By Winsto (12/27/2025)
1. Formany fantasy football managers, Week 17 did not start kindly, especially if you started Jarred Goff (QB-Det), Jameson Williams (RB-Det), or Jahymyr Gibbs (RB-Det). Not great! If you are in need of taking a big swing to compensate for the slow starts, you may consider swinging at the TE position. Both Darren Waller (TE-Mia) and Taysom Hill (TE-NO) are likely available in your league. Both have zero floor, but either one could make up for a slow start you may have had.
2. My initial reaction to the games that have occurred already centers on a couple of points:
a. Indianapolis has been eliminated from the playoffs. Be careful relying on players from this team. I would encourage reading the latest reports on what the coaching staff plans to do, as Philip Rivers (QB-Ind) may not start or worse, may only play a portion of the game.
b. Detroit has also been eliminated, but Coach Dan Campbell has shown in the past that he plays to win the game. If your league plays in Week 18,Iwould not expect that to change, though keep an eye on Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR-Det), as he got banged up a bit.
3. Kayshon Boutte(WR-NE) and Mack Hollins (WR-NE) will not be playing in Week 17, and DeMario Douglas (WR-NE) is questionable. Kyle Williams (WR-NE), and even Efton Chism (WR-NE) in deep leagues, are very interesting plays. Hunter Henry (TE-NE), meanwhile, probably winds up as a top 5 TE play for the week.
4. I want as many players as possible in the Chicago-San Franscisco (O/U 52.5) and Arizona-Cincinnati (O/U 53.5) games. I particularly likeLuther Burden(WR-Chi) and, if he plays and George Kittle (TE-SF) misses, Ricky Pearsall (WR-SF). You definitely want a back-up plan for Kittle, say Jake Tonges (TE-SF).
5. Watchout for Week 17 weather,particularly Philadelphia-Buffalo. There could be significant rainfall. If you are debating between a player from this game or one from another, the worrisome weather should help you make your final decision. The 3 players I would play, regardless however, are Josh Allen (QB-Buf), James Cook (RB-Buf), and Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi).
6. If Green Bay defeats Baltimore, Pittsburgh wins the division with little chance of improving their seeding from #4 to #3. I would be a bithesitant relying on Pittsburgh players unless I see reports that Mike Tomlin will be playing to win, regardless. On the flip side, Dylan Sampson (RB-Cle), Raheim Sanders (RB-Cle), and Trayveon Williams (RB-Cle) could be interesting picks, if there was some clarity on their usage prior to kick-off.
7. The NYG-LV game will see two top 15 fantasy RBs for the Week:Ashton Jeanty (RB-LV) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB-LV).
8. The NO-Ten game will be providing more fantasy goodness than usual for these two teams. Tyler Shough (QB-NO), Tony Pollard (RB-Ten), and Tyjae Spears (RB-Ten) are going to outperform expectations.
9. Davante Adams (WR-LAR) looks unlikely to play in Week 17 against Atlanta. Konata Mumpfield (WR-LAR) could help win a fantasy championship.
10. And finally…,I sadly have a friend found guilty of shoplifting a calendar. He got 12 months.