Week 17 is here, congrats on making it to the Super Bowl! If you’re here for DFS plays, welcome back! As it has been all year, this will typically not cover teams with ownership above 50% or any plays from the previous week. So if you have a defense like the Bucs, you should be starting them every week. If you grabbed the Chargers or Seahawks last week and want to start them again, great! No need to waste waiver priority. If you would like to talk about a selection or have any questions, reach out to me on Twitter (@Doombot12_FF) or find me over at the QB List Discord.
San Francisco 49ers
Opponent: v Houston Texans
DraftKings: $3,800
FanDuel: $4,600
DeMeco Ryans has not gotten enough credit for how well he’s been able to turn around this team. Though the back end of the 49ers secondary has been iffy at times, the pass rush and intermediary/Linebacker coverage has been legit. Since week 10, they’ve scored at least five fantasy points in every matchup, with 22 sacks and 10 turnovers in that span. Their roster percentage has jumped in the past couple weeks due to their schedule but as I have been asked about them on the waiver wire a lot this week, it seemed best to include them on the chance they are still available to you.
We'll take that ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Bosa notches sack #15!
📺 #ATLvsSF on CBS pic.twitter.com/E6Ol1ytpTm
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 19, 2021
Chicago Bears
Opponent: v New York Giants
DraftKings: $3,200
FanDuel: $4,800
If there is a team you want your defense to host, it’s the Giants. They are an absolute mess at every level and their offense has very few starters left that can make an impact. I doubt that even Matt Nagy can screw this one up. The Giants are giving up around 86 points per game to defenses with their skeleton crew, give or take a few dozen, and the Bears have posted double digit performances in three of their last seven games. They’ve recorded nine sacks in their last three games and the Giants have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Last week against Philadelphia alone, they allowed 17 pressures, though to be fair, did have a couple good performances from Hernandez and Thomas. Against an already demoralized Giants team that is bringing back its lame duck coach and QB combo, the Bears should have a chance to make a statement this week that would help their future.
Robert Quinn picks up his 17th sack of the season. 💪 #CHIvsSEA | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/cK9jj6S2ql
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 26, 2021
Carolina Panthers
Opponent: vs New Orleans Saints
DraftKings: $3,000
FanDuel: $3,600
No one has given more love to the Panthers DST this year than yours truly, so why would I not be pounding the table for them to start in the most important spot of the year?! That said, it will depend on the QB situation for the Saints. Though somehow Ian Book did not look AS dreadful as I expected, the Panthers could easily churn out a multiple turnover day with five or six sacks (just ask the 25 point scoring Miami DST). They are still a top 12 defense regardless of who is under center, but there will be other options like Kansas City or possibly Philadelphia if you want to pivot away. When healthy, the Saints aren’t even pushing the Jets into negative scoring so the height of Carolina’s floor is appealing for your finals.
Jeremy Chinn was READY for this pick!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/DwAnWugUYG
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 19, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: @ Indianapolis Colts
DraftKings: $2,700
FanDuel: $3,400
Normally, I wouldn’t double up from last week, but this one is of great importance. Carson Wentz was placed on the Covid list today and even as a close contact, will miss the game as an unvaccinated player. That leaves Sam Ehlinger to face the Raiders pass rush with an offensive line that hasn’t been able to pass protect all season. The Raiders secondary has played well against big bodied receivers so JT will have to do the heavy lifting to end the season. Not that this is a bad thing, but their scoring, since the shift to a heavier run attack, has dropped. Low points against, increased sack opportunities, and creating turnovers off pressure, should all be in play this week. I’m sorry to doubt you Sam, but this is a great spot for a Super Bowl sleeper DST.
Q-JEFF SAID NOPE#DENvsLV | Live on CBS pic.twitter.com/uSyvuEAO8y
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 26, 2021
Previous Week: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders, Seahawks
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)