December 26, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded three sacks and a forced fumble while surrendering 24 points to the Detroit Lions in a Week 16 victory. The Steelers DST didn't have a huge fantasy showing, but it held Detroit to just 15 rushing yards and kept the Lions off the scoreboard for two of four quarters. Even without star linebacker T.J. Watt (lung), cornerback James Pierre (calf), and cornerback Brandin Echols (groin), Pittsburgh shouldn't have too much trouble against the Cleveland Browns this week. The Browns are averaging just over 16 points and 1.5 giveaways per game. Given this contest's low projected point total, fantasy managers aren't likely to find many safer options than Pittsburgh in Week 17. The Steelers DST can be started with confidence on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: Pro Football Reference
December 26, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST continues to be a dominant unit in 2025. They draw a matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. Carolina's offense has been highly inconsistent this season. They will go from scoring 30 points in one week to half as many in the next. The success of the Seahawks D/ST will depend heavily on which version of the Panthers' offense shows up this week. If anything, the Seahawks D/ST should be able to limit the Panthers' yardage and scoring output, giving the unit a solid floor in fantasy. Carolina has thrown for less than 200 passing yards in 12 games this season. Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young has done well to protect the ball this season, but Seattle has a chance to force him into a couple of turnovers. Additionally, Seattle should be able to record a handful of sacks with their talented defensive front. The Panthers are not the D/ST matchup that we have come to love in fantasy in recent years, but given the talent of Seattle's defense, this should be a good matchup for the team.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: Brady Henderson
December 26, 2025
The Cleveland Browns DST has a chance to re-emerge as a viable starting option in Week 17 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game environment is shaping up to be a slow and gritty AFC North slugfest with the week's lowest over/under of just 34.5 points and rain in Sunday's game-time forecast. The Browns' defense has struggled and disappointed fantasy managers since the unit's 10-sack performance in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite these woes, the Browns DST is a talented squad and has a 39% quarterback pressure rate, which is the fifth-highest in the league. Their opponent this week, veteran quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, has not faced a pressure rate above 30% since Week 6, which was the last time he played the Browns. Rodgers will also be without wide receiver
DK Metcalf (suspended) in Week 17, who torched the Browns' defense in Week 6, catching four of his nine targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. Weather considerations, a low-mobility quarterback without his downfield threat, and an anticipated low-scoring affair all benefit the Browns DST as a low-end streaming option in Week 17.
--Matt McCauleySource: NFL
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has this unit playing inspired football of late, having just held the high-powered Dallas Cowboys to 17 points to secure a fourth straight win. While the Chargers D/ST lacks the flashy defensive touchdowns that drive elite fantasy scores, they are a dominant real-life unit playing at home in SoFi Stadium on Saturday. They face a Houston Texans offense that, while efficient, ranks only 19th in passing and 23rd in rushing yards per game. This game is shaping up to be a low-scoring battle of field position. Although safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) is out, the expected return of Elijah Molden and Bud Dupree bolsters the rotation. If you prioritize a high floor and low points allowed, this unit is a solid streaming D/ST with top-10 potential this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings' defense/special teams turned in one of the most impressive defensive games of the year by swarming the Detroit Lions for six turnovers and five sacks in a 23-10 Christmas Day victory. A Minnesota offense ravaged by injuries offered little help for most of the day, but the Lions had absolutely no answer for a Vikings defense that barraged them with pressure and won the line of scrimmage from the outset. Minnesota held Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs to 41 yards rushing and limited quarterback
Jared Goff to 197 yards passing and one touchdown. The Vikings picked off Goff twice, recovered four fumbles, three of which were credited to Goff, and saw seven different players record a tackle for loss. Managers who boldly started the Vikings against a strong Detroit offense were handsomely rewarded with a huge performance in a key week. Minnesota will conclude its season next week against Green Bay.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 26, 2025
The Houston Texans D/ST has fueled the team's seven-game winning streak, and they'll go on the road this week in a critical matchup against the Chargers on Saturday afternoon. The Texans can clinch a playoff spot with a victory, and they had four sacks and four interceptions against
Justin Herbert when they faced him in last year's playoffs. Pass-rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will look to continue their impressive seasons and continue to force turnovers. Last week, the DST had a touchdown, an interception, and three sacks against the Raiders. The Chargers have been a top-10 matchup for DSTs this season, and since they have a playoff spot wrapped up, they may be slightly less aggressive this week. Even on the road against a playoff team, the Texans DST still ranks as the No. 6 DST in RotoBaller's rankings, so start them with confidence on Saturday afternoon as they look to lock up a return to the postseason.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 25, 2025
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit have been a disappointing unit most of the season, and they'll host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. Against the Bears in Week 16, Green Bay did not tally a sack or a turnover in its second game since losing star pass rusher Micah Parsons for the season. Since losing Parsons, the Packers have not sacked the quarterback once in two games. They've only forced one turnover in that span as well, so fantasy managers have likely moved on from the Packers D/ST in terms of fantasy options. Even with the potential of
Tyler Huntley under center for the Ravens in Week 17, the Packers may not be good enough as a unit to take advantage of that matchup. Green Bay is a high-risk fantasy option in Week 17.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
December 25, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys defense should be viewed as a top streaming option in Week 17 when they travel to Washington to face the Commanders on Christmas afternoon. Even though the Cowobys enter Week 17 allowing a hefty 30.3 PPG (second-most in the league), they carry elite upside in the fantasy championships. They will face a Washington Commanders team decimated by injuries under center. With
Jayden Daniels (elbow) out for the season and
Marcus Mariota (hand) ruled out, they will turn to veteran
Josh Johnson to lead the offense. In relief last weekend, Johnson went 5-for-9 with a mere 43 yards and an interception during their loss to the Eagles. In addition, with top running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. added to the injury report with an illness, this offense could have an even tougher time moving the ball downfield. Even though the Dallas defense has not forced a single sack in each of their last two games, their matchup against Johnson pushes them onto the streaming radar.
