Usually, in this space, I offer you nuggets of advice to help you make it successfully through your week. This time, if you are competing for a league championship in Fantasy Football Week 17, I cannot offer any better tip than to hold your league commissioner responsible for this very uncomfortable position you are now in. You should be focused on important Fantasy Basketball topics instead.
There is enough uncertainty in Fantasy Football for 16 weeks, that we do not need to add it to it by increasing the levels of unpredictability with a Week 17 Super Bowl. Too many key players are rested and there is a very good chance the best team may not win the title it deserves. By scheduling a Fantasy championship game this week, the commissioner is doing a disservice to the entire league.
You should not invest your hard-earned money or time in a league that has a huge fundamental flaw. The biggest excuse I hear in leagues that are still competing this week is “we have been doing it forever.” Nonsense! Just because something has been done in a particular way for an extended period by no means indicates that is the correct way to operate.
I would personally refuse to play in such a league, even if it were total points, because the lead can change in the final week without teams having their best players available to hold their edge.
Here are some survival starters and bench recommendations for those of you still active this week. When it’s over, make a big stink so you never find yourself in this type of situation again in Fantasy Football Week 17. Rally your league mates to show the commish that he is not doing his job effectively in terms of maintaining the league setup.
Fantasy Football Week 17 – Start ‘Em
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake vs. LAR: He is heading into free agency and judging by his recent performances, Drake is making a strong push to get paid. Look for a nice finish to the season against a Rams team that has been deflated by missing the playoffs.
Melvin Gordon vs. KC: He is another notable RB headed into free agency. Let’s not forget that Gordon sat out through an extended holdout, and he wants to make a final statement in 2019 by finishing the season healthy and effectively in Fantasy Football Week 17. Plus he and the Chargers want to try to play spoiler against the Chiefs in what could be Philip Rivers’ final game with the team.
Travis Homer vs. SF: He should be the Seahawks’ most productive Fantasy RB this week, and will get quality touches in the biggest game of the week. Homer is a dual-threat and is most up to speed physically and mentally among all the Seattle RBs. He is worth strong flex consideration.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel vs. SEA: You should be leaning heavily to players that are competing in games of true significance in Fantasy Football Week 17. Samuel should be a key contributor for his team in the marquee matchup of the week.
Greg Ward vs NYG: The Eagles pass-catching corps is seriously depleted, and now will be without Zach Ertz. Ward has emerged as a reliable target for Carson Wentz and should be locked in as a Fantasy WR2 in a prime matchup.
Breshad Perriman vs. ATL: The Falcons have played better recently, but Perriman is enjoying a breakout stretch as he heads into free agency, and Jameis Winston will continue to fling the ball all over the yard in Fantasy Football Week 17.
Tight Ends
Jacob Hollister vs. SF: You should roll out as many pass-catchers from this game on both sides of the ball because of the magnitude of the matchup. Hollister will frequently be targeted on third downs and near the end zone.
Austin Hooper vs. TB: The Falcons will likely try to finish strong, as Arthur Blank is pleased by the team’s recent performance and confirmed he will keep Dan Quinn as the head coach. A good finish in Fantasy Football Week 17 would be meaningful for Hooper heading into the offseason.
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. SEA: This is simply the biggest game of Garoppolo’s career to this point, and with Emmanuel Sanders, George Kittle and Samuel ready to go into battle for him, he has the weaponry to come through in a big way in Fantasy Football Week 17.
Dak Prescott vs. WAS: The Washington secondary is decimated, and Prescott needs to rebound from last week’s awful outing with the Cowboys still having some hopes of winning the NFC Least.
Sit ‘Em
Running Backs
Sony Michel vs. MIA: Even in a very important game and friendly matchup for the Patriots, Michel cannot be trusted with your championship on the line.
Marshawn Lynch vs. SF: You are looking at about 60 yards tops and maybe a TD. You’ll get better upside out of Homer.
Mike Boone vs. CHI: After what we saw last week, Boone should be nowhere near lineups in Fantasy Football Week 17.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs/Adam Thielen vs. CHI: The Vikings are expected to rest many key players this week.
John Brown vs. NYJ: The matchup looks enticing, but the Bills are locked into their current playoff seeding and Brown may not play a full game.
Robby Anderson vs. BUF: He has a calf injury, and the Jets may want to give other younger players a look. They have no reason to risk him in Fantasy Football Week 17, as he is also headed to free agency.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson vs. TEN: The Texans may have nothing to play for by the time their game starts if the Chiefs win in the early window. Even if the Chiefs lose, sometimes NFL teams don’t see much of an incentive to move from the fourth to the third seed.
Note on other QBs and TEs; Most of the best QB plays this week are apparent, as you want to lean on passers who are competing in games with playoff implications. After that, guys with good matchups who should play a full game, such as Daniel Jones and Drew Lock, can be considered. But you likely did not make it to Fantasy Football Week 17 without a Top 10 or so QB. The outright start/bench players at TE are also widely apparent from the same perspectives.
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