Texans, Cowboys Lead Weeks 9-12 D/ST Streamers as Top-5 Units Average Just 6.7 Points
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Nov 3
Texans, Cowboys Lead Weeks 9-12 D/ST Streamers as Top-5 Units Average Just 6.7 Points
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Nov 3
Summary
Houston and Dallas were highlighted as the best November D/ST pickups, with the Texans drawing the Chargers, Browns, Colts and injury-hit Ravens, while the Cowboys get the Colts, Titans and Eagles around a tougher Week 10 49ers matchup.
6.7 fantasy points is what the top five preseason D/STs have averaged in 2026, versus 9.4 for defenses facing the five most generous offenses, underscoring the value of streaming during heavy bye weeks.
The Chargers rank as the best offense to target for streamers over the past five weeks, adding 6.6 points to opposing D/STs on average, followed by the Vikings at 4.8 and Panthers at 4.4.
Detroit has been the worst matchup for fantasy defenses, cutting 6.4 points from opposing D/ST totals; Houston and Buffalo are next at minus-4.0, with Cincinnati close behind at minus-3.8.
Week 11's six-team bye crunch sharpens the need for plug-in defenses, and the updated road map sets weekly streaming rankings through Week 12 ahead of a later Weeks 13-17 update.