Kudos to you if you play your Fantasy championship in Week 17, and hopefully all of your main starters are available. We know the Chiefs aren't playing Patrick Mahomes with the No. 1 seed in the AFC wrapped up, and the Steelers are also letting Ben Roethlisberger rest for the playoffs. There could be more players out in Week 17 because of playoff scenarios or injuries, so continue to monitor the news all week.
We'll try to help with any lineup decisions you might have, and best of luck if this is the big game for your Fantasy league. We usually recommend ending your Fantasy season in Week 16 to avoid these scenarios, but you're brave if your league still plays in this scoring period.
For those of you also here just for fun even though your Fantasy season is over, I want to thank you again for reading this column all year. Hopefully, the advice helped lead you to the playoffs and a Fantasy championship, and your loyalty means the world to us.
This has been a crazy year in the world and certainly a unique Fantasy season, but we made it. I hope 2021 is great for you overall, and I can't wait to start looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Our draft prep starts immediately, so keep an eye on all of our offseason coverage. We'll do our best to get you prepared for the 2021 campaign, and hopefully it will be a rewarding year in Fantasy and reality after what we all experienced in 2020.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
Start of the Week
Projections powered by
Sportsline
| ||||||||||||||||||
Antonio Gibson missed practice Wednesday with the toe injury that kept him out for two weeks prior to Week 16, but he's expected to play in a huge Week 17 game for Washington. The Athletic reported Wednesday that Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner said Gibson can handle a heavier workload this week, so he should be ready to go against the Eagles.
Against the Panthers in Week 16, Gibson had 10 carries for 61 yards, along with three catches for 8 yards on four targets. Hopefully, Gibson can get 25 total touches like he had against the Cowboys in Week 12, was his last healthy game before Week 16. Washington should lean on Gibson as much as possible this week against the Eagles, who could be without Fletcher Cox (neck) and Derek Barnett (calf). Ezekiel Elliot just ran all over Philadelphia in Week 16 for 17 PPR points, and the Eagles have allowed a running back to score or gain over 100 total yards in six games in a row.
We'll see if Alex Smith (calf) plays in Week 17, but I'm confident in Gibson even if Taylor Heinicke starts at quarterback. Either one is an upgrade over Dwayne Haskins, who was released this week. Gibson has top-10 upside in this matchup, and he scored at least 12 PPR points in five games in a row before hurting his toe. He's also scored a touchdown in eight of the 12 games he's been able to finish this year.
I like J.D. McKissic as a starter in PPR this week as well, especially with Terry McLaurin (ankle) hurt. And you can consider McKissic as at least a flex option in non-PPR leagues. But this week should be all about Gibson.If Washington wins this game then the Football Team are NFC East champions. It would be an amazing story with Smith coming back from his leg injury, as well as coach Ron Rivera dealing with a form of skin cancer.
Gibson has been a big reason for Washington's success, and hopefully his rookie season ends on a high note. He has the chance for a big game against the Eagles, and Fantasy managers should start him with confidence this week.
