The Primer: Week 17 Saturday Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

Welcome to Week 17. Known to the initiated as FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!

In case you’re wondering, yes, the Primer will be here next week as well to help everyone who still has active fantasy leagues and delayed championship weeks. If you’ve made it this far, we only have a little way left to travel. That pot of prize money is in sight. Let’s bring it home.

Welcome to the Week 17 Primer. Enjoy.

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Fantasy Football Primer

Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers

• LAC -1.5, O/U 39.5
• Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Texans Players & Weekly Rankings

Chargers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Nico Collins

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Omarion Hampton (RB)

Last week, with Kimani Vidal injured, Omarion Hampton saw his snap rate increase to 53.2% with a 33% route share and a 6.9% target share. Hampton finished with 17 touches and 95 total yards. Since his Week 14 return, Hampton has averaged 16 touches and 75.6 total yards. Since Week 14, Hampton has generated a wonderful 9.1% explosive run rate, but he has only had a 14% missed tackle rate and 1.50 yards after contact per attempt. With many runs, unless he can find daylight, he’s simply getting what is blocked. Hampton could produce as a solid RB2 this week despite the tough matchup with his volume and touchdown equity in the offense. Since Week 12, Houston has allowed the 14th-fewest rushing yards per game, the eighth-lowest explosive run rate, and the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate.

Dalton Schultz (TE)

Since Week 3, Dalton Schultz has been the TE8 in fantasy points per game with an 18.5% target share, 48.3 receiving yards per game, 1.60 yards per route run, and an 18.7% first-read share. In those 13 games, Schultz has had three touchdowns, nine red zone targets, and five deep targets. CJ Stroud should lean on Schultz this week. Since Week 10, the Bolts have allowed the fourth-highest yards per target to tight ends while ranking 17th in fantasy points per game.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Justin Herbert (QB)

Justin Herbert is the QB11 in fantasy points per game. Last week’s QB4 performance in weekly scoring was his first QB1 outing since Week 9. It was the first time that he had passed for at least 300 yards since Week 7. Among 45 qualifying quarterbacks, Herbert ranks 14th in yards per attempt, fifth in passing touchdowns (tied), sixth in highly accurate throw rate, and 12th in hero throw rate. I’ll be surprised if he finishes as a QB1 this week against Houston’s nasty pass defense. Since Week 12, Houston has allowed the 12th-fewest yards per attempt, the eighth-lowest passer rating, and the tenth-fewest passing yards per game while generating the fifth-best pressure rate.

Quentin Johnston (WR)

Quentin Johnston ripped Dallas apart last week as the WR11 in weekly scoring with 104 receiving yards and a score. Overall, Johnston is the WR29 in fantasy points per game with six top 24 weekly scoring finishes. Since Week 12, Houston has utilized single high at the second-highest rate (63%). Against single high, Johnston has ranked third on the team with an 18.6% target share, tied for first on the team with 1.73 yards per route run, and had a 22.8% first-read share (second on the team). Johnston should fight with Keenan Allen for the team lead in targets this week. The horrible matchup makes him only a flex play this week, though. Since Week 10, Houston has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Oronde Gadsden II (TE)

After seeing his route share dip in Week 15, last week, Oronde Gadsden saw his route share sit at 69.7%. Since Week 6, Gadsden has been the TE17 in fantasy points per game with a 15.8% target share, 53.3 receiving yards per game, 1.98 yards per route run, and a 17.7% first-read share. In those ten games, he has ten red zone targets, two touchdowns, and eight deep targets. Gadsden is back on the streaming radar this week. Since Week 10, Houston has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends while ranking 17th in yards per target.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

C.J. Stroud (QB)

C.J. Stroud is the QB21 in fantasy points per game with three QB1 outings this season. I thought he could squeak out another last week against the Raiders, but Stroud disappointed with only 187 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and 5.3 yards per attempt. That was the third time this season that he has been held under 200 yards passing. Among 45 qualifying quarterbacks, Stroud ranks 19th in passing yards per game and yards per attempt, 31st in highly accurate throw rate, and 28th in hero throw rate. This looks like another low-end QB2 week for Stroud. Since Week 12, Los Angeles has ranked 15th in yards per attempt while allowing the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns, the third-lowest passer rating, and the 13th-lowest CPOE.

Woody Marks (RB)

Last week, Woody Marks missed the game as he was dealing with an ankle injury. I’ll update his status as we get more news with practice reports. If Marks is looking likely to miss Week 17, expect Jawhar Jordan to be added to the Primer.

