Top defenses for NFL Fantasy football managers to stream in Week 13

The world of Fantasy football rightfully revolves around standout skill players, but it's important to avoid overlooking defensive units as they make a key difference every week. A poor outing could sink a team in a loss, while a prominent one could give a team just enough of an edge to secure a victory.

That becomes especially true when teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are on a bye week. That is a pair of top-three scoring Fantasy defenses, so adding a reliable streaming option to pick up the slack is as crucial as ever. Let's take a look at the top options for the Week 12 NFL slate.

Stream Atlanta Falcons D/ST (at New York Jets)

The Atlanta Falcons defense showed off a "bend, but don't break" mentality in a victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. They held a divisional foe out of the end zone thanks to timely takeaways and key stops on third down. The effort was punctuated by safety Jessie Bates III's dazzling pick-six.

Pair that momentum with a Week 13 matchup against one of the NFL's worst offenses and it is clear why the Falcons are a must-start unit. Head coach Arthur Smith's squad is set to battle the New York Jets, who rank a dispiriting 31st in total yards per game (260.2) and 30th in points per game (14.8).

The Jets also allow the third-most sacks per game (4.3) and are tied for the sixth-most giveaways on the season (20). Each one of these statistics show that Atlanta's floor and ceiling are both incredibly high this week, so it'd be smart to stream a team that is currently available in 83.5% of ESPN leagues.

Stream Los Angeles Rams D/ST (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Sometimes grinding down the clock and holding opponents to a low point total is all that is needed for a satisfactory Fantasy performance. It is something that the Los Angeles Rams have done in each of their last three games. They have held opponents to only 16.7 points per contest during that span.

Next up on the schedule for LA is a showdown against a hobbling Cleveland Browns team. Cleveland has tallied only 25 total points in the two weeks since quarterback Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the season and enter Week 13 ranked 29th in terms of yards per play (4.5). Nothing has come easy.

Much like the Falcons, the Rams are a great streaming option because forcing punts should not be a tough task. Any takeaways or sacks that come against a Browns team that is giving up the seventh-most Fantasy points to opposing defenses are an added bonus. Now is LA's chance to stand out.

Stream Indianapolis Colts D/ST (at Tennessee Titans)

Ignoring what the Indianapolis Colts have done on defense over their last three games would be a travesty. They have racked up 15 sacks, six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. It's a stretch that has helped them jump to the No. 7 spot among the highest scoring Fantasy defenses.

Three straight double-digit Fantasy performances should put the Colts on any manager's radar, especially given their Week 13 opponent. The Tennessee Titans are averaging a dismal 13.3 points over their last four games and possess an 8-16 record against Indianapolis, dating back to 2011.

Keep in mind this is a streaming option that could be beneficial beyond this week, too. The Colts do not face an opposing offense that presently ranks among the top 20 teams in points per game until Week 18. Relying on Indianapolis heading into the Fantasy playoffs lines up as an intriguing strategy.

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