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Welcome to our Week 17 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.
This article will cover the late slate of games, beginning at 4 PM ET on Sunday. This week's matchups analysis comes courtesy of Leonard Francis and Taylor Maxston. Also, check out part one of our Week 17 coverage here.
Check back here each week to get advice for your toughest start/sit decisions and take a look at our consensus rankings each week. Good luck!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best NFL Series, MLB Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Matchups Analysis - 4:00 PM EST Games
Some of you are in championship week, so it's important that you analyze each game to the fullest. Set those lineups in time by reading about each matchup below to gain the best advantage!
Chargers at Broncos
Matchups We Love:
Melvin Gordon (RB, LAC)
Gordon received 12 carries in his Week 16 return to action, and while Justin Jackson was the primary option in the passing game, his usage served as Aleve to the headache of stressful fantasy owners concerned over limitations in his return. Now another week removed from the injury, Gordon should eat against this Broncos team that has not only allowed opposing backs to pick up 4.8 yards per carry, but more scrimmage yards than all but six teams at a little over 150 a game. Oh, and the past two weeks have seen Doug Martin and Nick Chubb both go over 100 yards rushing against Denver; Gordon resides in a higher tier.
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)
Five touchdown receptions in seven career regular season games against the Broncos and a 26.6-percent target share (nearly 10 targets per game) in an offense which features an MVP-caliber quarterback make Allen a weekly must-start. However, Allen ascends into whatever realm is beyond must-start – call it don’t even think about benching him -- with the Chargers still having plenty left on the table to play for.
Matchups We Hate:
Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN)
The Chargers defense has buckled down and held the receiver position to just five touchdowns over their last 10 games after allowing nine receiving touchdowns to the position over the season’s first five weeks. The 14 total are tied for the 10th-fewest. Sutton brought in a season/career-high six receptions Monday night against Oakland, and has now put up the two highest reception totals of his young career over the Broncos last two games. Problem is, the inconsistent play of his quarterback Case Keenum severely diminishes his appeal, the Chargers have allowed the sixth-fewest receiving yards to opposing WRs, and the loss of Phillip Lindsay is likely to result in even more attention heading his way.
Other Matchups:
Philip Rivers (QB, LAC)
Broncos pass defense is somewhat of an oxymoron. They’ve allowed the 11th-most passing yards at 251 per game, but have also managed to hold quarterbacks to the eighth-fewest fantasy points at 15.7 per game. Seven QBs have thrown multiple touchdown passes against them, but they’re also tied for sixth in both interceptions and sacks… Philip Rivers finds himself right there on the fringe of start-regardless status, but has thrown four interceptions to just two touchdowns over the Chargers last two contests. Nonetheless, while the Broncos are good, they’re not the Ravens so Rivers should bounce back with a respectable performance in this one. After all, he did throw for 401 yards when these two teams met back in Week 11.
Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
Freeman came into the season like the big brother who happened to also be the parents’ favorite and always received preferential treatment. Then, he brought home a few bad grades on his report card and got caught smoking behind the school causing his folks to shift their patronage to that of the younger brother a.k.a. Phillip Lindsay. However, younger brother did him a solid in performing some moronic act which resulted in him being shipped to boarding school - bringing big bro back into the limelight. I have no brothers, and also no idea where that came from, but in fewer words, Lindsay is done for the season and Freeman again finds himself as the No. 1 RB in Denver. The Chargers have been mediocre against the run.
Devontae Booker (RB, DEN)
Now the third brother… I kid. Booker is more like a cousin who shows up to all of the family gatherings – holidays and whatnot – but isn’t a constant fixture in the day-to-day family functions. Anyway, the Chargers have been the third-most generous team in giving up receiving yards to backs at 58 per game and gone are Lindsay’s 35 receptions which lead the Broncos backfield. With about 20-percent of Keenum’s passes targeting his RBs on the season, Booker makes for a sneaky PPR play as Freeman has just 10 targets and six receptions through Week 16.
