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9/14/21

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Fantasy Football: Streaming Defenses and Kickers – Week 2

Defenses and Kickers – Week 2

Streaming defenses and kickers is an excellent way to maximize return on minimal investment at the two positions. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already realized that, and hopefully you’ve checked out my previous articles on streaming. Many of those streaming options were chosen because they would still apply for this week, but some do not. As a result, this article will detail some good options for week 2 at both kicker and D/ST that should be available in most leagues.

Defense:

New Orleans (@ CAR)

Saints D/ST finished 2nd in week one among defenses with 14 fantasy points despite a difficult matchup against Green Bay and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. Losing Marshon Lattimore to an injury is undeniably a huge blow to their defense, but they already overcame supposedly significant losses to dominate an elite offense in week 1. Carolina comes off a solid offensive showing in week 1, with Jets D/ST only getting 2 points, but that was a very young, inexperienced, and injured Jets defense that doesn’t compare to this Saints defense that should do much better.

Green Bay (vs. DET)

Packers D/ST had -3 points last week, so this is definitely a risky proposition after a horrible week, but this Lions offense is a good team to target. The 49ers defense had 7 points last week against the Lions, and this was despite a 4th quarter defensive collapse to allow 33 points, so Green Bay should have an opportunity to do quite well. The Packers defense scored 18 points across their two matchups with Detroit last year, and that 9-point average would be a great return for a stream this week.

Seattle (vs. Tennessee)

This is another risky choice, as Tennessee has a loaded offense that could do damage if they can get going, but they really struggled in week 1, allowing Cardinals D/ST to lead all defenses with 17 points. OL Taylor Lewan really struggled in pass protection, allowing Chandler Jones to rack up 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, and while that almost certainly won’t be repeated, the Titans OL struggles could allow Seattle to get solid pressure and sacks for a second straight week. The Seahawks defense had 6 points in week 1 and could be expected to do similarly in week 2.

Cincinnati (@ CHI)

Cincinnati’s defense performed decently against a good Vikings offense in week 1 and now gets a much easier task. Chicago has a great run game led by David Montgomery, but their passing game leaves much to be desired, and defenses can get sacks and takeaways against them, especially after Chicago lost 2 LTs in week 1. This is an outside-the-box pick, but one that should net you a solid return.

Kickers:

Evan McPherson (@ CHI)

McPherson had a great game in week 1, including hitting the game-winning field goal in OT. He scored 11 fantasy points and could expect a similar return in week 2 going up against a Chicago Bears team that just allowed Matt Gay to score 12 points in week 1. Chicago was also in the top 10 in most field goal attempts allowed in 2020, so McPherson should have a solid opportunity to produce.

Brandon McManus (@ JAX)

McManus scored 9 points in week 1 and is going up against the defense that allowed the most points to a fantasy kicker, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville also allowed the 3rd most field goal attempts in 2020, so this was no fluke for them, and McManus should be expected to be among the leaders this week in field goal attempts, which bodes well for his fantasy prospects.

Daniel Carlson (@ PIT)

Pittsburgh has a very good defense that makes this riskier than the other two options, but Carlson is coming off 11 points in a solid week for him. He also ranked 4th among kickers in fantasy in 2020 and is still somehow extremely available in leagues, so I would recommend targeting him for this week and potentially others as well because he is a kicker that simply produces.

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