Fantasy football it’s all about confrontations. Even if you selected your team with certain hopes and intentions, your weekly roster decisions should not be determined by the order in which you chose your players. You need to check who your players are playing and make sure you have the right guys – and the wrong guys out.
It’s too early to know for sure which matchups will be easy and which will be difficult, but we can make educated guesses based on healthy personnel, defensive schemes, track record and key details of the offenses. The things we know can help us minimize the impact of the things we don’t know. This should lead to better decisions.
We’ll go through each match and highlight players who aren’t starting and sitting out in obvious ways (because you don’t need to be told to start). Derrick Henri). You should feel more comfortable with beginning or sitting players based on the information provided, and feeling comfortable with your Fantasy programming before games start is the best feeling in the world.
More content from week 17:
Kansas City’s offense has many solid players who deserve playing time, but it’s Xavier Worthy who has produced the most Fantasy points (16.6 PPR per game) and notched the most touches among non -RB (8.3 per game) over the last three weeks. Notably, Worthy’s average depth of throw (ADOT) has fallen below 9.0 yards in each of his last three games, making him an easier target closer to the line of scrimmage. This has reduced his explosive catches, but he’s still a solid catching threat with more targets in the red zone and end zone than (gulp) Travis Kelce. He’ll face the same Steelers defense that struggled to keep up with shifty receiver Zay Flowers last Saturday and DeVonta Smith in Week 15. You should be encouraged by Worthy’s season-long goal per run rate per road of 24.2% against man to man. man coverage, which the Steelers defense has relied on in seven games since their bye week. I wouldn’t hesitate to lean on Worthy as a flex play this week, regardless of format.
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Travis Kelce
BEGINNING : Patrick Mahomes (low-end starter), George Pickens (No. 2 WR), Chefs summer time
FLEX: Xavier Digne, Jaylen Warren (PPR), Najee Harris
SITTING: Russell Wilson, Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Pat Freiermuth, Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Samaje PérineCalvin Austin, Steelers summer time
The loss of veteran guard Shaq Mason is another significant issue for a Texans O-line that has been a weakness for the team all season. This has even had an impact on CJ Stroud’s functioning: last year he was provocative against pass rushes, this year he is a little more hesitant and that shows in his success rate of 47%. and his QB rating of 74.9 when under pressure. Mason’s absence will also be felt in the running game, which has been a disaster for the Texans since Joe Mixon went down with an ankle injury. It’s just in time for a nightmarish matchup against the Ravens, who boast a 3.5 rushing average and a 5.7 percent rate of allowing 10-plus plays in rushing yards this season. They also have a ferocious pass rush that has notched 19 sacks on a 37.9% pass pressure rate over its last six games. Add in Tank Dell’s season-ending injury, and it’s hard to get really excited for the Texas players outside of Nico Collins.
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henri, Nico Collins
BEGINNING : Joe Mixon (n°2 RB), Mark Andrews, Crows summer time, Dalton Schultz (low-end entry)
FLEX: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman
SITTING: CJ StroudJohn Metchie, Isaiah Probably, Robert Bois, Dare Ogunbowalenewest Texan Diontae Johnson, Texans summer time
Obviously, Caleb Williams’ Week 16 stats were phenomenal (334-2-0 with 34 rushing yards), but the film showed a quarterback trending in the right direction, albeit still in streak and still slow to move the chains. Williams struggled for much of the first half, but got things cooking late in the second with back-to-back perfect deep passes to DJ Moore and Keenan Allen that covered 70 yards with a touchdown. He then ignited the Lions in the third quarter for another touchdown with some great pressure throws to Allen and Rome Odunze. Yes, he struggled in the fourth quarter, but a lot of that could be due to poor game design and not individual issues like accuracy or decision-making. Williams can and will become a good passer when given a better play designer and an improved offensive line. Keenan Allen also needs to stay in Chicago – this man can still play. Seattle’s pass rush has been nothing special over their last four games, including a sackless game against Green Bay where they completed 35.7% of their plays and even had a pressure rate of increases by almost 50%. Chicago’s passing game should thrive in Week 17.
