Whether you are playing for a Fantasy Championship or in the dreaded 9th place game to avoid last. You want to ensure you have your best lineup for the final week of the Fantasy season (or it at least it should be the final week in your league) Take a look at some off-start/sit players for Week 17.
*This list will exclude the every-week lineup starters, like Patrick Mahomes, CMC, Travis Kelce, etc. Let’s get into it.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Dak Prescott vs Tennessee Titans
The Titans are banged up, near the bottom defending QBs in fantasy, and have their eyes on week 18. Look for a big game from Dak as the Cowboys keep pace for the 1 seed.
Justin Fields vs Detroit Lions
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Fields should be automatically in your lineup, but he finds himself on the start list just in case you have any trepidation after he scored less than 10 points in week 16. It’s the Lions…they are dead last against QBs in fantasy. Don’t overthink this one.
Russell Wilson vs Kansas City Chiefs
Call me crazy, and maybe this qualifies as “Too Cute” especially if you are in a fantasy championship matchup and need a streamer. But, we have seen time and time again that the first game after a coach is fired the team comes out with new energy, and oftentimes pulls off an upset. The Chiefs give up the 4th most points to QBs, so might not be as crazy as you think.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Geno Smith vs New York Jets
Smith and the Seahawks have fallen off as late. Smith even struggled against the Chiefs who I just mentioned as a prime matchup. Now he has to face the Jets and their Top 10 defense.
Tyler Huntley vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Another week where it's trending to have Huntley as the starter. While Huntley saw his 2nd double-digit performance of the season last week. Don’t chase the points against the Steelers in primetime.
Gardner Minshew vs New Orleans Saints
Despite the turnovers, Minshew still scored over 20 last week. This week he shouldn’t get into a shootout. The Saints are middle of the pack in terms of points allowed to the position, so not the worst option, but you could do better.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Brian Robinson vs Cleveland Browns
The Commanders' RB had a down week last week, albeit it was against the 49ers and their #1 Defense. Prior to week 16, he had 3 games with 11+. This week he gets to face the 29th-ranked Browns.
Cam Akers vs Las Angeles Chargers
Cam Akers mostly likely isn’t repeating his 3TD performance from a week ago, but that doesn’t mean don’t play him. The Chargers are 25th against running backs, so it’s another "green" matchup.
Zonavan “Bam” Knight vs Seattle Seahawks
Mike White should be back this week, which means the Jets' offense should be better, and that includes the RBs. Knight had 3 straight double-digit games before White missed the last 2 games. You can put Bam back in your lineup this week against the Seahawks, who give up the 2nd most points to running backs.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Josh Jacobs vs San Francisco 49ers
If you have Jacobs and you’re playing for a fantasy championship, he is probably a big reason why. Wether it’s the new QB or the fact the 49ers have not allowed a rusher to have 60 or more yards all season you have to keep Jacobs on the bench this week.
Donta Foreman/Chuba Hubbard vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After last week’s dominant performance in the run game by Carolina. You may be tempted to chase the points. Don’t do it. The Buccaneers may have struggled this year they are still a top 6 defense against RBs.
James Cook/Devin Singletary vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are Top 10 against fantasy RBs. Now, with the game potentially being high scoring a game, one of these guys probably will score a touchdown to save their day, but guessing which one scores will be tough, so if you are able to go in a different direction, you should.
Bonus: Hassan Haskins vs Dallas Cowboys
If you are the Derrick Henry owner in your league, and he doesn’t go don’t pivot to backup. Titans are playing to stay as healthy as possible for week 18 and the Cowboys are top 3 against fantasy running backs.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Chris Godwin vs Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are Top 10 in most points allowed to the wide receivers, and at least in fantasy, he has passed Mike Evans as the Top option in Tampa.
Jerry Jeudy vs Kansas City Chiefs
You can’t rely on 3 touchdowns this time around, but at least we have seen Jeudy put up serious points on the Chiefs and their 27th-ranked defense once this season, to give you some confidence to play him this week.
Keenan Allen vs Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are Top 10 in points given up to the wide receivers this season. Allen seems to have fully recovered from his injury to start the season. He has 14 targets in 3 of the last 4 games. Also, there is a potential that they keep Ekeler out as a precaution; which could lead to even more targets for Allen.
Bonus: Justin Jefferson vs Green Bay Packers
Like obviously this wasn’t truly a question despite the “red” matchup. Justin Jefferson had his best game of the year when he faced the Packers in week 1. There is a better chance Jefferson gets serious MVP consideration than having a poor performance when this week is all said a done.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Tyler Lockett vs New York Jets
So Tyler Lockett may be inactive, and make the decision is easy for you. However, the Jets are a tough matchup. There is only 1 team who allows fewer points to wide receivers than they do. With the Game being in the 4 pm eastern window you need to make sure you have a solid replacement, or might have to move off Lockett this week.
Zay Jones vs Houston Texans
Zay Jones has been a hot name as of late for fantasy. This week Jones plays the Texans who are Top 5 against fantasy WRs. So it is not the week to play Zay Jones.
Michael Pittman vs New York Giants
This isn’t a bad matchup, but it is not a great one either. Nick Foles did not look great in his Indianapolis Debut. Passing for less than 150 yards. There is just not a lot of opportunity for the pass catcher(s). Honestly, don’t think there is any Colt worth starting at this point.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Dalton Schultz vs Tennessee Titans
The Titans allow the 4th most points to the tight end positions. Cowboys coming off a game where they scored 40.
Cole Kmet vs Detroit Lions
The lions' defense gives up the most yards in the NFL and has allowed an average of 13.77 to the position this season. Solid streaming option.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Darren Waller vs San Fransisco 49ers
You thought you were getting Waller back for the playoff run, and now he has a new QB and facing a Top 5 defense against tight ends. It stinks, but you should look somewhere else.
David Njoku vs Washington Commanders
Njoku has been inconsistent, but what tight end hasn’t this year? Washington is Top 6 against TEs, so there are some in better matchups.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: DST
Jaguars DST vs Houston Texans
The Jags are a sneaky Top 12 defense and get to face the Texans who give up the 2 most points to opposing DSTs
Chargers DST vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are throwing in the white flag after benching Derrick Carr. With Jarred Stidham now the starter and the potential of a Bosa return makes this a juicy matchup.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: DST
Bills DST vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Bills face a high-powered Bengals offense on Monday Night. I would not want to be in a position to be needing "big" points from your defense in a game that’s expected to be a shootout.
Packers DST vs Minnesota Vikings
The Packers now have 3 weeks of 10+ points. I believe that streak comes to an end this week. Remember all the way back to week one when these teams played. They only scored 2.
Good luck this week!! Be sure to follow the Couch GMs on Twitter for the latest news on who is in and who is out this week. Listen to this week's podcast for even more insight on who you should start and who you should sit. Our DMs are always open for any fantasy advice you may need to win your matchup.
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