The Seattle Seahawks D/ST is a solid streaming option in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. The Bears' offense has been notoriously bad in the first half of games this season. Additionally, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been sacked a staggering 60 times this season. He has only turned the ball over ten times, but the constant sacks are a great way for opposing D/STs to rack up fantasy points. The Seahawks have experienced solid defensive success lately. They are causing turnovers and finding ways to get to the quarterback in the backfield. Expect this unit to push for three or more sacks in this game. If they can force a turnover, they will certainly end up with a solid day in fantasy. Additionally, the Bears have only scored more than 20 points once over their past nine games. It is part of the reason why they are on a nine-game losing streak. The Seahawks should be a fine start in Week 17.
Dec 25, 2024 12:12 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs star defensive lineman Chris Jones (calf) is officially inactive for Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes as no surprise, as the Chiefs announced this morning that Jones was not expected to play. The 30-year-old injured his calf during Saturday's win over the Texans and only logged a limited session on Tuesday. Jones has been a defensive force for the Chiefs, racking up 37 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble over 15 games in 2024. Jones' next chance to suit up will be the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs DST without Jones takes a slight hit, but fantasy managers can start Kansas City's defense in most leagues, as they are currently ranked ninth among all DSTs for Week 17.
Dec 25, 2024 11:47 AM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. The Chiefs defense held the Houston Texans to 19 points while collecting two interceptions and two sacks in Week 16. The Chiefs secondary has been active lately, catching six interceptions in the past two weeks, but they may have their hands full with Russell Wilson this week. Wilson has thrown just four interceptions this season, but two have come in the last two weeks. The Steelers offense has scored the 12th most points this season, just three fewer points than the Kansas City offense. The Chiefs defense is ranked as the ninth-best defense in our RotoBaller rankings this week. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting the Kansas City defense in the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 24, 2024 2:52 PM EST
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers designated safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) to return from Injured Reserve on Tuesday by opening his 21-day practice window. Whitehead is now eligible to return to practice with the team this week, but it doesn't guarantee that he'll come off IR to play in Week 17 on Sunday against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. The 27-year-old was put on IR in late November due to a ruptured pectoral muscle, but he's nearing a return and would give the Bucs secondary a needed boost as they try to win the NFC South division in the final two weeks of the regular season. Whitehead started the team's first 11 games before getting injured, recording 76 tackles (47 solo) and three pass breakups in his return to Tampa in 2024. The Bucs defense is ranked as a top-10 defensive unit for their matchup against Carolina in Week 17.
Dec 24, 2024 12:25 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled defensively over the past two weeks and will face yet another challenge in a showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. While Kansas City hasn't been quite as dominant on offense this season, it is still averaging nearly 24 points and the 13th-most yards per contest in the NFL. The Steelers will return home on Wednesday, where they generate more turnovers and sacks than on the road. That said, there should be safer options available than Pittsburgh's DST this week.
Dec 24, 2024 12:39 AM EST
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams' unit was dominant in their Week 16 home win over the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were outmatched from the opening kick as the Packers held the Saints to 220 yards of total offense. The Packers sacked Spencer Rattler three times while also forcing a fumble and interception as Green Bay is the first team to hold an opponent scoreless this season. The Packers will head west to the neighboring state of Minnesota for a late afternoon date with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. For fantasy managers, the Packers D/ST will be a borderline startable unit in that matchup based on how well the Packers have played on defense as of late.
Dec 23, 2024 11:27 PM EST
With quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) banged up again, the New York Giants have not made a decision on who will start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. Head coach Brian Daboll said that Lock went for an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Monday. "We'll see where he's at," Daboll said. Back in the starting role in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the 28-year-old was bad again, going 22-for-39 for 210 yards, one touchdown and two pick-sixes. So in addition to his underwhelming performances as the team's starter since Daniel Jones left town, Lock is injured again and could give way to Tommy DeVito for the starting job in Week 17 against the Colts. Regardless of who is starting under center for the G-Men this weekend, fantasy managers should be staying away. Lock has a touchdown and four interceptions in six games (three starts) in his first year in the Big Apple.
Dec 23, 2024 10:39 PM EST
The Houston Texans D/ST is not recommended for fantasy managers deep in the fantasy playoffs in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. There's a lot to dislike: Houston will be playing its third game in 11 days, do-it-all-safeties Jalen Pitre (chest) and Jimmie Ward (foot) are out for the season, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is devastatingly effective as a runner, and a Baltimore's overall offense ranks in the top five in the league in scoring percentage, turnover percentage, passing touchdowns, penalties drawn, and net yards per passing attempt. With the waiver wire less and less competitive as teams get eliminated, there's no practical reason to risk playing the Texans when there are better matchups available.
Dec 23, 2024 6:51 PM EST
After the Dallas Cowboys' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, owner Jerry Jones praised head coach Mike McCarthy but also declined to comment on his future after this season when asked. The praise for McCarthy is notable since his contract expires at the end of this season, and the Cowboys' late-season surge without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) could buy the head coach more time with the organization. Dallas has won four of its last five games. "All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he's doing," Jones said. "Don't have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do ... after we're through playing this year." Already eliminated from postseason contention, Dallas has two division games remaining -- at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 and home versus the Washington Commanders in the Week 18 regular-season finale.
Dec 23, 2024 12:30 PM EST
The Philadelphia Eagles could not hold on late, falling to the Washington Commanders 36-33 in Week 16. The points allowed were a new season high for the unit, the most they've let up since Week 4 in a 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, they were effective -- turning over the Commanders' offense on five separate occasions (three fumble recoveries). It wasn't enough, though, as a Jayden Daniels touchdown with ten seconds to go in the fourth quarter was enough to seal the deal against an Eagles offense missing quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion). Philadelphia will line up against the Dallas Cowboys next weekend and is again a candidate for a viable fantasy performance. The unit had a massive outing against the same Dallas squad on the road in Week 10.
