Week 17 Starts & Sits – Based on Full PPR
By Keith Sheeran
Week 16 of the NFL season is in the books, and I hope you managed to bring home the championship title. If you’re still playing in your championship match (as it’s a two-legged affair) or if this is your championship week, don’t worry; I’m here to help. Just a note that some teams will be resting their starters this week, so make sure you are keeping up with the latest news. As always, start your stud players like Lamar Jackson and Davante Adams. Let’s take a look at the players who I think have the opportunity to outscore their projections and help you get the win in week 17.
Starts
QUARTERBACK
Kirk Cousins (MIN) @ Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are coming off what can only be described as a hammering by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns, and I think Kirk Cousins could put up another big stat line against the Lions. Cousins has had an excellent second half of the season and hasn’t scored less than 17 points since week 8. He’s coming off a good performance against the New Orleans Saints, who are one of the better defenses against quarterbacks, so I think rolling out Cousins in week 17 is a good move.
Other Quarterback’s I would start this week: Philip Rivers (IND) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Tannehill (TEN) @ Houston Texans, Andy Dalton (DAL) @ New York Giants
RUNNING BACK
David Johnson (HOU) vs. Tennessee Titans
Over the last couple of weeks, David Johnson has been quite good for your fantasy team and hasn’t scored less than 24 points. This week the Tennessee Titans come to Houston, and another good game should be on the cards for Johnson. The Titans give up an average of 100.5 yards per game to running backs and give up an average of 26 points to the position. Johnson should be in a good spot to see a lot of work on the ground and through the air, making him a good start this week.
Other Running Backs I would start this week: Malcolm Brown (LA) vs. Arizona Cardinals, Jonathan Taylor (IND) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, J.K. Dobbins (BAL) @ Cincinnati Bengals
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Gallup (DAL) @ New York Giants
Last week the Dallas Cowboys rediscovered their early season form and pulled out a big win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Michael Gallup was at the forefront of the win last week, posting 6 targets for 121 yards and two touchdowns. This week Gallup is going up against the New York Giants, and with both teams fighting for an NFC East title, I think he’s going to put in a big performance again. Gallup has become one of Andy Dalton’s favorite targets. With James Bradberry likely going to cover Amari Cooper, this should give Gallup plenty of opportunities to expose the Giant’s defense. Starting Gallup this week should be rewarding for your team.
Other Wider Receivers I would start this week: Brandin Cooks (HOU) vs. Tennessee Titans, Antonio Brown (TB) vs. Atlanta Falcons, Corey Davis (TEN) @ Houston Texans
TIGHT END
Jared Cook (NO) @ Carolina Panthers
Jared Cook hasn’t had a great season, but this week against the Carolina Panthers is an opportunity for him to reward managers finally. The Saints are without Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith, so this should allow Cook to do some damage against a defense that’s ranked 25th against tight ends. The Panthers give up an average of 14 points to the tight end position, and if Cook can put up his biggest stat line this season, I think he could be a matchup winner for you in week 17.
Other Tight Ends I would start this week: Evan Engram (NYG) vs. Dallas Cowboys, Logan Thomas (WAS) @ Philadelphia Eagles, Rob Gronkowski (TB) vs. Atlanta Falcons
DEFENSE
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Indianapolis Colts had one of their worst weeks last time out against the Pittsburgh Steelers as they gave up a big lead in the second half. This week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, I predict that normal service will resume. The Jaguars have struggled all season to get anything going on offense and have allowed 38 sacks so far. This week against the Colts will be another struggle, and I can see the Jaguars giving up a number of sacks and a couple of interceptions. Look to start the Colts everywhere this week as they should put up a high scoring week.
Other Defense’s I would start this week: Buffalo Bills (BUF) vs. Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns (CLE) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints (NO) @ Carolina Panthers
Sits
QUARTERBACK
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) @ Buffalo Bills
Ever since Tua Tagovailoa said that the NFL isn’t as difficult as he thought it would be, things have not gone to plan. He has needed to be bailed out by Ryan Fitzpatrick on several occasions, and Tua just hasn’t looked good. This week he goes up against a good Buffalo team who is a top 10 defense and only give up an average of 18.5 points to quarterbacks. Tua wasn’t able to do much against a bad Raiders defense, so I don’t have much hope for him this week. Fitzpatrick will most likely be drafted in at some stage to save the day, so make sure Tua is not in your line-up in week 17.
Other Quarterback’s I would sit this week: Teddy Bridgewater (CAR) vs. New Orleans Saints, Mike Glennon (JAX) @ Indianapolis Colts, Kyler Murray (ARI) @ Los Angeles Rams
RUNNING BACK
Mike Davis vs. New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers take on the number 1 run defense this week in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints only give up an average of 79.2 rushing yards per game and only give up an average of 18.4 fantasy points to the position. Mike Davis has not looked good in the last two games and has failed to top more than 8 fantasy points. When the teams last met in week 8, Davis had 7 rushing attempts for 12 yards. Davis’s season will most likely come to a rough end this week, so make sure he stays out of your line-up.
Other Running Back’s I would sit this week: Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. Baltimore Ravens, Leonard Fournette (TB) vs. Atlanta Falcons, Devin Singletary (BUF) vs. Miami Dolphins
WIDE RECEIVER
Chase Claypool @ Cleveland Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally got back on track last week with a second-half comeback that was very impressive. The one player that wasn’t impressive was Chase Claypool, as he failed to find the end zone once again. The Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns this week who need to win to secure a playoff spot. The Steelers announced that Mason Rudolph would be at quarterback against the Browns, and if we go back to last season, we know how bad this offense can be with Rudolph under center. Over the past 4 weeks, Claypool has failed to top more than 10 points and has not had a touchdown reception in the last 5 games. I have no confidence in rolling out Claypool this week, so starting him should only be a desperation play.
Other Wide Receivers I would sit this week: D.J Chark (JAX) @ Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Lockett (SEA) @ San Francisco 49ers, Tee Higgins (CIN) vs. Baltimore Ravens
TIGHT END
Dalton Schultz (DAL) @ New York Giants
Dalton Schultz has struggled over the last 5 weeks as Andy Dalton has been primarily focused on his wide receivers. Schultz has failed to score more than 9 points over the last 5 weeks, making him a tough play going into week 17. The Giants have been a tough matchup for tight ends all season, only giving up an average of 11.8 points to the position. The Cowboys still have a chance to make the playoffs, so I would imagine Dalton will be looking to his wide receivers first before looking Schultz’s way. Make sure Schultz stays on your bench this week.
Other Tight End’s I would sit this week: Austin Hooper (CLE) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Dawson Knox (BUF) vs. Miami Dolphins, Jimmy Graham (CHI) vs. Green Bay Packers
DEFENSE
Chicago Bears (CHI) vs. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers head to Soldier field this week to take on the Chicago Bears. The Packers are in red hot form at the moment and should take down the Bears this week. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are on fire this season. Rodgers has thrown for 44 touchdowns and should add to his tally this week. The Bears defense has been solid all season, but I don’t think it will keep the Packers high-powered offense in check. The last time these teams met was in week 12, Rodgers scored 25 fantasy points, and Adams scored 18 points. I think there will be a repeat performance this week so steer well clear of the Bears defense this week.
Other Defense’s I would sit this week: Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) @ Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins (MIA) @ Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs (KC) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
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