Getting Defensive: Week 17

The fantasy gods giveth, and the fantasy gods taketh away.

They continued to give last week to Seattle owners, as the Seahawks posted their fifth-straight double-digit week. Folks who streamed the Packers or Bills were rewarded with a strong fantasy day. But the fantasy gods dashed the hopes of many Bills, Ravens, and Rams owners. Those three unites posted a combined negative-four fantasy points for Week 16.

If you’re league is still playing, hopefully we can steer you clear of any fantasy duds for Week 17. Remember that the following is a breakdown of my thoughts on all of the team defenses for the week, but is not my rankings.

As always, feel free to shoot me a tweet if you have any specific questions about start/sit dilemmas that I don’t answer here. If that's not your thing, you can also "like" me on Facebook.

The Usual Suspects

I said it last week, but this bears repeating - Start your studs in the fantasy playoffs. Seattle (vs. St. Louis) has yielded a combined 33 points to opposing offenses over their last five games. They’re this week’s No. 1 fantasy option. ... Miami (vs. NY Jets) has regressed over the second half of the season, but you’re locking them in your lineup this week at home against an uninspiring Jets offense.

Preferred Plays

Fantasy defenses with a high ownership percentage in a strong matchup. There’s no reason to drop these units for a streamer.

1. Baltimore (vs. Cleveland) – The Ravens failed to deliver a strong fantasy performance last week against Case Keenum and the Texans, but we’re going right back to the well. The Ravens are in a must-win game against a Browns offense that is likely to be led by Connor Shaw. Giddy up.

2. New England (vs. Buffalo) – Despite this being an insignificant game for New England, I’d still look to fire them up this week. The Pats have held four of their last five opponents to 20-or-fewer points.

3. San Francisco (vs. Arizona) – Injuries have reduced this 49ers defense to a shadow of its former self, but I’d still look to roll with them this week in a strong matchup against a Cards team that is down to rookie Logan Thomas at quarterback.

4. Denver (vs. Oakland) –Cincinnati just ripped up the Broncos, but it’s tough to fade them in this matchup. Oakland has yielded double-digit fantasy points in five of their last nine games and tend to play very poorly on the road.

Still Solid

They aren’t elite plays, but you’re not likely to find anything better on the wire.

It’s a meaningless game for Philadelphia (at NY Giants), but the Eagles did shut out the Giants and post eight sacks in their last meeting this season. ... Arizona (at San Francisco) is coming off an ugly performance, but they get a strong matchup against a 49ers team that has yielded double-digit fantasy points in three of their last four games.

Plug-and-Play

You don't want to rely on these DST streamers on a weekly basis, but their matchup is too juicy to pass up.

1. Houston (vs. Jacksonville) – At this point, I don’t need to explain to you why streaming against the Jags is a good idea.

2. Indianapolis (at Tennessee) – The Colts are coming off an ugly performance against Dallas, but I still like them as a streamer. Tennessee’s offense gives up fantasy points in bunches, making the Colts are a strong play this week.

3. Minnesota (vs. Chicago) – With Jimmy Clausen sidelined, we get a reprise of the Smokin’ Jay Cutler experience in Chicago. That means good things for the Vikings this week, so fire them up as a priority streamer.

4. Dallas (at Washington) – This Dallas defense seems to be gelling at the perfect time, as they’re coming off strong performances against the Eagles and Colts. This week they face a much easier foe in Washington and have a strong chance of posting top 10 fantasy numbers.

5. New Orleans (at Tampa Bay) – Why not? The Saints are currently the No. 32 fantasy unit, but they’re a strong Hail Mary play this week if you’re desperate. The Bucs have yielded a combined 16 sacks and seven takeaways over the last three weeks.

Pump the Brakes

These are fantasy option that will be streamers at times, but it’s best to avoid them this week.

Cincinnati (at Pittsburgh) posted a game effort on Monday night, but they get another tough matchup against a Steelers team that has only yielded double-digit fantasy points once this season. ... Cleveland (at Baltimore) floundered last week despite a strong matchup. Pass on the Browns. ... Carolina (at Atlanta) was a streamer the last two weeks, but toss them back into the hopper this week. ... Tampa Bay (vs. New Orleans) has some interesting pieces in place for next season, but you’re not considering them against the Saints. ... Jacksonville (at Houston) is out of the basement, but they’re still not the most trustworthy fantasy option, especially with a championship on the line. ... Pittsburgh (vs. Cincinnati) has flashed upside in recent weeks, but they’re inconsistency isn’t desirable from a fantasy standpoint. ... The NY Giants (vs. Philadelphia) are intriguing this week, but I tend to fade borderline defenses with nothing to play for in Week 17. ... Kansas City (vs. San Diego) hasn’t offered much fantasy value over the second half of the season. ... Green Bay (vs. Detroit) helped a lot of fantasy owners last week, but this matchup doesn’t bode nearly as positively. ... I’m also avoiding a lackluster San Diego (at Kansas City) defense that has posted a combined seven sacks in their last eight games.

Matchup Downgrade

They shouldn't be dropped, but a tough matchup limits the fantasy upside of these units.

1. Buffalo (at New England) – This is a rough draw for 2014’s top-scoring unit. New England yields the second-fewest fantasy points per game to defenses, and they held Buffalo to negative-two points in their last meeting.

2. Detroit (at Green Bay) – Likewise, the Lions get a brutal Week 17 matchup for fantasy owners. I’d look to fade them on the road in Green Bay.

3. St. Louis (at Seattle) – The Rams had a strong run from Weeks 12-14, but Eli Manning and the Giants carved them up last week. Expect more of the same out of the Seahawks.

Bottom of the Barrel

Oakland (at Denver) faces the Broncos on the road this week. ... Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Washington (vs. Dallas) has only scored double-digit fantasy points once this season. ... We can say the same thing about Tennessee (vs. Indianapolis). ... And for the NY Jets (at Miami). ... I like what the Bears have going at linebacker with Jon Bostic and Christian Jones both looking promising, but Chicago (at Minnesota) remains off the fantasy radar. ... Atlanta (vs. Carolina) manhandled New Orleans last week, but one week doesn’t negate the deficiencies they’ve displayed this season.

Can I Kick it?

Here are my top 12 kickers for Week 17:

1. Stephen Gostkowski (vs. BUF)

2. Dan Bailey (at WAS)

3. Mason Crosby (vs. DET)

4. Adam Vinatieri (at TEN)

5. Justin Tucker (vs. CLE)

6. Connor Barth (vs. OAK)

7. Cody Parkey (at NYG)

8. Matt Bryant (vs. CAR)

9. Steven Hauschka (vs. STL)

10. Blair Walsh (vs. CHI)

11. Matt Prater (at GB )

12. Shaun Suisham (vs. CIN)