Daesean Hamilton (WR, DEN)
The unheralded Hamilton has been the most consistent receiver for the Broncos in the three games since Emmanuel Sanders went down for the season with an Achilles tear. He’s seen at least nine targets in all three contests while finding the end zone in two of the three and averaging nearly seven receptions and 44 yards per game. Nothing about this matchup suggests he’ll provide much more in terms of production this week, but he’s carved out a nice role in this offense and his floor figures to be high enough to justify WR3 consideration in PPR formats.
49ers at Rams
Matchups We Love:
Todd Gurley/C.J. Anderson (RB, LAR)
Anderson’s value, and Gurley’s health are mutually exclusive. However, head coach Sean McVay told the media this week that we should know in advance of kickoff whether or not Gurley will suit up - at least there’s a silver lining in avoiding the dreaded, afternoon, game-time decision. In either case, the 49ers have allowed a rushing touchdown in five-straight games, and the Rams figure to be ahead on the scoreboard for much – if not all – of the afternoon, so whoever it ends up leading the backfield gets the green light.
Robert Woods (WR, LAR)
Woods has seen his slot usage increase with the loss of Cooper Kupp and has averaged just under 10 targets and six receptions over that five-game stretch. Jared Goff hasn’t exactly been lighting up the boards lately, but the last five primary slot receivers to face the 49ers (Adam Humphries, Doug Baldwin twice, DaeSean Hamilton, and Anthony Miller) have all found the end zone at least once while combining for six touchdowns.
Matchups We Hate:
Nick Mullens (QB, SF)
This Rams defense is a different beast with a healthy Aqib Talib. L.A. has held Mitchell Trubisky, Nick Foles (who just threw for 471), and the emetic combination of Josh Rosen/Mike Glennon to just 177 passing yards per -- with one passing touchdown and three interceptions -- in the three games since Talib’s return after allowing 294 passing yards per game in the nine games in which he was sidelined. Mullens has been a pleasant surprise with two Top-10 fantasy quarterback finishes in his seven starts, but has shown enough third-string, undrafted QB to cause concern in this less than favorable road matchup. Especially without the services of Marquise Goodwin (doubtful), Dante Pettis, or Pierre Garcon.
Other Matchups:
Jared Goff (QB, LAR)
Whether you consider it a slump or the product of matchups, Goff has averaged 236 passing yards over his last four games with two passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. A rushing TD bailed out fantasy owners a week ago, but he’s put up a total of 35.7 fantasy points over that four-game stretch - even with the additional six. There have been 13 single-game, 35-plus fantasy point QB performances this season. Luckily, San Francisco’s two interceptions are good for the fewest in the league, the 31 passing TDs they’ve allowed are tied for the second-most, and they’ve allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the position. There isn’t a much more ideal slump-breaker/tune-up for Goff heading into the playoffs.
Jeffery Wilson Jr. (RB, SF)
The Rams are definitely a team that can be run on and with Matt Breida (ankle) out for the season finale, Wilson should again see himself receiving the lion’s share of carries. I’m just not sure that it matters much. Wilson is yet to find the end zone in five appearances while managing to bring in two or fewer receptions in four of the five. The 4.1 yards he’s picked up per carry are respectable, but with an injury-plagued offense devoid of weapons outside of George Kittle, it’s tough to imagine him being a factor on the ground throughout. The intrigue is definitely there, but it’s a risk that’s not worth taking outside of deep leagues and/or DFS.
Brandin Cooks (WR, LAR)
Cooks has felt the Goff slump – or whatever you want to call it – harder than any other Rams receiver. He’s now failed to exceed 62 receiving yards in four-straight games, is averaging just 45 yards per game over that stretch with zero touchdowns, and has become virtually un-startable in standard formats. He’s brought in at least three receptions in all but one game this season, so the PPR value retains its life, but his catch rate and production as a whole have been on the decline without Kupp in the lineup. It’s not likely you have many safer options on your roster, but Cooks has to be viewed more as a WR2/WR3 at this point than the surefire WR1 he’s been for much of the season.
