RADIO
Say it ain't so, NFL. Say it ain't so! Week 17 is actually here. This Sunday will mark the final full NFL weekend for about nine months. It's a painful feeling that never gets any easier. The only upside is that Week 17 is the only week of the NFL season in which we get 16 games on a single day, so at least the regular season goes out with a bang.
The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable DFS stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is an ideal way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments. Let's take a look at some of the top DFS stacks for Week 17, loosely sorted by salary.
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High Priced Week 17 DFS Stacks
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Jordy Nelson at Detroit
You'll pay a premium for these two, but few players in the NFL have been hotter. Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception since early November, and he's coming off a 347-yard, four-touchdown performance against Minnesota.
Nelson leads the league in touchdown receptions (14), and has four touchdowns over the last three games. He found the end zone twice in the first meeting with Detroit this season. Expect Rodgers and Nelson to stay productive Sunday night.
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones vs. New Orleans
Two factors are working in the Falcons' favor in this matchup. First, Atlanta can clinch a first-round bye with a win, so the players will have plenty to play for. Second, the Saints' defense offers little in the way of resistance.
Ryan's MVP-caliber season has included 34 touchdown passes and 4,613 yards, totals that rank third overall in both categories. Conversely, the Saints' pass defense ranks 30th (270 yards allowed per game). Jones inexplicably managed only a single catch for 16 yards in the first meeting between these teams. We don't expect a repeat this time around.
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston and WR Mike Evans vs. Carolina
As poor as the Saints' pass defense has been this season, the Panthers' pass defense has actually been worse. Carolina has allowed 274 yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL. After a disappointing three-game stretch, Evans bounced back with a seven-catch, 97-yard performance this past weekend.
Winston has struggled with turnovers lately, as he's tossed five interceptions in the last two games, but the matchup is too strong to overlook. The Buccaneers still have a microscopic chance at the NFC's No. 6 seed, so Winston and Evans should also play the full game.
Moderately Priced Week 17 DFS Stacks
Seattle QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin at San Francisco
Let's be real -- it's highly unlikely either of these two will exceed their production from Week 16. Wilson finished with 350 yards and four touchdowns, while Baldwin caught 13 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. They would have made for a profitable stack last weekend.
They might not pile up those kinds of numbers, but against a weak 49ers defense, it seems likely they will still be productive. Seattle is still playing to improve its playoff seeding, and can still clinch a first-round bye with a win and an Atlanta loss. That will keep Wilson and Baldwin motivated and playing into the fourth quarter.
Baltimore QB Joe Flacco and WR Steve Smith Sr. at Cincinnati
We're playing the narrative angle here. This is likely the last game in Smith's impressive NFL career, so what better way for him to go out than by scoring a touchdown or two? You can bet the Ravens will feature a healthy dose of Smith in the offensive game plan.
Smith finished with 79 yards and a touchdown on Christmas against Pittsburgh, and a similar stat line is well within reach against a Bengals team with nothing left to play for. Flacco is always a risky play, but he's a viable contrarian option this week.
San Diego QB Philip Rivers and WR Tyrell Williams vs. Kansas City
Rivers has been a turnover machine this season -- his 19 interceptions lead the NFL -- but he's still managed to stay productive despite key losses on offense. His 31 touchdown passes rank fourth in the league, trailing only Rodgers (36), Drew Brees (35) and Ryan (34).
Seven of those touchdowns have gone to Williams, who is closing in on 1,000 yards for the season. The Chiefs' defense has struggled at times this season against the pass, particularly against opposing wide receivers. This could also be the Chargers' final game in San Diego, which could provide an additional boost to Rivers and Co.
Bargain Week 17 DFS Stacks
Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz and TE Zach Ertz vs. Dallas
Wentz's numbers over the last two weeks haven't been great. He passed for less than 175 yards in both games with just a single touchdown. However, the appeal of this Week 17 matchup is that he'll likely be facing Dallas' backups.
The Cowboys have already clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed, so they have little incentive to play their starters beyond the first quarter. That means Wentz and Ertz could pile up points against second- and third-stringers. It's also worth mentioning that the Eagles took the Cowboys to overtime back in Week 8 -- they can compete with the NFC's top team.
Pittsburgh QB Landry Jones and WR Eli Rogers vs. Cleveland
Well, this is an interesting pair. The Steelers have the AFC's No. 3 seed locked up, so it's no surprise they will rest Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Enter, Jones and Rogers.
Jones won't be confused with the future Hall of Famer Roethlisberger, but he draws an ideal matchup against a poor Browns team that won't enter the game with the pressure of being 0-15. With Bell and Brown out, the Steelers' offense will look considerably different, but Rogers has a chance to put together a big game. This is a risky, but also incredibly cheap stack.
