2016 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em: Week 17
Rather than quickly listing start em and sit em players on my Week 17 NFL Picks page, I thought I’d devote a new page for this. Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Houston Texans (9-6) at Tennessee Titans (8-7)
Start Em:
HOU: Texans Defense.
TEN: RB DeMarco Murray, TE Delanie Walker, Titans Defense.
Sit Em:
Lamar Miller is likely to sit out a meaningless game.
Rishard Matthews can’t be trusted with Matt Cassel at quarterback.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Buffalo Bills (7-8) at New York Jets (3-12)
Start Em:
BUF: RB LeSean McCoy, WR Sammy Watkins, Bills Defense.
NYJ: RB Bilal Powell.
Sit Em:
Matt Forte has taken a back seat to Bilal Powell.
Brandon Marshall is banged up, while Robby Anderson just isn’t good enough, despite all the targets he’s getting.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1)
Start Em:
I’d take a chance on Kenneth Dixon, who could get more carries this week with Baltimore eliminated.
Jeremy Hill will continue to catch lots of passes with Giovani Bernard out.
BAL: WR Steve Smith.
CIN: None.
Sit Em:
Mike Wallace is an inconsistent deep threat who consistently posts mediocre numbers.
A.J. Green has been ruled out for this game.
Tyler Eifert has been ruled out for this game.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) at Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
Start Em:
Blake Bortles should be able to continue his great play against the Colts’ horrible defense.
Chris Ivory should be able to run all over the Colts, who couldn’t stop Oakland’s running backs.
I’d use Allen Robinson despite his struggles because Indianapolis’ secondary has issues.
JAX: None.
IND: QB Andrew Luck, WR T.Y. Hilton, WR Donte Moncrief (if he plays).
Sit Em:
Ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Dallas Cowboys (13-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-9)
Start Em:
Dallas has problems in its secondary and may not play its starters the entire game.
DAL: None.
PHI: RB Darren Sproles (PPR), TE Zach Ertz.
Sit Em:
The Cowboys have stated that their starters will play, but how long will they be on the field this Sunday? Start them if you’re daring, but you could regret it.
Chicago Bears (3-12) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
Start Em:
If you want to trust Adam Thielen again, that’s fine. He could have an OK game, but he’s not getting 200 yards again.
CHI: RB Jordan Howard, Bears Defense.
MIN: WR Stefon Diggs, Vikings Defense.
Sit Em:
Xavier Rhodes could be a problem for Alshon Jeffery.
Adrian Peterson can’t really be trusted, and the Vikings can’t block anyway.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Start Em:
Kelvin Benjamin has another easy matchup.
Jameis Winston should have a bounce-back game against Carolina’s poor defense.
CAR: QB Cam Newton, RB Jonathan Stewart, TE Greg Olsen.
TB: WR Mike Evans, TE Cameron Brate (if he plays).
Sit Em:
Doug Martin has sucked this year, so it’s not surprising that he was a healthy scratch last week.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Cleveland Browns (1-14) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
Start Em:
Isaiah Crowell will likely get most of the touches with Duke Johnson banged up, and he could be going up against Pittsburgh’s backups.
Terrelle Pryor can be used again with Cody Kessler back under center.
CLE: TE Gary Barnidge.
PIT: None.
Sit Em:
The Steelers will likely sit their starters in a meaningless game.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
New England Patriots (13-2) at Miami Dolphins (10-5)
Start Em:
Dion Lewis appears to have become New England’s primary back.
The Patriots are using three-receiver sets with Rob Gronkowski out, and Malcolm Mitchell is producing. He has an easier matchup this week.
NE: QB Tom Brady, WR Julian Edelman, TE Martellus Bennett, Patriots Defense.
MIA: None.
Sit Em:
The Dolphins have said they’re going to play their starters, but for how long? I would not use any of them.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
New York Giants (10-5) at Washington Redskins (8-6-1)
Start Em:
Kirk Cousins should be able to play well against a New York defense missing some starters.
With that in mind, fire up Pierre Garcon again.
NYG: None.
WAS: WR DeSean Jackson.
Sit Em:
There have been rumblings that the Giants will sit their starters.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Atlanta Falcons (10-5)
Start Em:
Willie Snead should be started, as Drew Brees will continue to spread the ball around.
NO: QB Drew Brees, RB Mark Ingram, WR Brandin Cooks, WR Michael Thomas.
ATL: QB Matt Ryan, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Julio Jones.
Sit Em:
Taylor Gabriel isn’t a good option with Julio Jones back. Mohamed Sanu is a marginal talent.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1) at Los Angeles Rams (4-11)
Start Em:
ARZ: RB David Johnson, WR Larry Fitzgerald.
LA: RB Todd Gurley.
Sit Em:
Kenny Britt will have to go up against Patrick Peterson.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) at San Diego Chargers (5-10)
Start Em:
KC: RB Spencer Ware, TE Travis Kelce, Chiefs Defense.
SD: TE Antonio Gates.
Sit Em:
Jeremy Maclin has a tough matchup against Casey Hayward.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-13)
Start Em:
SEA: QB Russell Wilson, WR Doug Baldwin, TE Jimmy Graham, Seahawks Defense.
SF: None.
Sit Em:
Thomas Rawls is iffy for this week, so he may not get many carries if he plays.
Carlos Hyde is ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Oakland Raiders (12-3) at Denver Broncos (8-7)
Start Em:
OAK: Raiders Defense.
DEN: Broncos Defense.
Sit Em:
I wouldn’t trust the Oakland receivers against Denver’s defense, especially with Matt McGloin under center.
I like Denver’s receivers even less with Paxton Lynch starting.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Green Bay Packers (9-6) at Detroit Lions (9-6)
Start Em:
Marvin Jones has an easy matchup versus a secondary that just surrendered 200 yards to Adam Thielen.
GB: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Davante Adams.
DET: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Golden Tate, Lions Defense.
Sit Em:
Randall Cobb is banged up, so I’d be cautious about starting him.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
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