More Week 17: Waiver Wire — Rankings — Start 'Em and Sit 'Em — Cheat Sheet
One of the reasons we try to avoid playing a Fantasy championship game in Week 17 is the risk of star players not being at our disposal. It's no fun making it to your Super Bowl and being without the guys who got you here.
But many of you are daring enough to take on this challenge, and for that we applaud you. And there is something to be said for managing your roster in all types of scenarios.
This year, some of the players who might not play in Week 17 because of their team's playoff implications are from the Eagles (No. 1 seed in the NFC), Jaguars (No. 3 seed in the AFC), Chiefs (No. 4 seed in the AFC) and Rams (no chance at a first-round bye). We don't know exactly what those teams plan to do, but we're starting to get an idea.
For example, Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said "we are going to play to win and do everything we possibly can to win this game, period." That's good news, potentially, if you own Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette, although it's not a guarantee those guys play more than a half.
Rams coach Sean McVay said "it is one of those deals where I think you might see us rest some guys," and it was announced Thursday that Todd Gurley and Jared Goff won't play this week. Imagine making it to your championship game with Gurley, the Fantasy MVP, and not being able to start him?
The Chiefs are going with Patrick Mahomes over Alex Smith, which likely means Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are out also. And the Eagles have yet to indicate what will happen with their starters.
Now, you still have the ability to win your Fantasy league even if key players are out. There are plenty of quality replacement players available if your top guys sit. And we're here to help with our usual allotment of start and sleeper suggestions, as well as the players to avoid.
We hope this has been a fun Fantasy season for you, and a fruitful one at that. We appreciate you sticking with us all year, and don't forget we'll have plenty of coverage throughout the offseason.
Good luck in Week 17, and happy New Year to everyone. The 2017 season has been great, and 2018 will be even better.
Editor's Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg.
Start of the Week
It's finally happening. Derrick Henry is finally getting his chance to be the lead back for the Titans – or so we hope.
DeMarco Murray is dealing with a third-degree MCL tear in his right knee. It's a significant injury, and it would be a surprise to see Murray play in Week 17 against Jacksonville. But coach Mike Mularkey said Tuesday the Titans weren't ruling Murray out yet.
We'll see what happens as we get closer to Sunday, and this is a must-win game if Tennessee wants to advance to the NFL playoffs. If the Titans win, they're in, which is why Murray wants to play – and why Mularkey would use him if healthy.
But he's clearly not 100 percent, and this is the excuse the Titans need to let Henry get a heavy workload. He's been their best running back this season, and now he can prove it in a big spot against the Jaguars.
The other part of this story is what Jacksonville will do with its starters since the Jaguars are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC. Marrone has said the starters will play, but does that mean a full game, three quarters or just the first half? Only Marrone knows as of now.
Either way, I like Henry's chances as at least a No. 2 Fantasy running back given his expected workload. He has four games in his career with at least 14 carries, and he's scored at least 12 Fantasy points in a standard league in all of them.
Two of those games have come against Jacksonville. In Week 8 last year, Henry had 16 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown and four catches for 37 yards. And in Week 2 this year, Henry had 14 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown.
It also should help Henry's cause that Tennessee is 8-1 in games where he plays at least 19 snaps, with the lone loss coming last week against the Rams. But even if Henry starts it doesn't mean he's guaranteed to succeed.
The Jaguars run defense has been impressive since acquiring Marcell Dareus in a trade from Buffalo in late October. Prior to last week, Jacksonville did not allow a running back to score on the ground for six games in a row. That streak ended in Week 15 at San Francisco when Carlos Hyde and Matt Breida both scored, and now we'll see what happens this week.
Henry definitely has the chance for a big game if Murray is out. That's what we're expecting, and Henry is worth starting in a must-win game for the Titans.