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Hurts was a huge letdown in Week 16 at Dallas with 19 Fantasy points, and he had three turnovers in the game (two interceptions and a fumble). But the positives are that he passed for a career-high 342 yards, and he ran for at least 63 yards for the third start in a row. I'll take my chances with Hurts again given his upside, even in a tough matchup against Washington.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Herbert will again be without Keenan Allen (hamstring) this week, but it might not matter against the Chiefs. Kansas City has locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye and is likely resting starters, which should bode well for Herbert. He scored 23 Fantasy points against the Chiefs in his first ever start in Week 2, and Kansas City has allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 24 Fantasy points.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Tannehill snapped his five-game streak of scoring at least 20 Fantasy points when he scored only 17 points in Week 16 at Green Bay. But he should get back on track in Week 17 against the Texans, who have allowed four quarterbacks in a row to score at least 21 Fantasy points. Tannehill had 36 Fantasy points against the Texans in Week 6, and he scored at least 21 Fantasy points in two meetings with Houston last year.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cousins went for 26 Fantasy points against the Lions in Week 9, and Detroit has allowed at least 36 Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in each of the past three weeks. In Week 16, Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert combined for 491 passing yards and six touchdowns against the Lions. Cousins has struggled on the road this season, but he just scored 29 Fantasy points at New Orleans in Week 16. That road success should carry over to this week in a great matchup, and Cousins will likely have to carry the offense with Dalvin Cook (personal) out.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Ryan is closing the season strong with at least 24 Fantasy points in each of his past two games. One of those was a 33-point outing against Tampa Bay in Week 15 when he passed for 356 yards and three touchdowns. The Buccaneers have allowed seven of their past nine opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points, and Ryan has a great history in this matchup. In his past five meetings with Tampa Bay, Ryan is averaging 334.6 passing yards per game with 10 total touchdowns and two interceptions.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sleepers
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Rivers has scored at least 21 Fantasy points in five of his past six starts, and the Jaguars allow an average of 26.6 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Nine quarterbacks in a row have scored at least 20 Fantasy points against Jacksonville, including three of the past four going over 26 points.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dalton has scored at least 21 Fantasy points in four of his past six games, and hopefully he can stay hot against the Giants in a must-win game for both teams. The Giants have allowed Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson to each score at least 24 Fantasy points in the past two weeks.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Carr only scored seven Fantasy points against the Broncos in Week 7 with the Raiders having a dominant performance. I'll gamble on Carr producing more in the rematch, and he's scored at least 25 Fantasy points in his past three healthy outings. Denver also has allowed at least 20 Fantasy points to three of its past four opposing quarterbacks.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sit 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Wilson is more of a bust alert than a must-sit quarterback in most leagues, but I'm still nervous to trust him based on his overall production to close the season. He scored 21 Fantasy points in Week 16 against the Rams, but that's just his second game with more than 16 Fantasy points in his past five outings. And he only has one game with multiple touchdown passes since Week 11. Wilson did score 36 Fantasy points against the 49ers at home in Week 9, but San Francisco has allowed just two quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points in its past six games. Wilson is a low-end starter at best in Week 17.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Trubisky can get garbage-time production in this game with the Packers like he did in Week 12, but I wouldn't be confident starting him given how well Green Bay's defense has played of late. The Packers have held four quarterbacks in a row to 17 Fantasy points or less, and only two quarterbacks since Week 7 have scored over that number. Now, one of them was Trubisky in Week 12 when he had 24 Fantasy points, but he had two interceptions and a fumble and could fold under pressure in this must-win game for Chicago. It's a must-win game for Green Bay also with the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line, and I would only start Trubisky in deeper leagues in Week 17.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Wilson is more of a bust alert than a must-sit quarterback in most leagues, but I'm still nervous to trust him based on his overall production to close the season. He scored 21 Fantasy points in Week 16 against the Rams, but that's just his second game with more than 16 Fantasy points in his past five outings. And he only has one game with multiple touchdown passes since Week 11. Wilson did score 36 Fantasy points against the 49ers at home in Week 9, but San Francisco has allowed just two quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points in its past six games. Wilson is a low-end starter at best in Week 17.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bust Alert
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Murray said he's good to go for Sunday's must-win game at the Rams after suffering a lower leg injury in Week 16 against the 49ers, but I'm downgrading him to a low-end starter in most leagues. He's clearly not 100 percent, and this is a brutal matchup against a Los Angeles defense that is No. 1 against opposing quarterbacks all season. Murray did score 21 Fantasy points against the Rams in Week 13, but he's one of just four quarterbacks to score more than 19 Fantasy points against this defense in 2020 along with Allen, Jimmy Garoppolo and Wilson. The Rams allow an average of just 14.7 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and I don't expect Murray to have a dominant game.