George Kittle (TE, SF)
At times, the Rams defense has looked elite against tight ends. They didn’t allow a touchdown to the position until Week 7 (ironically it was to George Kittle) and had allowed just three double-digit PPR fantasy days to the position through the first half of the season. They’ve given up four TDs since, but have also held Trey Burton and Zach Ertz to a mere 22 yards a piece over the last three weeks... They also let Levine Toilolo go for a career-high 90 yards against them, Travis Kelce to go for 127 and a TD, and Jared Cook to go for 180. It’s tough to hate the matchup, it’s equally tough to like it, but at the end of the day, it’s Kittle – the only reliable option in this 49ers offense.
Cardinals at Seahawks
Matchups We Love:
Russell Wilson (QB, SEA)
On the season, the Cardinals have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position. At the same time, they’ve held just one of the last seven starters they’ve faced under 15 fantasy points and are allowing the position about two more fantasy points on the road (17.3) – they’ll be playing this one in Seattle. Removing the unknown element from the equation (Russell Wilson has played in Week 16 in each of Seattle’s playoff seasons), it’s hard not to love the matchup. The unknown exists, however, and this has the makings of a decent game from Wilson where he does just enough through the air to avoid getting hit while keeping the defense honest. I wouldn’t expect a monster performance Sunday, but he should do enough for a Top-15 finish.
Chris Carson (RB, SEA)
Don’t be surprised to see Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny see more work than they’ve seen in recent weeks. Rest or not, I’m taking the under with regard to the 24 carries Carson has averaged over the past three games. Still, the Cardinals have been the league’s worst against the run this season, and a heavy dose of rushing from the league’s most run-heavy backfield seems like one of the safest bets to be made this week.
Matchups We Hate:
Josh Rosen (QB, ARI)
There's some thought that the team could keep their top pick out in the final week due to a variety of nagging injuries. Even if he plays, he'll get a road matchup with a playoff team that isn't known to take nicely to visitors. Rosen has one of the lowest ceilings among starting quarterbacks and should be ignored in fantasy leagues.
Other Matchups:
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
David Johnson has somehow managed to be a disappointment and a top-10 fantasy RB at the same time. That doesn’t figure to all of a sudden change this week. His numbers aren’t likely to jump off the box score but he will manage to put up fantasy points, though.
Doug Baldwin/Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA)
Baldwin (shoulder) is questionable, and Lockett figures to see a lot of Patrick Peterson. Lockett would obviously see his value increase should Baldwin be unable to go – as would the all but forgotten David Moore – however, if your championship comes down to this week, I’d look elsewhere. Baldwin should be considered a must-start given his recent numbers if he is able to suit up.
Larry Fitzgerald/Trent Sherfield (WR, ARI)
Sherfield’s induction to fantasy football relevance has been fun, and Fitzgerald is one of the greatest receivers the game has ever birthed. Last I checked, though, Josh Rosen is still their quarterback and this has been anything but promising in recent weeks. There’s a chance this game marks the last we see of Larry Fitzgerald as a player in the NFL, but even with that said, I think we’re all well aware of his ceiling with Josh Rosen. Both receivers see enough volume to have confidence in yet another six-catch, 60-yard type performance. Good WR3/flex value in PPR formats. But, expecting much more than that against a surprisingly solid Seattle secondary, on the road, presents a solid recipe for disappointment.
Browns at Ravens
Matchups We Love:
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
The stakes are high for the Ravens, who will take the No. 1 seed in the AFC North if they can pull off a win against the Browns. While Jackson hasn't had a crazy break out game for fantasy purposes this year, his floor will be safe thanks to his rush attempts and he could very well break his season-high 22 fantasy points in a game where the pressure has mounted.
Gus Edwards (RB, BAL)
Much as the emergence of Alex Collins mystified fantasy owners last season, Edwards has operated as Baltimore's lead back and returned back to back 100 all-purpose yard games. Cleveland sits in the bottom-half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game and Edwards should maintain his high carry volume heading into Week 17.
