Week 17 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 17 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 17 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 17 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, I'll go through the best and worst fantasy defenses to start in your lineups.

Since Week 17 is the fantasy football championship in most leagues, starting the right defense this week could be the difference between a title or not. This article, though, will help you make the right decision.

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 17. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

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Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

1. Indianapolis Colts D/ST at NYG 

IND favored by 8, Total ~40.5

There might be some hesitation from fantasy managers to start the Colts defense this week. This unit just allowed 30 points to the Titans last week and hasn't really played well in recent games. However, this is a smash start for Indianapolis in Week 17 against the Giants.

The THIRD interception by this @Colts defense 👀

📺: #INDvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/SJ6azowvld

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

New York was embarrassed on the road last week, and Drew Lock threw two pick-six interceptions in that game. So, the Colts defense should be in for a strong fantasy day. This unit has totaled six interceptions over the past two weeks while totaling at least two sacks in seven of the past nine games. That'll come in handy against a Giants offensive line that has allowed 48 sacks this season (tied for the fifth-most in the NFL).

2. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at NE 

LAC favored by 5.5, Total ~42.5

The Chargers defense will come in as the No. 2 option in the fantasy football championship. Although this unit has struggled a bit in recent weeks, it's hard not to roll with this defense against the Patriots in Week 17. Los Angeles currently ranks sixth in sacks (42) and first in points allowed per game (18.3) this season.

Now, this defense will go up against a Patriots offense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in several categories. New England ranks 29th in yards per game, 30th in points per game, and 30th in pass-rush win rate. On top of that, this offensive line has allowed 47 sacks (tied for the seventh-most), and Drake Maye has thrown an interception in seven straight games. So, start the Chargers defense with confidence this week.

3. Miami Dolphins D/ST at CLE 

MIA favored by 6.5, Total ~40.5

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is expected to start at quarterback again for the Browns in Week 17, and that makes the Dolphins defense almost a must-start option at the position. Last week, Thompson-Robinson threw two interceptions and was sacked five times in the team's loss. As a result, Miami is in a great spot defensively heading into the fantasy football championship.

The Dolphins have totaled at least three sacks in six of the past seven games and now have a great matchup against the Browns offensive line. Cleveland has allowed the most sacks this season (63). That makes this Miami defense a top-3 option. Thompson-Robinson has also thrown nine interceptions to just one touchdown in his career.

4. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. DAL

PHI favored by 9.5, Total ~43.5

Putting the Eagles this high on this list is more about their talented defense because the Cowboys' offense has played well in recent weeks. Dallas is averaging 27.4 points over the last five games. But this Philadelphia defense is a tough matchup for Cooper Rush and company. The Eagles have allowed the fifth-fewest points per game while ranking tied for eighth in sacks (40) this season.

So, the Eagles will be a top-5 play at home this weekend. They scored 23 fantasy points back in Week 10 against a Rush-led offense behind a three-sack, five-turnover game. While it's hard to rely on Philadelphia to have that type of performance against this Cowboys offense again, the possibility is still there for them to have a solid fantasy day.

5. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at CHI 

SEA favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

The Seahawks' defense will be a strong play in Week 17 against the Bears. Although Caleb Williams hasn't thrown an interception since Week 6, Seattle still has plenty of potential in this game, especially in the sack department. Chicago has allowed the second-most sacks this season (60), and Williams has been sacked 37 times since Week 9. That averages out to 4.6 sacks allowed per game.

So, the Seahawks' defense will have a high fantasy floor in Week 17. It has totaled multiple sacks in five of the past six weeks while forcing a turnover in eight of the last nine games. The Bears have also scored over 20 points just once since Week 8.

6. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. LV

NO favored by 1.5, Total ~39.5

The Saints' defense will be a solid fantasy option in Week 17 against the Raiders. New Orleans just had eight sacks two weeks ago against the Commanders and has totaled multiple sacks in six straight games. Now, this unit will have a great matchup in the fantasy football championship.

Las Vegas has given up 49 sacks (tied for the third-most) this season, and this offensive line currently ranks 24th in pass-block win rate. The Raiders have also turned over the ball 28 times in 2024 (third-most in the NFL). So, the Saints' defense can be started in most formats this weekend.

7. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. NYJ

BUF favored by 10, Total ~46.5

The Bills defense got off to a slow start last week, but it ended up having a great fantasy day. Buffalo scored 16 fantasy points behind a two-sack, three-turnover, one-touchdown day. After that strong second-half performance against the Patriots, this unit can be used again in Week 17 against the Jets.

