Week 17 of the NFL season can be a bit of a fantasy minefield to navigate. Many teams that are out of contention will decide to sit veterans to allow them to begin the healing process heading into the off season. This also allows teams to get a look at some younger players who might not have seen the field much in 2017.
There will be teams that decide to rest players as they have locked up a playoff seeding and don’t want to risk losing anyone heading into the playoffs. Fortunately, there are plenty of teams that are still looking to claw their way into the postseason.
The plan this week is really quite simple. We are looking to stream the defense/special team units that still have something to play for.
Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati)
Let’s kick things off with a team that definitely has something to play for in the season’s final week. If the Ravens beat the Bengals at home, they will secure a Wild Card spot. Baltimore is coming off a mediocre defensive showing, putting up just a pair of sacks in their win over Indianapolis in Week 16, but did flash some special teams flare by blocking a field goal. When these teams met way back in Week 1, the Ravens defense shut out Cincinnati while racking up five sacks as well as five turnovers. Look for the Ravens to fly high against a Bengals team that is playing out the string and likely will be looking for a new head coach for the 2018 season.
Minnesota Vikings (vs. Chicago)
The Vikings defense comes in having posted its first shutout since 1993 and is riding high. Against a depleted Packers team that was without Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings picked off Brett Hundley twice and rolled to an easy win in the bitter Wisconsin cold. The Vikings need a victory over the Bears to secure a first-round bye and will bring their A game. Over the last three weeks Minnesota is averaging two sacks per game and has put up five interceptions and a defensive score. The Vikings will look to keep their momentum going to secure as many home playoff games as possible and get after rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. Arizona)
With linebacker Bobby Wagner (hamstring) appearing healthier than he did a week ago, the Seahawks defense stepped up against the Cowboys and kept the team’s playoff hopes alive. They sacked Dak Prescott four times while creating three turnovers and put Dallas away with an interception return for a score by Justin Coleman. Over the last four games the Cardinals have been among the most generous offenses in allowing fantasy production to opposing defenses. In that time, they’ve allowed 21 sacks with six turnovers and a defensive touchdown. Seattle needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive (and a Falcons loss) and get to face Arizona at home this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cleveland)
This game isn’t as much about playoff seeding as it is the Steelers not wanting to be the Browns’ only win of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin will have his team ready to roll at home against a Browns offense that continues to struggle mightily. Last week DeShone Kizer threw a pair of interceptions, giving him six in the last three games. These two teams met way back in Week 1 and the Steelers defense had their way with the Browns. They sacked Kizer seven times and added an interception. Look for a repeat performance this week in a division showdown with pride for both teams on the line for completely different reasons.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Oakland)
Let’s roll with another defense that still has hopes of reaching the postseason but needs some help. The Chargers kept their slim chances alive last week by beating the Jets and posting three sacks as well as three turnovers. The team now has six sacks in the past three games and four turnovers. Another reason to ride the Chargers this week is that defensive end Joey Bosa is due for a breakout game. He’s been held without a sack the past three weeks but has been credited with 11 quarterback hurries in that time. When the teams met back in Week 6 Bosa had three total tackles with a sack and forced fumble.
New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay)
The Saints defense came to life last week, led by defensive end Cameron Jordan’s two-sack performance in their 23-13 win over the Falcons. In total, New Orleans sacked Matt Ryan five times while also racking up an interception and fumble recovery. Over the past three games the Saints have now picked off six passes and have seven total turnovers. That bodes well heading into a matchup against a turnover-prone Tampa Bay offense. In their past three games the Buccaneers have turned the ball over seven times while allowing a defensive score and 12 sacks. The Saints can clinch the NFC South with a win and have perhaps the most favorable fantasy matchup of the week.
Carolina Panthers (vs. Atlanta)
The Panthers defense/special team unit is peaking at the right time — they still have an outside chance at winning the division with a victory over the Falcons. They would need Tampa Bay to upset New Orleans but still need to beat the Falcons and thus fit the criteria of having something to play for. Last week they hung six sacks, three fumble recoveries, and a kick return for a score on the Buccaneers. Over their last three games Carolina has been a top fantasy unit, posting 15 sacks, 10 turnovers, and that special team touchdown. The Falcons just allowed five sacks and a pair of turnovers to the Saints and Matt Ryan is in for another long day.
Tennessee Titans (vs. Jacksonville)
This may be the longest shot as a streaming option but once again we’ll ride a team that has a win-and-in game. Tennessee has lost three straight but has been getting after the quarterback with 12 sacks in those games. They’ve also managed to post a defensive score in that time. The Titans may be catching Jacksonville at the right time as Blake Bortles resembled the 2016 version of himself last week. He finished the game with three interceptions which is the most he’s thrown in a game all season. Look for the Titans to dial up some blitz packages to try and force Bortles into another multiple-turnover outing.
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