Matchups We Hate:
Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE)
The Browns are trending in the right direction with Mayfield under center, but the Ravens are an absolutely dominant defense that sits alone at the top in schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game allowed and ranks second-best in fantasy points allowed per dropback. With limited upside and time of possession being a serious concern, Mayfield shouldn't even be in the streaming conversation.
Nick Chubb (RB, CLE)
The Ravens are a tough run stuffing unit allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game. With Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson managing to sustain clock wasting drives, Chubb will also have fewer opportunities to touch the ball and sits firmly in the RB2/3 conversation.
Jarvis Landry (WR, CLE)
It will be a long day for the Cleveland Browns offense on Sunday and Landry is no exception. The former Miami Dolphin star wideout has gone over 57 receiving yards in only two of his 11 starts with quarterback Baker Mayfield under center and should only be considered a WR3/4 option against Baltimore.
Antonio Callaway/Rashard Higgins (WRs, CLE)
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to be forced to throw the football, but Baltimore is an especially suffocating defense that doesn't allow many surprising fantasy performances from the wide receiver position. Callaway and Higgins together have only gone over five receptions in a game three times this season.
Baltimore Ravens Wide Receivers
The new look Ravens offense features a minimal amount of pass attempts with no more than 25 in each of quarterback Lamar Jackson's starts. What's more, his completion percentage, while improving, sits at 58 percent across his six starts. Until Jackson takes that next step as a passer, the looks for wide receivers won't be abundant.
Other Matchups:
David Njoku (TE, CLE)
As the model of consistency, Njoku has caught three receptions in each of his last four games with varying degrees of success in the yardage and scoring departments. That said, the Ravens have proven to be vulnerable to tight ends and quarterback Baker Mayfield may need to rely on that matchup to keep the offense on schedule.
Raiders at Chiefs
Matchups We Love:
Derek Carr (QB, OAK)
Despite not being a consistently startable quarterback, Carr has had moments of fantasy brilliance in 2018. One such moment came in a battle with the Chiefs in Week 13 when he threw for 285 passing yards and three touchdowns, a performance not too far outside the realm of possibility against the second-worst passing defense in the NFL for fantasy owners looking for a spot start for Sunday.
Jordy Nelson (WR, OAK)
The Raiders will need to throw plenty to keep up with the Chiefs offense and Nelson has come on strong as of late with at least 14 PPR points in three of his last four games. What's more, Kansas City has allowed six receivers to put up at least 95 total yards across that same span. Nelson should be able to close out the regular season strong.
Jared Cook (TE, OAK)
Cook might have fallen into a slump recently with only four catches for 43 yards in his last two contests compared to 14 catches for 216 in Weeks 13 and 14, but I fully expect him to be featured in a game with shootout potential. Kansas City ranks in the bottom of the league in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to tight ends and Carr clearly relied on him when the two teams faced off earlier in 2018, posting seven catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)
Oakland isn't a particularly damning nor enticing matchup for a fantasy quarterback (ranking 14th in passing yards allowed per game), but owners know that Mahomes is a must-start irrespective of which defense he lines up against. Plus, he lit up the Raiders with four touchdown passes back when these two teams battled in Week 13.
Damien Williams/Spencer Ware (RBs, KC)
The Raiders allow the third-most rushing yards in the NFL and both Ware and Williams are fully capable of capitalizing on the matchup. However, the unpredictability of who will dominate touches is certainly problematic now that Ware is practicing in full and Williams was signed to a contract extension. Both may be useful for fantasy owners, but looking for signs of clarity is a must ahead of Sunday's 2:25 PM start time.
Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)
The health of Kansas City's No. 1 wide receiver is questionable after Hill got banged up on a late catch in Week 16, but the Chiefs need to pull off a win to get home-field advantage in the playoffs. If Hill is capable of suiting up, he will find a way onto the field.
Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
Kelce sits at the top of fantasy tight ends and should easily exploit the Oakland Raiders vulnerable defense. Last week's five reception, 54-yard effort is a small blip on a season where he has paced the tight end position in receiving yards and found the end zone 10 times.