Dec 22, 2024 9:38 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns defense struggled in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. The Browns allowed Cincinnati to rack up 326 yards of total offense while notching four sacks and one turnover in the loss. On a bright note, Myles Garrett picked up the 100th sack of his career, making him the youngest player in NFL history to reach the milestone. Cleveland's defense will have another tough task on hand in Week 17 as they will host the Miami Dolphins.
Dec 22, 2024 9:36 PM EST
The New York Jets defense allowed 19 points while picking up one interception in a 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16. The Jets turned in a solid effort against LA as they held the Rams to just six points through the first three quarters. They were led by Tony Adams, who intercepted Matthew Stafford in the contest. New York will have a tough matchup ahead of them as they will head on the road to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.
Dec 22, 2024 4:57 PM EST
The Dallas Cowboys defense has offered solid fantasy value over the last few weeks. This unit has recorded 18 sacks over their last four games. Last week, the Cowboys defense recorded six sacks and two interceptions during their win over the Carolina Panthers. Now, Dallas heads into a matchup against the turnover-prone Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has tossed five interceptions over his last three games. The Bucs offensive line has struggled to protect Mayfield all season long. Fantasy managers should be able to get decent production from the Cowboys defense this week.
Dec 22, 2024 10:40 AM EST
The Atlanta Falcons has struggled throughout most of the season, but has finally offered some decent fantasy value over the last few weeks. This defensive unit has held opponents to 11 points or less in two of their last three games. Last week, the Falcons defense recorded four sacks and snagged two interceptions in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, they get another plus-matchup against the New York Giants offense. A unit led by Drew Lock and they could be without lead back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) who remains on the injury report heading into this game. Fantasy managers looking for a defense this week might want to consider the Falcons.
Dec 22, 2024 10:33 AM EST
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has struggled to hold opponents in check by allowing 20 points or more in each of their last five games. Despite that, fantasy managers got a strong fantasy performance out of the Bengals defense last week. This unit recorded four interceptions, recovered two fumbles, and got one sack in victory over the Tennessee Titans. Now, the Bengals head into a matchup against unproven quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 16. The Cleveland Browns are also without lead back Nick Chubb (foot) which puts this offense at a disadvantage. The Bengals defense should be a fine streaming option given the Browns aren't at full strength.
Dec 22, 2024 10:15 AM EST
The Baltimore Ravens D/ST came through with a big performance in Week 16 against Pittsburgh, compiling two turnovers, three sacks, and a defensive touchdown in the 34-17 victory. Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey nabbed a Russell Wilson pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, clinching the victory in the process. The much-maligned Ravens pass defense did a solid job against the Steelers, who were playing without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring). They'll try to keep the momentum going when they take on the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.
Dec 22, 2024 7:48 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco rushed nine times for 26 yards and caught one pass for negative one yards in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Despite being the younger back, Pacheco was out-touched and outproduced by the 29-year-old Kareem Hunt. Pacheco averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in this contest, compared to 5.0 yards per carry for Hunt. Hunt was also the only back to score in this game. Pacheco will look to bounce back next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. The 25-year-old has failed to pull away as the clear lead back since returning from injury, which does not bode well since the Chiefs were content leaning on Hunt in Pacheco's absence. If the Chiefs are rolling with a hot-hand approach, it won't be easy to trust either running back in the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 22, 2024 6:48 AM EST
Fantasy managers who rolled with the New Orleans Saints D/ST in the last two weeks were pleasantly surprised by their sudden uptick in production. Holding an anemic New York Giants offense to 11 points in Week 14 and registering eight sacks in Week 15 provided solid fantasy returns. Those remaining in contention for a fantasy title belt should look elsewhere for a D/ST unit in Week 16, though, as New Orleans will face a potent Packers offense on Monday night. Green Bay has racked up the fourth-most offensive yards and the seventh-most touchdowns this season, and they have scored at least 30 points in each of their last four games. The Packers have also given up the second-fewest sacks (16) this season, limiting the potential for the Saints to gain much ground in that regard. Stashing the Saints D/ST for their Week 17 matchup against the Raiders is in play where the wire is thin but they should be kept out of starting rosters in Week 16.
Dec 22, 2024 3:44 AM EST
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams' unit looks to build off the momentum of one of their best games of the season as they host the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. The Packers' defense was one of the stars of Green Bay's Week 15 win against the Seattle Seahawks as they tallied seven sacks and two interceptions as a unit. Those seven sacks were the second-highest total the defense has put up all season and now gets a shell of an offense in New Orleans that is starting Spencer Rattler, who is 0-3 as a starter. Combine that with the Saints not having Alvin Kamara available and the Packers D/ST unit looking like one of the best plays for Week 16 for fantasy managers at D/ST.
Dec 21, 2024 4:50 PM EST
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit is worth considering for Week 16. The Jaguars face the Las Vegas Raiders this week, who allowed the Falcons D/ST to have a fantastic fantasy outing last week. While Aidan O'Connell is expected to start instead of Desmond Ridder, that shouldn't change much in the eyes of fantasy managers. The Jaguars defense has been one of the worst in the league this season, but the Raiders offense has been one of the worst in the league in their own right. That combination leads to a mix of risk and upside for a defense more likely than not available in free agency. While their unit has been difficult to trust all season, the Jaguars D/ST has a chance to succeed in fantasy in Week 16 against the Raiders.
Dec 21, 2024 12:10 PM EST
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