One of the biggest strategies in fantasy football is streaming defenses. Each week owners will look at matchups and make waiver wire acquisitions to find their starting defense. Here are fantasy football defenses to stream in week 17. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
Jacksonville has had an average fantasy defense, ranking 19th and scoring 5.3 points per game. They have four double-digit scoring games: vs. the Colts, the Titans, the Cowboys and the Jets. Three negative-scoring outings are on the record for the Jaguars this season: vs. the Colts, the Giants and the Lions.
In week 17, the Jaguars are going up against the Texans. Houston scores just 16.9 points per game, making them a good matchup for Jacksonville. The Jaguars also have three-straight double-digit scoring games as they make their playoff push. They are rostered in 15.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Falcons have been a bad fantasy defense this season, ranking 27th at four points per game. They have double-digit performances against the Rams, 49ers and Bears. Atlanta has three negative-scoring games: against the Steelers, Bengals and Buccaneers.
This week the Falcons play the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona scores 20.5 points per game, but they are now starting Trace McSorley due to injuries. Atlanta can limit the damage the Cardinals’ offense can do. Atlanta is rostered in 5.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
Washington has a good fantasy defense, ranking eighth at 6.5 points per game. They have scored double-digit points against the Bears, Eagles and Texans. The Commanders have had just one negative-scoring game against the Lions.
In week 17, the Commanders play the Cleveland Browns. The Browns 21.5 points per game, which makes them an average offense. Since Deshaun Watson returned though, the Browns are averaging 15 points per game and that is including defensive scores. Washington is a good defense and has a good matchup. They are rostered in 37.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
Seattle has had a below-average fantasy defense this season, scoring 4.8 points per game and ranking 23rd in the league. They have three games where they scored double-digit points: vs. Arizona (twice) and the Giants. There have been two weeks that the Seahawks have had negative points, which came against the Saints and Raiders.
The matchup for the Seahawks in week 17 is the New York Jets. New York scores just 18.9 points per game, which is near the bottom of the league. They have had trouble finding consistency at quarterback and the Seahawks can have a solid day. Seattle is rostered in just 26.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Giants have had a below-average season defensively, ranking 25th at 4.3 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring games, which were against the Bears and Commanders. There have been three negative-scoring games this season for the Giants: vs. the Cowboys, Lions and Eagles.
This week, the Giants are playing the Colts. The Colts score 17.5 points per game, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Indianapolis will be on a short week after playing on Monday Night Football and they will also be without star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Giants are rostered in 13 percent of ESPN leagues.
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