Fantasy Football Player Notes
Week 17 Rankings
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1.
Joe Burrow
CIN (vs . ARI)
Joe Burrow hasn't missed a beat since returning. Outside of one bad game against the Ravens, this offense has been firing on all cylinders. This week, they take on the fighting Jacoby Brissett's and their high-flying offense. This game is the perfect recipe for fantasy points. Niether defense shoul dbe able to hold up against these offenses, and all fantasy weapons could see massive days. If you manage to have Burrow in your finals, this is the perfect spot for another electric passing game.
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2.
Drake Maye
NE (at NYJ)
Setting a career high in passing yards in the Patriots' comeback win against the Ravens last week was yet another feather in Maye's sophomore cap. To make it even better, the Patriots now face the Jets in the fantasy finals. The Jets are not a good team. Over their last three games, they are averaging over 400 offensive yards against opponents (third most). The Patriots should roll through the Jets as they set their sights on clinching the AFC East.
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3.
Trevor Lawrence
JAC (at IND)
Lawrence has finished as the QB1 and QB2 in consecutive weeks. After a huge win against the Broncos last week, this team is heating up at the right time. Not only does Lawrence have over 600 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns in his last two games, but he also has a rushing touchdown in each. With his increased usage on the ground, Lawrence is one of the best options this week in fantasy. This week, they take on the Colts, who allowed the 49ers to hang 48 points on them last Monday Night. Stay in the flames, and hope Liam Coen can continue to cook this Christmas.
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4.
Dak Prescott
DAL (at WAS)
It was tough sledding last week against the Chargers. Thankfully, the Commanders' defense may be the easiest sledding in the league. I'm not sure what the opposite of "tough sledding" is, but you get my point. The Commanders are allowing the second-most yards to opposing offenses on the season. There is a world in which the Cowboys start fast and can lean on their run game to close this game out. However, their defense is always prone to giving up points to any offense. With CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to throw to, Prescott should return to his fantasy ways.
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5.
Josh Allen
BUF (vs . PHI)
Just in time for the fantasy playoffs, Allen had his worst game of the season. This was a result of two main factors. The first is that their run game was having success, and they didn't need Allen to be Superman to win this game. The second is that the Bills are lacking the receiving talent to overcome top-end defenses like the Browns and Texans. Unfortunately, the Eagles' defense is also one of the better units in the league. However, the Eagles' offense will force Allen to try and will his team to a victory. Allen is also dealing with a foot injury, potentially limiting his rushing upside. You can't sit a player like Allen, but he may not be the X factor you had hoped for in your fantasy finals.
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6.
Matthew Stafford
LAR (at ATL)
Two weeks away from securing his first MVP award, Stafford remains one of the best storylines of the season. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, this passing attack has been a well-oiled machine all season. Regardless of Adams' availability for this game, Stafford should dice up the Falcons on Monday Night. Since Week 10, the Falcons have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to the QB position. Keep riding the resurgent season from one of the league's best passers.
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7.
Brock Purdy
SF (vs . CHI)
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8.
Jacoby Brissett
ARI (at CIN)
All good things must come to an end. Last week, Jacoby Brissett broke his legendary streak of QB1 weekly finishes as the QB19 for the week. Pour one out for the king. Brissett has been amazing in fantasy this season. Since Week 6, among 40 qualifying passers, Brissett has ranked first in passing yards per game, fourth in passing touchdowns, 20th in highly accurate throw rate, and 25th in catchable target rate. Brissett could easily return to the QB1 ranks this week. Since Week 12, Cincy has given up the eighth-highest success rate per dropback, the second-most yards per attempt, and the eighth-most passing yards per game.
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9.
Jalen Hurts
PHI (at BUF)
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10.
Caleb Williams
CHI (at SF)
Caleb Williams has feasted on bad pass defenses this season, and this week should offer him another opportunity to do just that. Among 45 qualifying passers, Williams is 15th in passing yards per game, 24th in yards per attempt, 36th in highly accurate throw rate, and 41st in catchable target rate. The 49ers have been one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL with a non-existent pass rush. Since Week 10, they have allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game, the fifth-most passing touchdowns (tied), the seventh-highest CPOE, and had the lowest pressure rate.
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11.
Bo Nix
DEN (at KC)
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12.
Baker Mayfield
TB (at MIA)
Baker Mayfield hasn't been the same quarterback in the back half of the season. Maybe all the injuries have caught up to him, or he's just in a funk. I don't know, but Mayfield has fallen off from his strong early-season play. Since Week 12, he has been the QB27 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 12, among 28 qualifying quarterbacks, Mayfield ranks 26th in yards per attempt, 21st in highly accurate throw rate, 27th in catchable target rate, and 25th in fantasy points per dropback. This week offers a matchup for him to at least provide decent QB2 production. Since Week 12, Miami has ranked 15th in yards per attempt and success rate per dropback while allowing the 12th-highest passer rating and the tenth-most passing touchdowns (tied).
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13.
