Fantasy Football Defensive Streaming: Week 17 Edition
My defensive streamers from last week were fairly successful, finishing as the 11th-, 12th-, and 21st-ranked defensive units. As has been the case many times during the season, my recommendations didn’t really hit any home runs, but none really struck out, either.
Both Carolina and Jacksonville only allowed 13 points to their respective opponents, but only combined for seven sacks and just one forced turnover, which severely limited their upside.
Cleveland simply failed to apply pressure to Cam Newton, registering just one sack and one forced turnover, finishing with four fantasy points.
In most redraft leagues, champions were crowned last week. But for those who may still be playing in Week 17, or for those who are looking for cheap DFS options, below are the best streaming defensive plays for Week 17.
Green Bay Packers
Owned - ESPN: 49.2%, Yahoo: 69% Week 17 numberFire Rank: 5th
If you’re playing on Yahoo, there’s a good chance Green Bay is probably already owned. However, if you’re in one of the 31% of leagues in which they are, or if you’re playing on another site where they are available, they serve as an excellent streaming options this week.
The Packers’ defense has been a stellar fantasy performer at home this year, averaging 10.6 points per game, compared to just 4.6 points per game on the road. They are allowing 19.6 points per game since their Week 9 bye, and have forced 11 turnovers during that span.
Detroit has been playing better on offense as of late, but still rank near the middle of the league in terms of offensive efficiency according to our metrics.
The 47.5 point over/under could be a small concern, but the Packers are 7.5-point favorites at home. As we have noted all year long, it’s wise to stream defenses who are large, home favorites. Green Bay is a prime example.
Indianapolis Colts
Owned - ESPN: 19.5%, Yahoo: 50% Week 17 numberFire Rank: 10th
It could be tough for some to trust the Colts’ defense this week after the shellacking they took at the hands of the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys last week. And in truth, Indianapolis really isn’t anything special defensively, ranking just 20th in the league in overall defensive efficiency.
But what they do have going for them this week is a peach of a matchup.
It should be obvious to us by now that Tennessee is a really, really bad football team. Tied with Tampa Bay for the worst record in the league, they’ve lost nine in a row, and have stopped playing for their lame duck head coach. This should be a signal for us to attack.
The Titans rank 29th in offensive efficiency and have scored 24 points or more just twice all season long. Even though the game is in Nashville, the Colts are 7 point favorites, and have a golden opportunity to produce fantasy points.
Minnesota Vikings
Owned - ESPN: 22.2%, Yahoo: 35% Week 17 numberFire Rank: 9th
It’s really come to this –- the only way Jay Cutler can earn a start is when Jimmy Clausen is injured.
But bizarre as it may be, this is certainly a situation that we can take advantage of as defensive streamers.
The Vikings defense has been inconsistent from a fantasy standpoint this season, posting a few monster outings, sprinkled in with a few duds. They rank 21st in defensive efficiency based on numberFire’s metrics, which is nothing spectacular, but they face another team in complete turmoil without much of anything to play for in Week 17.
The Bears have been a colossal disappointment this season, currently ranking just 19th in offensive efficiency, a mind-numbing stat for a team with so much potential on that side of the ball.
Minnesota is a 6.5-point home favorite in a game with a 44 point over/under. The stage is set for Jay Cutler’s possible final act in Chicago -– grab your popcorn.