| ||||||||||||||||||
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
Start 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
I thought Gaskin had the chance to play well in Week 16 at the Raiders, but he far exceeded my expectations with 14 carries for 87 yards, along with five catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns on five targets. He's now scored at least 12 PPR points in seven of his past eight games, including Week 2 against Buffalo when he had seven carries for 46 yards, as well as six catches for 36 yards on seven targets. He wasn't the featured running back then like he is now, and he should have another quality outing this week in the rematch with the Bills.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Johnson was excellent in Week 16 as the Start of the Week with 12 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches for 11 yards and a touchdown on three targets. He scored a season-high 28 PPR points and now has at least 23 PPR points in each of his past two games. He had 13 PPR points at Tennessee in Week 6 with 19 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 12 yards, and I hope he can at least replicate that performance again. If Duke Johnson (neck) remains out, expect another week with a lot of work for David Johnson, and the Titans have allowed five rushing touchdowns to running backs in their past four games.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dobbins will hopefully carry his touchdown streak into the NFL playoffs and potentially the offseason since he's scored in each of his past five games. He has at least 71 total yards in four of those games, and he's scored at least 13 PPR points in five games in a row. Now, the problem is Dobbins doesn't do much in the passing game with only three catches during his hot streak, and the most touches he's had over that span is 17 -- with two games of only 11. But against the Bengals that should be enough for a quality performance. Cincinnati has allowed a running back to score or gain 100 total yards in six games in a row. Dobbins is a solid No. 2 running back in all leagues, with his value higher in PPR. And you can consider Gus Edwards a sleeper this week as well.
| ||||||||||||||||||
I liked Wilson in Week 16 at Arizona, and he was better than I expected with 22 carries for 183 yards, along with one catch for 21 yards and a touchdown on two targets. He now has six games this season with double digits in carries, and he's scored a combined eight touchdowns in those outings. He's also scored at least 12 PPR points in four of those games, and he should get another heavy workload with Raheem Mostert (ankle) out. It's a tough matchup against the Seahawks, but Wilson is still a must-start option in all leagues.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jones is back for Week 17 after being activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, and hopefully he's healthy and ready to go since he also was dealing with a finger injury. He should have fresh legs since he hasn't played since Week 14, and prior to going out he scored at least 15 PPR points in three of his past four games, with two of those outings having at least 19 total touches. I'm expecting him to again be the featured rusher against the Falcons, who allowed two touchdowns and 65 total yards to Leonard Fournette in Week 15. And Atlanta has allowed a running back to score or gain at least 100 total yards in three of the past four weeks.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sleepers
Projections powered by
Sportsline
The Cowboys run defense has been better of late, but it still has allowed six touchdowns to running backs in its past five games, including two in a row. Gallman has struggled over the past three weeks with a combined 17 PPR points over that span, but I like him as a flex this week given the matchup. Prior to Week 14, Gallman scored or had over 100 rushing yards in six games in a row.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Brown should be the lead running back with Darrell Henderson (ankle) and Cam Akers (ankle) hurt, and hopefully Brown takes advantage of this opportunity. There have been seven games this season where a Rams running back had at least 15 carries, and that has translated to at least 16 PPR points five times. Brown did that in Week 1 against Dallas with 21 total touches and scored 25 PPR points, and hopefully he can replicate that this week.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dillon had a dream game in Week 16 against Tennessee with 21 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns, along with one catch for 5 yards on one target. He won't do that again this week at Chicago barring something crazy happening, but if Jamaal Williams (quad) remains out, I can see Dillon getting a decent workload in tandem with Aaron Jones. The Packers will likely want to keep Jones fresh for the playoffs, and Dillon proved his worth against the Titans to get quality touches if Williams can't play.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sit 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
I liked Moss in Week 16 against the Patriots, and he delivered with 12 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for no yards on one target. He now has three games in a row with at least 12 carries, but that was the first time he had more than eight PPR points since Week 9. And he only has four games this season with at least 11 PPR points. Against Miami in Week 2, Moss had eight carries for 37 yards and no catches, and he's sharing too much with Devin Singletary to trust. Also, in the past five weeks, no team has allowed fewer Fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Dolphins, who have given up no touchdowns to the position over that span.