Matchups We Hate:
Doug Martin (RB, OAK)
Kansas City brings the offensive heat to every stadium they play in and Martin's ability on the ground isn't likely to be relied on for long. In a game featuring a dangerous game script, avoid the temptation to label his 21 attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown last week against Denver as the new norm.
Other Matchups:
Jalen Richard (RB, OAK)
With a game script likely to involve chasing points comes a situation where Richard is the go-to man out of the backfield. Kansas City is the third-worst defense in receiving fantasy points allowed per game to opposing backs and Richard posted 126 total yards when these teams met prior this year.
Bengals at Steelers
Matchups We Love:
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)
The Steelers need a win, among other things, to sneak into the playoffs and Roethlisberger has shown well against the Bengals already this season to the tune of 369 passing yards and a touchdown. Now the same team is devoid of quarterback Andy Dalton and No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Green, meaning the offensive opportunities should be there for Roethlisberger to light it up in the last game of regular season.
James Conner/Jaylen Samuels (RBs, PIT)
Pittsburgh's stable of backs should be featured heavily in Week 17. Conner has been practicing in full and is a virtual must-start if healthy given how he played on 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps and averaged 22.3 fantasy points per game through the first 11 games of 2018. That being said, Samuels shouldn't be entirely phased out and could occupy more late-game snaps should the Steelers break out to an early lead. Whoever is nestled in as the Steelers RB1 should be slotted into fantasy lineups.
Antonio Brown/JuJu Smith-Schuster (WRs, PIT)
With much to play for in a playoff berth, Brown and Smith-Schuster should continue to see targets against a Bengals squad giving up the third-most passing yards in the league.
Vance McDonald (TE, PIT)
As a streamer play, McDonald has a great chance of feasting on a Bengals defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to tight ends and gives up the most touchdowns to the position. Start McDonald with an eye for double-digit PPR points as his ceiling.
Matchups We Hate:
Cincinatti Bengals Wide Receivers
See my blurb on Jeff Driskel below. Absent A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, no Cincinnati wide receiver stands out as a target hog nor will they be capable of generating much in the way of fantasy points. Low passing volume in an offense ravaged by injury means the Bengals will close their season sputtering to put up a win.
Other Matchups:
Jeff Driskel (QB, CIN)
The Driskel-led Cincinnati offense has found itself trying to dig out of holes early in three of its last four games. In those contests, Driskel failed to throw for over 200 yards. Pittsburgh's middling pass defense should have few problems on Sunday.
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
As perhaps the only truly startable player on the Bengals offense, Mixon should get as many touches as the time of possession will allow. Back when Mixon faced Pittsburgh in Week 6, he accumulated 84 all-purpose yards and ran in a touchdown. Of course, Cincinnati's roster has largely been gutted since then.
C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN)
Absent a serious threat in their wide receiver room, Uzomah might be the most dependable pass catcher for the Bengals outside of running back Joe Mixon. In his first game after Tyler Boyd's injury, he caught four of his five targets for 49 yards. These aren't exactly stellar numbers, but PPR owners should keep Uzomah on their fantasy radars.
Bears at Vikings
Matchups We Love:
None.
Matchups We Hate:
Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI)
Winning in Week 17 is largely about projections even more so than any other week because the risk of a player being rested is much higher. Trubisky exemplifies that notion, where I would be shocked if he played the entire game against a Minnesota defense that has held opposing quarterbacks to 16 or fewer fantasy points in their last 10 contests. If you can afford to do it, leave him on the bench.
Jordan Howard/Tarik Cohen (RBs, CHI)
A backfield split when touches could be limited in order to keep Chicago's starters healthy means a large headache for fantasy owners. Starting either rusher will carry significant risks against Minnesota's eleventh-ranked rushing defense, further limiting their potential ceilings.
Allen Robinson (WR, CHI)
Aside from the very real potential for Robinson to be given the game off to nurse his rib injury, he will be going head to head with Vikings defensive back Xavier Rhodes. When Rhodes shaded him in the two team's previous matchup, Robinson was largely held in check with only three catches for a paltry 39 yards.
