Streaming Defenses: Week 17 Options

If you thought your Christmas dinner was tasty, you should see the slice of humble pie Bengals QB Brandon Allen served me. I haven't been shy about mentioning the strong track record of success for Streaming Defenses over the years, so it's only right that I take my lumps when everything goes wrong.

Last week, with championships on the line, I put the Texans at No. 3 in my D/ST rankings, identifying them as the top streaming option available in most leagues. Calamity ensued, as Houston gave up 37 points without managing even one sack or takeaway. It was a performance so bad it nearly made J.J. Watt cry, while Allen likely bought himself at least one more year hanging around the NFL as a backup QB.

Our other four streaming picks each scored six or more fantasy points, but obviously that didn't matter for anyone who started the Houston defense and ended up losing a close matchup. For what it's worth, I'm not backing down on the logic/process, as I've had a lot of success in the past streaming bottom-five defenses against bottom-five offenses. 

Late last week, the Bengals were eight-point underdogs with an implied total of 19, preparing to start a third-string QB who had put up just seven points against a similarly terrible defense (Dallas) in his previous start. We knew the Houston defense was bad, and yet it was hard to find any specific area where the Bengals offense had an advantage.

Anyway, that's enough for harping on failures of the past. Now it's time to try for some redemption to close out the season, even though the majority of fantasy leagues wrapped up last week. 

It appears Week 17 will be a bit more competitive than usual, with Kansas City being the one and only team locked into a specific playoff seed. The Bills and Steelers are merely competing for the difference between the second and third spot, which isn't huge, but also isn't nothing.

(Update: The Steelers apparently believe it's nothing, or at least close to nothing. They announced Tuesday afternoon that Ben Roethlisberger won't play.)

Over in the NFC, three teams remain in the mix for a first-round bye, while six others aren't sure if they'll make the playoffs at all. The Bucs are the one team falling somewhere in between, but they still figure to play all their starters, as a Week 17 loss could give them a wild-card matchup with New Orleans or Seattle instead of the NFC East champion.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@JerryDonabedian).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 17

1. New England Patriots (vs. NYJ)

45% rostered on Yahoo, 49% on ESPN

Team implied total: 22

Opponent implied total: 19

This might be tough to stomach after New England's hideous MNF performance, but let's remember that the Jets are a far cry from the Bills, even after winning a couple games. The Jets still have given up a league-high 9.6 fantasy points per game to D/STs, and the New England defense had mostly remained respectable prior to Monday night. This could be Bill Belichick's final opportunity to pick on Adam Gase.

2. Arizona Cardinals (at LAR)

43% Yahoo, 36% ESPN

Team implied total: 19.75

Opponent implied total: 19.75

I never would've picked the Cardinals over the Rams in a game that was crucial for both teams, but that's exactly where we stand while Jared Goff recovers from thumb surgery. The Cardinals are four sacks away from 50 on the season, and they have a decent shot to get there with John Wolford playing QB for Los Angeles. Wolford's next snap in the NFL will be his first.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. WAS)

30% Yahoo, 25% ESPN

Team implied total: 20.75

Opponent implied total: 22.25

I'm guessing Washington will have Alex Smith (calf) and Terry McLaurin (ankle) for this must-win game, but that doesn't mean either guy with be truly healthy. There were signs of trouble even before Smith was injured, with the 36-year-old falling shy of 7.0 YPA in four straight games. Smith is a great story and what not, but even during its "hot streak" the Football Team mostly was putting up points with smoke, mirrors and defensive touchdowns. 

4. Washington Football Team (at PHI)

41% Yahoo, 61% ESPN

Team implied total: 22.25

Opponent implied total: 20.75

Philadelphia and Washington should be flipped if you want to follow the betting odds. Personally, I view the two teams in their current forms as being similarly bad, albeit in different ways. Jalen Hurts has given the Eagles some life on offense, but his three starts also have produced nine sacks and six fumbles (two lost). The rookie figures to make a couple big mistakes against a tough Washington defense.

5. Dallas Cowboys (at NYG)

23% Yahoo, 15% ESPN

Team implied total: 24

Opponent implied total: 21

The only thing worse than an NFC East defense is an NFC East offense. I'm not sure I know which teams will win these games, but I'll happily bet on some ugly football being played.

Week 17 Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens at CIN
2. Indianapolis Colts vs. JAX
3. Cleveland Browns vs. PIT
4. New England Patriots vs. NYJ
5. Arizona Cardinals at LA
6. Seattle Seahawks at SF
7. New Orleans Saints at CAR
8. Los Angeles Rams vs. ARZ
9. Philadelphia Eagles vs. WAS
10. Washington Football Team at PHI
11. Dallas Cowboys at NYG
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. ATL
13. Buffalo Bills vs. MIA
14. New York Giants vs. DAL
15. Green Bay Packers at CHI
16. Pittsburgh Steelers at CLE
17. Minnesota Vikings at DET
18. Los Angeles Chargers at KC
19. Miami Dolphins at BUF
20. Kansas City Chiefs vs. LAC