Should I Start The Buccaneers DST in Week 17? Fantasy Football Team Defenses

Should I start the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense/special teams for fantasy football in Week 17? Read the fantasy football team defenses outlook.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not played at a playoff level this season, but they are one win away from making the playoffs anyway. So why do the Bucs have a losing record as they head into Week 17?

Tom Brady is averaging fewer yards per pass than he has over his two-decade-long career. WR Mike Evans is in danger of not posting a 1,000-yard year after breaking the barrier in each of his first eight seasons. Tampa Bay failed to replace Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski. Oh, and the offensive line is made up of walking turnstiles and not Pro Bowl-caliber players.

The Tampa Bay defense is the only reason the team has not been eliminated from playoff contention. They are ranked eighth in scoring defense, sixth in total defense, fourth in pass defense, and seventh in sacks. So should you pick up the Tampa Bay defense/special teams this week for your championship matchup?  Here is my take:

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Should I Start the Buccaneers Defense in Week 17?

Yes, Tampa Bay is a safe play this week if the other DSTs on your fantasy squad have difficult matchups against high-powered offenses. Tampa Bay is hosting a Carolina Panthers team that is far from explosive. While the Panthers’ run-first offense has helped them win three of their past four games and allowed quarterback Sam Darnold to be the game manager he is, this is not an offense built to rack up points, and they have yet to prove they can score consistently when they are not playing at home.

Carolina has gone winless on the road this year. Six road games, six losses. In those horrible half-dozen games, the Panthers only scored 30 points once and only topped the 21-point plateau twice. They do not have an offense overflowing with playmakers, and Darnold has never made an NFL offense better by being under center. Tampa Bay will stack the box to stop the run and force Darnold to make plays to win, and he has never proven he can do that in a big spot like this.

Another thing going in favor for Tampa Bay is motivation. Carolina drubbed Tampa Bay earlier in the season by a 21-3 score. So if needing a win to clinch a division title was not motivation enough, Brady, the Bucs defense, and the rest of the team will be determined to get revenge for the hurting the Panthers laid on them in Week 7.

I know the Panthers have run the ball extremely well in recent weeks and that Tampa Bay’s defense is average against the run, but the best the Panthers can do is score 20 points. And I know the Buccaneers secondary is banged-up, but do you honestly think Darnold can pick it apart? I cannot see Brady and the TB D laying the egg of all eggs in this must-win matchup. Pick up the Tampa Bay DST and enjoy 13 points allowed, four sacks, and a solid performance that might push your fantasy team to a title this weekend.

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