Taylor Gabriel/Anthony Miller (WRs, CHI)
Neither Gabriel or Miller deserve special consideration for Week 17, as Minnesota is the second-best defense in the NFL in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing wideouts. There is little in the way of red zone scoring opportunity either, as the Vikings have allowed just nine touchdowns allowed to wide receivers.
Trey Burton (TE, CHI)
The Vikings made Burton an afterthought in their previous meeting and the odds of Chicago's starters playing a full game are slim. Burton also has only one touchdown in his last seven games, making his red zone upside less than appealing.
Dalvin Cook (RB, MIN)
Cook has been fed 35 rush attempts in two games since the Vikings fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and a playoff berth being on the line means he should continue to touch the football. While the allure of hefty volume is strong, the Bears managed to limit him to only 10 yards back in Week 10 and rank only behind the Baltimore Ravens in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs.
Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN)
Rudolph owners are riding high after a 33 fantasy point outing that, while fluky thanks to 44-yard Hail Mary touchdown, came on only nine targets. The Chicago Bears aren't likely to allow a repeat performance given how they managed to hold him to 13 receiving yards on five targets in their last meeting, but the absence of several defensive starters could make him a value play.
Other Matchups:
Kirk Cousins (QB, MIN)
The Bears might end up resting their defensive starters considering how they need the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Los Angeles Rams to move up the ranks in the NFC, a very unlikely scenario. It is a bit of a gamble to start Cousins given his poor passing yardage totals and the resurgence of the Vikings run game, but he could make for a decent play to exploit what could be a skeleton crew on defense.
Stefon Diggs/Adam Thielen (WRs, MIN)
Both Vikings wideouts get a bump if the Bears elect to rest some of their players in the secondary, but the target distribution is up in the air as a result of quarterback Kirk Cousins having had some poor performances to close out the season and a resurgence of the run game making the offense two dimensional. There shouldn't be much fear of either wide receiver riding the pine in this game barring injury though, making Diggs and Thielen appealing options.
Eagles at Redskins
Matchups We Love:
Nick Foles (QB, PHI)
Any hope of the Eagles returning to the playoffs rides on this tilt with a middling Redskins passing defense. Foles is more than capable of rising to the occasion given his 471-yard, three-touchdown performance against a solid Houston Texans defense a week ago.
Darren Sproles (RB, PHI)
Despite not being the early down rusher last week against Houston, Sproles was the back in the game during crunch time and ended up hauling in three receptions for 76 yards with a touchdown to boot. He may not receive as many handoffs as Josh Adams, but owners in PPR leagues should be pleasantly surprised with Sproles's production out of the backfield in Week 17.
Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
Washington has struggled to stop the tight end position and Ertz is clearly one of the best fantasy tight ends in the land. He broke Jason Witten's record for most catches in a season by a tight end after hauling in a gaudy 12 catches a week ago, showing that quarterback Nick Foles will rely on him similar to how Carson Wentz did before his injury.
Matchups We Hate:
Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)
Peterson may have broken off a 90-yard touchdown run against the Eagles a short while ago in Week 13, but his carries thereafter combined for a paltry eight rushing yards. The Eagles elite, seventh-ranked run defense has forced team's to beat them through the air, leaving little room for him to generate yardage on the ground.
Other Matchups:
Josh Adams (RB, PHI)
It's easy to imagine the Eagles playing keep away after breaking out to an early lead and handing the ball off to Adams repeatedly, but his production on the ground has been horrendous as of late with a total of 85 rushing yards in his last three games. Game script will be the deciding factor as to whether Adams will have a competent fantasy day.
Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI)
The Foles-Jeffery connection was on full display two weeks ago but took a backseat in Week 16 as the Eagles spread the wealth a bit more. Fortunately, those targets that Jeffery receives are much further downfield as evidenced by his gaudy 17.9 average depth of target. Washington ranks in the bottom-12 in fantasy points allowed to opposing No. 1 wide receivers, situating Jeffery in a prime matchup to produce.
