Week 1 Fantasy Football Defensive Streaming: Buy the Lions

Detroit Lions

Owned: 37% of Yahoo leagues
numberFire Week 1 Projected Rank: 11th

As stated above, pinpointing the best matchups is critical in streaming defenses, and a home matchup against a rookie quarterback is always appealing. The Detroit Lions are owned in 37% of Yahoo leagues, but face Sam Darnold and the New York Jets at home in Week 1. The Lions are favored by 6.5 points in this matchup, the fourth-largest spread of the week.

Sacks and turnovers are the lifeblood of any big defensive performance, not necessarily points allowed, and the Jets enter the season with one of the league's worst offensive lines. This could lead to a rocky debut for Darnold, even though he has impressed in the preseason, throwing just one interception.

Speaking of turnovers, the Lions' defense generated the third-most in the league last season. But the defense will look a bit different this year with former coordinator Teryl Austin gone and Matt Patricia becoming Detroit's head coach. With Patricia at the helm, perhaps the Lions can improve in pressuring the quarterback. Last year, Detroit ranked 14th in quarterback hits (95) and 20th in sacks (35).

Against a rookie quarterback in primetime -- the Jets and Lions play Monday night -- the Lions' defense makes for a great Week 1 streaming option.