Tyler Shough
NO (at TEN)
Since Week 10, Tyler Shough has been the QB12 in fantasy points per game with three QB1 outings in weekly scoring. Shough has had at least 18 rushing yards in four of his last six games with two rushing scores. Since Week 10, among 33 qualifying passers, Shough has ranked 16th in yards per attempt, eighth in passing yards per game, second in CPOE, tenth in catchable target rate, and 19th in hero throw rate. Shough could easily be a QB1 again this week. Since Week 12, Tennessee has allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game, the fourth-highest yards per attempt, the second-highest passer rating, and the tenth-highest success rate per dropback. Shough should chuck (it).
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14.
Jared Goff
DET (at MIN)
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15.
Jaxson Dart
NYG (at LV)
I understand that the Giants don't want Jaxson Dart to get hurt in the final weeks of a lost season. Ok, I get that, but last week was a ridiculous showing. New York had a 39.6% passing rate and ran a total of nine passing plays in the first half. If you don't want Dart to throw the ball or take unnecessary hits, BENCH HIM. Running the ball an obnoxious amount and not letting your quarterback actually play is pure foolishness. Dart finished with 13 passing attempts, 33 passing yards, zero passing touchdowns, an interception, and only seven rushing yards (two rushing attempts). And people wonder why bad teams stay bad. I don't. I could give you all of Dart's season-long stats and per-game numbers, and they are nothing more than false window dressing if the Giants run this sham of an operation in Week 17. If the Giants let Dart do his thing this week (I have zero confidence that they will), then he could easily be a high-end QB1 this week. Since Week 12, Las Vegas has allowed the tenth-most yards per attempt, the fifth-highest CPOE, and the third-highest success rate per dropback.
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16.
Sam Darnold
SEA (at CAR)
Sam Darnold is the QB19 in fantasy points per game with seven QB1 outings this season. Among 45 qualifying passers, Darnold has been exemplary, ranking seventh in passing yards per game, first in yards per attempt, second in highly accurate throw rate, and fifth in hero throw rate. Darnold should flirt with QB1 production this week. Since Week 12, Carolina has allowed the 11th-most passing yards per game, the 11th-highest yards per attempt, and the sixth-highest CPOE.
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17.
Justin Herbert
LAC (vs . HOU)
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.
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18.
Malik Willis
MIA (vs . TB)
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.
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19.
C.J. Stroud
HOU (at LAC)
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.
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20.
Kirk Cousins
FA (BYE)
Since Week 12, Cousins has been the QB17 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 12, among 28 qualifying passers, Cousins has ranked 17th in yards per attempt, ninth in highly accurate throw rate, tenth in catchable target rate, and 23rd in hero throw rate. Since Week 12, the Rams have allowed the second-lowest success rate per dropback and the lowest adjusted completion rate, but they have also yielded the 13th-most passing yards per game and the second-most passing touchdowns. Cousins has a wide range of outcomes this week.
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21.
Bryce Young
CAR (vs . SEA)
Bryce Young is the QB22 in fantasy points per game with four QB1 weekly scoring outings this season. Among 45 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 35th in yards per attempt, 14th in CPOE, 25th in catchable, and tenth in hero throw rate. Young is a low-end QB2 this week with a horrible matchup. Seattle still has one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. Since Week 12, Seattle has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game, the lowest yards per attempt, the second-lowest passer rating, and the fourth-lowest success rate per dropback.
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22.
Geno Smith
NYJ (vs . NE)
Last week, Geno Smith had a surprisingly efficient outing against a stout Houston pass defense. He finished as the QB20 for the week with 201 passing yards while completing 69.6% of his passes with 8.7 yards per attempt. Smith just lost his WR1 in Brock Bowers for the rest of the season, which will definitely hurt his ceiling, but he could easily have a solid QB2 performance again this week. Since Week 12, the Giants have allowed the fifth-most yards per attempt, the 11th-highest success rate per dropback, and the highest CPOE.
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23.
Philip Rivers
FA (BYE)
Last week, old man Rivers was slinging it as the QB13 for the week. Last week, among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 13th in yards per attempt, fifth in aDOT, tenth in deep ball rate, and 18th in hero throw rate. It was an impressive showing for Rivers, especially compared to his first start. Rivers looked more mobile in the pocket and had better zip on his passes. He'll have a tougher challenge this week against a Jaguars' pass defense that, since Week 12, has allowed the third-fewest yards per attempt, the fifth-lowest passer rating, the sixth-lowest CPOE, and the eighth-lowest success rate per dropback. Rivers should still be able to provide solid QB2 value this week.
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24.
Josh Johnson
CIN (vs . ARI)
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25.
Cam Ward
TEN (vs . NO)
Since Week 14, Cam Ward has thrown for multiple passing touchdowns in each game. Last week, he eclipsed 8.0 yards per attempt for the first time all season. On the surface, it looks like Ward has been improving, but he's still struggling with his accuracy. Since Week 14, among 36 qualifying passers, he has ranked 29th in yards per attempt, 32nd in highly accurate throw rate, 27th in catchable target rate, and 16th in hero throw rate. Ward will struggle this week against an improved Saints' pass defense. Since Week 12, New Orleans has allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the second-lowest CPOE.
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26.
