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Kate Magdziuk shares her Week 4 defense rankings and highlights several streaming options that could be available in your leagues.
Despite some sparks on offense, there was plenty of defense to go around in Week 3, with three fantasy defenses scoring 15+ fantasy points. Unfortunately, with Bryce Young now on the bench, the easiest option is no longer to stream your D/ST against the Carolina Panthers. In last week’s surprising shoot-out with the Raiders — Andy Dalton under center — the Las Vegas D/ST scored -2 points.
Luckily, that doesn’t mean all of the intriguing matchups are out of play. So, if you’re looking for some other options, we’re here to help. Here’s a look at three potential Week 4 D/ST streamers, as well as my overall Week 4 defense rankings to help you set your fantasy football lineup.
Week 4 defense streamers
Miami Dolphins D/ST vs. Titans
If you can no longer stream against the Carolina Panthers, the Tennessee Titans may just be the next best thing. Though they’ve got some talented playmakers between Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins among others, QB Will Levis and the offense continue to make costly mistakes embodied by their 0-3 record. The Titans currently lead the league in turnovers (8) while ranking bottom three in scoring drive percentage (22.9%) per PFF. The Dolphins’ defense is a fairly average one, but the Titans could make them look like an elite unit come Week 4.
Houston Texans D/ST vs. Jaguars
This Texans-Jaguars has the potential of being one of the most lopsided matchups on the schedule in Week 4. Though both teams are coming off of brutal losses, it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars that look like actual worst team in the NFL. Houston has a whole group of competent playmakers, both in the pass rush with Will Anderson Jr. and in the secondary with Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. Up against this Jaguars offense currently holding the fourth-lowest scoring drive percentage in the league (25.8%) while ranking bottom eight in EPA per play (-0.158) per PFF, the Texans will likely eat.
New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons offense seems to be heading in the right direction as Kirk Cousins continues to progress in his recovery from an Achilles injury. However, Week 4 offers a challenging divisional matchup against a New Orleans Saints defense that’s yet to allow an opponent more than 19 points in a game through three weeks — including matchups against the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve forced 2+ turnovers per game in each matchup this season and could be in an interesting position to score some fantasy points. New Orleans ranks as the sixth overall defense in fantasy football leagues through the first three weeks of the season.
Fantasy football: Week 4 defense rankings
Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.
