Week 12 Fantasy Football Defensive Streaming: Backing the Bengals

Los Angeles Chargers

Yahoo Ownership: 35%
numberFire Projected Rank: 16th

It's difficult to come up with an adjective that accurately describes what the Los Angeles Chargers' defense did to Nathan Peterman last week.

In just one half, Peterman threw five interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Peterman was pulled for Tyrod Taylor at halftime and while Taylor was able to lead the Bills to 17 second-half points, the Chargers' defense still found ways to produce. On a strip sack by Joey Bosa in the second half, Melvin Ingram scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a second Chargers defensive touchdown.

After finishing as the second-highest scoring defense in Week 11, the Chargers now travel to Dallas on a short week to take on a floundering Cowboys team. Without Tyron Smith and Ezekiel Elliott over the past two weeks, the Cowboys' offense has mustered just 16 points. The Cowboys are unsure if Smith will play Thursday, which is bad news for Dak Prescott. Without Smith, the Cowboys' offensive line has allowed 12 sacks, and the constant pressure has led Prescott to commit six turnovers.

Even if Smith is able to play Thursday, the Chargers pose a stiff test for the Cowboys as they rank third in the league in sacks (30) and their 17 forced turnovers rank eighth. From a fantasy perspective, the Chargers have finished as a top-12 defense in four out of the last six weeks.

This game actually has a 48.0-point over/under, which is the third-highest of the week, but it's a pick 'em, so neither team is listed as the favorite. If Smith plays, then the Bolts' defense loses a little bit of luster, but if Dallas' franchise left tackle is out once again, then the Chargers are a very strong play.