The NFL is a “subsequent man up” league. By extension, your fantasy football league is as effectively. You acquired your crew throughout the draft, however it’s the strikes you make because the season — and now because the post-season unfolds — that in the end resolve whether or not you are profitable that crown or just prepared to start out planning for subsequent season. As all the time, each week we aid you establish the gamers out there in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues whose worth has taken a flip for the higher and needs to be added to your roster as starters or as sensible stashes to your bench.
For most fantasy leagues, the playoffs began again in Week 15. In any case, whether or not you are still within the hunt for a championship or simply attempting to keep away from that viral last-place punishment, I’ve obtained you lined.
Sunday gave us some monster performances that had fantasy managers both celebrating or at their wit’s finish. Jonathan Taylor, Justin Jefferson, Jayden Daniels, Chuba Hubbard, James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Saquon Barkley all delivered large video games. On the flip aspect, Josh Allen, Cooper Kupp, Joe Mixon, and Trey McBride did not precisely reside as much as expectations.
We additionally noticed some accidents that would influence your playoff push. Drake London went down with a hamstring damage within the fourth quarter, Kenneth Walker III is nursing an ankle difficulty, and Jalen Hurts was dominated out within the first quarter towards the Commanders resulting from a concussion.
However, what might have the most important fantasy influence is the ankle damage suffered by James Conner within the third quarter towards the Panthers. With 47% of fantasy groups who made the playoffs in ESPN leagues having him on their roster, this one hurts. Trey Benson, the crew’s main backup (18.1% rostered in ESPN leagues), was inactive resulting from his personal ankle damage, so Michael Carter (simply 0.1% rostered) stepped in after Conner went down.
If Conner cannot return in time for Saturday’s recreation towards the Rams, Benson ought to be capable to take over because the lead again. And if each backs sit, Carter could be the man. Conner has averaged 18.5 touches per recreation this season, so this case is important for fantasy managers heading into the weekend.
Next RBs up
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints (47.6%): The Saints offense has been hit onerous by accidents this season, and now Alvin Kamara is the newest casualty. He’s coping with a groin damage and could possibly be shut down for the remainder of the yr. Kamara was averaging 21.1 touches per recreation. Miller has the same talent set, so count on him to no less than tackle the identical function. The Saints will face the Packers on Monday, so you will get a sneak peek at what the ultimate two video games would possibly seem like from Miller.
Alexander Mattison (47.4%) and Ameer Abdullah (23.7%), Las Vegas Raiders: Sincere McCormick was positioned on IR final week, leaving the Raiders to complete the season with the combo of Mattison and Abdullah. This pair is the definition of a committee final week, with Mattison getting 16 touches towards the Jaguars whereas Abdullah noticed 12. Both are strong flex choices in deeper leagues in Week 17, particularly with the Saints protection arising. New Orleans is among the many top-10 most beneficiant when it comes to RB fantasy factors allowed coming into “Monday Night Football.”
Gus Edwards (52.5%), Los Angeles Chargers: Sure, he is not fairly underneath 50%, but when he is on the market in your league, he needs to be a prime precedence. He’s a part of a committee with Kimani Vidal, however nonetheless managed 15 touches and 20.1 fantasy factors final week towards the Broncos, thanks to 2 touchdowns. Looking forward, the Chargers face the Patriots and Raiders to shut out the common season, each of which sit among the many prime half of the league for many RB fantasy factors allowed.
Next QBs up
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (44.0%): Williams simply made historical past as the primary Bears rookie quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in his debut season. He’s additionally had 4 video games with 300 passing yards and two touchdowns, together with a strong Week 16 efficiency towards the Lions, the place Williams scored 22.7 fantasy factors. In Week 17, he’ll be up towards a Seahawks protection that is allowed 18.0 QB fantasy factors per recreation over the previous month. This could possibly be one other large week for Williams.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (20.5%): Maye has been fairly constant, scoring 17-plus fantasy factors in 4 of his final 5 video games. The dual-threat quarterback is in a terrific spot for Week 17 going up towards a Chargers protection that is had latest difficulties in containing quarterbacks. Los Angeles has given up 19.5 fantasy factors per recreation to the place over the past six weeks, together with large performances from Baker Mayfield (Week 15) and Bo Nix (Week 16).
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Is Bryce Young displaying his fantasy potential?
Matt Bowen breaks down Bryce Young’s large fantasy recreation towards the Cardinals.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (4.9%): Young put up a season-high 27.1 fantasy factors towards the Cardinals on Sunday. It was his third recreation this yr with each a passing and speeding landing, all of them coming in December. In Week 17, he faces a Buccaneers protection that has allowed the second-most QB fantasy factors per recreation. In the earlier assembly between these groups again in Week 13, Young completed with 23.6 fantasy factors.
Anthony Richardson (53.0%), Indianapolis Colts: Just in case yours is likely one of the leagues through which Richardson is on the market, be at liberty to raise him to being your prime goal at quarterback. The dual-threat QB shall be going through a Giants protection that has allowed the eighth-most QB fantasy factors per recreation this season.
Next WRs up
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (33.1%): McMillan and Mike Evans have run the same variety of routes over the past three video games as McMillan has stepped up because the Buccaneers’ No. 2 WR. McMillan has seen six-plus targets and no less than 16 fantasy factors in each of these video games. With matchups towards the Panthers and Saints to shut out the season, he is the must-add from the waiver wire when you’re in want of a receiver.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (22.3%): Bateman is having the most effective season of his profession, with 39 catches on 63 targets, 668 yards, and eight touchdowns. Last week towards the Steelers, the Ravens relied closely on the run, limiting Bateman to simply three targets and eight.4 fantasy factors. However, issues ought to change in Week 17 when Baltimore faces the Texans. Houston’s protection permits the ninth-most WR fantasy factors per recreation, so count on the Ravens to lean extra on the cross.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (42.3%): Doubs put up 19 fantasy factors in Week 15 towards the Seahawks, thanks to 2 receiving scores. He’s additionally main all Packers pass-catchers with 27.0 routes per recreation, averaging 10.3 fantasy factors and 5.3 targets on the season. Looking forward, the Packers have two very favorable matchups left after tonight’s assembly with the Saints — the Vikings in Week 17 and the Bears in Week 18.
Next TEs up
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (44.2%): Schultz has had a quiet fantasy season, however he has posted 15-plus factors in two of the previous three weeks. The Texans are coping with a skinny TE group as they’ve three backups on IR. Additionally, accidents to Tank Dell and John Metchie III have additionally restricted C.J. Stroud‘s passing choices. Given all that, Schultz is in a chief spot to step up, particularly towards a Ravens protection that is allowed the sixth-most TE receiving yards per recreation this season.
Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (6.4%): Okonkwo had a breakout recreation towards the Colts on Sunday, ending with a season-high 11 targets and 19.1 fantasy factors. That’s now two consecutive video games with no less than 14 fantasy factors. The change from Will Levis to Mason Rudolph at quarterback has undoubtedly helped the Titans’ passing recreation. Looking forward to Week 17, Okonkwo has a strong matchup towards the Jaguars protection, making him a strong choice when you’re in want.
