Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 17 (2025): Best Fantasy Playoffs Streaming Options

December 22, 2025

Frank analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start in Week 17 (2025), and provides his best fantasy football playoffs D/ST streaming options and schedules.

Week 17: the fantasy football championship. One more matchup for glory. What better way to get ahead of the competition than to prepare for this big game with a defense/special teams (DST) streamer!

In this column, we'll dive into some of my favorite DST streamers for Week 17. If you're looking for this week's analysis, you can also check out our favorite Week 16 defense streamers and tiered rankings.

These picks are based on head-to-head matchups, potential game environments, and other factors. Each of the picks is rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo! formats.

Best DST Streaming Options For Week 17

New England Patriots DST at New York Jets

47% Rostered

The Patriots are averaging 8.1 fantasy points per game, which ranks as DST6 on the season. We've seen this group put up 10+ fantasy points in four of their last seven games, topping out at 19 points in Week 7.

We've seen the Pats force at least one turnover in three straight games, including a touchdown in Week 12.

Quietly, the Patriots -- a team that got a ton of credit for its run defense earlier this year -- have turned into one of the NFL's best passing defenses (and pretty average against the run).

(This is since Week 4 when Christian Gonzalez returned.) pic.twitter.com/UoQt2AXTby

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 8, 2025

Week 17 features a phenomenal matchup on the road against the Jets. There's a legitimate chance that it will be Brady Cook under center, so the Pats will be even heavier favorites in this one.

It's hard to envision a scenario where the Jets have any success moving the ball in this game. That gives the Pats a high floor, with upside as well due to several opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

The Patriots D/ST may have been dropped in your league because they face the Bills in Week 15 and the Ravens in Week 16, so it's a good idea to make the move right now.

Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. Houston Texans

42% Rostered

The Chargers are averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game, coming in at DST17. Despite the underwhelming season-long production, we've seen this group rack up 8+ points in three of their last four games. This includes a 12-point and 15-point performance.

We saw the Chargers rack up four interceptions against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in Week 14. They also racked up five sacks vs the Raiders in Week 13.

Derwin James Jr. has 13 QB pressures this season, tied for the most among defensive backs with Antoine Winfield Jr.

Since 2020, James is the only DB with 10+ pressures in four different seasons (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025).

Per @NextGenStats | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/x3zwKXkYe9

— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) December 12, 2025

While Week 17 doesn't feature a slam-dunk matchup, as they're facing the Texans, at least it's a home game against a team that has a tough time protecting the quarterback.

There's a legitimate chance that this is a low-scoring game, one where the Chargers have plenty of chances for sacks and turnovers.

Your leaguemates may not have the Chargers on your radar right now, as they've been pretty overlooked despite their recent success. Considering these factors, I'd consider giving the Chargers a chance here.

Miami Dolphins D/ST vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

21% Rostered

The Dolphins are averaging 6.5 fantasy points per game, which ranks as DST13 on the year. While that isn't anything that will wow you, you have to admit that this is a defense that has improved dramatically throughout the season.

Heading into last week, the Dolphins put up 13, nine, 11, and 16 fantasy points. During this stretch, the Dolphins are the second-highest scoring D/ST in fantasy football.

At first glance, a home game vs the Buccaneers doesn't look like a home run matchup. However, when you consider that Baker Mayfield has struggled mightily of late, you have to like the Dolphins' chances at putting up sacks and turnovers in this one.

Mayfield got sacked five times against the Falcons in Week 15. Don't be surprised if we see something similar against the Dolphins, who have put up 10 sacks in their last two games, including six against the Jets.

Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. New Orleans Saints

19% Rostered

The Titans are putting up 5.8 fantasy points per game, ranking as DST20 on the season. While this group has put up five, six, three, and seven points heading into last week's matchup with San Francisco off a bye, they've shown a high ceiling at times. This includes 20 in Week 9 and 15 in Week 5.

We've seen this group put up 4+ sacks in three games this season. They've also scored two touchdowns.

There's a legitimate chance that the Titans could have another spike week at home against Tyler Shough and the Saints. While Shough has shown some flashes, he's still a rookie quarterback. You always want to target first-year starters because they're more prone to mistakes, which could lead to turnovers.

This is the kind of pickup that you make if the other options on this list are unavailable, but it's still a noteworthy streamer. Don't let the Titans' horrendous record deter you from streaming them in the fantasy football championship.

New York Giants D/ST at Las Vegas Raiders

4% Rostered

The Giants are putting up only 2.6 fantasy points per game, which is the worst in the NFL. So why am I recommending them in the fantasy championship?

The reason is simple: Geno Smith is banged up for the Raiders, and there's a chance that he'll be out for Week 17 as well. That leaves Kenny Pickett as the starting quarterback for the Raiders.

While the G-Men have severely underachieved this year, there's still talent in this pass rush. What if Brian Burns and company forced Pickett into sacks and turnovers here? That doesn't feel like a shocking outcome.

This game is likely to have a low total, so it's the right game environment for a streamer. With that said, as with the Titans, this is more of a desperation play. There's a good chance that better options will be available.

However, if you're in a bind, the Giants make a lot of sense here.

Other Notable Matchups:

• Jacksonville Jaguars (74% rostered) at Indianapolis Colts
• Pittsburgh Steelers (69% rostered) at Cleveland Browns
• Detroit Lions (54% rostered) at Minnesota Vikings

The Jaguars (DST4) get to face Philip Rivers and the Colts. It's a spot where they can rack up sacks against a statuesque quarterback. The Steelers (DST7) could be in inclement weather vs. Shedeur Sanders and the Browns. That's exactly the type of game environment that you want. Finally, the Lions (DST16) get to tee off on J.J. McCarthy, who has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL in his first year as a starter.

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