Golden Tate/Nelson Agholor (WRs, PHI)
With the great matchup for quarterback Nick Foles comes plenty of opportunities for his wideouts to succeed. Although Alshon Jeffery is especially likely to succeed, Tate and Agholor could have big days considering how Washington allows 13.8 yards per catch to the wide receiver position.
Josh Johnson (QB, WAS)
Speaking purely in terms of the matchup, Johnson is going up against the worst pass defense in the NFL which has given up an average of 354 passing yards in their last three games. While Johnson lacks any upside whatsoever and isn't likely to outperform his low QB2 projection, Johnson is being gifted an opportunity to show what he is made of.
Jamison Crowder (WR, WAS)
Fantasy owners have yet to see much out of Crowder, but a five reception, 78 receiving yard game against the Titans a week ago has breathed some life back into the Duke product. The way to beat the Eagles and spoil their playoff hopes is through the air, meaning Crowder may be called on once again to close out the regular season.
Vernon Davis (TE, WAS)
With Washington having been eliminated from the playoff race, it is hard to imagine a scenario where Davis is rushed back from a concussion he suffered in Week 15. If he does manage to play, Davis could lead the team in targets and help provide a target over the middle against a soft Eagles pass defense.
Sunday Night Football - 8:20 PM EST
Colts at Titans
Matchups We Love:
Andrew Luck (QB, IND)
While Luck is no longer on his three touchdown per game scoring streak, he has thrown for over 340 passing yards in three of his last five games and the Colts may have to rely on his ability to throw the football given Tennessee's ability to eliminate rushing attacks. Start him as a QB1 with confidence.
T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND)
A banged up Hilton might not produce another 155 receiving yard, two touchdown game against his AFC South rival, but the Titans have allowed seven opposing receivers to get more than 100 yards against them and surrendered 18 touchdowns to the position in 2018.
Matchups We Hate:
Marlon Mack (RB, IND)
Week 17 will no doubt feature a shortage of true bell cow backs and Mack will be tempting given his recent stranglehold on snaps. Unfortunately, the matchup spells deep trouble for Mack who averages 25.2 fantasy points per game where the Colts win by two or more scores while averaging only 8.7 fantasy points per game in all his other games. Tennessee figures to be more of the later given how they allow the second fewest scores and the seventh-fewest offensive yards in the league.
Eric Ebron (TE, IND)
Ebron hasn't been producing the same way he did through the first 14 games of the 2018 season, but he remains locked in as the Colts second option in the passing game should he clear the league's concussion protocol. Unfortunately, Tennessee hasn't allowed a touchdown to the tight end position yet and will likely prevent Ebron from posting a bounce back game before the start of the playoffs.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
There are serious questions about quarterback Marcus Mariota's availability given the nerve damage he supposedly suffered against the Washington Redskins last week. Further, over his last three games, Davis has only been averaging six fantasy points per game and is going up against a surging Colts defense that has held opposing No. 1 wide receivers in check in the latter half of the season.
Other Matchups:
Nyheim Hines (RB, IND)
Hines has been targeted in the passing game at least five times in eight games this season and is currently averaging 6.3 targets over his last four. Fantasy owners may get more receiving volume than expected out of Hines if the Titans defense can continue to stop rushers in their tracks.
Marcus Mariota/Blaine Gabbert (QBs, TEN)
Tennessee may need Gabbert to step in on short notice due to Mariota exiting last week's game late in the first half with a stinger. The Colts defense has been performing well as of late with averages of 333 yards of total offense allowed and 16 points per game to opposing teams over their last three and the Titans offense is more likely to put up numbers below those averages.
Derrick Henry (RB, TEN)
The Titans have featured Henry across their last three games and volume alone makes him a dominant RB1 play against the Colts. He will certainly have his work cut out for him though, as Indianapolis currently gives up the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game in the NFL.
Dion Lewis (RB, TEN)
Snaps will be the main hurdle for Lewis to overcome given how he only has 16 total touches in his last two games. Ceding carries to backfield mate Derrick Henry is a problem, but the Colts defense also managed to hold the Titans to 263 yards of total offense and only 10 points back in Week 11.