New York has certainly had its struggles on offense this year and only scored nine points against the Rams last week. So, fantasy managers should feel confident about starting this Bills defense in the fantasy football championship. Buffalo has forced a turnover in 15 of 16 games this season and held this Jets offense to 20 points the last time these two teams played. This unit also ranks 12th in pass-rush win rate through 16 weeks.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

8. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST at NO

NO favored by 0.5, Total ~39.5

It remains to be seen if Derek Carr (hand), Alvin Kamara (groin), and Chris Olave (concussion) will play in this game. Carr is adamant about playing again this season, and Olave was reinstated from injured reserve just last week. However, assuming Spencer Rattler draws another start in Week 17, the Raiders could be a potential start in some leagues.

The #Raiders defense has now recorded at least one sack in 33 consecutive games, the third longest active streak in the NFL and the third longest streak in franchise history - the longest streak by the Raiders since a streak of 58 games from 1984-1987.

— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) December 22, 2024

Even though Maxx Crosby is out for the season, this Raiders defense has played well in recent weeks against some bottom offenses. This unit scored nine fantasy points against the Falcons in Week 15 and eight fantasy points against the Jaguars in Week 16. Now, Las Vegas will face a Saints offensive line that ranks 31st in pass-block win rate. Rattler has also been sacked at least three times in each of his four starts in 2024.

9. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at PIT 

KC favored by 3, Total ~43.5

The Chiefs have been a solid fantasy defensive option in recent weeks. They haven't allowed more than 20 points in four straight games and have totaled 15 sacks over the past five weeks. Last week, this unit totaled eight fantasy points against the Texans behind a two-sack, two-turnover day. Now, Kansas City will have a solid matchup against the Steelers in Week 17.

Even though George Pickens (hamstring) is expected to play on Christmas Day, this is still a great matchup for the Chiefs. Kansas City ranks top-10 in pressure rate this season, and Russell Wilson has been sacked at least three times in five of the past eight games. Given that the Chiefs also rank third in points allowed this season, this defense is a solid play on the road.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. CAR

TB favored by 8, Total ~49.5

The Buccaneers' defense would have been higher on this list a few weeks ago, but Bryce Young has been playing well. However, this unit will still be a Tier 3 defense in Week 17 against the Panthers. Young has thrown three interceptions over the past three games while being sacked nine times across the last two weeks. That's great news for a Tampa Bay defense that has totaled at least three sacks in four of the last seven contests.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

11. Tennessee Titans D/ST at JAX

JAX favored by 1.5, Total ~40.5

It is a risk to start the Titans' defense in the fantasy football championship. This unit has allowed over 30 points in three of the past four games and has only totaled three sacks over the past three games. However, Tennessee should have a high enough fantasy floor against a Mac Jones-led offense to be a top-10 play this weekend.

Tennessee held the Jaguars to only 10 points the last time these two teams played back in Week 14, and Jacksonville has scored above 20 points just once since Week 10. That makes this Titans defense a potential option in some leagues this weekend. Jones has also thrown seven interceptions across his five starts this season.

12. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. ATL

WAS favored by 4, Total ~47.5

The Commanders have the privilege of playing against a rookie quarterback on primetime in his second career start. As a result, this defense will be a solid play in most leagues this weekend. Washington has tallied multiple sacks in 12 of the past 13 games and currently ranks tied for 10th in sacks (39) this season.

The only reason that Washington isn't higher on this list is because there's a chance that Bijan Robinson runs all over this defense in Week 17. The Commanders are allowing 4.8 yards per carry on the ground this season (tied for 30th in the NFL). Still, Washington's defense has potential in this game, given it ranks seventh in pass-rush win rate.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs. TEN

JAX favored by 1.5, Total ~40.5

Starting bad defenses against bad offenses in fantasy doesn't always work. However, the Jaguars defense will be a top-14 play in Week 17 against the Titans. Although Tennessee scored 30 points against the Colts last week, Mason Rudolph also threw three interceptions in the contest. So, there is some potential for this Jacksonville defense this week.

The Jaguars scored 10 fantasy points the last time these two teams faced off back in Week 14. In that game, Jacksonville totaled two sacks and held the Titans to only six points. While this defense will have a limited ceiling in fantasy this week, sacks could play a big role. Tennessee has allowed 47 sacks in 2024.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

Most of the defenses in Tier 4 should only be started in deeper formats. If all 13 defenses aren't available from the first three tiers, then the Ravens and Steelers are your next best choices.

The Ravens have totaled at least three sacks in seven of the past eight games, and this Texans offensive line has allowed 48 sacks this season. As for the Steelers, they have been a set-it-and-forget-it defensive option for most of the year, but this matchup against the Chiefs is a tough one. Patrick Mahomes has been sacked one time over the past two games and hasn't thrown an interception since Week 11.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options. The Bears have allowed over 30 points in three straight games, the Rams have just five sacks since Week 12, and the Bengals have not been able to stop many offenses this season, ranking 28th in points allowed per game (26.2).

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this week and should be avoided in most cases. 18 other defenses are better plays in Week 17.

** Note: With Tua Tagovailoa listed as doubtful for Week 17, the Browns defense now slots in at No. 6 on the week. 

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