Week 17 is one of the trickiest weeks in fantasy football. Which teams will start their studs and let them play all game? Which ones will scrooge us all by playing starters only partial games? Predicting such affairs is a difficult business, but we’ll do our best to try and help guide you in the most important week of the fantasy football season: championship week.
Atlanta Falcons – Playing for the top overall seed and the homefield advantage that comes along with it. All systems go for Atlanta.
Chicago Bears – Will know if they have a chance at top seed by the time they play Sunday (need a Falcons and Saints loss to move up). They’ve said they’re playing everybody but I would be skeptical their stars play full games. I would go in a different direction.
New Orleans Saints – A win and Falcons loss would give them the division. They’re at home against the Bucs and they’ll want to keep rolling heading into the playoffs. They’re a good bet to play well.
Philadelphia Eagles – They’ve clinched the division and don’t have a chance at the bye week. Mike Vick and DeSean Jackson will likely miss the game to rest and heal. Kevin Kolb could be a decent option if you need to pick up a quarterback.
Green Bay Packers – A win and they’re in. They’ll be going all out to clinch the final playoff spot. Though a Giants and Bucs loss also puts them in, the Giants play at the same time so they won’t know if they backed into a playoff spot until after they’re done.
New York Giants – Need a win to have a chance at the playoffs. They’ll go all out, but the concerns are Hakeem Nicks’ broken toe and Ahmad Bradshaw’s ankle. Nicks probably won’t play, Bradshaw probably will. The Giants’ offense isn’t a great play at Washington, but their defense is. Avoid Rex Grossman.
Buccaneers, Rams, and Seahawks are all playing for playoff spots and their fantasy players should be treated like every other week. Same goes for all other NFC teams.
New England Patriots – Clinched the top seed in the AFC, giving them a bye and homefield advantage. They don’t have much to play for so expect many of their stars to sit. Pats reporter Mike Reiss told me he guesses Tom Brady will play about a quarter. Remember what happened last year to Wes Welker against the Texans in a meaningless game for New England? Bill Belichick won’t make the same mistake again.
Pittsburgh Steelers – They can clinch the AFC North and a first-round bye with a win. If you don’t think that means anything to Mike Tomlin then you just don’t know him. Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Rashard Mendenhall all should be good plays.
Baltimore Ravens – They’re also playing for the AFC North and a first-round bye if they win and the Steelers lose. The teams play at the same time so they won’t know their playoff status until after the game. Baltimore’s offensive players should be treated like usual, however keep in mind Joe Flacco’s worst game of the year came week two against the Bengals (he threw four interceptions).
New York Jets – They already have clinched a wild card spot and will be going to Indy or KC depending on the outcome of this weekend. Rex Ryan has said Mark Sanchez won’t play the entire game, so you can expect the same for the rest of their key offensive players. Joe McKnight may see a lot of action.
Kansas City Chiefs – First off, they’re playing the Raiders at home which is probably enough incentive to play their best. Next, with a win they can clinch the three seed and remain ahead of the Colts. This would allow them a potential home game against Indy if the two teams are to meet in the AFC Championship Game. That’s enough incentive to play hard, which is what Todd Haley has indicated they’ll do. They won’t play like their life is on the line, but their fantasy players will be reliable starts in week 17.
Indianapolis Colts – They can clinch a playoff spot with a win or Jags loss, but the Jags play at the same time. What does that mean? Indy will be playing hard Sunday, unlike past years when they’ve screwed fantasy owners by sitting their starters. Have faith in your Colts this week (especially their passing game). Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes will likely split carries in the running game.
Jacksonville Jaguars – They need a win and Colts loss to clinch the AFC South (after losing to the Redskins Sunday!!!!), and matters got even more difficult after it was announced David Garrard would miss Sunday’s game because he needs surgery on his finger. Maurice Jones-Drew is out, meaning Rashad Jennings and Trent Edwards will be controlling the offense. The good news is they’re playing Houston’s weak defense, so Edwards has a chance of throwing a touchdown or two and 200 or so yards.
