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)
1. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have had a solid fantasy defense, ranking ninth at 6.7 points per game. They have five double-digit scoring games, which were against the Raiders, Panthers, Browns, Titans and Falcons. Los Angeles has three negative-scoring games, which were against the Bengals, Ravens and Buccaneers.
In week 17, the Chargers play the New England Patriots. The Patriots score 17.3 points per game, ranking 30th in the league. They can take advantage of New England’s offensive line issues to have a big game. The Chargers are rostered in 49.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis has had a below-average fantasy defense, scoring 4.9 points per game and ranking 21st in the league. They have totaled three double-digit performances this season: vs. Bears, Vikings and Broncos. Their only negative-scoring game was to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In week 17, the Colts play the New York Giants. The Giants score a league-worst 14.3 points per game, ranking last in the league. They have scored more than 14 points once in the last five games, which gives the Colts a huge opportunity as they are still playing with the hopes of making the playoffs. The Colts are rostered in 27.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a below-average fantasy defense, ranking 22nd at 4.8 points per game. Their only double-digit scoring game this season was against the New England Patriots. They have two negative-scoring games, which were against the Cardinals and Packers.
Miami matches up with the Cleveland Browns in week 17. They score 16.3 points per game, ranking 31st in the league. They haven’t scored more than their average in the last three weeks and now Dorian Thompson-Robinson is at quarterback, limiting their firepower. Miami can have a big game as they try to make a playoff push. They are rostered in 45.7 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have a bad fantasy defense, ranking 29th at 3.9 points per game. They have two double-digit scoring games, which were against the Browns and the Falcons. Their lone negative-scoring game was to the Carolina Panthers.
This week, the Raiders play the New Orleans Saints. They average 22.1 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the league, but they are averaging closer to 16 points per game over their last three games. Las Vegas isn’t great, but they can take advantage of the matchup. They are rostered in 4.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans has a bad fantasy defense, ranking 26th at 4.7 points per game. Their one double-digit scoring game was in week 1 against the Panthers. They have one negative-scoring game, which was against the Kansas City Chiefs.
They play the Las Vegas Raiders in week 17. While the Saints will be on a short week, the Raiders score just 17.6 points per game, ranking 29th in the league. The Saints should only be played in desperation, as they haven’t been good, but could be an option in deeper leagues. They are rostered in 35.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
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