Week 17 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 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, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 17 of the 2025 season! This article will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the entire season.

Championship week is finally here. With this being the final week of the fantasy football season in most leagues, choosing the right defense could be the difference between a championship and a runner-up finish.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for Week 17. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right start/sit decision for championship week. 

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

1. Denver Broncos D/ST at KC

The Denver Broncos D/ST will come in as the No. 1 fantasy option in Week 17. With both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew out, the Chiefs will have to turn to Chris Oladokun this week. In relief of Minshew last week, Oladokun threw for just 111 yards while being sacked four times. As a result, this Broncos defense should be started in every format.

3rd sack of the day for the @Broncos defense.

That's 61 on the season 😤

JAXvsDEN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/GlH8HRqSxT

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

Denver ranks first in total sacks (63) through 16 weeks and has the third-best pass rush win rate in the league. With Oladokun set to make his first career start for the Chiefs on Thursday, the Broncos' D/ST is the best start of the week. This unit has also tallied at least three sacks in 12 of its 15 games this season.

2. New England Patriots D/ST at NYJ

The New England Patriots defense has a prime opportunity in front of them in Week 17. This D/ST will go up against a Jets offense that will be starting Brady Cook once again. In three appearances (two starts) this season, Cook has really struggled under center. He has thrown six interceptions, been sacked 17 times, and has led just eight scoring drives in a little over 11 quarters.

Therefore, the Patriots should be started in all formats. They played well against the Ravens last week by forcing two turnovers and should force a few more turnovers against the Jets. Considering Cook was just sacked eight times in Week 16, New England's D/ST is one of the best plays of the week.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at CLE

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be a strong fantasy play in Week 17. This is a unit that ranks fourth in pass rush win rate and is hopeful to get T.J. Watt back from a lung issue. Even if Watt doesn't return, this Pittsburgh D/ST should be started in most formats against a Browns offense that has been inconsistent this season.

Shedeur Sanders has thrown six interceptions over the last three games, and the Browns' offensive line ranks 20th in pass block win rate. So, the Steelers will be a top-3 play this week. Cleveland has scored 20 points or fewer in three of the past four weeks.

4. Seattle Seahawks D/ST at CAR

The Seattle Seahawks' D/ST hasn't been a viable fantasy option over the past two games. This defense scored just four fantasy points against a Philip Rivers-led offense in Week 15 and managed to score two fantasy points against the Rams last week. However, fantasy managers can trust this Seattle defense in Week 17 against the Panthers.

Rashid Shaheed 58-YARD PUNT RETURN TD!

LARvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BrJpea7SCE

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2025

The Panthers rank 27th in points scored per game (19.1) and 24th in pass block win rate. That's great news for a Seahawks defense that ranks fifth in pass rush win rate and second in points allowed per game (18.6). Therefore, start this Seattle D/ST in most formats.

5. Detroit Lions D/ST at MIN

Some fantasy managers might be a bit hesitant to start this Lions D/ST in Week 17. This group is dealing with plenty of injuries in the secondary and has allowed at least 27 points in five consecutive games. But with J.J. McCarthy (hand) in jeopardy of missing this game, Detroit's defense becomes a solid start in most leagues.

The Vikings will likely turn to Max Brosmer for this game. In his one start earlier this year, he threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. Given that Minnesota's offensive line has allowed 51 sacks (tied for the third-most) through 16 weeks, the Lions' defense will be a great start. This D/ST will have both a high floor and ceiling, with Brosmer potentially starting.

6. Houston Texans D/ST at LAC

Even though the Texans will be going up against a solid Chargers offense, this D/ST will be a top-7 play this week. Houston has scored in double figures in fantasy in five of its last seven games, and this defense has tallied multiple sacks in three consecutive contests. Those sacks could play a major role in this matchup against Los Angeles.

The Chargers' offensive line has given up 51 sacks (tied for the third-most) this season and currently ranks dead last in pass block win rate. Considering Herbert has been sacked 27 times since Week 9, the Texans should be able to rack up the sacks in this game. Los Angeles is going to have a hard time stopping both Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. in Week 17.

