Week 17 Defense Rankings: The Biggest UPSETS & Surprises!

The 17th week of the NFL season has come and gone, and what a wild ride it was for fantasy football owners. The biggest upsets and surprises in Week 17's defensive matchups are starting to emerge, and it's time to evaluate which teams on the rise and which ones are on the decline. In this article, we'll break down the top defensive rankings, the biggest surprises, and the most shocking upsets of the week.

With the playoffs just around the corner, fantasy football owners are scrambling to make sense of the numbers and get their teams ready for the postseason. A strong defense is crucial in making a deep run, and Week 17's matchups provided a glimpse into which teams are truly on the rise and which ones are stuck in neutral. From the high-powered offenses to the stingy defenses, we've got you covered with our in-depth analysis of the biggest upsets and surprises of the week.

Defensive Rankings: Where Does Your Team Stand?

As we continue through the NFL season, our defensive rankings are constantly evolving. Week 17's matchups provided a clear indication of which teams are truly dominating their opponents. Let's take a look at the top defensive rankings and where your team stands.

Current Top 5 Defensive Rankings

• Tennessee Titans (20.4 points per game)
• Kansas City Chiefs (22.1 points per game)
• Baltimore Ravens (20.8 points per game)
• Green Bay Packers (19.5 points per game)
• Seattle Seahawks (20.2 points per game)

These top teams have consistently shown their ability to dominate their opponents, and it's clear that they're the teams to beat. However, there are a few surprises in the mix, and we'll break down the rest of the rankings below.

Surprises of the Week

Week 17's matchups were full of surprises, from the unexpected decline of a top-ranked team to the emergence of a previously struggling squad. Let's take a closer look at the biggest surprises of the week.

Upsets of the Week

• Arizona Cardinals @ Philadelphia Eagles - The Cardinals' defense was one of the biggest surprises of the week, as they held the Eagles to just 10 points. The Eagles' offense was stifled, and it was a huge win for the Cardinals.
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals - The Steelers' defense was a major factor in their win over the Bengals, as they held the Bengals to just 17 points. The Steelers' offense struggled, but the defense made up for it.
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans - The Chargers' defense was another major factor in their win over the Texans, as they held the Texans to just 15 points. The Chargers' offense struggled, but the defense made up for it.

These upsets were major surprises, and they have a significant impact on the fantasy football landscape. We'll take a closer look at how these upsets affect the top defensive rankings below.

Where Did the Top Teams Fall?

The top teams in the defensive rankings took a beating in Week 17, and it's clear that the rankings are up for grabs. Let's take a closer look at where the top teams fell.

Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints

• The Rams' defense was one of the biggest disappointments of the week, as they allowed 28 points to the Saints. The Rams' offense struggled, but the defense was the real issue.
• Expected Points Added (EPA) for the Rams' defense: -7.2

The Rams' defense was expected to be one of the top defensive units in the league, but they fell short in Week 17. They're now ranked 12th in the defensive rankings.

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

• The Seahawks' defense was another major disappointment, as they allowed 17 points to the 49ers. The Seahawks' offense struggled, but the defense was the real issue.
• EPA for the Seahawks' defense: -4.5

The Seahawks' defense was expected to be one of the top defensive units in the league, but they fell short in Week 17. They're now ranked 15th in the defensive rankings.

What Does This Mean for Fantasy Football?

The biggest upsets and surprises of the week have significant implications for fantasy football owners. Let's take a closer look at how these surprises affect the top defensive rankings.

Roster Adjustments

• The Arizona Cardinals' defense is now a top-10 fantasy defense, and they're a must-start in Week 18.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is now a top-15 fantasy defense, and they're a strong consideration for Week 18.
• The Los Angeles Chargers' defense is now a top-20 fantasy defense, and they're a consideration for Week 18.

These roster adjustments have significant implications for fantasy football owners, and it's clear that the biggest upsets and surprises of the week are a major factor in shaping the rankings.

Final Takeaways

The biggest upsets and surprises of Week 17 have significant implications for fantasy football owners. The top defensive rankings are constantly evolving, and it's clear that teams on the rise and those on the decline are having a major impact on the numbers. From the high-powered offenses to the stingy defenses, we've got you covered with our in-depth analysis of the biggest upsets and surprises of the week. As we head into Week 18, it's clear that the fantasy football landscape is full of surprises, and it's up to you to make the right roster adjustments to get your team ready for the postseason.