Knowing which defenses to start in fantasy football can be critical to winning your matchups. This position, arguably more so than any other, is matchup-dependent on a weekly basis, and the best results can be obtained by being flexible with a streaming strategy. Here’s a look at our Week 15 fantasy defense rankings and the top options to stream this week.
Top Fantasy Defense Streamers in Week 15
Week 14 was a difficult one from a streaming perspective due to a lack of high-quality options, but we wound up with the highest-scoring defense of the week as well as two other quality options.
The first week of the fantasy football playoffs is extremely difficult, so we’re here to help you. Here are my top fantasy defense streamers, all of which are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Green Bay Packers (vs. LAR)
The Los Angeles Rams had a miracle come-from-behind win over the Las Vegas Raiders last Thursday night. Baker Mayfield started despite having been with the team for less than 48 hours and led the team to victory. I don’t expect lightning to strike twice.
Mayfield has been downright awful this season. He was benched and lost his job to PJ Walker and Sam Darnold. Thursday night was a nice story, but Mayfield didn’t suddenly become the first overall pick he was drafted as.
MORE: Week 15 Non-PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
The Green Bay Packers will be well-rested coming out of their bye. They’ve forced 15 turnovers this season and average 2.5 sacks per game at home. Even in his quality outing against the Raiders, Mayfield took four sacks.
Green Bay is a home favorite and should force the Rams into negative game script. As an offense devoid of playmakers, Mayfield should have a much tougher time this week. I anticipate recommending his passing yards lower on Underdog Fantasy.
The Packers are this week’s top defensive streamer.
Carolina Panthers (vs. PIT)
The Carolina Panthers’ defense performed admirably against Geno Smith, forcing his first two-interception game of the season. They’ve been quite adept at forcing turnovers this season, with 14 total after having none in their first two contests.
They also sacked Smith three times, making it their fourth straight game with at least three sacks.
I still like the Panthers if Kenny Pickett is able to play this week, but I like them even more if Mitch Trubisky is forced into action. Pickett left last week’s game due to the concussion protocol. If he does indeed have a concussion, it’s unlikely he will be cleared, as most players miss at least a game with brain injuries.
Trubisky has taken eight sacks and thrown two interceptions in his four starts this season. The Panthers have an elite cornerback in Jaycee Horn, who will cause Trubisky all sorts of problems. The Panthers aren’t the greatest defense, but they’re a serviceable streamer in Week 15.
Cleveland Browns (vs. BAL)
The Cleveland Browns were the top defensive streamer two weeks ago when they finished as the No. 1 overall scoring defense against the Texans. Last week, everyone dropped them because they played the Bengals (rightfully so). This week, however, the Browns are back on the menu at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
This matchup is good, but it could be great. Tyler Huntley left last week’s game due to the concussion protocol. It’s unclear whether Huntley actually sustained a concussion, but either way, he’s at risk of missing this game.
MORE: Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
If Huntley can’t go, the Ravens will be forced to start rookie UDFA Anthony Brown. That can’t possibly go well.
In Week 7, the Browns went into Baltimore and lost a nailbiter, holding Lamar Jackson to 23 points, sacking him three times, and forcing one interception. That feels like their floor if they have to play Brown.
Week 15 Fantasy Defense Rankings
The rankings below are from Senior Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett. If you want to ask Tommy or any of our fantasy analysts about defense rankings or streamers for Week 15, then be sure to sign up for the PFN Discord server, where you will have unlimited access to the team throughout the season.
The table is best viewed in landscape on mobile devices and can be sorted using the filters above the table.