#Trendspotting: Week 17 - Footballguys

Photo: USA Today Sports

In Week 17, taking our usual stats-based approach can be a fool's errand. This week is more about information than stats and matchups. So we're changing the typical format and giving you actionable information to help with your fantasy football contests and conquests this week.

Below, we'll discuss the following topics:

• Motivation
• Milestones
• Money

Motivation

Week 17 in the NFL is the most difficult to predict. But based on playoff prospects, we can gauge the motivation levels of many teams. Thankfully, our Phil Alexander has already provided a great breakdown. Here's a quick summary table of this week's most appealing teams, sorted by the general desirability of their main fantasy commodities:

Above are the teams we know should be trying, whether for purposes involving playoffs or pride.

Below are the teams who are the best "stay-away" candidates, for various reasons. These are the teams who have no appealing DFS players at any position, due to matchup, motivation, or the terrible state of their offenses.

After the obvious levels of motivation (playing for the playoffs and/or seeding), the rest is harder to gauge. If projecting, expect teams that have been eliminated for multiple weeks to continue playing as they have. Teams recently eliminated, however, tend to have a let-down and/or rest their players. But in general, choosing players from teams not mentioned in the first table above can be a tricky proposition.

Only two teams fit the bill of those who have their playoff seed locked up but might still have fantasy-viable players. Those teams are New Orleans and Dallas. And their plays might be GPP-only DFS plays due to the unpredictable playing time and potential for vanilla schemes. But players such as Teddy Bridgewater in New Orleans and Rod Smith in Dallas, who should take over early for Drew Brees and Ezekiel Elliott, respectively, could be overlooked assets.

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Milestones

There's more motivation than teams looking to make the playoffs. Teams often attempt to reward their players via milestones and franchise records, even in lost seasons. Let's take a look at a few examples, with some help from some of our Deputy #Trendspotters on twitter.

A Rose in a Season of Thorns

The tweet below is a highlight video from Week 14 when George Kittle had 210 receiving yards in the first half (5 shy of the all-time single-game record for a tight end) and then had one target for zero yards in the second half. Kyle Shanahan can help to make up for that atrocity this week.

"Good job dude. I am so sick I didn't get you 5 more yards."

Kyle Shanahan was Mic'd Up for @gkittle46's record-breaking day. Listen in 🔊 pic.twitter.com/3uHYcA05dy

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2018

This season was far from what San Francisco had imagined, but Kittle has been a revelation. What better way to commemorate that than with a record. Kittle is 99 yards behind Rob Gronkowski's mark for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end. And Kittle and his quarterback are both aware of where they stand.

Skeptics may note that Travis Kelce is currently ahead of Kittle, but that shouldn't stop San Francisco from trying. First, Kansas City can generate production in many ways. Second, they may rest their stars in the second half if they are taking care of business.

Aside from that, Kittle has other milestones, like the team record for receptions by a tight end, a mark he'll exceed with four catches Sunday.

A Legend Among Many

https://t.co/kyu4l5Lwmd

Davante Adams going for 2 Packers records this weekend.

— Jeremy Orth (@plugs003) December 26, 2018

Franchise records in Green Bay aren't easy to break, but Davante Adams is close to a couple -- receptions (needs two to break it) and receiving yards (needs 134 to break it).

Digging In

We can disregard the McCaffrey part of this tweet, as he's likely not playing. As for Stefon Diggs, franchise records aren't in reach, but some round numbers are.

Sure you got them already but CMC is 155 receiving yards from 1,000 which would give him 1,000 rushing and receiving. Diggs sitting on 94 receptions and 974 yards.

— Jonathan Cook (@jf_cook3) December 26, 2018

Speaking of "round number" milestones, Diggs isn't the only player near a notable benchmark.

Slam Dunk for the Saints

Michael Thomas is 24 receiving yards away from the New Orleans franchise record. The Saints aren't likely to play their stars long, but Thomas should be in the game long enough to get the team record. Shout out to fellow Footballguys writer and Power Grid colleague Devin Knotts for this one.

Other Round Numbers

Here are some other milestones. They may happen; they may not. These are sorted by category, then by player, then by likelihood. It's informational-only, so don't be upset with the order. And if we missed any, please feel free to drop a line on twitter (info at the bottom of the article).