The first week of the NFL season gave us some insight into which defenses might be good and, equally as importantly, which defenses might be really bad. Those two insights can allow us to make informed decisions about which defenses to stream in fantasy football.
Ultimately, a good defense may turn into more than a streamer, which gives you a longer-term focus. Ahead of Week 2, let’s take a look at why the Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Indianapolis Colts might be teams to target this week.
Top DST Streamers for Week 2
Los Angeles Chargers (at CAR)
In the world of streaming fantasy defenses, it can be as simple as finding a defense available on your waiver wire facing off against a terrible offense. And one could make the argument that no offense was worse to start the 2024 season than the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina’s offense produced just 193 total yards (average of 3.5 yards per play), scored only 10 points, and turned the ball over three times against the New Orleans Saints. In case you’re wondering, those numbers helped produce a total offensive EPA of -19.14 in Week 1.
Quarterback Bryce Young showed very little progress from the struggles we saw from him last year, which makes this a favorable matchup for Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James entering Week 2.
Seattle Seahawks (at NE)
The Mike Macdonald effect was apparent in his head coaching debut with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle absolutely rattled a young rookie signal-caller in Bo Nix in its season-opening win against the Denver Broncos.
The Seahawks’ revamped defense managed to produce two sacks, two interceptions, and forced two fumbles in Week 1. Now, they draw a New England Patriots offense devoid of a significant amount of firepower.
The Seahawks managed to completely stifle the running back duo of Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin — which suggests they could have drastically improved their run-stopping capabilities from last season.
Indianapolis Colts (at GB)
In Week 1, the Indianapolis Colts faced a talented Houston Texans offense with an ascending superstar under center in C.J. Stroud. Fortunately for the Colts, they will likely face Malik Willis in their Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after Jordan Love’s injury against the Philadelphia Eagles.
To give you an idea of what a fantasy-friendly quarterback Willis is for opposing fantasy defenses, know that he’s thrown a total of 67 passes in his career, has been sacked 15 times, and has three interceptions.
This means Willis takes a sack an average of every 4.4 pass attempts and throws a pick every 22 attempts. Translation… You want to start a fantasy defense that is facing off against Willis.
Additionally, if you’re playing in an IDP league, make sure you start rookie Laiatu Latu in Week 2 as well.
Defense Rankings for Week 2
The following rankings are from Kyle Soppe and, therefore, may not directly reflect the advice above.
1) San Francisco 49ers (at MIN)
2) Baltimore Ravens (vs. LV)
3) New York Jets (at TEN)
4) Cleveland Browns (at JAX)
5) Pittsburgh Steelers (at DEN)
6) Seattle Seahawks (at NE)
7) Dallas Cowboys (vs. NO)
8) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CIN)
9) New England Patriots (vs. SEA)
10) Chicago Bears (at HOU)
11) Los Angeles Chargers (at CAR)
12) Indianapolis Colts (at GB)
13) Buffalo Bills (at MIA)
14) Atlanta Falcons (at PHI)
15) New Orleans Saints (at DAL)
16) Houston Texans (vs. CHI)
17) New York Giants (at WAS)
18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DET)
19) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ATL)
20) Detroit Lions (vs. TB)
21) Miami Dolphins (vs. BUF)
22) Denver Broncos (vs. PIT)
23) Cincinnati Bengals (at KC)
24) Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CLE)
25) Washington Commanders (vs. NYG)
26) Green Bay Packers (vs. IND)
27) Minnesota Vikings (vs. SF)
28) Los Angeles Rams (at ARI)
29) Arizona Cardinals (vs. LAR)
30) Tennessee Titans (vs. NYJ)
31) Carolina Panthers (vs. LAC)
32) Las Vegas Raiders (at BAL)