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Best available D/ST on Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire

Plenty of teams will be resting starters. We break down some fantasy football team defense options to consider on your Week 17 waiver wire.

Damontae Kazee of the Atlanta Falcons returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Here are a few defenses with under 50 percent ownership on mainstream fantasy outlets that fantasy owners can consider streaming for their Week 17 matchups.

Atlanta Falcons (9 percent)

The Falcons face turnover machine Jameis Winston, who leads the NFL in interceptions (28) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (6). Winston has also fumbled the ball 12 times, tied for fifth most, adding to his turnover issues. As a team, the Buccaneers have given the ball away an NFL-high 38 times, and Winston’s tendency to throw pick-sixes gives the Falcons’ defense some serious fantasy upside. The Buccaneers have also been sack-prone, allowing the sixth most sacks.

Kansas City Chiefs (41 percent)

The Chiefs’ defense has been better at home by yards allowed per play and opponent QB rating, holding QBs to just a 78.8 passer rating at Arrowhead Stadium, significantly below the 2019 league average passer rating of 90.8. Kansas City has an appealing home matchup vs. the Chargers, who have given the ball away the third most times. QB Philip Rivers has been interception prone, tossing the second most INTs behind only Jameis Winston.

Cleveland Browns (48 percent)

The Browns have an appealing matchup against a Bengals offense that has struggled to score points and has been turnover prone. The Bengals rank at the bottom of the league in points scored per game, and they have given the ball away at one of the five highest clips. The Bengals have also allowed more sacks than average, giving Cleveland good upside for point prevention, turnovers and sacks.

Dallas Cowboys (41 percent)

Dallas faces a Washington offense that has mostly struggled to score points this season, ranking towards the bottom of the league in points per game. Rookie QB Dwayne Haskins injured his ankle during Week 16, so it’s not clear who will be under center for Washington, but neither Haskins nor QB Case Keenum represents much of a threat. Dallas will be in better position facing the rookie Haskins, who has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns this season.