This NFL season is already past the halfway point. If you’re a serious contender in your fantasy football leagues, it’s time to start preparing for your championship runs. Most of your rosters are already be set in stone. However, defenses are volatile and matchup-based. That means you want to look ahead now and start using pickups on fantasy defenses with great matchups during Week 14 through Week 16. This article guides you through picking the correct fantasy defenses to stash for the fantasy football playoffs.
While some defenses are struggling lately due to a poor scheme, other defenses are underperforming due to injuries. Let’s parse through some of these sleeper defenses to see where we can find the most value.
Fantasy Defenses to Stash
Chicago Bears
Obviously, Chicago has an extremely talented defense. They also have an extremely untalented offense. That forces their defense to play far more snaps than they should. Things have gone from bad to worse since both starting quarterbacks, Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky, are injured. No doubt this is causing nervous fantasy owners to abandon ship.
Luckily, the Bears have a very nice schedule in store for them as they get to face off against the Texans at home in Week 14 before traveling to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 15. If your team is good enough to reach the championship game, then you get Khalil Mack and company abusing Jacksonville’s offensive line in Week 16. If Chicago’s defense is available anytime soon, pick it up and enjoy the ride.
Cleveland Browns
It is no secret that Cleveland’s defense has been extremely solid up to this point in the season. They’re averaging 2.4 sacks per game which is tied for the tenth-most in the league and racking up a consistent number of fantasy points.
However, their schedule gets a bit dicey around the start of the playoffs, sending some fantasy owners to look for alternatives. Cleveland has to travel to Tennessee for Week 13 before facing off against Baltimore at home in Week 14. There will definitely be better matchups available on the waiver wire for some managers who love to stream defenses. Plus, some fantasy football owners might drop Cleveland’s defense prior to Week 14 since Baltimore scored 38 points against it in Week 1.
On the bright side, the Browns get to feast on the Giants and the Jets over the last two weeks of the fantasy playoffs so they would be in a prime position to put up tons of fantasy points.
Seattle Seahawks
After you stop laughing at this choice, hear me out. The Seahawks’ defense has potential for the fantasy playoffs. Yes, they’re on pace to allow the most passing yards ever. However, they’re also tied for tenth in sacks per game. Their pass rushers are doing a solid job getting to opposing QBs.
Now, look at their two very solid matchups in Week 14 and Week 15: the Jets and the Football Team. Both of those teams have below-average offensive lines, each allowing at least 2.9 sacks per game. Seattle should feast on their quarterbacks in those two games. No doubt Seattle’s defense is available in your fantasy leagues. Your other league members might laugh at you for picking the Seahawks as one of your fantasy defenses to stash. However, these playoff matchups speak for themselves. You’re playing chess, not checkers.
