Welcome to the fantasy soccer playoff semifinals, people! In case you’re studying this, congratulations. It means you’ve made it this far in your leagues, and a championship is true across the nook… so long as we are able to mail it in over these subsequent two weeks! We received’t be capable to try this with out getting our fantasy soccer defenses proper, nonetheless.
That can assist you set your lineups in Week 16, right here’s a take a look at three D/ST sleepers to contemplate, plus Week 16 fantasy protection rankings.
Week 16 protection streamers
Inexperienced Bay Packers D/ST vs. NO
The Inexperienced Bay Packers’ protection has little doubt been one of the nice surprises this fantasy season. After going undrafted in 82% of fantasy leagues this 12 months, this unit has come up clutch because the fifth-highest scoring fantasy D/ST this 12 months — a top-eight unit in factors allowed (287), yards per play (5.2), turnovers pressured (26) and sacks (40). In an important week, this productive unit headlined by playmakers like CB Jaire Alexander, LB Egerrin Cooper, S Xavier McKinney and Rashan Gary (amongst others) will get a matchup with the injury-riddled New Orleans Saints’ offense. In case anybody hasn’t been holding observe of the crew’s accidents on offense, the crew’s with out their beginning quarterback Derek Carr, top-two WRs in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, Swiss-army knife TE/RB/all the things else Taysom Hill and now, they may very well be with out RB Alvin Kamara, at present coping with a groin harm. Whether or not it’s Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener below heart, the dearth of playmakers (and the Packers’ skill to make splash performs) may very well be a top-tier combo for fantasy managers in want of a sleeper for Week 16.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. NYG
The Atlanta Falcons have struggled to get stress this season with the fifth-lowest stress fee within the league at simply 18.3%. It’s a middle-of-the-pack unit by way of yards per play allowed and turnovers pressured whereas rating beneath the league common in factors allowed. But nonetheless, this fantasy protection was in a position to string collectively some respectable performances because the Week 12 bye, scoring double-digit factors in two of three video games since, holding the LA Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders to a mixed 20 factors with 9 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 fumbles and a restoration in that span.
The New York Giants supply a equally intriguing matchup in opposition to this Falcons protection, having surpassed the 22-point mark simply as soon as all season (Week 5 @ Seahawks) and fewer than 15 factors in every of their final two video games. The G-Males haven’t any reply at quarterback, as Drew Lock is managing a heel harm, whereas backup Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito exited Week 15 with a concussion and is unsure for this week. That leaves Tim Boyle as the subsequent man up… and never a lot else. The Giants are permitting the fourth-most fantasy factors to opposing defenses, ranked bottom-five in EPA per play (-0.142) and scoring drive proportion (25.8%) whereas permitting the third-highest stress fee (39.1%) within the league.
Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. TEN
The Colts have been a greater all-around protection than a fantasy protection this season, with DeForest Buckner persevering with to play at a excessive stage with 6.5 sacks in simply 9 video games this season. Alongside him are a potent group of playmakers, together with Keity Paye (6.0 sacks) and rookie Laitu Latu (4.0) and playmakers Kenny Moore II, Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross within the secondary.
This week, the Colts will face the Tennessee Titans, who’re making a swap at quarterback this week after a disastrous tenure for Will Levis as a starter, ranked top-five within the league with 40 sacks taken this 12 months whereas averaging the third-lowest passing success fee (36.4%) this 12 months. In his place, it is going to be Mason Rudolph getting the beginning, who appears like a reasonably stable improve over Levis, however nonetheless has a 6:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio this 12 months and a profession common 43.3% profitable cross fee. In Weeks 7-9, when Rudolph began rather than the injured Levis, opposing D/STs averaged simply over 10 fantasy factors per sport.
Fantasy soccer: Week 16 protection rankings
Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Soccer podcast. She can also be the managing editor for Behind The Metal Curtain, SB Nation’s unique Pittsburgh Steelers weblog. Her earlier bylines embrace Professional Soccer Focus, NBC Sports activities Rotoworld and 4for4 Soccer, amongst others.
