Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Defenses - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

Start 'em and sit 'em defenses for Week 17 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Colts D/ST vs. Jaguars (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Colts D/ST didn’t score a single fantasy point in Pittsburgh last week, but that’s to be expected. This unit will turn things around though, as the Jaguars come to town. Their offense has averaged the third-fewest points, the seventh-fewest yards per game, and allowed 38 sacks. Look for a big week for Indianapolis.

Week 17 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

• QUARTERBACKS
• RUNNING BACKS
• WIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
• TEAM DEFENSES

Be sure to check out my Week 17 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.

MORE: Week 17 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub

More Starts

• Seahawks D/ST at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Cardinals D/ST at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Browns D/ST vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains

• Saints D/ST at Panthers (DraftKings: $3,400)
• Cardinals D/ST at Rams (DraftKings: $2,800)
• Vikings D/ST at Lions (DraftKings: $2,600)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Bears D/ST vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Bears D/ST was a popular streamer last week in Jacksonville, but that's not the case when it hosts Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Defenses have struggled against Green Bay, as their offense has averaged the most points and the third-most yards. They've also committed the fewest giveaways and allowed just 20 sacks.

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More Sits

• Dolphins D/ST at Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Panthers D/ST vs. Saints (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Steelers D/ST at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades

• Steelers D/ST at Browns (DraftKings: $3,800)
• 49ers D/ST vs. Seahawks (DraftKings: $3,000)
• Bears D/ST vs. Packers (DraftKings: $2,700)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!

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