The Jaguars aren't planning on resting players in Week 17 at Houston even though they have a huge game in Week 18 against Tennessee that will decide the AFC South. That's great news for Fantasy managers because almost everyone in Jacksonville is worth starting against the Texans.
"There is never a meaningless game," coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday. "Never, ever, ever."
Trevor Lawrence is on fire coming into Week 17 with at least 24 Fantasy points in four of his past six starts and no game with fewer than 18 points over that span. He struggled against Houston in Week 5 with nine Fantasy points, but he's playing too well right now to consider sitting. Just watching him over the past six games, you can see him becoming a star, and he looks in complete command of Pederson's offense.
A big reason for Lawrence's success has been the play of Evan Engram, who has scored at least 14 PPR points in four games in a row, with two games north of 18 PPR points. He has become a must-start Fantasy tight end in all leagues, and he actually played well against the Texans in Week 5 with six catches for 69 yards on 10 targets.
I'll go back to Christian Kirk as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in Week 17 even though he struggled in the rain and wind in Week 16 at the Jets with three catches for 22 yards on six targets. He also had a bad game in Week 5 against the Texans with one catch for 11 yards on three targets. But prior to Week 16, Kirk had scored at least 15 PPR points in two of his previous three games, and I'll trust his connection with Lawrence enough to start him in this game.
Zay Jones is more of a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, and he also struggled against the Jets in Week 16 (one catch for 14 yards on four targets) and against the Texans in Week 5 (three catches for 12 yards on eight targets). Again, I'll trust Lawrence here to get Jones production in this matchup, and Jones had at least 14 PPR points in four of his past five games prior to Week 15, with 51 targets over that span.
As for Travis Etienne, he should be considered a borderline No. 1 running back in all leagues. I had the most concern that he might sit in Week 17 given his recent foot injury, but if he plays as expected then he should dominate Houston. The Texans are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Etienne had 10 carries for 71 yards and three catches for 43 yards against Houston in Week 5. Etienne also has scored at least 12 PPR points in each of his past two games against Dallas and the Jets, and he should enjoy beating up on the Texans in Week 17.
It's fantastic that the Jaguars are playing their main guys in Week 17. It appears like the Titans are resting their players for Week 18 after Derrick Henry (hip) was listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against Dallas, so Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Henry in the Fantasy championship.
Start of the Week
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This has definitely been a strange Fantasy season. So in Week 17, which is the Fantasy championship for the majority of leagues, let's go with a Start of the Week I never imagined using at the beginning of the year.
Tyler Allgeier spent the early part of his college career at BYU at linebacker. He was a fifth-round pick in this year's NFL Draft. But he's taking over as the lead running back for the Falcons, and he should be a solid Fantasy option in Week 17 against the Cardinals.
Allgeier was awesome in Week 16 at Baltimore with 18 carries for 74 yards and four catches for 43 yards on five targets, and he scored 15 PPR points. This was after he had 22 PPR points at New Orleans in Week 15, and he's starting to play more than Cordarrelle Patterson.
Allgeier has a great matchup in Week 17 against Arizona, and the Cardinals have allowed a running back to score at least 17 PPR points in five games in a row. For the season, 13 running backs have scored at least 15 PPR points against Arizona, and the Cardinals just put standout safety Budda Baker (shoulder) on injured reserve, which will further weaken this defense.
I don't have Allgeier ranked as a top-10 running back for this week, but I like what he's done lately and his matchup. Because of that I consider him a top 20 running back in the majority of leagues, and I expect him to help Fantasy managers win a championship in Week 17. That's something I never imagined writing when the season began.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
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Fields is dealing with foot and shoulder injuries that are worth monitoring, but as long as he plays you should expect him to produce at a high level. He has a great matchup in Week 17 at Detroit, and he beat up the Lions in Week 10 for 167 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, along with 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Fields needs 196 rushing yards to break Lamar Jackson's record of most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,206) set in 2019, and it would be awesome if he did that over the next two games. It also helps that six of the past seven quarterbacks against Detroit has scored at least 22 Fantasy points.
