2014 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.
Jaguars at Texans
Start Em:
JAX: Jaguars Defense.
HOU: RB Arian Foster, Texans Defense.
Sit Em:
Houston’s run defense has improved lately.
I wouldn’t trust the Houston wideouts with Case Keenum under center.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Colts at Titans
Start Em:
Bishop Sankey could have a good game against Indianapolis’ second string.
IND: Colts Defense.
TEN: TE Delanie Walker, Titans Defense.
Sit Em:
The Indianapolis starters could be pulled after a couple of drives in a meaningless game.
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Browns at Ravens
Start Em:
Justin Forsett has struggled the past two weeks, but he could rebound against the inept Cleveland defense.
Steve Smith had a 5-101 line the last time he played the Browns.
BAL: Ravens Defense.
CLE: Browns Defense.
Sit Em:
I wouldn’t start a single Cleveland offensive player with Connor Shaw under center. This includes Josh Gordon, who was suspended.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Bills at Patriots
Start Em:
With Rob Gronkowski out, Tim Wright could catch a touchdown or two.
BUF: None.
NE: Patriots Defense.
Sit Em:
The Patriots have a top-10 run defense. Fred Jackson isn’t bad in PPR formats, but don’t use him in standard leagues.
Sammy Watkins will face Darrelle Revis this week.
Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are out. Tom Brady will likely play just a half.
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Jets at Dolphins
Start Em:
NYJ: Jets Defense.
MIA: WR Mike Wallace, WR Jarvis Landry (PPR), Dolphins Defense.
Sit Em:
I wouldn’t start a single Jet offensive player this week in this let-down spot.
The Jets have stopped the run well all year.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Bears at Vikings
Start Em:
The Bears haven’t been able to stop the run lately.
CHI: RB Matt Forte, WR Alshon Jeffery, TE Martellus Bennett.
MIN: Vikings Defense.
Sit Em:
Jay Cutler doesn’t care, so he’ll throw more interceptions.
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Chargers at Chiefs
Start Em:
You can start Branden Oliver if Ryan Mathews is out. The Chiefs have the NFL’s worst run defense.
SD: TE Antonio Gates.
KC: RB Jamaal Charles.
Sit Em:
Dwayne Bowe has eclipsed 57 yards just five times all year, and he has yet to score a touchdown.
I like Albert Wilson, but I don’t know if I’d trust him in non-PPR formats just yet.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Eagles at Giants
Start Em:
The Eagles should be able to throw on the Giants, who have been tested by a good quarterback in a while. Not that Sanchez is good in real life, but he’s a quality fantasy quarterback.
PHI: RB LeSean McCoy, WR Jeremy Maclin.
NYG: WR Odell Beckham.
Sit Em:
Rashad Jennings’ status is shaky, as he can’t get healthy despite being probable. The Eagles are very strong against the run.
Larry Donnell is doing too much blocking lately.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Cowboys at Redskins
Start Em:
The Redskins just surrendered a historic performance to Zach Ertz.
The Cowboys have been tougher against the run lately, but Alfred Morris is tough to defend with Robert Griffin on the field.
DAL: QB Tony Romo, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Dez Bryant.
WAS: WR DeSean Jackson.
Sit Em:
Robert Griffin has been playing better, but he’s not running enough to be relevant in fantasy.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Saints at Buccaneers
Start Em:
The Buccaneers can’t stop the run without Gerald McCoy.
Marques Colston has been producing again, so he’s worth a shot as a WR3.
NO: QB Drew Brees, TE Jimmy Graham.
TB: WR Mike Evans, WR Vincent Jackson.
Sit Em:
There’s no telling what Lovie Smith will do with his rotation this week. All the running backs stink, anyway.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Lions at Packers
Start Em:
The Packers have been average in terms of allowing fantasy points to running back, but Joique Bell is running so hard right now.
DET: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson, WR Golden Tate (PPR), Lions Defense.
GB: QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Eddie Lacy, WR Randall Cobb, WR Jordy Nelson.
Sit Em:
Reggie Bush isn’t getting many touches, so he’s worthless.
Davante Adams continues to screw up. How many drops can he have?
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Panthers at Falcons
Start Em:
Jonathan Stewart has been hot lately. He should be able to run all over Atlanta’s poor defense.
CAR: QB Cam Newton, WR Kelvin Benjamin, TE Greg Olsen.
ATL: QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones, WR Roddy White.
Sit Em:
Steven Jackson is banged up, so even if he plays, he may not see a full workload. I wouldn’t use the other running backs either.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Rams at Seahawks
Start Em:
STL: None.
SEA: QB Russell Wilson, RB Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks Defense.
Sit Em:
Tre Mason just had a nice outing against the Seahawks, but he’ll have trouble finding lanes against the Seahawks.
Russell Wilson spreads the ball around too much to trust anyone in Seattle’s receiving corps.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Cardinals at 49ers
Start Em:
Anquan Boldin has a tough matchup this week, but he’s the only 49er receiver actually trying.
ARZ: Cardinals Defense.
SF: RB Frank Gore, 49ers Defense.
Sit Em:
I wouldn’t start a single Cardinal offensive player with Logan Thomas under center.
Colin Kaepernick has really regressed terribly this season. I’m not sure he’ll run very much again.
Michael Crabtree is banged up, and he has played like crap anyway.
Vernon Davis isn’t trying.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Raiders at Broncos
Start Em:
The Broncos can’t stop the run with their injured linebackers, and Latavius Murray has looked great.
OAK: None.
DEN: QB Peyton Manning, RB C.J. Anderson, WR Demaryius Thomas, WR Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos Defense.
Sit Em:
Julius Thomas aggravated his injury Monday night. Now, he doesn’t have much time to heal up.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
Bengals at Steelers
Start Em:
The Steelers usually don’t play well against tight ends.
CIN: RB Jeremy Hill, WR A.J. Green (if in the lineup).
PIT: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le’Veon Bell, WR Antonio Brown.
Sit Em:
Jeremy Hill is now the primary ball-carrier in Cincinnati. Denver’s rush defense is too good to support two running backs.
Check out Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Rankings for more analysis
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