--Andy SmithSource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
The Detroit Lions' defense has been an abject disaster in recent weeks, allowing opponents to score an average of 31.6 points per game over the team's last five games. Detroit's secondary has been ravaged by injuries, as star safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are done for the season, and backup safety Avonte Maddox (back, illness) has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, Minnesota is dealing with some significant injury absences of its own, most notably quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand). The Vikings will start rookie
Max Brosmer under center in Week 17. In Brosmer's lone other start this season, he averaged 4.2 yards per pass attempt and threw four interceptions in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution around this leaky Lions' defense. However, the Detroit D/ST could be a decent streaming option in Week 17 against Brosmer and the Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense gave up 24 points to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 while recording two sacks and zero takeaways. The Chiefs' defense has now allowed 20 or more points in 10 of 15 games this season. The Kansas City defensive unit has also recorded two or fewer sacks in 10 of 15 games. Kansas City will now take on the Denver Broncos, who are trying to clinch the top seed in the AFC with the Los Angeles Chargers just one game behind them. The Broncos offense has gained the 10th-most yards per game this season, so the Chiefs defense could have its hands full on Christmas Day. The Chiefs' defense is ranked 27th in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a defensive unit to avoid in Week 17.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
The Denver Broncos defense should be ready for a dominant performance as they face an injury-riddled Kansas City Chiefs offense in Week 17. The Chiefs will be without quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee), backup quarterback
Gardner Minshew (knee), and wide receiver
Rashee Rice (concussion) as the narrative has dramatically shifted for them since the last divisional matchup in Week 11. Coming into Week 17, the Broncos have allowed the 5th-fewest points per game, averaging 19.7. With third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun getting the start in Week 17, the Broncos' defense should bring that scoring average to an even lower number despite potentially being without linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring). As the best defense in RotoBaller's Week 17 rankings, the Broncos should be started universally.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
The Washington Commanders are likely to retain head coach Dan Quinn and fire defensive coordinator Joe Whitt during the upcoming offseason, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Whitt is a longtime assistant who has worked with Quinn in Washington, Dallas, and Atlanta, but Rapoport and Pelissero write that he's "unlikely to return as defensive coordinator." The writing has been on the wall ever since Quinn took over play-calling duties from Whitt in early November. Quinn, on the other hand, is expected back in 2026 despite leading the Commanders to a 4-11 record so far. Washington has been gutted with injuries on both sides of the ball, which is likely enough justification to give Quinn a chance to get the team back on track next season. After all, Washington is less than a year removed from going 12-5 and making the NFC playoffs as the No. 6 seed in quarterback
Jayden Daniels' rookie campaign.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero
December 21, 2025
The New York Giants are expected to target Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman in their offseason coaching search, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It's unclear whether Freeman to New York is a realistic possibility, but Garafolo reports that the Notre Dame coach is the Giants' top candidate from the college ranks. Freeman is 43-12 in his time as the Fighting Irish head coach, leading his program to the College Football Championship last year. This season, Notre Dame went 10-2 under his guidance and just barely missed a spot in the College Football Playoff. They declined an offer to play in a bowl game. Freeman is reportedly being paid roughly $10 million per year at Notre Dame, so it would likely take a similarly significant financial commitment for him to shift from college to the pro ranks. Still, at just 39 years old, he could be tempted with a long-term contract that gives him an opportunity to kickstart a long career as an NFL head coach. With that said, the Giants will surely consider plenty of candidates already in the NFL, including prominent coordinators, so Freeman is far from the only target. Nevertheless, this will be an interesting storyline to monitor as the coaching carousel picks up steam in January.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Garafolo
December 21, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is expected to return next season, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Taylor is under contract through 2027, and the organization doesn't anticipate making a head coaching change during the upcoming offseason. While the Bengals' 4-10 record is frustrating, quarterback
Joe Burrow missed nine games, creating an unexpected hiccup that prompted the team to start
Jake Browning and
Joe Flacco. There's an argument to be made that the Bengals could still be in playoff contention if Burrow hadn't missed time. Of course, Burrow's injury isn't the only reason for Cincinnati's shortcomings. The Bengals' defense has struggled all year long, allowing the most total points (437) and points per game (31.2). Cincinnati has plenty of areas to improve this upcoming offseason, and it appears that Taylor will be given another chance to turn the Bengals around.
--Andersen PickardSource: Tom Pelissero
December 21, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll's future with the team is "in doubt," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carroll came out of retirement to accept the Raiders' head coaching staff earlier this year, and now, it appears that he could be one-and-done in Las Vegas. While the Raiders were expected to endure growing pains in 2025, their 2-12 record so far is a massive disappointment. Vegas had optimism for this season after signing
Geno Smith to a multi-year deal, drafting
Ashton Jeanty, and strengthening a defense that already featured Maxx Crosby. Carroll's Raiders have just one win over the last 14 weeks, and it came against the Titans. They also pulled off a Week 1 victory over the Patriots that now appears shocking. Rapoport notes that in addition to the Raiders' underwhelming performance, Carroll bears some responsibility for the two midseason coordinator firings. He reports that owner Al Davis will ultimately make the decision on Carroll's future within the next two weeks, and he'll listen to opinions from multiple people, including partial owner
Tom Brady.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
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