Breakdowns
12/21/21
3 min read
Fantasy Football: Streaming Defenses and Kickers – Week 16
The playoffs continue, and if you’re still alive, you’re going to want to make sure you get every last possible point because your fantasy season may depend on it, so put in the time. Keep reading for the best matchups for streaming for Week 16 at both defense and kicker and the reasons why I feel they are great options.
Defense:
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. PIT)
The Chiefs defense was brought back down to Earth this week against the Chargers but had averaged 14.6 points per game over their prior five games against pretty good offenses. They now get a matchup against a Steelers offense that has struggled of late and is vulnerable to good fantasy defense performances against them. Kansas City is a great option to pounce on if they’re available in your league.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
This may seem like an unusual choice, but Baltimore’s offense had allowed opposing defenses to average 11.2 points per game over the five games entering this week. They improved, but they did so with Tyler Huntley under center, and he will likely not be starting next week. This is not a knock against Lamar Jackson, who is a great QB, but he has struggled at times and been prone to turnovers, so this is a matchup that may be worth targeting.
Detroit Lions (@ ATL)
This is more instinctive than anything else and could be considered reactionary, but after a great performance shutting down the Cardinals dynamic offense, Detroit has a very favorable matchup against a Falcons team tied for the second-best offense for a defense to face this season. There is a risk given that Detroit’s defense has not been very good for most of the year, but they seem to have improved to a point where they can capitalize on a great matchup.
Kickers:
Robbie Gould (@ TEN)
Robbie Gould has averaged a solid but unspectacular 9 points per game over the last six weeks, showing off solid consistency. Tennessee is also a solidly favorable matchup for kickers to face, as they have the 8th best red zone defense in the NFL this season, forcing a solid amount of field goal attempts, which Gould is usually efficient with converting.
Younghoe Koo (vs. DET)
If you’re a consistent reader of this series, you’re probably used to the Lions’ opponent appearing on this list since they allow the highest average fantasy kicker score in the NFL. Well that still hasn’t changed, so here is their opponent for week 16. Younghoe Koo has had a down year after a phenomenal 2020 season, but he’s been solid over the last two weeks and seems like a good option given his incredible matchup.
Dustin Hopkins (@ HOU)
Dustin Hopkins found himself in a difficult situation this week, as his coach (correctly) chose to go for it on 4th down instead of attempting a FG on three separate occasions, resulting in him only getting to kick extra points. He had 24 points over the two prior weeks, showing that he does usually have more opportunity and he tends to convert on it. Against Houston this week, he gets an opponent in the upper half in terms of average fantasy points allowed to kickers, so he should be in line for a solid performance.