I'm starting Henry over: Devonta Freeman (vs. CAR), Jordan Howard (at MIN), Alex Collins (vs. CIN), Lamar Miller (at IND) and Latavius Murray (vs. CHI)
Quarterbacks
Sleepers
- Tyrod Taylor (at MIA): The Bills can still earn a wild-card berth with a win against Miami, a Ravens loss or losses by both the Titans and the Chargers. Taylor just scored 24 Fantasy points against the Dolphins in Week 15, and he's scored multiple touchdowns against Miami in three games in a row. In his past two trips to Miami, Taylor has 498 passing yards and four touchdowns and 47 rushing yards and a touchdown. He's scored at least 23 Fantasy points in four of his past five games against the Dolphins.
- Joe Flacco (vs. CIN): Baltimore will clinch the No. 5 seed in the AFC as a wild card with a win against the Bengals. Flacco has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in four games in a row, and I would trust him as a No. 1 quarterback this week against Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed three of the past four opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points, and Flacco should take advantage of this matchup with a playoff berth on the line.
- Jacoby Brissett (vs. HOU): Brissett has the chance to end his year on a high note against the Texans. He scored 23 Fantasy points against Houston in Week 9, and the Texans allow the third-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. Three of the past four opposing quarterbacks have scored at least 20 Fantasy points against Houston, and Brissett is worth using in two-quarterback leagues in Week 17.
Bust Alert
Winston has played well over his past four games since coming back from a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury, and he has at least 21 Fantasy points in two of those outings. But Tampa Bay's offensive line woes continue to be a problem, and he's been sacked 18 times in his past four games. The Saints just sacked Matt Ryan five times in Week 16, and New Orleans has limited Ryan twice and Bryce Petty to fewer than 15 Fantasy points in each of the past three games. For the season, the Saints are allowing just 16.8 Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and Winston has one game with multiple passing touchdowns in his past five meetings with New Orleans. He's also passed for 210 yards or less in four of those games.
Running backs
Sleepers
- Duke Johnson (at PIT): Johnson has scored at least 10 Fantasy points in a standard league in four of his past six games, including three in a row, and he has 16 catches in his past three outings. The Steelers have allowed a running back to score a touchdown or gain 90 total yards in five games in a row, with seven running backs doing that over that span. Johnson is a borderline starter in standard leagues and a must-start option in PPR.
- Giovani Bernard (at BAL): We'll find out if Joe Mixon (ankle) is able to play this week, but at this point we'd rather see Bernard as the starter for the Bengals, with Mixon getting ready for 2018. Bernard has been great for the past month since Mixon started dealing with concussion and ankle injuries. He comes into Week 17 at Baltimore with at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in four games in a row, including three games with at least 10 points. And this isn't exactly a daunting matchup since the Ravens have allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in five games in a row. If Mixon is out, Bernard has top-10 potential in the final game of the season.
- Samaje Perine (at NYG): Perine, despite dealing with an ankle injury prior to Week 16 against Denver and an Achilles injury during the game, appears to be fine for Week 17 against the Giants. The last time he faced the Giants in Week 12 he had 24 carries for 100 yards and three catches for 30 yards on four targets, and New York has allowed a running back to score or gain 80 total yards in four of the past five games.
- Branden Oliver (vs. OAK): We'll see if Melvin Gordon (ankle) is able to play this week against the Raiders, but if he's out, Oliver would start in a must-win game for the Chargers. The Raiders have allowed a running back to score in four games in a row, and I would consider Oliver a top-20 Fantasy running back this week if he starts. Oliver has three games in his career with at least 14 carries, and he's scored at least 13 Fantasy points in a standard league in three of them.
- Theo Riddick (vs. GB): The Packers have struggled with pass-catching running backs all season, and Riddick had four catches for 62 yards against Green Bay in Week 9. Since then, the Packers allowed 10 catches to Baltimore's running backs in Week 11, 12 catches to Le'Veon Bell in Week 12, six catches to Tampa Bay's running backs in Week 13, eight catches to Cleveland's running backs in Week 14 and six catches to Christian McCaffrey in Week 15.
