D/ST Matchups to Target in Week 17 - Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys

John's favorite D/ST matchups to exploit for Week 17 of 2024 - DFS defenses to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These D/ST matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

We're almost to the end of the 2024 NFL regular season. Week 17 has already arrived, and though three games have already been played, there are still a few D/STs that we think have great value in Daily Fantasy Sports leagues.

The cash price doesn't always match the production you get, and when a unit is undervalued by DFS sites in our eyes, we like to bring you our favorites in this piece and break down for you why we think they're good. Of course, getting D/STs at great value can help you maximize the scoring of your lineups, which is the point -- you want to make some money, after all!

So let's break down what we think are this week's best values at this position.

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Miami Dolphins D/ST

$3.2k on DraftKings, $4.7k on FanDuel; @ Cleveland Browns 

The Miami Dolphins will take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, so they don't exactly have the world to play for, but that shouldn't be part of your consideration.

The only thing that matters here is that you subscribe to the School of Thought that is Start Every Defense That Plays Against Browns Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson Because He Is Absolutely Awful At Football.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson has 697 yards on 180 career pass attempts.

That 3.9 YPA is worst in NFL history (min. 170 attempts). Next closest is Kim McQuilken at 4.2.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 26, 2024

His efficiency is historically bad. And his lack of ability has shown up on the stat sheet. On the season, he's thrown 68 passes, completing 35 for 257 yards, zero touchdowns, and five interceptions. He ended up taking five sacks last week too, which severely hurt his team's ability to finish drives. He's actually been somewhat effective as a rusher, but that's not helped him rack up points.

He faced a Cincinnati Bengals defense that's been one of the worst in the league this year, allowing 6.8 yards per pass attempt to opposing quarterbacks and the sixth-most points per game. They've been much maligned for forcing the team's quarterback, Joe Burrow, to carry the team on his back and play hero ball.

Horrible decision-making by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, yes off his back foot…. But the throw was to two different Bengals defenders pic.twitter.com/p7Ot7ziTDP

— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) December 22, 2024

Yet DTR threw two interceptions against them and wasn't able to score. And managed just 157 passing yards against a team that's been gashed through the air, allowing over 230 passing yards per contest. So it's not hard to see why the Dolphins D/ST is a great pick this week.

The DTR-led Browns allowed Cincinatti's D/ST to score 20.0 fantasy points against them in standard scoring formats. They racked up five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and the two aforementioned interceptions and held the team to just six points and 273 total yards.

Miami should have similar success against them on Sunday.

Las Vegas Raiders D/ST

$2.6k on DraftKings, $3.2k on FanDuel; @ New Orleans Saints 

So we really don't think the Las Vegas Raiders have a good defense. They absolutely do not have a good defense -- it allows the sixth-most points per game to opposing offenses, is the second-worst at generating takeaways, and doesn't get a ton of sacks. But sometimes, the opponent's offense is simply so poor that a D/ST can become a good cheap pick.

The New Orleans Saints are decimated by injuries right now. Not only are they missing their starting quarterback, Derek Carr (hand), who's out for the season, but they'll be without their star running back Alvin Kamara (groin). Their second-best wide receiver, Chris Olave (head) could make his return, but with rookie QB Spencer Rattler set to lead the show, it might not matter much.

I don't think I've ever seen someone throw an interception on the Leak concept until Spencer Rattler did it a few nights ago. pic.twitter.com/DozOI6ceoa

— Rich (@richjmadrid) December 26, 2024

Rattler attended the School Of Making Throws That Make Absolutely No Sense To Make While Ignoring The Open Guy That The Play Is Designed To Scheme Open. Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak may have had his blood pressure rise by at least a few points simply by watching that play.

One thing the Raiders aren't bad at is against the pass. They're tied for the 9th-fewest yards per pass attempt allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. From an efficiency standpoint, they've been solid on that front. And despite their lack of takeaways this season, it will help that they're set to face a QB who seems to force the ball... to the other team when it's pointless.

Dallas Cowboys D/ST

$2.5k on DraftKings, $3.8k on FanDuel; @ Philadelphia Eagles

For some reason, it doesn't seem like either DraftKings or FanDuel have considered that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) won't play this week. Instead, the Eagles will roll out Kenny Pickett. He's not good. Sure, Philly has a great offensive line, but that only works so well when you have to deal with a good pass rush.

Jalen Hurts scared of Micah Parsons. https://t.co/QEB2BekTk4 pic.twitter.com/daPxWthWwg

— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) December 26, 2024

Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons is simply the elite of the elite. He's one of the best pass-rushers in the last decade and surely bound for the NFL Hall of Fame if he can stay healthy and have a long career. The individual accolades and stats are nice, but the most telling omen of his dominance is how the defense completely transforms when he's on the field.

Micah Parsons since Week 10,
• #1 in sacks (8.5)
• #1 QB pressures (39)
• #1 in Pass Rush Win Rate
• #1 in multi-sack games
• 2 forced fumbles
• Most uncalled holds

the #Cowboys defense
• #1 in takeaways (15)
• #1 in sacks (28)

Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/QduV6daRno

— mpf (@demcowboysfan) December 26, 2024

Despite a slew of injuries, the Dallas defense is simply elite when he is on the field. The attention he commands from the offensive line completely disrupts the flow of the opposing offense, both in the run and pass games. It's unlikely Pickett will have a fun time in this game.

And it creates the opportunity for more sacks, more turnovers, more pressures, more blown-up plays, and the like. It's easy to forget that the Cowboys D/ST scored 9.0 points against the Eagles in Week 10 by racking up five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception. So that mitigates the Oh My God They're Going Against The Eagles Offense factor.

So it's puzzling that they're this cheap when Philadelphia won't have their starting quarterback on the field. But you get to take advantage of that by getting a legitimately good unit for super-duper cheap!

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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