.

Strategizing every week based on favorable matchups can be just as advantageous as having one of the top five season-long scoring DSTs. 

Embrace the stream and come back here weekly to find the best options. 

Streaming Defense Week 12 Options

As we approach the fantasy playoffs, keep an eye on playoff defenses to stash.

We have a great guide to help prepare you for the fantasy playoffs

Now let’s dig into some streaming defense options for Week 12.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants

Rostered: 20%

Daniel Jones heads to the bench and Tommy DeVito takes over. 

Though he was an interesting fantasy asset last season, DeVito is far from a starting NFL QB.

DeVito took 5.4 sacks per game over his five full outings last year.

The Buccaneers come into the game eighth in the league in sacks at 2.8 per game -- including 7 over just the past two games against the Chiefs (4) and 49ers (3).

Tampa also ranks a solid 14th in takeaways per game (1.2).

Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys

Rostered: 20%

The Dallas Cowboys’ offense is a shell of its former self without Dak Prescott. The Cooper Rush-led Cowboys have only scored 16 points in two games, and their only TD came on a Kavontae Turpin broken play against the Texans.

Rush threw just 1 INT last week against the Texans, but the defense also had multiple drops. He also had a fumble returned for a TD and took 5 sacks.

Ultimately, it has become a “play anyone” against the Cowboys for the rest of the season play.

The Commanders sit a decent 14th in the league in sacks per game (2.5) and did hold the explosive Eagles offense in check for a half. They've also held five of 11 opponents under 20 points.

Getting CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) on the field for the first time since the trade would help.

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

Rostered: 4%

The Seahawks have an explosive offense, but they have supported fantasy defenses numerous times this season -- mostly through turnovers.

Seattle has supplied the league's seventh-most giveaways, including 1.1 INTs per game (also seventh-highest).

The Seahawks also haven't topped 20 points since Week 7 and have exceeded 24 points just three times out of 10 games.

The Cardinals D has been trending up, allowing 14.25 points per game over the last four. They're up to 14th in Defensive DVOA.

There's enough downside risk here that you shouldn't go chasing Arizona's D everywhere. But there's also enough upside to make it playable.

The Cardinals also are a defense worth looking to for the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs:

• Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
• Week 16: at Carolina Panthers

Want More Help Streaming Defenses?

Use our Free Agent Finder to find the right defense to stream each week and the best overall waiver wire options.

You can sync your league and rosters to instantly get recommendations based on your specific league scoring and settings.

See how it can help you win your league:

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.