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 week 17. (Note: All defenses mentioned are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues. Stats from before Monday Night Football)
The Bears have had an average fantasy defense this season, ranking 15th at 6.5 points per game. They have registered five double-digit scoring performances, with three of those coming in their last four games. Chicago has two negative-scoring games, but those were within the first three weeks of the season.
In week 17, the Bears play the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons score 19.4 points per game, which is below average. They have changed quarterbacks a few times and have trouble getting the ball into their playmakers’ hands. Chicago can put up a solid performance. They are rostered in 22.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Jaguars have a decent fantasy defense, ranking 21st at 5.7 points per game. They have four double-digit scoring games this season, although they haven’t had one since week 8. Jacksonville has registered three negative-scoring outings, with the most recent being against the Bengals in week 13.
The week 17 matchup for the Jaguars is with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers score just 15.7 points per game this season, ranking 29th in the league. They are coming off a solid game against the Green Bay Packers, but overall have struggled this season, which presents a good opportunity for the Jaguars, who have a lot to play for in the last two weeks. They are available in over 66 percent of ESPN leagues.
Houston has a middle-of-the-pack fantasy defense at 6.3 points per game, ranking 17th in the league. The Texans have five double-digit fantasy games this season,with the most recent being in week 15. They have two negative-scoring games this season which were against the Colts and Jaguars.
This week, the Texans are matching up with the Tennessee Titans. They score just 18.3 points per game, ranking 27th in the league. Will Levis was injured and Ryan Tannehill is back at quarterback for the Titans after struggling earlier in the season. Houston can have a good game while they make a push for the playoffs. They are rostered in 37.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Rams have had a tough season defensively, ranking 30th at 4.2 points per game. They have no double-digit scoring games this season. On the other hand, they have two negative-scoring games, with the most recent being in week five.
In week 17, the Rams take on the New York Giants. The Giants rank 31st in scoring at 14.3 points per game. They have just benched Tommy DeVito for Tyrod Taylor. Taylor seemed to bring some life to the offense, which hurts the Rams’ chances this week, but they can still play well. They are rostered in 27.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Chargers have had a bad fantasy season defensively, at 27th in the league scoring 5.0 points per game. They have four double-digit scoring games, with their best being a 26-point performance against the New York Jets. They have four negative-scoring outings, with the most recent being in week 15.
This week, the Chargers play the Denver Broncos. The Broncos rank in the middle of the league at 21.8 points per game. Denver has lost two straight games and are averaging 20 points per game over that span. The Chargers should only be played in pure desperation. They are rostered in 17.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
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