Ahead of the fantasy football playoffs starting in NFL Week 15, we highlight five of the best defense and special teams options to consider adding for your team’s playoff run
The Jaguars D/ST has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of the last five weeks(Image: Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The fantasy football playoffs have arrived, and it is time to strategize your team’s path to the championship.
Every play, pass, catch, and yard gained in the coming weeks will be crucial to your fantasy team’s playoff chances, so it’s important to crunch the numbers to find out how to gain an edge.
One of the most common ways for fantasy football players to secure an advantage come playoff time is by streaming defenses, which involves picking up a team’s D/ST who has a favorable matchup against a struggling offense.
Here, we rank the top five D/ST units that can help you thrive in the fantasy football playoffs starting in Week 15.
READ MORE: Philip Rivers fantasy football outlook: Is Colts quarterback a legitimate option?READ MORE: Fantasy football playoffs: Add these players off waivers including Rams breakout starD/ST Rankings for Fantasy Football PlayoffsJacksonville Jaguars
Week 15: vs. New York Jets, Week 16: at Denver Broncos, Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars may be the most sought after D/ST for the fantasy playoffs, with several favorable matchups on tap.
After facing the lowly Jets in Week 15, Jacksonville travels to Denver and the Philip Rivers-led Indianapolis Colts to round out the fantasy playoffs. On top of that, the Jags rank tied-for-second among NFL teams with 23 takeaways this season.
Houston Texans
Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Week 16: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Week 17: at Los Angeles Chargers
The Texans defense have been one of the NFL’s top-performing units since their 0-3 start to the season.
Scoring 10+ fantasy points in seven of its last 10 games, Houston will be a hot commodity ahead of the fantasy football playoffs one week after picking off Patrick Mahomes three times.
The Texans defense has kept six of its last seven opponents to 20 points or fewer(Image: Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)New Orleans Saints
Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers, Week 16: vs. New York Jets, Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
The Saints defense has not been among the NFL’s best this season, but its next three contests make it a home run option for the fantasy playoffs.
After facing the playoff-contending Panthers, who New Orleans created two turnovers against in Week 10, they play two of the league’s worst offenses.
Kansas City Chiefs
Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Week 16: at Tennessee Titans, Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos
Kansas City’s defense will need to peak over the coming weeks if the Chiefs are to have a shot at reaching the playoffs, and the Steve Spagnuolo-coached, Chris Jones-led unit is more than capable.
READ MORE: Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl probability takes hit after third straight lossREAD MORE: Fantasy football playoffs: Drop these five players including Colts wide receiver
Sandwiched between two divisional matchups at home is a matchup against the Titans that can yield a double-digit haul for the Chiefs D/ST.
Philadelphia Eagles
Week 15: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Week 16: at Washington Commanders, Week 17: at Buffalo Bills
The Eagles defense has been keeping the reigning Super Bowl champions afloat in recent weeks, and can lead your fantasy team to the championship, too.
If you make it to your league’s fantasy championship game, Philadelphia’s defense faces a high-scoring Bills team that also ranks fifth in the NFL in giveaways this season.