Welcome to Week 17! This time of the season is strange because we live and breathe football for months and then we don’t know what to do with ourselves because the season is finishing so quickly. What will I do with myself if I am not researching and writing for hours each day? Thankfully, I will be covering the PGA Tour again this season, so I won’t be too far removed from staring at my computer screen and weighing in on who to choose and why.
With this week being super important, let’s take a look at the best games and players for Week 17. There are some really obvious matchups based on implied game totals, but there are also games that may be a surprise to some.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles – Week 17 PHI vs. AZ
Hurts has to be a lock this week against the Arizona Cardinals and there should be no questions asked. Hurts threw for 301 yards last week, his highest total since Week 8. Jalen has finished as a top-six fantasy QB in 11 games this season, and I see no reason this Sunday won’t mark the 12th. Arizona ranks 32nd in the league in pressure rate and they are allowing the highest completion percentage on passes of 20+ air yards at 52%. The Cardinals are allowing almost two fantasy points per target off slant routes, putting them at the eighth-most in the league. This is a great matchup for A.J. Brown and Hurts to connect.
Christian McCaffery, San Fransisco 49ers – Week 17 SF @ WAS
I can’t recall where I read it, but I saw a stat that said CMC is in over 50% of teams still alive in all leagues. This is another guy that you lock in and don’t question yourself, ever. CMC has 14 TDs on the season, and I guarantee he will put at least one on the board this week against the worst defense in the league. This Niners team is going to be playing angry after the loss last week, and CMC wants to be the MVP.
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins – Week 17 MIA @ BAL
This is one of those games that people are going to most likely attack from the Ravens’ side, but because their defense is so good and just shut down the Niners, may shy away from Hill and the Miami Dolphins this week. I would call that a mistake, but I would also call it leverage. If you are questioning whether or not you should start Hill based on the matchup, my answer is yes!
Last week, the Niners got smoked, but CMC, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk all had big games, so don’t be scared away from the Ravens. And if you needed even more reassurance, Jaylen Waddle is out with a high ankle sprain, so Hill should smash.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers – Week 17 LAC @ DEN
This season has been rough for the Denver Broncos, both offensively and defensively, but especially at the TE position, as they have allowed the second most fantasy points to the position this season. With Keenan Allen out, Everett has stepped into a higher volume role. I can’t imagine Allen will return this season with nothing on the horizon to play for, so I am not concerned that he is going to play this week.
In the last three games, Everett has seen eight targets with fantasy point totals of 8.9, 9.1 and 11.2. This is another game where I see more points being scored than anticipated, and Everett will be involved.
