Top 5 Defense Rankings
The consensus top five Week 17 defenses are dominated by units facing shaky quarterback play. Denver Broncos (@KC) top the list across Draft Sharks, ESPN, and Fantasy Footballers with elite projections against Patrick Mahomes' recent struggles. Their pass rush could generate multiple sacks and turnovers.
New England Patriots (@NYJ) rank second, capitalizing on a Jets offense plagued by injuries and inefficiency. Pittsburgh Steelers (@CLE) sit third, with a history of dominating Cleveland's quarterback carousel. Detroit Lions (@MIN) round out the top tier despite a tougher Vikings matchup.
These rankings reflect updates from December 23-24, emphasizing defenses with strong front sevens and secondary depth. Experts like those at ESPN aggregate eight analysts for balanced projections.
Best DST Streamers & Matchups
Streamers shine in Week 17 with Seattle Seahawks (@CAR) projected for 7.8 points, rebounding against a porous Panthers line. New Orleans Saints (@TEN) follow at 7.7, fresh off a Week 16 explosion and facing a Titans unit vulnerable to pressure.
Houston Texans (@LAC) and Los Angeles Chargers form a divisional clash where both could produce, with HOU at 8.6 and LAC at 6.6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@MIA) offer upside at 8.1 against Miami's inconsistent protection. Waiver targets include these for high-ceiling weeks.
YouTube analysis echoes this, praising Seahawks' refresh and Saints' top-10 retention post-strong outing. Projections weigh run-stopping and pass-rush metrics heavily.
Sleepers, Busts & Key Insights
Sleepers like New York Giants (@LVR) at 7.3 points could surprise against a Raiders offense prone to mistakes. Baltimore Ravens (@GB) at 6.4 hold boom potential in Lambeau. Avoid over-relying on lower projections like Kansas City (4.9) facing Denver's stout defense.
FantasyPros consensus of 13 experts confirms top-heavy rankings, with DEN, NE, and PIT universally favored. Matchup quality trumps overall defensive talent this week, per NBC Sports and RotoBaller streamers.
For championships, prioritize DST with 8+ projections and monitor Thursday news. These rankings evolve with late scratches, ensuring lineup edges.