Fantasy Football Player Notes

Week 17 Rankings
Russell Wilson photo 1. Russell Wilson SEA (vs . ARI)
Wilson had a rough game against the Cowboys, throwing for just 93 yards, but salvaged his day with two passing touchdowns. That's sort of how it's worked for Wilson, who is often running for his life throughout the game, but finds a way to get things done. The Seahawks still have a chance for a playoff spot, so Wilson should be pulling out all the stops in Week 17 against Arizona. The Cardinals have been tough on quarterbacks in recent weeks, but you're not benching Wilson in a must-win fantasy game.
17 weeks ago
Tom Brady photo 2. Tom Brady NE (vs . NYJ)
Brady is dealing with two injuries at the time and hasn't performed as well as we are used to over the past month as a result. With that said, they are playing for home field advantage throughout the playoffs this week, so he should play the whole game and is a must-start.
16 weeks ago
Cam Newton photo 3. Cam Newton CAR (at ATL)
Newton surprisingly struggled against the Bucs, though he salvaged his day with a late rushing touchdown. The Panthers have made the playoffs but their exact playoff position could vary widely, and even could include a first-round bye, so expect them to be pulling out all the stops against Atlanta in Week 17. The Falcons are equally motivated, needing a win to guarantee a playoff spot, but they've been mediocre against quarterbacks for much of the season, including against Newton and the Panthers a few weeks back. Newton makes an excellent option in Week 17.
17 weeks ago
Drew Brees photo 4. Drew Brees NO (at TB)
Brees, as usual, was excellent from a real-life perspective against the Falcons, but lackluster from a fantasy perspective, with just one touchdown pass and an interception. With a heavy reliance on the running game, it's doubtful that Brees will magically need to air the ball out next weekend against the Bucs. The Saints' playoff seeding can still move around, and they need a win to secure a home game, so expect Brees to be motivated. Still, that should leave him as just a reliable but uninspiring fantasy option.
17 weeks ago
Philip Rivers photo 5. Philip Rivers LAC (vs . OAK)
With the season on the line for the Chargers and Melvin Gordon and/or Austin Ekeler likely to be out, expect Rivers to throw 40+ passes against the Raiders. He is a safe bet to be a high-end QB1 this weekend.
16 weeks ago
Matthew Stafford photo 6. Matthew Stafford DET (vs . GB)
Stafford played poorly against the Bengals on Sunday, throwing for just 203 yards and a touchdown. Although the loss eliminated the Lions from playoff contention, Jim Caldwell said the team will play their starters next weekend against the Packers. That's a good thing for Stafford, as Green Bay has struggled against quarterbacks for most of the season. Expect Stafford to look to end his season on a high note and to likely finish as a QB1.
17 weeks ago
Kirk Cousins photo 7. Kirk Cousins MIN (vs . CHI)
Cousins was fantastic against the Broncos, throwing for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns. He'll now take on a Giants defense that is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Divisional games are always a little tricky, but Cousins threw two touchdown passes against the Giants in the teams' first meeting, and that should be his floor this week.
16 weeks ago
Jimmy Garoppolo photo 8. Jimmy Garoppolo SF (at LAR)
Garoppolo may not be a fantasy superstar, but he certainly has the potential to be one next year. After completely carving up an elite Jacksonville defense, there's no matchup that should cause fantasy owners much concern right now. While the Rams are far from a pushover, they'll be resting several key starters, and have little concern with winning the game. That should make Garoppolo a QB1 in this week's finale.
16 weeks ago
Matt Ryan photo 9. Matt Ryan ATL (vs . CAR)
Ryan has been the definition of mediocre this season, rarely throwing more than one touchdown pass or for significant yardage. But the Falcons are still in prime position for a playoff spot and so will be motivated to win on Sunday against the Panthers. Carolina is relatively tough on opposing quarterbacks, however, and Ryan's lack of upside makes him just a borderline play this weekend.
16 weeks ago
Tyrod Taylor photo 10. Tyrod Taylor CLE (at PIT)
If you need to pick up a QB for the week, Tyrod should do the trick. He threw 38 passes last week and is fighting for his career this weekend in what is a solid matchup. He is a fringe QB1 for fantasy owners versus the Dolphins.
16 weeks ago
Case Keenum photo 11. Case Keenum DEN (vs . KC)
Keenum had his worst game in some time against Green Bay, but it was hard to blame him in freezing cold temperatures. He's been overwhelmingly consistent this season, and will be motivated heading into Week 17 as the Vikings need a win to guarantee a bye. The Bears have been tough on opposing quarterbacks, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position, but they're much weaker on the road. Consider Keenum a borderline start in Week 17.
16 weeks ago
Jameis Winston photo 12. Jameis Winston TB (vs . NO)
Winston was erratic on Sunday against the Panthers, throwing for 367 yards but losing three fumbles. That mix is about what Winston gives every time out and, more often than not, it results in a decent fantasy day. The Saints have a strong defense and need a win to guarantee their division, so expect them to play tough. That should leave Winston as a borderline starting option in Week 17.
16 weeks ago
Dak Prescott photo 13. Dak Prescott DAL (at PHI)
The Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention, but Prescott and the other starters will play in the season finale against the Eagles. Tyron Smith is likely to miss the game which has generally led to poor performances from Prescott. But the Eagles have nothing to play for and so will likely rest many of their starters. Even still, it's nearly impossible to trust Prescott in any format in Week 17 unless you have no other options.