Bust Alert
The last time I expected Howard to struggle was Week 14 at Cincinnati, and he finished with 26 Fantasy points in a standard league, so take that into account. But this is a much different scenario since the Vikings are No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to running backs, and Howard has struggled lately aside from his performance against the Bengals. He has five Fantasy points or less in a standard league in three of his past five games, and he only ran for 44 yards on 22 carries last week against Cleveland, although he scored two touchdowns. He had 19 carries for 76 yards against Minnesota in Week 5, and I would expect him to be in the same range this week.
Wide receivers
Sleepers
- Keelan Cole (at TEN): I would have Cole and Dede Westbrook (5.5 projected points) as must-start receivers if I knew Jacksonville would play its starters the whole game, but you have to build in some risk with these guys since the Jaguars could decide to rest them. Cole is on fire of late with at least 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in four games in a row. And Westbrook has at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in three of his past four games.
- Mohamed Sanu (vs. CAR): Sanu scored against the Panthers in Week 9 with three catches for 23 yards on three targets, and Carolina has allowed multiple receivers to score at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in four of the past seven games. That should happen again this week with Julio Jones and Sanu both scoring at least eight points.
- Josh Doctson (at NYG): The Redskins were really trying to get Doctson going in Week 16 against Denver since he had a season-high 13 targets, and he finished with two catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Thankfully he scored because failing to corral 11 targets is not good, but it's great to see Doctson a featured part of this offense. He actually has at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in four of his past six games, and he's a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in this matchup with the Giants. He had two catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on four targets against the Giants in Week 12.
- Mike Wallace (vs. CIN): Wallace was a letdown in Week 16 against Indianapolis with four catches for 60 yards on six targets, but he should rebound this week against the Bengals, who have struggled with No. 1 receivers since Adam Jones (groin) was hurt in Week 13. Three of the past four No. 1 receivers against the Bengals -- Brown, Kendall Wright and Stefon Diggs -- have scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league, and Wallace has the chance to reach that number this week. He's a low-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
- Kenny Golladay (vs. GB): Golladay just had a season-high eight targets in Week 16 at Cincinnati, and it would be fun for him to bookend his rookie campaign with a touchdown in Week 17 against Green Bay. Golladay opened the year with 18 Fantasy points against Arizona in Week 1 thanks to two touchdowns, but he hasn't scored since. Hopefully he'll be featured in the offense again this week, and the Packers have allowed the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing receivers this year.
Bust Alert
All the Eagles, Chiefs and Rams starting receivers
The theme of Week 17 is who will play due to impending playoff implications, and it appears like the Eagles, Chiefs and Rams will all rest multiple starters, especially at quarterback. Andy Reid has already said Mahomes will start, so don't expect Hill to play. And with the Rams benching Goff then you can't count on Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp or Sammy Watkins. Foles may play some, but once he leaves the game against Dallas, you should expect Alshon Jeffery and Agholor to follow him. It's risky to trust these receivers, and Fantasy owners should just plan ahead and bench the main guys from Philadelphia, Kansas City and the Rams in Week 17.
Tight ends
Sleepers
- Benjamin Watson (vs. CIN): Watson has scored a touchdown in two of his past four games, and he has 10 targets for nine catches, 114 yards and a touchdown in his past two outings against Cleveland and Indianapolis. He has a great matchup against the Bengals in Week 17, and Cincinnati has allowed a tight end to score in three games in a row.
- Vernon Davis (at NYG): Let's try this again. The last time Davis faced the Giants in Week 12 he had one of the most disappointing performances of the season for any player at any position. Davis had no catches on one target, and he ruined many Fantasy owners that week. He's now scored two touchdowns in his past three games, and we hope he can take advantage of this matchup with New York in Week 17 since the Giants allow the most Fantasy points to tight ends this year.