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Cousins is on fire heading into Week 17 with at least 29 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and he has 1,184 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions over that span against Detroit, Indianapolis and the Giants. He scored 23 Fantasy points against the Packers in Week 1, and he has at least 23 points in three of his past five meetings with Green Bay. The Packers have allowed three of the past six opposing quarterbacks to score at least 23 Fantasy points, and this game has shootout potential. Cousins again has top-five upside in Week 17.
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Goff finally played well on the road in Week 16 at Carolina with 31 Fantasy points, and he now has at least 21 points in four of his past five games. Goff only scored 16 Fantasy points at Chicago in Week 10, but he should do much better than that in Detroit. Three of the past four quarterbacks against the Bears have scored at least 26 Fantasy points, and this should be a fun game with plenty of offense. Goff could be a top-five quarterback in Week 17.
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It's good to have White back in Week 17 after he missed the past two games with a rib injury. The Jets need him after Zach Wilson has struggled, and Fantasy managers can use White as a low-end starter in all leagues. While he only has one game above 16 Fantasy points in his three starts, he has averaged 317.3 passing yards per game over that span. And the Seahawks have allowed five of the past seven opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points. White is auditioning for a starting job in 2023 since he'll be a free agent this offseason, and I expect him to play well over his final two games this year.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Minshew is only listed in the sleeper category because there's a chance Jalen Hurts (shoulder) can play in Week 17 against the Saints. If we find out that Hurts is out again and Minshew is starting then I like him as a low-end starter in all leagues. He did well in Week 16 at Dallas with 26 Fantasy points despite three turnovers, and he passed for 355 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing score. It's not an easy matchup against the Saints, who have allowed just one quarterback to score more than 19 Fantasy points since Week 6, but Minshew has plenty of weapons to produce at a high level. If he starts in Week 17 then you can trust him as a No. 1 quarterback in your Fantasy championship.
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Purdy might not have the ceiling to be a top-five quarterback most weeks, but he should once again finish as a low-end No. 1 quarterback again in Week 17 at the Raiders. In four appearances for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), Purdy has scored at least 18 Fantasy points in each outing. The Raiders have held four quarterbacks in a row to 19 Fantasy points or less, but for the season, Las Vegas is allowing 20.9 points to the position. Purdy's average over the past four games is 20.5 Fantasy points, and he should be in that range again in Week 17.
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I started the week not liking Brady as a Fantasy quarterback. He's clearly disappointed this season, and he comes into Week 17 against Carolina having scored 13 Fantasy points or less in two of his past three games. He also has five interceptions in his past four games, and he scored 11 Fantasy points at Carolina in Week 7. But the Panthers are now down cornerback Jaycee Horn (wrist), and without Horn and Donte Jackson (Achilles), this should be a vulnerable secondary. Jared Goff had 31 Fantasy points in Carolina in Week 16, and Geno Smith also scored 26 Fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 14. Brady isn't likely going to have a huge game, but he's still worth using as a low-end starter in this matchup. He has scored at least 21 Fantasy points in four of his past six games in Tampa Bay as well.
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QBs to Sit
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I'm a little nervous about Jones in Week 17 since the Giants should win this game, maybe with ease, against the Colts at home. And Jones has been a mediocre Fantasy quarterback when the Giants have won this season. In eight wins, Jones is averaging just 17.6 Fantasy points per game, and he has four games with fewer than 16 points. By comparison, Jones has scored at least 19 Fantasy points in four of his past five games won or tied. Jones should be OK this week against the Colts, but he might not have a dominant game. As such, he should only be started in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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The Commanders have held their past five opposing quarterbacks to 19 Fantasy points or less, and only two quarterbacks have scored at least 20 points against Washington since Week 4. Watson has scored 18 Fantasy points or less in all four starts with the Browns, and he's been held to 161 passing yards or less in three of those games. There's no way you can trust him in your Fantasy championship in Week 17.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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I always love the revenge game angle, and Smith started his career with the Jets. And hopefully Smith will get Tyler Lockett (finger) back for this matchup after a one-game absence. But this Jets defense will make things tough on Smith, and I would only start him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Only one quarterback has scored more than 18 Fantasy points against the Jets since Week 3, and it was Josh Allen twice. Smith has struggled of late with a combined 29 Fantasy points in his past two games against San Francisco and Kansas City, and he might be fading down the stretch. I'm worried about Smith in this matchup, especially if Lockett remains out.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
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Fournette has taken over the Tampa Bay backfield again, and he was awesome in Week 16 at Arizona with 20 carries for 72 yards and nine catches for 90 yards on 10 targets. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 10, but he does have seven games in a row with at least 10 PPR points, mostly due to his work in the passing game. Despite sharing playing time with Rachaad White, Fournette still has 25 catches on 28 targets in his past four outings. This week, he's taking on a Panthers team that has allowed just one running back to score more than 10 PPR points since Week 9, but Fournette will be tough to stop based on his role in the passing game right now.