16 weeks ago
Joe Flacco photo 14. Joe Flacco BAL (vs . CIN)
Flacco has been quite good lately with at least 17 fantasy points in four straight games. Granted, those were all easier matchups than this weekend, but he is playing for the playoffs this weekend so he is safer than many other Week 17 options.
16 weeks ago
Blake Bortles photo 15. Blake Bortles JAC (at TEN)
Bortles was lousy last week with 3 interceptions, but he still put up 25 fantasy points for the 3rd time in 4 weeks. He has another solid matchup versus the Titans, but there is no guarantee that he will play the full game since the Jags have nothing to play for.
16 weeks ago
Jacoby Brissett photo 16. Jacoby Brissett IND (vs . HOU)
Marcus Mariota photo 17. Marcus Mariota TEN (vs . JAC)
Brett Hundley photo 18. Brett Hundley GB (at DET)
Hundley was awful against the Vikings last weekend, though it is difficult to be too touch on him given the matchup and the freezing temperatures. He'll have an easier matchup this weekend against Detroit, but he certainly hasn't yet shown enough consistency this year to be reliable. Don't bother with him for fantasy purposes for Week 17.
16 weeks ago
Patrick Mahomes photo 19. Patrick Mahomes KC (at DEN)
Nick Foles photo 20. Nick Foles PHI (vs . DAL)
Foles had a rough day against Oakland on Monday night, completing just 50% of his passes for 163 yards. Although the Eagles have clinched the No. 1 seed, it sounds like Foles will play for at least some of Sunday's finale against Dallas. He should have more success than in Week 16, though with an uncertain amount of playing time, he's a risky option in Week 17.
16 weeks ago
Derek Carr photo 21. Derek Carr OAK (at LAC)
Not only has Carr been awful at times this year, but he'll now go against a Chargers team who has now held their opponents to 13 points or less in four of the last five games. Meanwhile, the Raiders have nothing to play for but pride. Don't expect miracles.
17 weeks ago
Landry Jones photo 22. Landry Jones PIT (vs . CLE)
Jay Cutler photo 23. Jay Cutler FA (BYE)
T.J. Yates photo 24. T.J. Yates FA (BYE)
Jared Goff photo 25. Jared Goff LAR (vs . SF)
With not much to play for, Goff is best left out of your lineup in Week 17, that is unless the Rams tell you that the starters will play the whole game. While you don't want your team to go cold, they could treat this as a one-week bye for them and rest most starters. Because of that, Goff is a risky start.
17 weeks ago
Eli Manning photo 26. Eli Manning NYG (vs . WAS)
A week after carving up the Eagles, Manning was terrible against the Cardinals. He'll draw the start against the Redskins on Sunday, but it's unclear whether he'll give way to Davis Webb at some point. With recent poor performance and an uncertain gameplay for Week 17, Manning is a poor option in the season finale.
16 weeks ago
Sean Mannion photo 27. Sean Mannion LAR (vs . SF)
Mannion will draw the start in place of Jared Goff with Sean McVay opting to rest many of his starters. There's no book on Mannion yet, given that he has just 16 career passing attempts, but it's a great matchup against the 49ers, who allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. But especially without Todd Gurley, there's no way to have any faith in Mannion this weekend, regardless of the matchup.
16 weeks ago
Andy Dalton photo 28. Andy Dalton CIN (at BAL)
Mitch Trubisky photo 29. Mitch Trubisky CHI (at MIN)
Trubisky did what he usually does last weekend against the Browns - put up middling yardage totals and accounting for one touchdown. He'll now get a Minnesota defense that allows the third fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and still needs a win to lock up the No. 2 seed and a bye. That should leave Trubisky beyond the range of a fantasy option, even in two-quarterback leagues.
16 weeks ago
Paxton Lynch photo 30. Paxton Lynch DEN (vs . KC)
DeShone Kizer photo 31. DeShone Kizer GB (at DET)
Alex Smith photo 32. Alex Smith WAS (at NYG)
I've been a huge Smith advocate this year, saying he should get MVP consideration with the numbers he's posted. With that being said, you don't want him anywhere near your fantasy lineup in Week 17. The Chiefs have the No. 4 seed locked up and nothing can change that, so why risk putting Smith out there in freezing temps against a Broncos defense that can put pressure on the quarterback?
17 weeks ago
Drew Stanton photo 33. Drew Stanton CLE (at PIT)
Stanton play well against the Giants, throwing two touchdown passes and leading the Cardinals to an easy victory. Things won't be quite that simple in Week 17 against a motivated Seahawks team in Seattle. With the playoffs still a possibility, expect the Seahawks and their home crowd to bring everything they have on Sunday, making Stanton a poor option.
16 weeks ago
Bryce Petty photo 34. Bryce Petty NYJ (at NE)
Nate Sudfeld photo 35. Nate Sudfeld PHI (vs . DAL)
Brock Osweiler photo 36. Brock Osweiler MIA (vs . BUF)
Chad Henne photo 37. Chad Henne KC (at DEN)
David Fales photo 38. David Fales MIA (vs . BUF)
Christian Hackenberg photo 39. Christian Hackenberg NYJ (at NE)
AJ McCarron photo 40. AJ McCarron BUF (at MIA)
Brian Hoyer photo 41. Brian Hoyer NE (vs . NYJ)
Teddy Bridgewater photo 42. Teddy Bridgewater NYJ (at NE)
Cooper Rush photo 43. Cooper Rush DAL (at PHI)
Davis Webb photo 44. Davis Webb NYG (vs . WAS)
Kevin Hogan photo 45. Kevin Hogan WAS (at NYG)
Cody Kessler photo 46. Cody Kessler JAC (at TEN)