Fantasy football managers often have the choice of whether to roll with an NFL team’s defense as their weekly starting D/ST or to deploy the streaming strategy depending on matchups for that upcoming week. For those that use the latter approach, we’re highlighting some fantasy streaming defenses for Week 12.
Of note, the fantasy D/ST streaming options we are recommending fall below the 50 percent roster threshold on ESPN as of Saturday, November 22. We’ve provided a variety of NFL stats on why each of the fantasy streaming defenses this week are recommended.
Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs Green Bay Packers
Fantasy Streaming Defenses Week 12
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Even if Josh Jacobs (knee) suited up on Sunday, we’d still recommend starting the Minnesota Vikings D/ST against the Green Bay Packers. Jacobs mentioned that it’s a “range of motion” issue and that will impact his effectiveness as a runner. More importantly, the Packers offense is averaging just 15.7 points and 308.7 total yards per game over the last three weeks, with 4 turnovers and 6 sacks allowed. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defense is coming off a three-game stretch where it has held opponents to just a 4.71 yards-per-play average and is averaging 2.7 sacks per game with just a 36 percent third-down conversion rate allowed. With Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed out, Green Bay doesn’t have YAC threats nor is its offensive line dependable enough to protect Jordan Love from the Vikings pass rush.
Related: NFL Defense Rankings 2025, Week 12 Fantasy Defense Rankings
New Orleans Saints D/ST vs Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy Streaming Defenses
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
There are a lot of people sleeping on the defense being played as of late by the New Orleans Saints. Even including a rough outing against the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans has limited its last three opponents to 275 total yards per game with a 4.51 yards-per-play average. In that three-game stretch, the Saints racked up 6 sacks and 3 takeaways. Kirk Cousins is a statue in the pocket and he won’t have top wideout Drake London in Week 12. There’s an opportunity here for five-plus sacks, an interception, and fewer than 20 points allowed.
Related: Week 12 Fantasy Rankings
Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs Cleveland Browns
Fantasy Streaming Defenses
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
This is just as much about the Cleveland Browns offensive line as it is Shedeur Sanders. Entering Week 12, Cleveland has allowed the second-highest pressure rate (41.6 percent) in the NFL and it is responsible for its running backs having the lowest yards before contact (0.4) per rush. Now, throw in wide receivers who can’t create great separation and a rookie quarterback making his first start who has a penchant for holding onto the ball too long. The Raiders D/ST is an underrated streaming option this week.
Related: NFL Week 12 Predictions
Arizona Cardinals D/ST vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy Streaming Defenses
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears D/ST is a popular streaming option for Week 12, but we’re going in another direction. While the Jaguars put up 35 points last week, this offense is averaging just 311.2 total yards per game with a 4.54 yards-per-play average, a 36.8 percent third-down conversion rate, and it surrendered 4 sacks per game in the last five contests. The Arizona Cardinals can absolutely get after the quarterback, and a Jaguars passing game missing Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter won’t have the playmakers to get away from Arizona’s corners. Maybe the upside isn’t sky-high, but the Cardinals D/ST is a sneaky starting option on Sunday.
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Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college ... More about Matt Johnson