WEEK 17 PREPARATION
Congratulations to those of you who dominated the playoffs up to this point, or squeaked through by the narrowest of margins. Several big names failed to come through for us in Week 16 including Rhamondre Stevenson, DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Josh Jacobs, and that's just the short list. If you managed to navigate several roadblocks of poor play, congratulations, because it was a minefield. You looked at bad luck in the face and said, "Is that all you got?" There will be some teams in the title game who stumbled in. To use a hockey/soccer analogy, a goal is still a goal even if it slowly rolls past the goalie. It takes skill to advance this far, but there's also a great deal of luck involved. Congratulations if you made it this far. A lot of strong teams will be watching from home without a team competing in Week 17. I thought I summed up the fantasy playoffs with this tweet.
Winning a Championship in Fantasy FootballðŸ†
— Jeff Haseley (@JeffHaseley) December 27, 2022
â–ªï¸Get to the playoffs with a few strong players, consistent play, and good depth
â–ªï¸Take advantage of good matchups and fade tough ones
â–ªï¸Hope for good luck on your side and bad luck for your opponent
â–ªï¸Navigate the refs
-No problem
For those of you who did make it...Week 17 is here. You survived. You're in the Finals. (Hopefully, the majority of you do not have a Week 18 Championship). Maybe you have a lot of money on the line? Or maybe just bragging rights among your family, friends or co-workers. Either way, the goal is in sight. Here are a few thoughts on how you can take down your opponent and lift the trophy.
HISTORICALLY, HOME RUNNING BACKS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE
Unless there's an injury to a big-name player, go with those who got you here. Home running backs are the ticket, especially later in the year. Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Joe Mixon, Miles Sanders, Aaron Jones/A.J. Dillon, Rachaad White, Ken Walker, Brian Robinson Jr, D'Andre Swift/Jamaal Williams, Jerick McKinnon/Isiah Pacheco all have home games this week.
Let's not forget about matchups
Each of these teams allows at least 1 rushing touchdown per game to running backs this year. Houston, Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit, with an honorable mention for exploiting the Seattle ground game.
Opponents for each
- Houston - vs Jacksonville. This is why you kept or traded for Travis Etienne. Three straight games of 17+ touches, increasing with each game. We just need the touchdowns to follow.
- Chicago - at Detroit. You get the benefit of a home game, and the matchup is favorable. Swift and Williams have the ingredients to help get your trophy.
- Cleveland - at Washington. Boom! Washington is at home, and unfortunately, the uncertainty of Antonio Gibson opens the door for Brian Robinson Jr. Robinson for the win? It's a good matchup and is worthy of starting Robinson in the big game.
- Detroit - vs Chicago. David Montgomery has 15 touches in each of the last five games scoring four times in that span. Look out for Khalil Herbert, though. He could be just enough of a fly in our ointment to make things less desirable for Montgomery's outlook.
- Seattle - vs New York Jets. Zonovan Knight is the closest thing the Jets have at the moment, and his poor showing last week won't give people much confidence if they advanced despite his shortcomings. Still, Knight has a good matchup and is a potential play this week as a flex option.
Houston, Seattle, Cleveland, and Chicago are also allowing over 100 yards rushing per game to running backs.
WHAT TO DO AT QUARTERBACK?
For the most part, you probably have your quarterbacks in place, and they likely came through for you in the clutch for you to be playing in this trophy match this week. For those of you who might be in the market for a quarterback, due to injury or you're looking to block your opponent who has an injury at quarterback, or maybe you are looking for a matchup play for your superflex league? Here's a look at who might be worthy of starting in Week 17
Gardner Minshew, PHI - Jalen Hurts probably won't be back until the postseason, which will give him ample time to heal. In his place, in what some consider a plug-n-play offense, is Gardner Minshew, who can throw for over 200 yards, rush for over 30 yards, and he has the offense to get in the end zone. He is one of the better options for a desperation quarterback play.
