How many times have you heard someone telling you to “stream” a position? Whether it be quarterback, tight end, or defense, the idea of streaming is great, provided you get the players you want off the waiver wire. The issue with streaming week-to-week is that everyone knows who you’ll be targeting in those good matchups and you might have that player swiped from underneath you, or even worse, your opponent that week may snag a player just to ensure you don’t get them.
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We started this article so you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Each Saturday morning, you’ll head over to your waiver wire and snag the players who are lined up for good matchups the following week. They may have a brutal matchup for that current week. Great, even better. That just means they’re more likely to be available for you. By snagging them a week prior, you eliminate the need to spend a lot of FAAB dollars on the top tier defense that everyone is chasing. Here are the players who have solid Week 13 matchups on tap and are less than 40 percent owned.
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles (JAX) vs TB
Streaming quarterbacks against the Bucs has netted tremendous success this year, as 8-of-10 quarterbacks have finished as top-14 options. The last time a quarterback failed to finish with at least 17.3 fantasy points against them was back in Week 2. The Jags won’t be able to run the ball against them, leading to plenty of production for Foles.
Sam Darnold (NYJ) at CIN
He’s been on somewhat of a hot streak lately, posting 21-plus fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. The craziest part about the matchup with the Bengals is that despite no quarterbacks totaling more than 36 pass attempts, they’ve allowed top-16 performances to every single quarterback they’ve played. It’s quite remarkable that can be said after 10 games played.
Decent alternatives: Ryan Tannehill (TEN) at IND, Kyle Allen (CAR) vs WAS
Running Backs
Patrick Laird (MIA) vs PHI
We already know that Kalen Ballage is the least efficient running back in the post-merger era (seriously, I’ve checked). Add in a matchup with the Eagles that are allowing just 3.36 yards per carry, and you have a game they may actually lose yards on a per carry basis. Fortunately, that’s where Laird comes in, as he’s now the primary pass-catcher out of the backfield after seeing a rock-solid six targets in Week 11, turning them into six catches for 51 yards. Running backs have averaged 8.3 targets per game against the Eagles, too. Who knows, Laird may be the primary running back at this time next week.
Tony Pollard (DAL) vs BUF
The Cowboys aren’t using Pollard a whole lot, but he’s been efficient when he does see touches. The matchup with the Bills should bring on a run-heavy attack from the Cowboys, as they’ve allowed 12 running backs to finish as top-24 running backs through 10 games. You don’t have to be a mathematician to know that averages to more than one per game. Five of those running backs did that while totaling single-digit carries. This pick-up also has the added benefit that he should be owned in every league, as he’s a league-winner should Ezekiel Elliott have to miss time.
Desperation option: Peyton Barber (TB) at JAX
Wide Receivers
Chris Conley (JAX) vs TB
It’s now been four straight games where Conley has seen seven-plus targets, which is obviously a massive opportunity, especially when going into a matchup with the Bucs who’ve allowed a league-high 46.7 PPR points per game to wide receivers. There have been 16 wide receivers who’ve finished as top-36 options against them this year, including 12 of them who’ve finished top-20.
Allen Lazard (GB) at NYG
There’s a good chance the Giants use Janoris Jenkins to shadow Davante Adams, which bodes well for Lazard, as he’d be seeing DeAndre Baker, the other perimeter cornerback for the Giants, a rookie who’s been continually burned in coverage, allowing a massive 68.6 percent catch-rate, 18.0 yards per reception, and a touchdown every 8.5 targets in his coverage. He’s the best matchup in all of football right now, as evidenced by the 149.9 passer rating when targeted. If there’s a breakout game for Lazard, this could be it.
Mecole Hardman (KC) vs OAK
With Tyreek Hill‘s status up in the air, Hardman should be owned. The Raiders are a team he slashed for 4/61/1 earlier in the year when Hill was out, and that doesn’t even include a 70-plus yard touchdown that was called back due to a holding penalty. He’s not a safe option at all, but he presents upside for those willing to sacrifice some floor.
Viable alternatives: Russell Gage (ATL) vs NO, Taylor Gabriel (CHI) at DET, Nelson Agholor (PHI) at MIA, Geronimo Allison (GB) at NYG, Cole Beasley (MIA) at DAL
Tight Ends
Noah Fant (DEN) vs LAC
He’s now seen 14 of the 59 attempts that Brandon Allen has thrown. That’s a massive 23.7 percent target share, which is good for wide receivers, let alone tight ends. Some will see that the Chargers have allowed the ninth-fewest points to tight ends and be concerned, but volume is the primary reason. They’ve allowed a healthy 7.97 yards per target, which is the 10th highest mark in football. Follow the targets with Fant.
Dallas Goedert (PHI) at MIA
He’s now seen 28 targets since Week 6, and despite having his bye week in that time, he ranks 12th among tight ends. His production ranks eighth. The Dolphins are a team you can beat in a million different ways, but we know that Wentz loves his tight ends, as evidenced by their 35.6 percent target share in the offense. The Dolphins have allowed a massive 8.32 yards per target to the position.
Solid alternatives: Ryan Griffin (NYJ) at CIN, Delanie Walker (TEN) at IND
DSTs
Philadelphia Eagles at MIA
Streaming defenses that play the Dolphins has been a winning strategy all season, so why stop now? The worst fantasy performance they’ve allowed to a defense was the Jets when they totaled four sacks, a safety, and allowed 24 points. Seriously, that was the worst defensive performance against them all year. They were the No. 11 defense that week. Every team has finished top-12 when playing the Dolphins.
Carolina Panthers vs WAS
Playing the defense that’s going against Dwayne Haskins is a great idea, especially when they’re at home. Over the last three weeks, their opponents have racked-up 14 sacks with two interceptions and have allowed just 35 points combined. It also doesn’t hurt that the Panthers are tied for the league-lead with 39 sacks this year.
Viable alternative: New York Jets at CIN
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Mike Tagliere is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeTagliereNFL.