- Vance McDonald (vs. CLE): McDonald was the lead tight end in Week 16 at Houston with four catches for 52 yards on five targets, and he has a great matchup in Week 17 against the Browns. Cleveland is No. 5 in Fantasy points allowed to tight ends, and Jesse James had six catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets against the Browns in Week 1.
Bust Alert
You know the drill by now, and you should put Travis Kelce in this category as well. Ertz and Kelce are the two premier tight ends who will likely not play or see limited action this week because of the upcoming NFL playoffs. For the Eagles, they can easily replace Ertz with Trey Burton, who has done well both times Ertz has been out this season due to injury. Burton is a sleeper to consider in deeper leagues against Dallas. And the Chiefs will likely give more playing time to No. 2 tight end Demetrius Harris, who is also worth using as a sleeper at Denver this week.
Defense/Special teams
Start 'Em
Redskins (at NYG) – 11.4 projected points
Washington had one of its best performances in Week 12 against the Giants with 18 Fantasy points, and the Redskins come into Week 17 for the rematch with at least 15 Fantasy points in consecutive games against Arizona and Denver. Washington has an interception in three games in a row, nine sacks in the past two games and has held the Cardinals and Broncos to a combined 26 total points. The Giants have five interceptions in their past three games, and they have scored 17 points or less in five of their past six outings.
Sleepers
- Patriots (vs. NYJ): The Patriots DST had two interceptions and four sacks against the Jets in Week 6, and three DSTs in a row have scored at least 11 Fantasy points against the Jets. Petty should be in for a long day at Gillette Stadium in Week 17.
- Saints (at TB): Winston has been sacked 18 times in his past four games, and he just had three lost fumbles against the Panthers in Week 16. The Saints DST scored 22 Fantasy points against Tampa Bay in Week 9 and has scored at least 11 Fantasy points in three games in a row.
- Bills (at MIA): The Bills DST just scored 13 Fantasy points against the Dolphins in Week 15 with three interceptions and three sacks, and Buffalo held Miami to 16 points. With a playoff spot on the line, the Bills defense should be able to harass Jay Cutler into some turnovers this week.
Sit 'Em
Panthers (at ATL) – 9.4 projected points
The Panthers DST has been rolling of late with at least 13 Fantasy points in three games in a row, but it scored just eight points against Atlanta in Week 9. The Falcons have only allowed an opposing DST to score double digits in Fantasy points against them twice in the past 11 games, and it was New Orleans twice. Aside from the Saints, the Falcons have not been a good matchup for opposing DST, so plan to avoid the Panthers DST this week.
Kicker
Start 'Em
Forbath is playing well coming into Week 17, and he should have the chance for another quality performance against the Bears at home. Chicago is No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers, and Forbath has scored at least 10 Fantasy points in three games in a row. He's 8 for 9 on field goals over that span and 6 for 6 on extra points.
Sleepers
- Stephen Hauschka (at MIA): Hauschka has at least eight Fantasy points in each of his past three road games, and the Dolphins have allowed 31 Fantasy points combined to opposing kickers in their past three games.
- Adam Vinatieri (vs. HOU): The past three opposing kickers against the Texans have scored at least nine Fantasy points, and Vinatieri made five field goals in his past two games against Denver and Baltimore. He had 10 Fantasy points at Houston in Week 9.
- Dustin Hopkins (at NYG): Hopkins has four field goals and five extra points in two games since returning from an eight-game absence due to a hip injury, and he should play well this week against the Giants. He's made 10 field goals and six extra points in four career games against New York.
Sit 'Em
Elliott only scored seven Fantasy points in Week 16 against Oakland, and he missed his first field goal since Week 11. His opponent that week was Dallas, and Elliott was injured in that game with a concussion. With the Eagles likely resting starters on offense this week, you might want to avoid Elliott in the majority of leagues. And despite being one of the best Fantasy kickers this season, he's been held to single digits in Fantasy points in each of his past four home games.
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