Quinn Ewers
MIA (vs . TB)
Last week, Quinn Ewers was the QB26 in fantasy, but he played better than I expected he would. Yes, I know he had zero passing touchdowns and two picks, but his per-dropback numbers were surprisingly good. Last week, among 27 qualifying quarterbacks, Ewers ranked sixth in yards per attempt and highly accurate throw rate, 14th in aDOT, and sixth in catchable target rate. He could surprisingly flirt with QB1 numbers this week if he can withstand the Buc's blitz, but their pass rush hasn't been getting home (since Week 12 they have the 11th-lowest pressure rate) so Ewers should have time in the pocket. Since Week 12, the Bucs have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game, the eighth-highest yards per attempt, and the third-highest CPOE.
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27.
Tyler Huntley
BAL (at GB)
Tyler Huntley will draw the start for Baltimore this week. Last week, he filled in admirably for Lamar Jackson, completing nine of ten passes with 6.5 yards per attempt. In his only start this season, Huntley finished as the QB16 in weekly scoring, completing 77.3% of his passes with 186 yards through the air, one passing touchdown, eight carries, and 53 rushing yards. This season, Huntley has had only a 6.7 aDOT, which has helped his accuracy numbers, but he has still mustered solid marks with an 80.9% catchable target rate and a 4.3% hero throw rate. Huntley is a QB2 that could flirt with QB1 production this week against a downgraded Green Bay pass defense. Since Week 12, Green Bay has allowed the 11th-most yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the 13th-highest CPOE.
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28.
Aaron Rodgers
FA (BYE)
Aaron Rodgers is the QB21 in fantasy points per game with three QB1 outings in weekly scoring this season. Rodgers should return low-end QB2 numbers this week. Among 45 qualifying passers, he ranks 11th in passing touchdowns (tied), first in percentage of passing yards from yards after the catch (65.9%), and 22nd in yards per attempt and fantasy points per dropback. The Browns' pass defense has remained strong. Since Week 12, they have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game, the eighth-fewest yards per attempt, the tenth-lowest CPOE, and the sixth-lowest success rate per dropback.
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29.
Shedeur Sanders
CLE (vs . PIT)
Shedeur Sanders hasn't finished higher than QB18 in weekly scoring outside of his game against Tennessee. Since Week 12, among 28 qualifying quarterbacks, he has ranked 18th in passing yards per game, 19th in yards per attempt, 22nd in highly accurate throw rate, and 25th in catchable target rate. Sanders is a low-end QB2 again this week. Since Week 12, Pittsburgh has ranked 16th in yards per attempt, 16th in success rate per dropback, and has allowed the fifth-lowest CPOE.
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30.
Max Brosmer
MIN (vs . DET)
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31.
Brady Cook
NYJ (vs . NE)
Brady Cook isn't in play this week. In his two NFL starts, he has finished as the QB26 and QB31 in weekly scoring with a 1:4 passing touchdown to interception ratio. He hasn't cleared 200 passing yards or 5.5 yards per attempt in either start. The Patriots have continued to field a strong pass defense. Since Week 12, New England has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game, the seventh-fewest yards per attempt, and the 11th-lowest success rate per dropback.
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32.
Chris Oladokun
KC (vs . DEN)
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33.
Riley Leonard
IND (vs . JAC)
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34.
Zach Wilson
FA (BYE)
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35.
Jameis Winston
NYG (at LV)
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36.
Jeff Driskel
WAS (vs . DAL)
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37.
Joe Flacco
FA (BYE)
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38.
Teddy Bridgewater
DET (at MIN)
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39.
Tyson Bagent
CHI (at SF)
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40.
Kenny Pickett
CAR (vs . SEA)
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41.
Mason Rudolph
PIT (at CLE)
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42.
Trey Lance
LAC (vs . HOU)
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43.
Davis Mills
HOU (at LAC)
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44.
Joe Milton III
DAL (at WAS)
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45.
Joshua Dobbs
NE (at NYJ)
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46.
Jimmy Garoppolo
LAR (at ATL)
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47.
Tanner McKee
PHI (at BUF)
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48.
Nick Mullens
JAC (at IND)
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49.
Mitchell Trubisky
TEN (vs . NO)
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50.
Spencer Rattler
NO (at TEN)
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51.
Clayton Tune
FA (BYE)
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52.
Mac Jones
SF (vs . CHI)
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53.
Jarrett Stidham
DEN (at KC)
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54.
Hendon Hooker
FA (BYE)
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55.
Brandon Allen
FA (BYE)
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56.
Andy Dalton
PHI (at BUF)
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57.
Drew Lock
SEA (at CAR)
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58.
Cooper Rush
FA (BYE)
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59.
Jake Haener
KC (vs . DEN)
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60.
Trevor Siemian
FA (BYE)
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61.
Taylor Heinicke
FA (BYE)
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62.
Desmond Ridder
GB (vs . BAL)
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63.
Kurtis Rourke
SF (vs . CHI)
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64.
Michael Pratt
FA (BYE)
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65.
Seth Henigan
IND (vs . JAC)
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66.
Matt Corral
FA (BYE)
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67.
Bryan Bennett
FA (BYE)
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68.
Matt Barkley
FA (BYE)
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