Denny’s Deals — Week 9 Fantasy Football Defenses
These Week 9 fantasy football defenses are great primary targets to build your team around!
The Dolphins’ defense, in their Week 8 massacre of the Jacksonville offense, could have scored half the fantasy points and still exceeded their DraftDay value by quite a bit.
Miami’s 26 fantasy points against the oh-so-generous Jaguars’ offense could be taken as a lesson in not overthinking tournament plays. I recommended the Dolphins as an elite cash game option last week, though they were on quite a few (very) successful tournament squads across the daily fantasy landscape.
If we’re ultra confident in a defensive option — even a high-priced one — we should consider deploying said defense in every format, not just ones that call for high fantasy floors.
The Lions’ defense, meanwhile, never recovered from a first-half onslaught from a previously dysfunctional Falcons offense that eventually crumbled in the second half. Detroit’s fantasy Week 8 output was one of the more surprising so far in 2014.
Let’s move on to Week 9’s best cash game and tournament plays, once again using Streaming Scores to identify the juiciest matchups.
A team’s Streaming Score doesn’t incorporate how stifling or generous a certain defense has been. It’s entirely matchup based.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Defenses for Cash Games
San Francisco 49ers ($5,600) vs. St. Louis Rams
I see the 49ers’ defense as a unit that can be used in any sort of format this week on DraftDay. They’re taking on a St. Louis offens that has allowed an average of 14 fantasy points to opposing defenses on the road this season. Oh, and the Rams lost Brian Quick — their lone explosive offensive threat — for the season in Week 8.
The best part: San Fran’s defense is reasonably priced in this mouthwatering matchup. Fourteen defenses are priced higher than the 49ers in Week 9. With a high streaming score, coming off a bye week, playing at home against a disastrous Rams’ offense, it doesn’t get much safer than the 49ers.
Kansas City Chiefs ($7,650) vs. New York Jets
The Chiefs’ defense is very much on the pricey side this week, and for good reason. They get a crack at Michael Vick and the abominable Gang Green offense that most recently gave up 16 fantasy points to Buffalo’s defense.
The Jets have given up 11 turnovers over the past month, to go along with 13 sacks. The Chiefs’ defense, after a slow start, has looked something like they did during the first half of 2013, and in a game that could get out of hand fairly early, Kansas City in Week 9 could easily be among the highest scoring defenses of 2014. KC this week sports the highest streaming score of the season.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Defenses for Tournaments
Minnesota Vikings ($5,850) vs. Washington
I’d rather have the 49ers’ defense at their price, but I suspect San Francisco will have sky-high ownership in Week 9. I think the Vikings make a nice alternative and will likely have low ownership even after back-to-back dominant defensive performances.
They take on a Washington offense that has been generous to just about everyone in 2014, with or without Robert Griffin III, who is expected back this week. Washington has given up 9.3 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in four road games. With RGIII at the helm, they gave up 20 fantasy points to Houston’s defense in Week 1.
Minnesota’s floor might be a tad scary, but they make a sensible tourney play.
Washington Redskins ($4,000) at Minnesota Vikings
Considering price, I prefer Washington’s defense over the Vikings in Week 9. Their Streaming Scores are similar, Washington’s defense has applied consistent pressure on passers in recent weeks, and the Vikings’ offense doesn’t scare anyone. In fact, only three teams allow more fantasy production to opposing defenses through eight weeks.
The Rotoviz Streaming D app, which evaluates weekly defensive options, has tabbed Washington as a top-5 Week 9 play. I wouldn’t quibble with that. They’re available at a rock-bottom price too.
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