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McKinnon caught another touchdown in Week 16 against Seattle, which was the fourth game in a row where he had a receiving score. That's tied for the longest streak for a running back since 1970. We'll see if he can make it five in a row against the Broncos, and he destroyed Denver in Week 14 with six carries for 22 yards and seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. He had a relatively quiet game against the Seahawks with five carries for 7 yards and three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on three targets, and 12 PPR points is probably more in line with what you should expect. But he's hot right now, so keep him active in all leagues in Week 17.
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Aaron Jones (ankle) is playing hurt, and that has helped Dillon take off over the past month. He's scored at least 12 PPR points in four games in a row, including three games with at least 17 PPR points, and he has five touchdowns over that span. He also has 11 catches on 13 targets, and we hope Aaron Rodgers continues to rely on Dillon in the passing game. This week, he's taking on a Vikings defense that has allowed six running backs to score at least 11 PPR points in their past six games, with seven touchdowns over that span, and Dillon should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. I like him better than Jones given his injury.
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Despite the Rams falling apart this season, one bright spot has been Akers turning into a star down the stretch. Let's hope he can stay hot for one more week. He comes into Week 17 with either 100 total yards or a touchdown in four games in a row. He just destroyed the Broncos in Week 16 with 23 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns and two catches for 29 yards on two targets, and he has five catches on five targets in his past two games with Baker Mayfield. The Chargers are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, and three running backs in their past five games have scored at least 20 PPR points. Akers has top-15 upside in all leagues in Week 17.
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If Jamaal Williams (leg) can't play in Week 17 then I hope Swift has a dominant game against the Bears. It would be great if he could end his season on a high note and prove to Fantasy managers he can be a workhorse running back. He has two games this season with double digits in carries (Week 1 against Philadelphia and Week 13 against Jacksonville), and he scored at least 20 PPR points in both outings. Against the Eagles, Swift had 18 total touches (three catches) for 175 total yards and a touchdown. And against the Jaguars, Swift had 18 total touches (four catches) for 111 total yards and a touchdown. He could be a monster this week if Williams is out, and hopefully he gets 18-plus touches again. The Bears are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and four running backs have scored at least 13 PPR points against Chicago in the past four games. Also, if Williams is out, then consider Justin Jackson a sleeper because he would play in tandem with Swift and has the chance for quality production as well.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Antonio Gibson is dealing with a sprain of some sort (Ron Rivera did not indicate a body part on Tuesday), and if he's out in Week 17 against Cleveland then Robinson would be a starter in all leagues. This is a great matchup for the Commanders to run the ball since the Browns are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and 11 running backs have scored at least 12 PPR points against Cleveland this year, including two in a row. Robinson has at least 100 total yards or a touchdown in four of his past six games, and he could see an increased role in the passing game if Gibson is out. If Gibson plays, Robinson is no worse than a flex option in all leagues.
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It's risky to trust Knight again given his production the past two games against Detroit and Jacksonville when he combined for just four PPR points, but that was with Zach Wilson under center. With Mike White back, the Bam Knight party should get back on track. In three games with White, Knight scored at least 12 PPR points, including two games with at least 100 total yards and three catches. He'll share touches with Michael Carter, but this is a great matchup for the Jets in Week 17 at Seattle. The Seahawks are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Seattle has allowed nine total touchdowns to the position in the past five games. With White at quarterback, I'm trusting Knight as a flex option again in all leagues.
