Fantasy Football Streaming Defense/DST Targeted in Week 13

The gap between the No. 2 defense and the No. 12 defense in fantasy football this season is less than 2 points per game. There is no real weekly start block. Smart managers will stream defenses or start a new one each week as needed based on who has the best matchup in a given week.

Consider that only two of the nine defenses that scored more than 10 fantasy points on Sunday were played in over 50% of ESPN leagues in Week 12.

Here are your top streaming defense options available in 50% or more of leagues in Week 13.

1. Buffalo Bills (vs. SF) – 60.3% available

Bye weeks provide good opportunities for streamers, as most managers don’t have room to fit a good defense on their bench when they’re not in action. That makes Buffalo, the No. 7 ranked fantasy defense this season, easily available.

The matchup couldn’t get much better either. The San Francisco 49ers are reeling, and the betting markets are clearly indicating that Brock Purdy is unlikely to return (or at least not return effectively) in Week 13. Buffalo has the advantage by 6.5 points in a game with an over/under of 45.5 points at FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Packers defense scored 12 fantasy points against the 49ers offense led by Brandon Allen. The Bills are two spots ahead of Green Bay in pressure rate and tied with them in turnover rate this season, and they’re just as well-equipped to capitalize on this important spot.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@CAR) – 64.3% available

The Bucs, our top streaming option in Week 12, rewarded managers with 10 fantasy points against the New York Giants. And honestly, I felt like they left a lot of potential open too.

Things don’t get much more difficult for Tampa in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers.

Sure, Bryce Young and Co. gave the Chiefs a run for their money last week, but even with their recent improvements, this isn’t an offense to be feared, and that’s reflected in the Buccaneers being 6.5-point favorites despite the game takes place in Carolina.

This is another spot with big blowout potential for Tampa, which once again positions its defense superbly for a big day of fantasy scoring.

3. Indianapolis Colts (@NE) – 92.2% available

The Indianapolis Colts defense is one of the most prolific in fantasy football, despite ranking 16th in fantasy points per game. I’m not saying they were a good fantasy unit in any way, but are they just one spot ahead of the #30 Atlanta Falcons in roster percentage, who scored the most points? That’s a bit far.

And of course we’re not streaming them just because they’re 16th in the points standings. It’s all about this week’s matchup.

The Colts-Patriots game in Foxboro has the second-lowest over/under of the week at 42.5 points on FanDuel. This game will be light on offense, and the Colts have the edge to emerge victorious by 2.5 points.

Drake Maye continues to show flashes, but the Patriots gave up 12 points to the Miami Dolphins defense last week. And in Drake Maye’s six complete games, they’ve given up 9.5 points per game. That would be the fifth-most total for any team this season (and even if we include all of the Patriots’ games, they’ve still allowed the seventh-most).

Since Indy’s defense is a good unit from both a real and fantasy perspective, they are a great player at this point.