It’s been a long road, but we’re here. We’ve made it to the fantasy championship week. Congratulations to those still fighting for a title. I’m sure your roster now doesn’t look like the one you drafted back in August. I didn’t know that just having players playing in warm weather would help me slide through to Week 17. Hopefully, I will remember that idea for next season, but here are three final lessons from last week to get you through the final week of the fantasy playoffs.

Quarterback: Gardner Minshew, Eagles

Week 15 Results: (Projected) 17.0, (Actual) 22.7

At this point, we can spot the difference in backup passers. I’m not talking about their relative skillsets. They’re backups for a reason. But we can spot a good situation when it comes along.

Think about when Brock Purdy took over for Jimmy Garoppolo – or even when Garoppolo took over for Trey Lance. We knew the quarterback could survive with pass-catching options from Deebo Samuel to George Kittle. But contrast the San Francisco job with the Rams and John Wolford. No Cooper Kupp and a deteriorating offensive line made the situation untenable. So, when Minshew took over for Jalen Hurts, there wasn’t much concern.

Advice for Week 17:

Minshew is a top streaming candidate for the fantasy championship. Philadelphia didn’t significantly alter their offense, and he still thrived against a tough defense, making him a strong option in Week 17.

My only real apprehension about Minshew was if the Eagles would change the offense for their backup. Philadelphia can be a run-heavy offense, but Hurts was a large part of their running game. I couldn’t expect Minshew to replicate the power or speed of Hurts, so I figured a shift in playcalling would limit his ceiling. Luckily, I was wrong.

Minshew connected on 60.0% of his downfield throws, but more importantly, the base offense largely stayed the same. The Eagles’ pass rate over expected (PROE) didn’t fall past any of the single-game rates over the last six weeks, and the “easy buttons” were still there. Minshew used play action on 23.8% of his dropbacks, which aligned with how the team’s operated since Week 10. We didn’t get the same rushing output, but the results at least came out the same.

Minshew was top 10 in the EPA per play and completion percentage over expected. I want to assume we see more rushing from him (two designed attempts and two scrambles). But we already know his efficiency as a passer can land him in the Top 12. Against the Saints in Week 17, Minshew should be the top streaming option for the fantasy championship.

Running Back: Cam Akers, Rams

Week 15 Results: (Projected) 11.4, (Actual) 34.7

It’s important to update your ideas based on new information. My initial thoughts about Cam Akers’ outlook without Darrell Henderson were bleak. Well, at worst, I preached caution. He had an appealing touch share, but the Rams’ offense was in disarray. And then Baker Mayfield came into the picture. But after a three-touchdown outing, I had to revisit my analysis. Fantasy managers with Akers on their bench may consider him as a potential RB2 or flex to bring them home a title. After I dive into his peripherals, I wouldn’t blame them.

Advice for Week 17:

Akers is a low-end RB2 for championship week. His workload aligns with a backend top-12 option, but the up-and-down nature of the Rams’ offense only gives him a stable floor.

Let’s go back to Week 13 real quick. It was Akers’s first game with Henderson, but Kyren Williams was back up to full speed. We’d really see how much of a hold Akers had on the backfield. And things looked good for the third-year rusher.

Akers wasn’t a bell-cow back, but we didn’t need him to be, as most found him on the waiver wire. He was cast aside as his drama sunk his fantasy stock. Plus, it’s not like his situation has changed much over the last few weeks.

Aside from a few touches here and there, the Rams still use Akers the same way. But, importantly, he’s got the red-zone and short-yardage work. However, without a significant shift, there has to be some reason for his three-score outburst on Saturday. Well, here’s where having competent quarterback play matters.

Los Angeles averaged 47.8 yards per drive while Denver imploded. Mayfield’s efficiency (0.44 EPA per play) was one of the highest of the season against the Broncos. It was a season-high for Mayfield, too. The Rams ran 23 red-zone plays, which exceeded their previous in-season high of 22 back in Week 2. So, as a result, we got Akers touchdowns when we needed them the most.

The no change in workload invites concern as we’re now reliant on whatever rhythm Sean McVay and Mayfield have figured out to continue to work. It’s possible, but the Week 17 matchup also favors Akers. The Chargers have been 22^nd in rushing EPA allowed over the past few weeks. Even Zack Moss could grind out 65 yards against Los Angeles, and the Colts had 173 yards of total offense. I’m not banking on three more plunges into the end zone, but Akers has the potential to keep our championship hopes alive in Week 17.

Wide Receiver: Jahan Dotson, Commanders

Week 15 Results: (Projected) 9.2, (Actual) 19.6

Washington’s offense could be so much fun if they could figure out what to do at quarterback. A healthy running back tandem of early-down grinder Brian Robinson Jr mixed with Antonio Gibson’s pass-catching talent would keep the chains moving on any offense. Plus, they have one of the best wide receiver trios in the league. Terry McLaurin ranks 14^th in YPRR on the season, and Curtis Samuel is 21^st in yards after the catch. And then there’s Jahan Dotson.

I wrote off the rookie after an injury sidelined him for a month. He had some highlights throughout the first month, but I thought he’d fade away after Taylor Heinicke took over. However, since Dotson’s return, the Commanders clearly have another playmaker on their hands.

Advice for Week 17:

Dotson is a viable flex option for Week 17. His opportunity has been trending upward, and he has a favorable matchup against the Browns to close out the fantasy season.

Similar to my thoughts on Akers, I needed to reevaluate my stance on Dotson. I thought of him as the team’s third receiving option. McLaurin’s route-running and target-earning ability put him out in front, and Samuel can double as an interior option or move into the slot. I didn’t think a team with a -12.0% PROE couldn’t support a third weapon. But in reality, Dotson wasn’t the third guy.

Since Week 11 (Dotson’s first start after the injury), he’s second in targets at 24. It’s Samuel who’s fallen behind and sits below Logan Thomas at 19 looks. Dotson’s TPRR and air yard share have increased each game to where he’s competed with McLaurin for volume. He has one fewer red-zone target than McLaurin and lags behind him in efficiency (1.96 YPRR to McLaurin’s 2.45), but we’ll take the opportunity. With Dotson averaging eight looks per game over his last three, fantasy managers are looking at Dotson as a means to win a title.

There’s not much to take away from the Browns’ last game, but it is interesting that a player like Rashid Shaheed still got through their secondary for a big gain. Regardless, the Browns were 26^th in dropback success rate over the six weeks before playing a depleted Ravens’ receiving corps and an injured Saints’ offense in the cold. Dotson’s continued to earn more opportunities and shown he can turn the targets into explosive plays. With a potential title on the line, Dotson is at least a worthy flex play in Week 17.