Even though we strongly recommend that fantasy leagues do not play through Week 17, some of you are forced to make some Week 17 decisions. We will do our best to help all of you!
Don’t worry about sitting Tom Brady @NYG, Drew Brees @CHI, Carson Palmer @MIA, Derek Anderson vs. SF, Kurt Warner vs. STL, Donovan McNabb vs. BUF or Matt Hasselbeck @ATL. Even Marc Bulger @AZ is a guy to play in Week 17.
Even if Brady plays just one half, he could have 250 and 3 scores. Things can change quickly, so definitely stay on our NFL Breaking News, but the studs above seem to be very safe starts this week.
Risky starts at quarterback include Ben Roethlisberger (ankle,probable) @BAL, Tony Romo (thumb, probable) @WAS, Philip Rivers (knee, probable) @OAK, Brett Favre vs. DET and Peyton Manning vs. TEN.
Manning might only play a half (at best) and Favre might not see a ton of time because Green Bay has already clinched the No. 2 playoff seed. Same thing with Romo, he probably won’t finish the game, nor play three quarters. None of this is easy to read or predict, which is one reason we stress not to play through Week 17.
Great plays are Steven Jackson @AZ, Brian Westbrook vs. BUF, Adrian Peterson @DEN, Frank Gore @CLE, Jamal Lewis vs. SF, Clinton Portis vs. DAL and of course LaDainian Tomlinson @OAK. Again, monitor our NFL Breaking News, as some of this can change quickly.
Kenny Watson @MIA should again provide lucky fantasy owners with some solid production. Marshawn Lynch @PHI seems like a solid play and so does LenDale White @IND. Laurence Maroney @NYG is a nice play, Chicago’s Adrian Peterson vs. NO appears to be set to play well and Dominic Rhodes vs. SD could end well in Week 17.
Brandon Jacobs expects to play much of Week 17, but again, just stay on the news.
Risky plays include Kolby Smith @NYJ, who lost some carries last week and was also banged up. Aaron Stecker is questionable with a foot injury, so that could open the door for Pierre Thomas. Davenport @BAL may initially look like a good play this week, but the Steelers may want to keep their starter healthy and he is definitely capable of getting banged up.
I’m not sure you’re going to see Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai or Marion Barber play much in Week 17. Tampa Bay’s Ernest Graham might miss Week 17 as well (ankle).
Many receivers will cause some line-up problems in Week 17 if you aren’t careful and on top of the news. Safe plays are Randy Moss & Wes Welker @NYG (even if each WR plays a half), Andre Johnson vs. JAC, Braylon Edwards vs. SF, Anquan Boldin & Larry Fitzgerald vs. STL, Chad Johnson & T.J. Houshmandzadeh @MIA, Brandon Marshall vs. MIN, Marques Colston @CHI, Torry Holt @AZ and Roddy White vs. SEA.
Steve Smith might even be a safe start @TB in Week 17.
Reggie Wayne vs. TEN may not play much in Week 17. Same goes for Greg Jennings vs. DET, who is questionable with an ankle injury. Plaxico Burress vs. NE is always a gamble, but word is that he is having a good week.
If you need a sleeper WR this week, Green Bay WR James Jones might be your man.
There aren’t too many TEs you will have to worry about in Week 17, except for maybe Dallas Clark vs. TEN and maybe Jason Witten @WAS. My guess is Witten will be safe to play.
