Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 14, 15, 16, 17) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 14, 15, 16, and 17 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. This article will focus on helping you find the best defenses for the final week of the fantasy regular season and the three weeks of the fantasy football playoffs. 

Streaming the right defenses during these weeks could be the difference between a championship or a first-round exit. Therefore, now is the perfect time to line up your defenses for the next four weeks.

So, here are the best defensive streamers and starts for Week 14 through Week 17. If you want only specific Week 14 D/ST fantasy football streamers and rankings, be sure to check out that link.

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D/ST Strength of Schedule: Weeks 14-17

At this point in the season, fantasy managers should consider rostering two or three defenses. While some fantasy managers don't like rostering more than one defense, it might be pivotal to do so in the final weeks of the season. You should be dropping those low-end bench pieces that will never start for you and pick up an extra defense to help you at that position over the next month.

In this article, there will be several defenses that fantasy managers can stream over the next four weeks. Some of the defenses on this list can only be used in Week 14, while other defenses will be strong starts throughout the fantasy football playoffs (Week 15 through Week 17).

Each defense on this list will be broken down into four categories (temporary streamer, part-time streamer, recruit streamer, and fool's gold streamer) to help you make the best decision. The description of each category can be found below, and all defenses on this list will be rostered in 55% or less of ESPN leagues. 

• “Temporary” Streamer: D/ST with a good matchup in Week 14
• “Part-Time” Streamer: D/ST with multiple nice matchups in a row
• “Recruit” Streamer: D/ST with an easy upcoming schedule that you pick up earlier to stash on your bench
• “Fool’s Gold” Streamer: D/ST that on paper looks like a good option but should be avoided 

Week 14 D/ST Streamers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders (29th)
• ESPN Rostership: 53%
• Over-Under: 46.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 19.75

The Buccaneers have had a couple of solid matchups in a row now, and this defense could be used again in Week 14 against the Raiders. Las Vegas has given up the sixth-most sacks (41) this season while turning over the ball 23 times through 13 weeks (tied for the most in the NFL). That's great news for a Tampa Bay defense that has totaled at least three sacks in three of the past four games.

As a result, fantasy managers can start this Buccaneers defense with confidence in Week 14. Opposing defenses are averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game against the Raiders offense this season.

After Week 14, the Buccaneers will have solid matchups against the Cowboys (Week 16) and Panthers (Week 17) remaining. However, there are likely better defensive options to roll with across those two weeks. This Tampa Bay defense only scored four fantasy points against Carolina last week. So, this unit will only be a temporary streamer for this weekend.

New Orleans Saints D/ST (Temporary Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: New York Giants (30th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 29.6%
• Over-Under: 40.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 17.75 

If you are fighting for a playoff spot and need a defense this week, the Saints are a great option in Week 14. New Orleans will go up against a Giants offense that has struggled for most of the year. Opposing defenses are averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game against New York this year, and the Cowboys and Buccaneers defenses have scored over 10 fantasy points in back-to-back games versus this offense.

As a result, the Saints will be a top-5 play this weekend. New Orleans has totaled at least three sacks in three of the past five games, and the Giants have allowed 40 sacks through 12 games this season (tied for the seventh-most in the NFL).

Following this great matchup, the Saints will play the Commanders (Week 15) and Packers (Week 16) in the first two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. While this defense shouldn't be used in either of those two weeks, New Orleans does have a favorable matchup against the Raiders in the fantasy football championship. So, this unit is worth holding onto for Week 17 as well.

Arizona Cardinals D/ST (Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: Seattle Seahawks (28th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 18.8%
• Over-Under: 44.5 points
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 21

The Cardinals defense deserves to be rostered in all leagues moving forward. This Arizona defense has totaled at least three sacks in four straight games and is allowing only 15 points per game since Week 7. Not only has this defense played extremely well in recent weeks, but this unit also has a favorable upcoming schedule.

The Cardinals have the No. 4 offense and the No. 7 defense in the NFL since Week 7.

They are up to No. 7 overall in Team DVOA. This is a good team. Now it has to finish the job and win games. pic.twitter.com/eNXgIL8xx3

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) December 3, 2024

The Cardinals will play the Seahawks (Week 14), Patriots (Week 15), and Panthers (Week 16) over the next three weeks. Both the Seahawks and Patriots have had trouble protecting their quarterbacks this season, as both offensive lines have allowed at least 40 sacks. As for the Panthers, this offense ranks bottom five in both yards and points per game.

As a result, Arizona's defense will be a strong start in each of the next three games. This is also a defense that is averaging 8.8 fantasy points per game over the last seven weeks.

Tennessee Titans D/ST (Potential Part-Time Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (17th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 13.4%
• Over-Under: 40.5
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: 18.25

The Titans defense has the potential to be a part-time streamer at the position for the rest of the year. This unit will play the Jaguars (Week 14), Colts (Week 16), and Jaguars again (Week 17) in three of the next four games. While Tennessee hasn't been a strong fantasy option for most of the year, this defense has been better than expected this season.

