The fantasy football process looks (roughly) the same each week—fantasy football waiver wire research on Tuesdays, trade considerations throughout the middle of the week, and setting lineups toward the end of the week.
One of the most overlooked pieces of that process is figuring out which team's defense to stream.
If you don't have a locked-in option each week like the Steelers, playing the matchups can be an effective way to manage that roster spot each week.
To assist, I'll be consolidating a list of team defenses that every fantasy manager needs to know to prepare for the week ahead.
*Availability is based on Yahoo Fantasy Football Leagues
Best Defense To Stream For Fantasy Football Week 17
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots (56% available)
The Chargers may have struggled against a rookie QB in Box Nix on Thursday night, but I'm projecting a better performance against another rookie QB this week in Drake Maye. The Chargers travel east to take on the Patriots in one of three Saturday matchups on NFL Network.
This season, the Patriots are 3-11 and, heading into this past weekend, ranked 31st in scoring (17.0 points/game).
Maye has thrown 14 TDs to go along with his 10 INTs in 11 games. Perhaps more significant for fantasy purposes is that he's thrown at least one INT in seven straight games.
On the other side, the Chargers are a top-10-ranked defense that is averaging almost three sacks and over one forced turnover per game. They also ranked 3rd in points allowed at just over 18 points per game.
This could get to be a long afternoon for Maye & Co. if the Patriots' defense can't hold up their end of the deal. Don't hesitate to roll out the Chargers' defense in your championship matchup.
More Fantasy DST Streamers For Week 17
Seattle Seahawks (81% available)
The Seahawks travel to Chicago next weekend as they take on their third-straight NFC North foe. Their previous two matchups (Packers & Vikings) ended with losses, but Seattle has a prime opportunity in this one.
Despite getting shredded by Justin Jefferson this past weekend (10/144/2 on 13 targets), we shouldn't hold that against them (everyone gets demolished by Jefferson). This is still a top-10 defensive unit in the NFL, and we all know how much Caleb Williams enjoys taking sacks.
Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and safety Julian Love (20) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
To his credit, Williams has thrown 10 TDs in his last five games while not throwing a single INT. But here's why numbers can be so fun…he's also thrown just 10 TDs in his last nine games.
Making numbers fit narratives is fun. Context matters.
Anyway, the Bears entered Week 15 as the 25th-ranked scoring offense at 19.0 points per game. By comparison, Seattle is league-average in both points scored (14th) and points allowed (15th), so they match up quite well.
In fact, besides getting lit up by Jefferson (and Geno Smith throwing a pair of picks), Seattle totally frustrated Minnesota for most of the second half and even had the lead late in the fourth quarter. They should have no issues sticking with Williams and whatever version of the Bears' offense shows up on Thursday.
Miami Dolphins (54% available)
That just about sums up this season for the Cleveland Browns.
In his first start of the season, DTR threw for just 157 yards and two INTs and took five sacks. This weekend, the Browns host the Dolphins, who really don't have a great defense at all but, at their price point, this matchup is too good to pass up.
Despite being a bottom-tier defense, Miami has tallied 3+ sacks in six of their last seven games and should have no problem generating pressure on DTR. Without Nick Chubb and a viable rushing game to take the stress off, Cleveland's offense could, once again, be in for a long afternoon.
Depending on the options in your league, the Dolphins represent the perfect opportunity to target a QB who, to put it nicely, doesn't look like he belongs as a starting QB in the NFL.
Honorable Mention
Chicago Bears (64% available)
Let's take a look at the other side of this Seahawks/Bears matchup ahead of Week 17. I mentioned that the Bears' offense is pretty brutal. However, their defense is borderline top-10, allowing just 22 points per game.
Seattle's offense isn't exactly beating up on teams either. They've topped 26 points just once in their last eight games. Let's also not forget, Smith loves to throw timely, gut-wrenching INTs (just ask your resident Seahawks fan).
Smith now has 17 passing TDs to go along with 15 INTs. Let's also not forget his 45 sacks. The Bears have nothing to play for, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them dial up some pressure and force Smith into some errant throws that could easily be turned into points going the other way.
