If you are one of those hooligans who streams defenses each week, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be looking for 50% rostered or less in Yahoo! Leagues.
Carolina Panthers (Car, 18%) vs. Hou
Facing a rookie QB in Davis Mills on a short week, Carolina was likely going to make this list this week anyway. But this Panthers D is prettaaaay prettaaaaay good. In their first two games, Carolina has 10 sacks and 3 INTs. They’re the #4 ranked fantasy defense so far. And while they opened the season against the Jets (7 PA), they also dismantled the Saints squad (14 PA) that just hung 38 on Green Bay in a blowout the week before. With Tyrod Taylor sidelined for Thursday Night Football due to a hamstring issue, the team is planning to roll with the rookie QB Mills, giving him just three days to prepare for a road game. We like Carolina’s chances here and so does Vegas, who has the Panthers winning by more than a touchdown and a Houston expected points total of just 18.
Tennessee Titans (Ten, 1%) vs. Ind
After opening the season against Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson, Tennessee gets a breather. They’re home against an 0-2 Colts team that has surrendered 6 sacks in its first two games and has yet to score more than 18 points. Speaking of sacks, one of the things the Titans desperately tried to upgrade this offseason was their pass rush. So far, the work has paid off. Tennessee has 5 sacks on the season and will be chasing either Carson Wentz, who injured both of his ankles last week, or Jacob Eason.
Las Vegas Raiders (LV, 1%) Mia
You gotta give props to new DC Gus Bradley. At least through the first two weeks, Bradley has pulled this Raiders D out of their bottom-10 residency over the last several years and up to respectability. They still have issues at LB and are light at CB, but keeping Baltimore to 27 points and Pittsburgh to 17 points (all while going 2-0 to start the season) is a massive improvement over the last few years. This unit will have a full head of steam heading into their home matchup with the Dolphins. Stud pass rusher Maxx Crosby has 10 QB pressures so far and has wreaked havoc on Lamar Jackson and Ben Roethlisberger. Now Miami might be without Tua Tagovailoa, and failed to score a point last week against the Bills. Vegas likes Vegas (so vain, right?) to keep Miam to just 20 points this week.