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The Panthers proved in Week 16 against Detroit that they can run on anyone when D'Onta Foreman and Hubbard combined for 33 carries for 290 yards and a touchdown. Coming into that game, the Lions run defense had been unstoppable for eight games in a row. Tampa Bay's run defense is also stout (No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to running backs), but Foreman and Hubbard had 24 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Buccaneers in the first game for Carolina after trading Christian McCaffrey. For this week, I'll consider Foreman and Hubbard both flex options, and Hubbard might be the better of the two with his role in the passing game. Prior to Week 16, Hubbard had three catches in each of his past two games on six targets, and Tampa Bay has allowed three running backs to catch at least five passes in the past three games.
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RBs to Sit
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Chase Edmonds was active for Week 16 at the Rams, and the Broncos used a three-headed backfield with Edmonds, Murray and Marlon Mack. That left Murray with a reduced role of just eight carries for 34 yards and one catch for 6 yards on three targets. He will likely share touches again, and he had minimal production against the Chiefs in their first meeting in Week 14 with eight carries for 32 yards and three catches for minus-1 yard on five targets. Murray is a low-end flex at best in the rematch in Week 17.
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You never know how the backfield split will go in Miami with Wilson and Raheem Mostert, but I would try to avoid both in Week 17 at New England. Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) could be out, and the Patriots run defense is still a strength. For the season, New England is No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and the Patriots have allowed just four total touchdowns to the position this year. Mostert has one game with more than four PPR points in his past four outings, and it was Week 15 at Buffalo when Wilson was out with a hip injury. And Wilson scored in Week 16 against Green Bay but had just 10 total touches. I like Wilson better than Mostert, but he's just a flex at best in all leagues.
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Singletary is coming off a big game in Week 16 at Chicago with 12 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 19 yards on three targets. But he also has scored nine PPR points or less in three of his past five games, and he has a tough matchup in Week 17 at Cincinnati. The Bengals are No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and they just held Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette and Rhamondre Stevenson to seven PPR points or less in each of the past three games. Singletary continues to share playing time with James Cook, and this should be a Josh Allen game for the Bills in a potential shootout with Joe Burrow. If Singletary doesn't score a touchdown then his Fantasy production will likely be minimal.
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Moss was clearly the lead running back for the Colts in Week 16 against the Chargers with 12 carries for 65 yards and one catch for 5 yards on one target, but that might be as good as it gets for him in this offense, even with a plus matchup in Week 17 at the Giants. Nick Foles was a disaster at quarterback against the Chargers with three interceptions, and Indianapolis had just 10 first downs, 173 total yards and was 0-for-10 on third downs. Moss will likely need to score a touchdown to save his Fantasy production because he has a minimal role in the passing game, but the Colts have six points in their past six quarters. I would only use Moss as a flex in non-PPR leagues in Week 17.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Harris scored a touchdown against Baltimore in Week 14, but he only had 12 carries for 33 yards and two catches for 17 yards on three targets in that first meeting. I love that Harris was back to being involved in the passing game in Week 16 against Las Vegas with six catches for 42 yards on nine targets, but prior to that he had four catches on five targets in his previous four games. It's hard to know what to expect for him in the passing game this week. And Harris' touchdown in Week 14 was the lone touchdown Baltimore has allowed on the ground since Week 8. I'm still starting Harris as at least a flex option this week in all leagues, but I don't have high expectations for him given the matchup.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
WRs to Start
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Wilson has to be the most excited player for the Jets now that Mike White is starting again. In three games with White, Wilson averaged 21.0 PPR points per game against the Bears, Vikings and Bills. He had 30 targets over that span for 19 catches, 335 yards and two touchdowns, and he should have the chance for another big game in Week 17. It's a tough matchup against Seattle and fellow rookie Tariq Woolen, but I'll still take my chances with Wilson as a starter in all leagues now that White is back. And I like Elijah Moore as a sleeper and high-end No. 3 PPR receiver since he scored at least 12 PPR points in two of three starts with White.
