Stream Pies: Week 13

Mark Sanchez is destined to suck this week
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon

At “Stream Pies,” we are serving up gooey loads of knowledge. Here, we’ll provide invaluable streaming advice on kickers and DEF teams who are owned in less than 30-percent of Yahoo! leagues. We list the options in order of best option to “least-best” option (with the strongest recommendations starting at the top).We also include last week’s suggestions and full season results. Points are based on default Yahoo! settings.

This is the week to do work. A lot of you are sitting on a kicker or defense that has been up and down all season, opting for consistency over chaos. Well, that shit gets thrown out the window when you are talking Week 13. A lot of you need a win to seal a playoff spot, and sitting on your laurels at K and DEF will not get you there. Every position needs to be maximized at this point of the season, and fortunately for you, ole’ Daddy Starbucks has some hand-picked gems guaranteed* to get you in the playoffs!

*Dramatization: not a guarantee

“Stream Pies” blasts off after the jump:

Kicker Recommendations
When deciding on free agent kickers, you want to look for someone who is on a team that will move the ball, but has issues scoring TDs (i.e.- a team with a good passing game but a poor short-field running attack). A kicker’s skills and weather conditions are other factors to consider.

Week 12 Results (Points calculated with Yahoo! default settings)
Nick Folk: 4 points
Josh Scobee: 7 points
Lawrence Tynes: 7 points
Graham Gano: 5 points
Average for top ranked K in Y! scoring: 11.18 points per game (David Akers)
Average for “Stream Pies:” 8.19 points per recommendation

Week 13 Recommendations
1 - Shaun Suisham vs. CIN
2 - Conor Barth vs. CAR
3 - Olindo Mare at TB

Team Defense (DEF) Recommendations
We came out to an average of 8.5 points this week, with the Seahawks and Cardinals putting up solid efforts and the Falcons and Panthers playing below where we expected. Fortunately, we have a pair of intriguing defensive matchups highlighting our Week 13 recommendations.

Week 12 Results (Points calculated with Yahoo! default settings)
Atlanta Falcons: 14 points allowed, 4 sacks = 5 points
Arizona Cardinals: 20 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, return TD = 13 points
Seattle Seahawks: 23 points allowed, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 2 blocked kicks = 9 points
Carolina Panthers: 19 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INTs = 7 points
Average for top ranked DEF in Y! scoring: 12 points per game (CHI)
Average for “Stream Pies:” 7.68 points per recommendation

Week 13 Recommendations
Denver Broncos at MIN
Say what you want about Tim “The People’s” Tebow, but if nothing else, he’s inspired this team to play much better over the last few weeks. This is especially true for the defense, who went from one of the league’s worst to a unit that has held opponents to 15 or fewer points in four of their last six. Denver is firmly in the playoff picture and is playing a Vikings team that is floundering in obscurity. With Adrian Peterson unlikely to suit up this week, Minnesota has no reason to put up a fight against a spirited Broncos club. With Percy Harvin the lone playmaker left on Minnesota, expect Denver to have an easy time putting up a quality fantasy performance.

Washington Redskins vs. NYJ
Yes the Jets need every win they can get and the Redskins, on paper, appear to be a simple stepping stone on New York’s road to the post-season. Not so fast. The Jets offense struggles most when they are facing teams that can get pressure on the shaky Mark Sanchez. With New York’s offensive line failing regularly in pass protection and Washington sitting in a tie for third in sacks (33), expect Sanchez to make some mistakes and for the playmakers on the Redskins to capitalize.