Teddy Bridgewater, MIA - If Tua Tagovailoa is out this week due to being in concussion protocol, Teddy Bridgewater becomes a big player of interest who can generate similar numbers in the high-performance Dolphins offense. The matchup at New England is not great, which lowers his outlook this week. But if you advanced with Tagovailoa and now need a replacement, Bridgewater is a decent option after Minshew.
Mike White, NYJ - He is expected to be back from his rib injury this week. His presence elevates the Jets offense, and we can expect relatively high numbers from him. In his three starts this year he has 315, 369, and 268 yards passing. Seattle has allowed multiple touchdown passes in five of their last eight games.
Sam Darnold, CAR - Don't look now, but Darnold is looking fairly decent in his second stint with the Panthers this year. He has not thrown an interception in four straight games and he has the Panthers on the brink of the NFC South Title. The matchup at Tampa Bay is not great, but it's not horrible, either. He wouldn't be my first choice, but if you're looking for options, he's one.
WHO ARE SOME WAIVER PICKUPS THAT YOU CAN POTENTIALLY START THIS WEEK?
In most cases, the last player to earn a spot in your starting lineup is the one who can shift the points total in your favor when the last snap is made on Monday Night Football. Which player is the difference-maker? It could come from the last player you insert into your lineup. Here are a few options if you're in dire need of help or need a replacement due to a Week 16 injury.
Gus Edwards, BAL - is he available? He had 11 carries for 99 yards last week, while J.K. Dobbins had 12 carries for 59 yards. Dobbins edged Edwards in snaps, but it was nearly 50/50 (22 vs 21 snaps).
Hasaan Haskins, TEN - A hip injury is ailing Derrick Henry, so if he plays, he may be limited in the number of his touches. Henry has 319 carries (and counting this season), and the Titans are in a tailspin losing five straight games, including a loss to the Texans, who earned their second win. Haskins has both rushing and receiving upside. If you need a desperation play at running back, consider Haskins.
Khalil Herbert, CHI - He quietly played 26 snaps in his first game back from injury compared to David Montgomery's 42 snaps. Montgomery has been the back of choice with decent results lately, but as we've seen earlier in the season, Herbert is more than capable of making a big play and taking over a game. If you're desperate, Herbert may be available.
Brandin Cooks, HOU - was he dropped and is now available? In his return from a calf injury, he added 4 catches for 34 yards and a touchdown in the Week 16 win over Tennessee. Chris Moore is still an option for Week 17, but Cooks' return dampens his outlook.
Russell Gage, TB - He may have been dropped earlier in the season, but he has had 18 targets in the last two games. He'll face a Panthers team without their best corner, Jaycee Horn, who is out with a broken wrist.
Elijah Moore, NYJ - He has 20 targets in his last three games, and his outlook is better with Mike White under center. Imagine making the call to start Moore in the Championship Game, and he comes up aces.
Richie James, NYG - Is James available in your league? He has 26 targets in the last three games, with 19 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown. I don't like the matchup vs. Indianapolis, but the volume has been there recently for him. Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton are in the same boat, but they are most likely already rostered.
Rashid Shaheed, NO - The Saints are far from the best option to choose from regarding wide receiver waiver options, but if Chris Olave (hamstring) is out once again, someone will have to field passes from Andy Dalton. Shaheed has the most targets (13) on the team since Week 13, with 11 receptions for 211 yards and 1 touchdown. He's a dart throw, but it comes with a perceived positive outlook.
Malik Davis, DAL - If Tony Pollard (thigh) is out for the Thursday Night game at Tennessee, Ezekiel Elliott would assume a major role. However, if Dallas wants to limit him, they could give Malik Davis some snaps. In his brief outings this year, Davis has 23 carries for 103 yards and 1 touchdown with 4 receptions for 40 yards.
Feel free to reach me on Twitter with any questionable lineup decisions. As always, good luck to you. Go earn the Championship!
Questions, comments, and start/sit decisions are always welcome. Hit me up on Twitter.