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London continues to look like a rising star heading into Week 17 against Arizona. He scored at least 12 PPR points in each of his past three games, and he has at least nine targets and six catches in each outing. In two games with Desmond Ridder, London has 14 catches for 166 yards on 20 targets. He's worth using as a No. 2 receiver in all leagues against the Cardinals, who just lost standout safety Budda Baker (shoulder) for the season.
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One of the few positives for the Broncos this season has been the breakout campaign for Jeudy, and he's on fire heading into Week 17 at Kansas City. In his past three games, Jeudy is averaging 21.3 PPR points per game with 27 targets, 21 catches, 266 yards and three touchdowns over that span. This hot streak started in Week 14 against the Chiefs when Jeudy had 33 PPR points, and he should once again do well in the rematch. Even with Courtland Sutton coming back from a two-game absence with a hamstring injury in Week 16 at the Rams, Jeudy still had 10 targets for six catches and 117 yards. He has top-10 upside in all leagues for this week, and you can also consider Sutton a sleeper as a high-end No. 3 receiver.
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Moore might have actually had a good season in 2022 if Sam Darnold was his quarterback, and the two have played well together over the past four games. Moore has three games with at least 18 PPR points over that span, and he has consecutive outings with at least six targets, five catches, 73 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers and Lions. In Week 7 against Tampa Bay, Moore had seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets from P.J. Walker, and you should trust Moore again in the rematch in Week 17 on the road thanks to Darnold. The Buccaneers have also allowed six receivers to score at least 13 PPR points in their past three games against San Francisco, Cincinnati and Arizona.
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I wish this was Christian Watson in this spot, but he missed practice Wednesday and could be out with a hip injury in Week 17. If Watson is out then look for Lazard to be the go-to receiver for Aaron Rodgers in a dream matchup against the Vikings, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. There have been 10 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points against Minnesota in the past five games alone, and Lazard has top-20 upside in all leagues if he's the featured receiver for Green Bay in this matchup. I would also use Romeo Doubs as a No. 3 receiver in the majority of leagues if Watson were out.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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The 49ers could get Deebo Samuel (knee/ankle) back in Week 17, which is something to monitor, but if he remains out then consider Aiyuk a borderline starter in all two-receiver leagues and a must-start option in three-receiver formats. He's 145 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season, and hopefully the 49ers can get him there sooner rather than later with two games to play. He also has scored 13 PPR points in two of three starts with Brock Purdy, including five catches for 81 yards on seven targets in Week 16 against Washington.
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Carson Wentz will start Week 17 against Cleveland, and Wentz was good for Dotson earlier this season. The two played the first four games of the year together, and Dotson had at least 13 PPR points in three of those outings, with four total touchdowns. Dotson is hot again coming into Week 17 after he scored at least 16 PPR points in three games in a row. He just had six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on nine targets at San Francisco, and he should be considered no worse than a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver against the Browns.
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We'll see how the Cardinals decide to use Dortch in Week 17 at Atlanta, but hopefully Kliff Kingsbury keeps Dortch in the slot -- and new quarterback David Blough leans on him. Dortch was a star in Week 16 against Tampa Bay with Trace McSorely with 10 catches for 98 yards on 11 targets, and Dortch added three carries for 25 yards. This is not the first time Dortch has done this since he had at least 13 PPR points in each of the first three games of the season and then scored 19 PPR points in Week 11 against San Francisco. If he plays in the slot and is featured then Dortch is capable of big numbers, and Rondale Moore (groin) did similar things before getting hurt. It's a gamble to trust Dortch with Blough under center, but it could pay off since he has the potential to be a standout PPR receiver against the Falcons if used correctly.
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Chark just had four catches for 108 yards on five targets in Week 16 at Carolina, and it was good to see him perform well on the road. He has a favorable matchup in Week 17 against Chicago, and in his past two games at home, Chark had 11 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 13 and Minnesota in Week 14. He's worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues against the Bears, who have allowed six receivers to score at least 13 PPR points in their past four games.
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