7. Los Angeles Rams D/ST at ATL

The Falcons appear to be clicking on offense with Kirk Cousins. They scored 29 points against the Buccaneers in Week 15 and scored 26 points against the Cardinals last week. However, neither of those matchups was against a top-10 defense like the Rams. Therefore, this Los Angeles D/ST will be a nice play in most formats this week.

The Rams have totaled 41 sacks (tied for the sixth-most) and have tallied multiple sacks in four of their last five games. Although the Falcons' offensive line has done a solid job of preventing sacks this season, Los Angeles' top-10 pressure rate and top-10 pass rush win rate should help them get to the quarterback.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

8. New Orleans Saints D/ST at TEN

The New Orleans Saints had their best defensive performance of the season in Week 16. They totaled a season-high eight sacks, forced two turnovers, and held the Jets to only six offensive points. Now, this defense gets a matchup against an inconsistent Titans offense. Even though this Tennessee offense has been better in recent weeks, this Saints' D/ST could be a start in some leagues.

Welcome to the SACK CITY #ForTheCelly | @Budlight pic.twitter.com/qLMyRn7BNM

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 21, 2025

The Titans have allowed 51 sacks through 16 weeks, and the Saints showed last week they can get to the quarterback. Given that New Orleans has allowed 20 points or fewer in three straight games, this D/ST is worth a look.

9. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. HOU

This Chargers defense has been on a roll lately. This group has allowed 20 points or fewer in seven of its past eight games and has forced eight turnovers across the last four weeks. Therefore, this Los Angeles D/ST is an option in some leagues this week. The Texans have scored 20 points or fewer in three of the past five weeks while ranking 31st in pass block win rate on the season.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST at MIA

Even with Quinn Ewers starting again for the Dolphins in Week 17, the Buccaneers will come at the bottom of Tier 2. This defense has allowed at least 28 points in four different games since Week 9 and has only totaled 10 sacks over the past seven games. That gives them a lower fantasy floor and ceiling this week. It's hard to trust this D/ST in the fantasy football championship, but they have some appeal in leagues with Ewers starting.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

11. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. PIT

The Cleveland Browns' defense has struggled a bit in recent weeks. This unit has forced just one turnover since Week 13 and has totaled just seven sacks over its last four games. So, that's why this D/ST is a bit lower on this week's rankings. Even with DK Metcalf suspended for this game, this defense is a tougher play in most leagues since Aaron Rodgers has the second-fastest time to throw (2.63 seconds).

12. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST at IND

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the better defensive units this season. They have allowed 20 points or fewer in six straight games and have forced six turnovers over the last three weeks. But even with Rivers starting in Week 17, this Jacksonville defense is a lower-end option. The Colts have kept everything around the line of scrimmage with Rivers, so the sacks and turnovers could be limited.

13. Dallas Cowboys D/ST at WSH

The Dallas Cowboys D/ST could be worth an option in some leagues this week. With Marcus Mariota nursing a hand injury, the Commanders could be forced to start Josh Johnson in Week 17. Johnson has thrown 13 touchdowns to 17 interceptions in his NFL career, and the Cowboys rank top 10 in pressure rate on the season. So, if Mariota winds up missing this game, Dallas becomes an interesting play.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in desperate situations. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups this week (Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens) or have huge question marks surrounding their defense (New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans). So, these defenses should be avoided in most leagues.

If you need a defense from this tier, then the Packers might be your best bet. The Ravens have struggled offensively recently and could be without Lamar Jackson (back) for this game. Tyler Huntley would then start for Baltimore, and that would make this Green Bay D/ST a potential start in some formats.

As for the Giants, Raiders, Titans, and Ravens, it's best to avoid these defenses. Both New York and Las Vegas have below-average defenses. Tennessee will play against a Saints offense that has looked better with Tyler Shough under center, and Baltimore won't be a viable option if Jordan Love clears the concussion protocol in time for Saturday's game.

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

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with for Week 17.

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