BEGINNING : Caleb Williams, Geno Smith (limit entry), Zach Charbonnet (while Ken Walker is absent), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (top-15 WR), Keenan Allen, By André Swift
FLEX: DJ Moore, DK Metcalf
SITTING: Rome Odunze, Tyler Lockett, Cole KmetAJ Barner, Seahawks DST, Bear summer time
BEGINNING : Ladd McConkey (No. 2 WR), Hunter Henri (low-end TE), Chargers DST (low range starter)
FLEX: Rhamondre Stevenson
SITTING: Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Gus Edwards (RB despair), Quentin Johnston (WR despair), Smart Stone, Kayshon Boutte, Austin Hooper, Démario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Antonio Gibson, Kimani Vidal, Patriots summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins T-shirt
BEGINNING : Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton (No. 1 WR)
SITTING: Javonte Williams (RB despair), Audric Estimé, Adam Trautman, Andrei Iosivas, Devaughn Vele, Mike Gesicki, Bengals DST (summer time cut-off), Broncos summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp (No. 2 WR), Trey McBride
BEGINNING : Rams summer time
SITTING: Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Carter, Demarcus Robinson, Michael Wilson, Tyler Higbee, Cardinals summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Josh Allen, Davante Adams
BEGINNING : James Cook, Brece Room (n°2 RB), Garrett Wilson, Invoices summer time
FLEX: Khalil Shakir
SITTING: Aaron Rodgers, Dalton Kincaid (limit n°1/n°2 TE), Tyler Conklin, Allen Lazard, Ty Johnson (despair PPR RB), Keon Coleman, Amari Cooper, Braelon Allen, Mack Hollins, Jets summer time
BEGINNING : Brian Thomas Jr., Tony PollardChig Okonkwo
FLEX: Calvin Ridley, Travis Etienne, Tyjae Spears (PPR)
SITTING: Mason Rudolph, MacJones, Bigsby Reservoir, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Parker Washington, Brenton strange, Titans summer time, Jaguar summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Justin Jefferson, Josh Jacobs, Jordan Addison
BEGINNING : Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, Tucker Kraft
FLEX: Romeo Doubs (PPR)
SITTING: Jordan Love, Jayden Reed (low-end flex), Dontayvion Wicks, TJ Hockenson, Cam Akers, Vikings DST (low range starter), Packers summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Brock Bowers
BEGINNING : Jacob Meyers (low end #2 WR), Alexander Mattison (low end n°2 RB), Ameer Abdallah (low end n°2 PPR RB)
SITTING: Aidan O’Connell, Spencer Rattler, Kendre Miller, Foster Moreau, Juwan Johnson, Raiders DST (despair DST), Saints summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Malik Nabers (No. 2 WR)
BEGINNING : Tyrone Tracy Jr.. (N°2 RB)
SITTING: Drew Lock, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Devin SingletaryDan Bellinger, Giants summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Mike Evans, Chuba Hubbard
BEGINNING : Mayfield Baker, Bucky Irving
FLEX: Adam Thielen (limit no. 2 PPR WR), Jalen McMillan, Rachaad White
SITTING: Bryce Young, Jalen Coker, Payne Durham, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Buccaneers summer time, Panthers summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: De’Von Achane, Hill Tyreek (No. 2 WR)
BEGINNING : Jerome Ford (n°2 RB), Jonnu Smith, David Njoku, Dolphins summer time
SITTING: Tua Tagovailoa (limit entry), Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jerry Jeudy, Malik Washington, Elie Moore, Raheem Mostert, Foreman D’Onta, Browns summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Saquon Barkley, Lamb CeeDee, AJ Brown
BEGINNING : Rico Dowdle (low end n°2 RB), Eagles summer time
FLEX: DeVonta Smith
SITTING: Kenny Pickett, Cooper Rush, Jake Ferguson (low-end PPR TE), Brandin cooks, Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys summer time
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Bijan Robinson
BEGINNING : Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Drake London, Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders summer time
FLEX: Darnell Mooney
SITTING: Michael Penix Jr., Olamide Zacheaus, Zach Ertz, Kyle Pitts, Ray-Ray McCloud, Tyler Allgeier, Jeremy McNichols, Falcons summer time
Detroit’s defensive issues were masked by their offense’s impressive production and some inefficiencies from Chicago’s offense last week. Even if the Niners have nothing to play for, I’m reasonably certain that Kyle Shanahan will put Brock Purdy (who is still looking for a huge contract) and the rest of the offense in a position to take advantage of a depleted defense and weak. The Lions struggled to cover a dense zone last week, at one point giving up 70 yards and a touchdown on two deep ball throws. They also failed to take down Caleb Williams consistently, even in a seven-man blitz. Overall, Williams was sacked twice despite an insane 43.5% blitz rate from Lions. In fact, the Lions have blitzed big in each of their last three games and have three sacks to show for it. That should encourage fantasy managers to trust Purdy and his pass catchers in what should be a high-scoring game, even if the Niners’ offensive line isn’t as strong as it usually is.
OBVIOUS DEPARTURES: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, George Kittle
BEGINNING : Jared GoffBrock Purdy, Sam LaPorta, Lions summer time
FLEX: John Jennings, Deebo Samuel
SITTING: Patrick Taylor, Tim Patrick, Craig Reynolds, 49ers summer time