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.
Cleveland Browns (6-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-14)
Start Em:
I’d be fine using Kareem Hunt in PPR leagues, given how many targets he’s seeing.
Tyler Boyd doesn’t have an impossible matchup, so you can use him.
CLE: RB Nick Chubb.
CIN: RB Joe Mixon.
Sit Em:
Baker Mayfield was a popular sleeper two weeks ago in DFS. Don’t fall into that trap again.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Chicago Bears (7-7) at Minnesota Vikings (10-4)
Start Em:
CHI: WR Allen Robinson.
MIN: None.
Sit Em:
The Vikings are stout against the run.
The Vikings will likely sit their starters.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Start Em:
Breshad Perriman is finally blossoming into the receiver Ozzie Newsome thought he’d be. However, I’d rather play Justin Watson, who has a better chance for more targets. Both are good options.
ATL: QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones, TE Austin Hooper.
TB: QB Jameis Winston, TE O.J. Howard.
Sit Em:
The Buccaneers have an elite run defense.
It’s impossible to trust any Tampa runner going forward.
New Orleans Saints (12-3) at Carolina Panthers (5-10)
Start Em: c
NO: QB Drew Brees, RB Alvin Kamara, WR Michael Thomas.
CAR: RB Christian McCaffrey, WR D.J. Moore (if he plays).
Sit Em:
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
New York Jets (6-9) at Buffalo Bills (10-5)
Start Em:
NYJ: RB Le’Veon Bell (PPR).
BUF: None.
Sit Em:
The Bills’ starters won’t play very much if they even take the field.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Miami Dolphins (4-11) at New England Patriots (12-3)
Start Em:
Tom Brady is a good fantasy option this week against Miami’s poor defense.
MIA: None.
NE: RB James White (PPR), WR Julian Edelman, Patriots Defense.
Sit Em:
DeVante Parker could cool down against Stephon Gilmore.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Green Bay Packers (12-3) at Detroit Lions (3-11-1)
Start Em:
Danny Amendola is seeing more targets with Marvin Jones injured.
GB: QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones, WR Davante Adams, Packers Defense.
DET: WR Kenny Golladay.
Sit Em:
Kerryon Johnson is back, but he’s not seeing the entire workload.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
Start Em:
This isn’t a great matchup, but Philip Rivers could get lots of garabge yardage.
Damien Williams is back, and his touches could increase this week.
LAC: WR Austin Ekeler (PPR), WR Keenan Allen, TE Hunter Henry.
KC: QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce.
Sit Em:
LeSean McCoy is on a snap count, and he may not even play.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5)
Start Em:
Ryan Tannehill can be started in an easy matchup.
TEN: RB Derrick Henry, WR A.J. Brown.
HOU: None.
Sit Em:
Bill O’Brien said he’s playing his starters, but I don’t believe him.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Indianapolis Colts (7-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)
Start Em:
IND: RB Marlon Mack, WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts Defense.
JAX: RB Leonard Fournette, WR D.J. Chark.
Sit Em:
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Washington Redskins (3-12) at Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
Start Em:
Terry McLaurin has proven that he can produce with any quarterback.
I’d be willing to try this guy after he scored two touchdowns last week.
Michael Gallup is the safe option with Amari Cooper dealing with a shoulder injury.
WAS: None.
DAL: RB Ezekiel Elliott.
Sit Em:
Dak Prescott has a major shoulder concern.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at New York Giants (4-11)
Start Em:
Greg Ward has become the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver.
Continue to use Dallas Goedert, whose role continues to increase.
Daniel Jones could have another monster game against a bad secondary.
Darius Slayton will be back from injury this week.
PHI: QB Carson Wentz, RB Miles Sanders, TE Zach Ertz (if he plays).
NYG: RB Saquon Barkley, WR Sterling Shepard, WR Golden Tate (PPR).
Sit Em:
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-2)
Start Em:
JuJu Smith-Schuster likely won’t have to battle Baltimore’s talented cornerbacks this week.
PIT: RB James Conner (if he plays), Steelers Defense.
BAL: None.
Sit Em:
The Ravens are sitting their starters.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1) at Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
Start Em:
Jared Goff is a strong option this week in a very easy matchup.
Tyler Higbee will be an option again versus Arizona’s poor defense.
ARZ: RB Kenyan Drake.
LAR: WR Cooper Kupp, WR Robert Woods, Rams Defense.
Sit Em:
Todd Gurley may not see much of a workload in a meaningless game.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Oakland Raiders (7-8) at Denver Broncos (6-9)
Start Em:
DeAndre Washington can be started if Josh Jacobs is sidelined.
Derek Carr loves throwing to Hunter Henfrow, who seems like a good PPR option.
OAK: RB Josh Jacobs (if he plays), TE Darren Waller.
DEN: RB Phillip Lindsay, WR Courtland Sutton, TE Noah Fant.
Sit Em:
Tyrell Williams is dealing with an injury.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
San Francisco 49ers (12-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
Start Em:
Raheem Mostert has been stellar lately.
SF: WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle, 49ers Defense.
SEA: QB Russell Wilson.
Sit Em:
I can’t say I really love anyone on the Seahawks besides Russell Wilson, given the number of injuries and poor offensive line play.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4