NFL Week 17 Highlights: Three Defense Units to Secure for the Fantasy Football Finals
After a tiresome, competitive fantasy football season, we're approaching the championship. For many, week 16 serves as the semifinals, with the following week, week 17, being the highlight. Reaching this point isn't enough, you compete to emerge victorious. To boost your chances in the big game, focusing on a defense with an excellent week 17 matchup is the wise move.
Before you bag the championship in week 16, remember to keep an eye on the waiver wire. Below, we'll delve into defenses that are barely rostered on ESPN. Let's explore the top three defenses to hoard for the fantasy football championship.
1. New Orleans Saints Versus Las Vegas Raiders
(38.1% Rostered)
The New Orleans Saints pose as the ideal defense to acquire for week 17, given their strong matchup and past performances. Throughout the season, the Saints have demonstrated a consistent performance, averaging a decent 6.6 points per game, placing them 15th in the NFL. In week 17, they face Desmond Ridder.
Furthermore, the Raiders have surrendered an alarming 10.9 points per game to opposing defenses. Notably, this is the 3rd worst record in the NFL. If you manage to claim the Saints for your championship, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
2. Indianapolis Colts Versus New York Giants
(11.9% Rostered)
The Indianapolis Colts enter week 17 following an impressive 10-point performance in week 15. The New York Giants have had their fair share of struggles at the quarterback position. With Drew Lock lined up as the starter for the next few games, it's clear that things haven't gone well for him so far. In both games where Lock took the helm, he failed to score any touchdowns and even threw an interception.
The Colts defense has fallen short of expectations, registering 6.1 points per game this season, ranking 19th in the NFL. However, with a promising week 17 matchup, this trend could change. The Giants have conceded the 4th most points to defenses, averaging 10.1 points per game.
3. Miami Dolphins Versus Cleveland Browns
(35.8% Rostered)
Out of the three defenses on this list, the Miami Dolphins rank last in my priority list. This season, they have managed a mere 4.4 points per game, placing them 28th in the NFL. Despite this, their 9-point performance against the Texans gives me some hope that they can produce against a weak offense.
The Dolphins face off against the Cleveland Browns, who have recently decided to bench Jameis Winston. Facing Winston and his 13 interceptions would have been advantageous, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson hasn't fared much better. In his brief NFL career, Thompson-Robinson has thrown 7 interceptions compared to just 1 touchdown. Regardless, the Dolphins defense has been on form this season, conceding a modest 11.6 points per game to opposing defenses (2nd in the NFL). Consequently, I have no qualms about starting them in week 17.
To maximize your chances in the fantasy football championship, consider targeting defenses with promising matchups in week 17. For instance, the New Orleans Saints, with a 6.6 points per game average and a favorable matchup against Desmond Ridder, could be a valuable addition to your team. Similarly, with Drew Lock's struggles at quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts, who have conceded the 4th most points to defenses, may also be worth considering. In the realm of sportsmoney, making smart decisions in your fantasy football lineup can significantly impact your business of winning the championship.
