Sportsnaut
Week 16 of the NFL schedule often represents the semifinals in fantasy football, with this week’s matchups likely to determine who will face off in the championship round. While a majority of the focus centers on skill players, fantasy defenses can be the difference between a season ending and a championship.
Let’s dive into some of our top fantasy streaming defenses this week. Of note, we’re focused on D/ST units entering Week 16 that are rostered in 55 percent of leagues or fewer.
With so much of the focus on J.J. McCarthy, there’s been less attention paid to what the Minnesota Vikings have accomplished defensively in recent weeks. Heading into Week 16, Minnesota is allowing just 20.7 points and 297.4 total yards per game with a 4.67 yards-per-play average. Quarterbacks have completed just 58.2 percent of their passes with nearly six times as many sacks taken (18) as passing touchdowns (3) in that seven-game span. Furthermore, Minnesota has surrendered just a 35.6 percent third-down conversion rate while generating 6 takeaways. With the New York Giants offense and Jaxson Dart struggling as of late, we expect the Vikings D/ST to be one of the six best fantasy defenses this week.
Related: NFL Defense Rankings 2025
Do the San Francisco 49ers have a good defense? No, not since losing Fred Warner, Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries. However, this unit is very well-coached by Robert Saleh and they take advantage of bad competition. It’s evidenced by the fact that San Francisco has allowed just 15.8 points per game over the last four weeks with 7 takeaways. and a 31.7 percent third-down conversion rate allowed. San Francisco won’t generate a ton of pressure, but Philip Rivers can only throw short passes and the limitations that puts on the Indianapolis Colts offense should result in San Francisco allowing 17 points or fewer.
Related: Week 16 Fantasy Kicker Rankings
There’s certainly a risk that with Patrick Mahomes out and the team eliminated from playoff contention, we see the Kansas City Chiefs play unmotivated in Week 16. With that said, this is a matchup we can’t ignore for a streaming defense. After all, the Tennessee Titans offense averaged just 16.9 points and 259.8 total yards per game in its last nine contests, allowing 30 sacks (3.3 sacks per game) with 10 takeaways. The opportunities for sacks, a takeaway, and fewer than 24 points allowed are a combo that can’t be ignored from a fantasy perspective.
Related: Week 16 Fantasy Rankings
We’re about to find out just how bad the Chiefs offense is without Patrick Mahomes. Keep in mind, Kansas City came into Week 16 with one of the least explosive rushing attacks in the NFL, and it’s been just around league-average in terms of red zone efficiency. Now, Gardner Minshew is under...
