Week 16 Recap: All four starts from last week turned out to be in the top 10 of fantasy points for team defenses in week 16; in terms of the sits from last week, 3 out of 4 were really good, the exception being New Orleans stout effort Monday night versus the Falcons. When I look forward to week 17, the match ups get a little more tricky, but the fact that some key players will not play this week there are good defenses to choose from out there. If you want to see some good waiver wire pick ups for week 17 and different playoff scenarios that affect fantasy football check out my recent article on waiver wire [LINK]. Here are the team defense start sit for week 17, good luck in your championships if they are this week.
Start ‘em: Week Seventeen Team Defenses
New York Giants @ WASH: The Giants as a team have looked very weak the past 5 quarters overall [Packers game and 4th quarter of Eagles game], and I really think they are due for a good defensive game in Washington in a must win situation versus the turnover prone Rex Grossman. Before the meltdown versus Green Bay on the road, the Giants defense had put up double digit fantasy points on the road in three straight games and I think they will be up for this test to prove they have no packed their bags as of yet.
Atlanta Falcons vs CAR: The Falcons have something to play for in this game, and they will be out to prove something after a tough division loss at home to the reigning Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. The Falcons defense has scored over 17 points as a team defense in their last three games and I see them extending that in week 17 against a Carolina team that has already clinched the number one pick in April’s NFL Draft and has packed it in for the season already.
Green Bay Packers vs CHI: With the Eagles loss on Tuesday night, the Bears have now clinched a bye and have nothing to play for in week 17. On the other side of the ball, the Packers are in a win and in situation, they will treat this game as a playoff game and I like the Packers defense to come up big in this game. The Packers defense put up 18 fantasy points last week versus the Giants, they have scored double digit fantasy points at home in four straight games and I see them putting up that type of performance in week 17 versus an already clinched Bears squad.
Indianapolis Colts vs TENN: With the opportunity to win and get in for the Colts, I expect their defense at home to make a statement against a Titans team that has had their case of bad luck this season and will not be ready for this type of atmosphere inside the “barn” in Indianapolis. The Colts have allowed a ton of points in their last six games [183, 30.5 PPG], but I see them getting up on the list of fantasy team defenses due to sacks and turnovers in this game. My reasoning has to do with Peyton Manning putting up points early and the Titans being forced to attempt to do the same and getting into trouble.
Sit ‘em: Week Seventeen Team Defenses
Seattle Seahawks/St. Louis Rams: People are going to try and get “cute” by starting one of these defenses because the NFL flexed the game for Sunday Night Football and it will be all fantasy owners last chance at points before their championship is over; in my opinion neither is a great start, if I had to choose I would take St. Louis over Seattle, because of the start by Charlie Whitehurst this week, but I would honestly stay away from both of them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ NO: Their team defense has not scored double digit fantasy points in four weeks [21 points overall] and I see that streak continuing when they have to go on the road in a must win game for both teams in the Superdome. The Bucs defense has been decimated by injuries to very key players and it will really come back to bite them in this very important game in the NFC South next week. The Saints offense seems to be clicking at just the right time [example beating the Falcons in the Georgia Dome] and with a healthy Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush to offset what Drew Brees will do, I think the Bucs defense is worth a sit in week 17.
Kansas City Cheifs vs OAK: The Chiefs have clinched their berth in the playoffs already and have nothing to play for on Sunday at home versus the Raiders. I think the Raiders will be playing this game for pride, they have been a real underachiever all season long and I think even if Darren McFadden gets his carries limited in this game, Michael Bush will pose as a running threat against Kansas City in a week before they must play their first playoff game in a few years. The Chiefs defense has looked real good the past two weeks against the Titans and the Rams, but this week will be different because of their necessity of the match up.
San Diego Chargers @ DEN: The Chargers defense looked absolutely helpless on Sunday versus the Bengals without their top two wide receivers in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. This week for the Chargers they play Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos; in my opinion, the Broncos will be out their playing for more than San Diego will be. The Chargers after their loss to Cincinnati will have packed it in for the season and will be facing a team and especially an offense that will be out to prove something for a lost season and an up and coming youthful quarterback. Tebow may make some mistakes on Sunday, but the one thing you can be sure of, is that he will put up points nonetheless.
