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It’s the fantasy football championship week for many fantasy leagues. Most fantasy managers who made it to their championship game know which players from their roster they can rely on. It’s always a smart strategy to start your best players and not get too cute with your lineup.
On the contrary, injuries have made things quite difficult this season. There have been a lot of upsets in the fantasy playoffs this year due to players being out of the lineup. With that being said, more fantasy teams are depending on the depth of their roster and the waiver wire for their championship matchup than ever before.
If you are streaming players off the waiver wire, now is the most important time to pay attention to the warning signals to avoid potential busts. The worst thing fantasy players could experience this week would be to pick up the wrong player off waivers and watch them bust, causing you to lose your matchup. So which players are showing warning signals for Week 17?
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Quarterback Concerns - Sit Em for Week 17?
Zach Wilson New York Jets
Many fantasy managers made it deep into the playoffs by streaming their quarterbacks. With Kirk Cousins already ruled out, and other QBs like Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo, Lamar Jackson and Jared Goff potentially sitting as well, Wilson is a quarterback that could be on the radar for many fantasy players who are looking to find a streaming option to get them over the hump this week. The reason why he could be a tantalizing option is that he has produced two QB1 performances in his last four games. Recency bias could be a determining factor for some fantasy players when it comes to streaming Wilson.
He will get the opportunity to showcase his abilities against a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 21st against the pass by allowing just 242.07 fantasy points per game. They are also allowing on average 19.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. This isn’t an abysmal matchup for Wilson. Vegas has the over/under set at 45.5 points. If you need a streamer and the waiver wire is dry, then you might have to throw him in your lineup. But he’s still a risky option to rely on for championship week.
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to put out the best possible lineup. I would start him over someone like Trevor Lawrence if I were in the position to choose between the two quarterbacks. The risk is always going to be there with Wilson. He’s an unproven rookie with a few weeks of production. If possible, I would try to find another option to stream at quarterback for this week. Your championship game isn’t the time to rely on risk if you don’t have to.
Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy gamers should not bank on the Jaguars’ offensive weapons this week -- they will be on the road to play the New England Patriots. The Patriots’ defense ranks third in the league with 193.67 passing yards per game. Their defense also ranks second in the league by allowing 13.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
More than likely you did not rely on Lawrence to lead your team to the championship game. After all, he only has two QB1 weeks on the season. Maybe, his talent will shine through next season -- but as of right now, fantasy gamers have to refrain from starting him this week, even if they are in a QB crunch. The odds of him overcoming the odds and being a championship-winning asset are slim to none.
Running Back Concerns - Start Em for Week 17?
Myles Gaskin and Duke Johnson Miami Dolphins
Last week against the New Orleans Saints the Dolphins rushed for just 86 yards. Duke Johnson and Phillip Lindsay led the team with 13 carries, and Myles Gaskin finished the day with four total touches. This backfield is starting to get messy. Johnson had his blow-up game two weeks ago; now the team wants to get Lindsay involved in the offense, although Myles Gaskin is still capable of being the team’s lead back.
The Dolphins will be on the road this weekend to play the Tennessee Titans. This is expected to be a very slow-paced game, and Vegas as the over/under set at 39.5 points. The Titans’ defense currently ranks second in the league with 86.67 rushing yards allowed per game. This matchup makes it hard to rely on any of the running backs in the Dolphins' backfield.
Miami’s ambiguous backfield in a tough matchup where there is a good chance the run game is going to be clamped down is not an optimal setting for fantasy production. This is the time where we have to get our lineups right, and taking on this type of risk could be the difference of whether or not you are going to win your league. Most fantasy gamers are not stockpiled at running back, so if you have to start either Johnson or Gaskin, then I wish the best of luck to you. However, it might be time to explore other options if it’s possible.
Wide Receiver Concerns - Start Em for Week 17?
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Bateman has been very unpredictable this season, mainly due to him not getting targeted for large portions of games. Most of his fantasy production usually happens in the fourth quarter when the Ravens are trying to rally from a large deficit. This week the Ravens will be hosting the Las Angeles Rams this week who have one of the toughest defenses in the league.
NFL teams have found success throwing on as their opposing receivers are averaging 34.7 PPR fantasy points per game which rank 19th in the NFL. But with Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown combining for a 56 percent target share, it’s going to be hard to feel confident putting Bateman into lineups. The rookie wide receiver has just two WR2 performances in ten games played, and Tyler Huntley is likely starting this week adding more uncertainty to the offense.
Bateman is a very talented rookie wide receiver. An injury caused him to start his season in Week 6, which caused his slow start to the season. He has definitely flashed his talents and appears to be a good talent to stash for the long-term in dynasty leagues. However, for Week 17, fantasy gamers might want to go with safer options in their lineup -- unless they are in a matchup where they feel like they need to the Hail Marry to get the victory.
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