Breakdowns

11/23/21

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Fantasy Football: Streaming Defenses and Kickers – Week 12

Nov 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett (96) and free safety Avonte Maddox (29) celebrate against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a decent Week 11, I’m looking for an even better Week 12. You’re going to want to maximize your output at both positions as we get very close to the playoffs with every game being incredibly important. Below I will break down the best streaming matchups for Week 12 at both defense and kicker and the reasons why I feel they are great options.

Defense:

Philadelphia Eagles (@ NYG)

The Giants have allowed opposing defenses to score an average of nine points over their last three games, while the Eagles defense has averaged 13 points over their last four games. This is a great time to pick up a defense that’s been hot, when they have a good matchup this week and they also have an even better matchup next week against the Jets. This is a really good two-week stream option for you that you’ll want to make sure to get.

Houston Texans (vs. NYJ)

The Texans’ defense may seem like an odd inclusion, but they have 29 points over their last two games after a great showing against Tennessee. The Jets offense isn’t the cakewalk and free points that it was earlier in the season, but it’s still a favorable matchup for a defense that seems to be peaking at the right time for you to capitalize.

Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)

The Bengals defense returned to form coming out of the bye with a solid 11 point performance against the Raiders. They had been struggling before that, so this is a riskier pick, but Pittsburgh is a decent matchup, and because of the schedule and the number of teams owned in more than half of leagues, this is the best option for this spot. If you need a defense in a deep league, Cincinnati isn’t bad, but that should be the only scenario in which you target them. For context, I have them ranked 12th this week.

Kickers:

Greg Zuerlein (vs. LV)

Greg Zuerlein had a return to form this past week, with three field goal attempts. With him missing Week 10 and having a scoreless Week 9, it seems like people forgot about the production he’d had before that, but Zuerlein has had three or more field goal attempts in five out of his nine games and plays a Raiders team that has allowed 10 attempts in the last three weeks. Zuerlein is a great option for this week if you need a kicker.

Zane Gonzalez (@ MIA)

Zane Gonzalez is a pretty risky proposition because Cam Newton’s arrival as the starter corresponded to a down week for Gonzalez after he’d had 41 points in the prior three weeks. Miami’s defense is among the best matchups for a fantasy kicker, even after Matt Ammendola missed 2 FGs this past week to make them look better, so I’m leaning optimistic and thinking that last week was an anomaly for Gonzalez and he’ll return to starter-worthy production.

Brandon McManus (vs. LAC)

Brandon McManus missed a field goal in each of his last three games before the bye, meaning he’d been leaving points on the board, and he’d still been a pretty average kicker in that span. If he converts on his chances against the third-best matchup for a fantasy kicker this upcoming week, he’ll be well worth the pickup and start if you decide to go with him as your kicker.

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