Defense/Special Teams streaming has been a popular option for a while now for fantasy owners. But quarterback streaming has begun being put into use just recently, it seems. As the demand grows we must meet it with a supply of fantasy articles. Each week I’ll highlight as many appealing quarterbacks and defenses fantasy owners can pick up for that week to stream in their starting lineups. As the season progresses, more options will appear as teams and players are dropped and we discover who’s real and who’s not. If you have any questions about these picks or fantasy football in general, hit me up on Twitter @44AMiller.

Quarterback (Notable QBs on bye: Matt Ryan, Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers)

Carson Palmer (40 percent owned ESPN, 57 percent owned Yahoo!) – The Cowboys have only allowed three passing touchdowns in their last four games, but don’t let that scare you from using Palmer. He’s thrown for 284 yards and two scores per game this year. His schedule has been fairly easy, but he’s going to be the most talented quarterback available on most waiver wires. Add to that his large corps of capable receivers and you’ve got a great play.

Alex Smith (32%, 44%) vs. New York Jets – The Jets have easily been the most generous defense to opposing quarterbacks this year, giving up 22 passing touchdowns with only one interception. They’ve surrendered multiple touchdown passes in every game and at least three in four straight. Smith doesn’t have much upside, but his floor is higher than most waiver-wire quarterbacks. That plus his running stats and the great matchup make him for another good play.

Ryan Tannehill (40%, 54%) vs. San Diego – In the Chargers’ last three games they’ve surrendered their worst two and three of their worst five performances against quarterbacks this season. Their defense is struggling, thanks partially due to injuries in the secondary, so that makes Tannehill appealing this week. He’s been consistent lately, rushing for at least 35 yards in each of his last four games for a total of 180 yards on just 19 carries.

Brian Hoyer (27%, 16%) vs. Tampa Bay – Hoyer is the least inspiring play here, but Tampa is allowing the sixth most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Bucs only have four interceptions, which is tied for the eighth worst mark in the league. They’re also giving up over two passing touchdowns a game.

Defense (Notable defenses on bye: Buffalo, Detroit)

Cleveland (53%, 60%) vs. Tampa Bay – The Bucs have scored the third-fewest points this season, and they’re allowing opposing D/STs to score the third-most fantasy points per game. The Bucs have surrendered five sacks in back-to-back games, and their quarterbacks have been picked off in every game this season.

Washington (53%, 19%) at Minnesota – Prior to last week’s game against the pass-rush-less Buccaneers, Minnesota had allowed six, eight and five sacks, respectively, in its last three games. So in four of their eight games the Vikings have allowed at least five sacks. Washington is tied for ninth in sacks this season, and it should add to that total this week.

Minnesota (33%, 41%) vs. Washington – It seems like Robert Griffin III will start Sunday, but that isn’t enough to keep the Vikings off this list. They’ve allowed only 16 points per game in their last three games, racking up at least four sacks in each game – meaning they have at least four sacks in half their games.