The Titans rank second in yards allowed per game, ninth in pass-rush win rate, and top-15 in pressure rate this season. That will play a key role in divisional games against both the Jaguars and Colts.

The Jaguars will likely be starting Mac Jones this week after Trevor Lawrence (concussion) left last week's game early. That makes the Titans defense a top-10 play in Week 14. Jones has thrown three interceptions in his two starts this season, and Jacksonville scored only 13 offensive points in those two games. As for Week 16 matchup against the Colts, Anthony Richardson has thrown nine interceptions across his nine starts.

Buffalo Bills D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: Los Angeles Rams (14th) 
• ESPN Rostership: 42.7%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

If you have a first-round bye and are looking for a defense for Week 16, look no further than the Bills. Buffalo's defense is still available in over 55% of ESPN leagues, and this unit has a great matchup in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs against the Patriots.

Opposing defenses are averaging nine fantasy points per game against this New England offense, and this Bills defense has played well for most of the year. This unit is one of only two teams to force a turnover in every game this season. Given the fact that the Patriots have also given up 43 sacks this season, Buffalo will be a must-start in Week 16.

This Bills defense can also be used again in Week 17 against the Jets. With New York likely playing for nothing down the stretch, there's a good chance that the team could decide to sit Aaron Rodgers at this point in the season. So, make sure to pick up this Buffalo unit before your league mates do.

Baltimore Ravens D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: BYE
• ESPN Rostership: 54.8%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

There's no doubt that the Ravens have struggled defensively for most of the year. But things appear to be trending up for them heading into the final month of the season. Baltimore ranks third in sacks (41), and this unit has totaled at least three sacks in three of the past four games. With a matchup against the Giants upcoming in Week 15, this defense should be added in all leagues for the first round of the fantasy playoffs.

The Giants have given up 40 sacks this season (tied for the seventh-most), and Drew Lock was just sacked six times in last week's loss to the Cowboys. So, this Ravens defense will be a must-start in Week 15.

After this matchup against the Giants, though, this Ravens defense should not be started the rest of the season. This unit will play the Steelers (Week 16) and Texans (Week 17) in the final two weeks of the fantasy season.

Indianapolis Colts D/ST (Recruit Streamer)

• Week 14 Opponent: BYE
• ESPN Rostership: 25.2%
• Over-Under: N/A
• Opponent’s Implied Total Points: N/A

The Colts are a defense that fantasy managers should be looking to pick up on their bye. Indianapolis will play the Titans (Week 16) and the Giants (Week 17) in the final two rounds of the fantasy football playoffs. Both offenses have struggled to protect the quarterback this season, and Indianapolis has totaled at least three sacks in four of the past five games. 

The Titans have allowed 43 sacks this season (tied for the third-most), and Will Levis has been sacked 22 times over the last four games. Tennessee has also turned over the ball 23 times through 13 weeks, making this Colts defense a must-start during the second round of the fantasy playoffs. 

Indianapolis' defense will also remain a must-start in Week 17 against the Giants. New York has allowed 40 sacks this season while giving up 10 sacks across the last two games. Therefore, you should pick up this Colts defense on its bye this week.

Defenses that just missed the cut: Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals 

Recruit Streamers 

If you have Week 14 already figured out, let's look ahead at some more defensive options that you could start in Week 15:

• Dallas Cowboys (41.3% rostership)- Week 15 opponent: 18th-ranked Panthers
• Cincinnati Bengals (24.2% rostership)- Week 15 opponent: 32nd-ranked Titans
• Atlanta Falcons (6.7% rostership) - Week 15 opponent: 29th-ranked Raiders

Fool’s Gold Streamers

Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST at TEN

• Week 14 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (32nd)
• ESPN Rostership: 11.5%

On paper, this might seem like a great matchup for the Jaguars defense. Opposing defenses are averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game against this Titans offense this season, and Levis has been sacked 22 times over the last four games. However, expectations should be tempered for this Jaguars defense in Week 14. 

Will Levis is playing like a Top 10 quarterback. 😳 #Titans pic.twitter.com/XOyyNj5FYE

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) December 3, 2024

Jacksonville doesn't pressure the quarterback at a high level and ranks 29th in points allowed per game. This defense also ranks dead last in pass-rush win rate. As a result, this Jaguars defense will fall outside the top 10 in fantasy this week. This unit has totaled only three sacks across the last three games while forcing only eight turnovers all season. 

D/ST Streaming Action Plan

Planning out your fantasy D/ST might require some work, but it might be necessary to target the best matchups every single week. Here is how I would line up my defensive streams over the next four weeks. All of these defenses are under 55% rostered in ESPN leagues. 

• Week 14: Stream the Saints versus the 30th-ranked Giants
• Week 15: Stream the Ravens versus the 30th-ranked Giants
• Week 16: Stream the Bills versus the 27th-ranked Patriots 
• Week 17: Stream the Chargers versus the 27th-ranked Patriots

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