Last week, everyone called the Bengals as the start of the week at the D/ST position in fantasy football. I even had them listed as my honorable mention, and stated that Mike White is not a better QB than Zach Wilson. As of this point on Thursday night at half time of the Jets at Colts game, Mike White has more touchdowns than Zach Wilson. I think we can all agree that obviously means he’s the best QB to ever play in the NFL ever, right? No? Mike White lit up the Bengals in a way no one expected and a way I do not believe can be replicated. With that being said, let’s look at my picks for streams last week.
- Panthers: 12pts – SUCCESS
- Colts: 6pts – SUCCESS
- Honorable Mention Bengals: 1pt – BUST
- Cowboys: 4pts – SUCCESS
- Week 8: 3 Successes – 1 Bust
- Overall: 22 Successes – 16 Busts
I think I’m on a roll; hitting more than I’m missing, so let’s try to keep it up! The more I look into the trends, the more I am realizing how this projection business may be as Fort Minor said, “It’s 10% luck and 20% skill.” It is two parts skill and one part luck.
The process was there for the Bengals. Everyone could see it. We all were just unlucky in thinking Mike White was going to preform the way he did. I said I was struggling to name the Panthers as one of my picks, but they were the best fantasy football option of the four I picked. I hope to channel that luck this week with another set of four picks for defensive streams.
Number 3: Los Vegas Raiders 16.6%
In six of the seven matchups for the Raiders so far this season, they have hit or surpassed the threshold for being a successful D/ST streamer. They play the Giants this week, in what will be a depleted matchup for fantasy options. Let’s not forget that they have 18 sacks over the course of the season. I expect them to continue this trend and rack up a couple more sacks on Sunday.
Number 2: Miami Dolphins 18.9%
Do you all remember last year when the Dolphins were the number 1 overall D/ST in fantasy football? Now they live on the waiver wire. This may be their best matchup this year, as they face the Houston Texans. Tyrod Taylor was announced as the starter, but I don’t know if even he can stop the franchise falling from apart at their seams. I expect the Dolphins to play with a lead the majority of this game.
Honorable Mention: Dallas Cowboys (71.0%)
The Cowboys are averaging 7.6 fantasy points per matchup and are facing a Denver Broncos offense that is struggling with injuries and illnesses.
Number 1: Los Angeles Chargers 5.5%
The Chargers are averaging two sacks and an interception each week. They play the Eagles in a matchup I expect to be pretty one sided for three quarters of the game. Jalen Hurts has the highest number of rushing attempts in the third quarter and the lowest number of passing attempts at the same time.
3rd quarter Hurts is the worst Hurts. He has the lowest passing rating, the fewest total yards, and the fewest total touchdowns coming back from halftime. This helps explain why he always seems to be playing better when he’s in “Game Winner” mode in the 4th quarter.
If you exclude the crazy matchup against the Browns where both teams scored over 40 points, the Chargers D/ST is averaging 5.2 fantasy points per matchup. I think they continue this trend against the Eagles.
Good luck and may the streams flow your way!
Hunter Greene
Hunter started writing for The League Winners in the summer of 2021. Hunter has been playing fantasy football for about a decade, starting in middle school. Now he’s a professional landscaper and avid Colts and Purdue fan. He primarily writes D/ST Streamer articles in season and Dynasty/Draft content in the offseason.