Ladd McConkey (WR)

Ladd McConkey is the WR32 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 8, he has had four top 24 weekly finishes. Since Week 12, Houston has utilized single high at the second-highest rate (63%). Since Week 8, against single high, McConkey has led the team with a 20.8% target share with 1.94 yards per route run and a 15.9% first-read share. McConkey will have a tough time this week against Jalen Pitre in the slot. Since his Week 13 return, Pitre has allowed only a 45.5% catch rate and 26.3 passer rating in slot coverage. Since Week 13, Houston has allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game to slot receivers. McConkey is a WR3/flex this week.

Keenan Allen (WR)

Keenan Allen‘s production has fallen off the table since Week 7. He hasn’t had more than 9.3 PPR points or 53 receiving yards in any game since. Since Week 12, Houston has utilized single high at the second-highest rate (63%). Since Week 8, against single high, Allen has had only a 16.8% target share with 1.53 yards per route run and a team-leading 23.2% first-read share. Justin Herbert could look his way early and often in this game, but it’s fair to question how effective Allen will be. Allen is a low-end flex play only. Since Week 10, Houston has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Jayden Higgins (WR)

It’s impossible to trust Jayden Higgins as a flex play this week. Higgins has disappointed in each of the last three weeks with nice matchups. Yes, this is partially a CJ Stroud issue, but also Dalton Schultz is the clear WR2 in this offense. Higgins hasn’t had more than three receptions or 34 receiving yards in a game since Week 13. This week, he faces a Bolts’ pass defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest receiving yards per game and the fourth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Sit Higgins.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers

• GB -2.5, O/U 40.5
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings

Packers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Lamar Jackson*
• Derrick Henry
• Josh Jacobs**

*Lamar Jackson left last week’s game after he was kneed in the back. His status for Week 17 is up in the air. I’ll update it as we get more info throughout the week. If he’s active, he’s likely in your lineup.*

**Josh Jacobs was a warrior and played through injury last week. I’m not sure that we’ll see him suit up this week, but if he does, he’ll be Green Bay’s lead back and in your lineups. We need more clarity on his health and status for Week 17. I’ll update his outlook as we get more news.**

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Zay Flowers (WR)

Zay Flowers is the WR17 in fantasy points per game with a 27.6% target share, 69.5 receiving yards per game, 2.48 yards per route run, and a 33.2% first-read share. Flowers has been awesome this year. If he had scored more than two touchdowns this season, his fantasy standing would be even better. He has only eight red zone targets and has drawn 17 deep targets. Since Week 12, Green Bay has had the fourth-highest two-high rate (63.7%). Against two high, his numbers have dipped some, but remain strong with a 25% target share, 1.95 yards per route run, and a 31.7% first-read share. Flowers’ ceiling and floor will be impacted this week, depending upon who is under center, but he should still be the clear focal point for the passing attack against a slipping Green Bay pass defense. Since Week 10, the Packers have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the 11th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Christian Watson (WR)

Last week, Christian Watson returned to the lineup with a 67.7% route share, a 25% target share, and a 26.3% first-read share. Watson was running wide open on multiple occasions last week and had numerous missed opportunities. It could have been a huge game for him, but sadly, it didn’t work out that way as he finished with two receptions and 17 receiving yards. Jordan Love‘s status for Week 17 will heavily impact his outlook. I’ll update his status after we find out Green Bay’s starting quarterback for Week 17.

Romeo Doubs (WR)

Last week, Romeo Doubs had a 25% target share and 26.3% first-read share that he turned into 84 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sadly, his route share dipped to 54.8%, and his 35% target per route run rate last week is unsustainable. I’ll update his outlook for Week 17 once we find out Green Bay’s starting quarterback for Week 17, but at best, he’s likely only a deep league flex with his route share now in question.

Jayden Reed (WR)

Last week, Jayden Reed led the team with an 83.9% route share as he had a 12.5% target share, 35 receiving yards, and a 15.8% first-read share. Reed did draw two red zone targets, though. I’ll update his status after we find out Green Bay’s starting quarterback for Week 17.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Jordan Love (QB)

Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. His status for Week 17 is up in the air. I’ll update his status as we get more info, but I would be searching for other options at quarterback this week.

Malik Willis (QB)

Malik Willis came off the bench last week and nearly led Green Bay to a win. He sustained a shoulder injury last week. He’s a coin flip to play this week. We also need to know Jordan Love‘s status (concussion protocol) before determining the outlook for Willis for Week 17.

Mark Andrews (TE)

Mark Andrews‘ 2025 season has been an utter disappointment as the TE23 in fantasy points per game. He has a 15.9% target share with 25.3 receiving yards per game, 1.31 yards per route run, and a 19.9% first-read share. Andrews has had 13 red zone targets and two deep targets. He hasn’t surpassed 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 3, and that was the only time he has done so this season. Andrews is a sit again this week. Since Week 10, Green Bay has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest yards per target to tight ends.

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*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*