| ||||||||||||||||||
We have no idea what the Chiefs plan to do with their starters in Week 17 since they have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. We also have no idea if Andy Reid views Bell as his best running back until Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is back. In Week 16 against Atlanta, in the first game without Edwards-Helaire, Bell only had seven carries for 30 yards, along with one catch for 9 yards on three targets. Meanwhile, Darrel Williams had 10 carries for 46 yards, along with four catches for 27 yards on six targets. I wouldn't expect much work for Bell against the Chargers, and I would sit Bell in all formats. I also would shy away from Williams. We could see a lot of work for Darwin Thompson, making him a sleeper in deeper leagues.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bernard is more of a bust alert than a must-sit option, and he's been great over the past two games with at least 19 PPR points in each outing against the Steelers and Texans, along with at least 23 total touches in each of those two outings. Those were two surprise victories for Cincinnati, but I'm expecting that win streak to end against the Ravens. Baltimore hasn't been impenetrable against opposing running backs this season, but the Ravens are No. 10 against the position for the year. And I don't expect Bernard to be anything more than a flex as Baltimore needs to win this game to lock up a playoff berth.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bust Alert
Projections powered by
Sportsline
With Mason Rudolph starting this game in place of Ben Roethlisberger, we don't know how much Conner will play, if at all, since the Steelers could opt to rest him for the playoffs. But having Conner here is also an indication of how his season has gone, since he's unfortunately been a Fantasy bust to close 2020. While he did score 17 PPR points in Week 16 against the Colts, that was only the second time he's had at least 12 PPR points in the five games he's played since Week 8. If he is expected to play a full game against the Browns, then consider Conner a flex option in all leagues. But given Roethlisberger's status, I wouldn't expect four quarters out of Conner, so you should plan for an alternative Fantasy running back in Week 17.
| ||||||||||||||||||
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receiver
Start 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
I didn't expect Hilton to have a big game against the Steelers in Week 16, and he finished with just three catches for 60 yards on seven targets. He should improve this week against the Jaguars, who have allowed the opposing No. 1 receiver to score at least 14 PPR points in 11 games in a row. Hilton only had four catches for 53 yards on nine targets against the Jaguars in Week 1, but he should do much better in the rematch with a potential playoff spot for the Colts on the line.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cooks was excellent against the Titans in their first meeting in Week 6 with nine catches for 68 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, and he could have another big outing this week. His floor is 11 PPR points, which he has reached in five games in a row, but the ceiling could be 20-plus PPR points given the Tennessee defense. The Titans have allowed 75 catches for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns on 117 targets to opposing receivers in their past five games.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cornerback William Jackson (concussion) could be out for the Bengals, which would be great for Brown this week. He's scored at least 12 PPR points in five games in a row, with a touchdown in four of those outings, and he has at least six targets in four games over that span. It's nice to see Brown closing the season on a high note, and he also had six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets against Cincinnati in Week 5.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Some people might have doubted Godwin going into Week 16 at Detroit, but he took advantage of that matchup with five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He's now scored at least 13 PPR points in five of his past six games, including Week 15 at Atlanta when he had four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown on five targets. In his past four games against the Falcons, Godwin has 24 catches for 408 yards and six touchdowns.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Davis let down a lot of Fantasy managers in Week 16 at Green Bay with no catches on two targets, but he should rebound this week against Houston. In their past five games, the Texans have allowed 69 catches for 876 yards and seven touchdowns to opposing receivers on 98 targets, and seven receivers have scored at least 11 PPR points against Houston over that span. Davis missed the first meeting with the Texans in Week 6 because he was on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but A.J. Brown (22 PPR points) and Adam Humphries (18 PPR points) went off in that matchup. This week, it should be Brown and Davis putting up big stats against this secondary.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sleepers
Projections powered by
Sportsline
There have been seven games this season when Shepard and Daniel Jones have started and finished, and Shepard has at least six catches in each outing, while averaging 14.0 PPR points over that span. The Cowboys have allowed six touchdowns to receivers in their past four games, and Shepard is a low-end starter in PPR this week.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Keenan Allen (hamstring) won't play in Week 17, and Hunter Henry (illness) could also remain out. That should bode well for Williams, who had 10 targets in Week 16 against Denver in that same scenario. He only managed four catches for 54 yards, but I'll gamble on Williams as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver against the Chiefs, who could be resting starters on defense. Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson are also sleepers in deeper leagues with Allen out.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Gallup has at least six targets in four of his past five games, and he's scored at least 11 PPR points in three of his past four outings. He had 11 PPR points in Week 5 against the Giants and is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week in all leagues. I still like Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb better than Gallup, but he's closing the season on a high note.
| ||||||||||||||||||
