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Andrew analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 16 (2023). His fantasy football playoffs defense streaming rankings and the best defense schedules.
Congratulations! If you're reading this, you've likely either A) secured a first-round bye for the fantasy playoffs or B) advanced past round one and get the prize of facing one of the top seeds in round two.
Whether defenses got you here or not, playing the correct one becomes more vital as the playoffs progress. Play it wrong and managers can be left with a zero (or worse) in their lineup. Utilize the waiver wire and find the matchup that benefits defenses. There are a handful of poor offenses across the NFL.
Below, we'll dive into the best DST streamers and starts for Week 16, while also taking a peak at the entire fantasy football playoff schedule. The top-tier defenses that are widely owned, like San Francisco, Dallas, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Miami, will not appear in this article.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
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Best Week 16 Defense Streamers for Fantasy Playoffs
1. Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
The Broncos' rush defense is still well below league average but the unit as a whole is pressuring passers at a better rate. Over the last four weeks, Denver is allowing just a hair over 15 points per game and has logged two, four, five, and six sacks in those contests. They've also forced at least two turnovers in that stretch. Denver currently leads the league in takeaways.
Since Week 6, the @Broncos defense ranks:
• 1st in third-down percentage (27.7%)
• T-1st in takeaways (19)
• 2nd in points allowed per game (16.0)
• 2nd in touchdowns allowed per game (1.5)
• 6th in passer rating against (77.0)
• 8th in completion percentage against… pic.twitter.com/boXp2IL1qC— Tyler Gorse (@Tyler_Gorse_) December 13, 2023
In Week 16, they host a New England offense averaging only 13 points per game, the lowest in the NFL. The Patriots have committed 21 turnovers this year, tied for eighth. This is one of the matchups that fantasy managers should have targeted early.
Denver also gets a rematch against the Chargers and Easton Stick, a team that scored just seven points against them in Week 14. If the Broncos are still on the waiver wire, go claim them now.
2. Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers
Attack the Carolina offense.
Similarly to New England, the Panthers have very little going for them on the offensive side of the ball. Bryce Young has shown little to no improvement throughout his rookie campaign. They've topped 20 points just three times in 2023, but their highest total in the last seven games is 18 points. When Young gets pressured, he succumbs to a sack about 27 percent of the time. That leads the league.
By most metrics, the Packers are a below-average defense. But when a matchup is this juicy, there aren't many better plays that can be found on the waiver wire.
3. New York Jets vs. Washington Commanders
Q-Q-Q-Quinnen and the Jets!
New York's star interior lineman will lead the brigade to Sam Howell in Week 16. The first-year, full-time starter has led the league in sacks for the majority of the season. He's been dropped 58 times. Bryce Young is second at 48.
The Jets aren't one of the best pass-rushing teams by any means but with cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed locking down opposing wide receivers, Howell may hold onto the football for an extra tick or two. That opens the door for pass rushers to get home and rack up fantasy points in the process.
Now THIS is an impressive stat:
The #Jets defense has gone 31 straight games without allowing a 300 yard passer
That is the longest streak by any team since the Colts run of 52 consecutive games from 2005-08, per @RichCimini
What. A. Defense. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Otv5QWSwnj
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) December 11, 2023
Week 17 Defense Streamers for Fantasy Playoffs
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants
The Rams have a meaty matchup for a defense that is surprisingly dreadful for fantasy football this season. The Giants' offense has been equally mediocre, so it's hard to argue that they shouldn't be in the starting conversation come fantasy Super Bowl Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
For a defense littered with talent and household names, the Eagles have been fantasy gold for wide receivers and quarterbacks. That makes them tough to trust in the high-pressure fantasy playoffs. They draw a great matchup in Week 17. The Cardinals aren't great at protecting their quarterback, which plays right into the hands of Philadelphia's strength, their defensive line.
Eagles Sean Desai’s defense ranks
Total Defense 22nd
Rush Defense 6th
Pass Defense 28th
Points Per Game 28th
Third-Down Defense 32nd
Fourth-Down Defense 19th
Red Zone Defense 30th pic.twitter.com/IjoBuhct3S— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) December 13, 2023
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers
Similar to Green Bay, the Jaguars have been less-than-stellar on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks, but get a late Christmas present when they host the Carolina Panthers. For the same reasons stated above, the Jags will be a popular waiver wire candidate come championship weekend.
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