Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

We have reached the end, our friends, and we have exhausted all angles to help you bring home a fantasy championship. It is the final week of the NFL regular season, the finale of fantasy football and our last 2013 edition of Bleacher Report's Saturday morning staple, the Start 'Em, Sit 'Em.

We break down all the starts, sits, news items and rankings by position in this must-read, six-part slideshow. Study up for your final exam, and best of luck to you this Sunday and in 2014.

Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers' Return Makes Him an Immediate Must-Start Option

Start 'Em

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

It is fairly academic. Rodgers starts for the Packers; he starts for his fantasy owners in crunch time. You got by with your replacement, but Rodgers has had ample time to heal and will be slinging it in a winner-take-all game against the Chicago Bears. This isn't a Lovie Smith Bears defense-minded team. This game is going to get as loose as any this week.

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

Granted, the Dallas Cowboys should slow the pace down on the ground with DeMarco Murray—at least try to—but Chip Kelly's Eagles are going to fight like heck to speed it back up when they have the ball. Foles hasn't been always been a home run of a play for fantasy owners, but he should be here against that much-maligned Cowboys defense that has been one of fantasy's worst against quarterbacks and second worst against the pass this season.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Stafford has been below the water mark for a fantasy starter this season, particularly the last few weeks. He will also be without Brandon Pettigrew, who was placed on season-ending IR, and likely Calvin Johnson (knee). You have to love a quarterback with a chip on his shoulder and nothing to lose against a Minnesota Vikings defense that has wound up being the worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks, per FFToday.com.

Sit 'Em

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

It isn't the matchup, injuries or effectiveness that will keep anyone from trusting the Chiefs this week. It is Andy Reid and his history of resting players with no potential impact remaining on his team's playoff seed in the final week of the season.

Smith will likely play longer than Jamaal Charles, because Smith needs to keep his timing down, but he will be playing without Dwayne Bowe (concussion) and might only get a few series. Smith is too difficult to trust under those circumstances.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

Palmer has had his moments this season, but his fantasy-worthy ones haven't come of late. Blame it on his recent injuries perhaps, or teams adjusting to Bruce Arians' downfield attack, but we consider the matchups the least common denominator in the equation. It has spelled mediocre numbers for Palmer. A matchup against the 49ers defense doesn't bode well for fantasy championship-caliber numbers here either.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

He has been so awful this season that sitting him should go without saying, but fantasy owners love to play the matchups. The Washington Redskins improved against the pass as the season wore on, but they remain a bottom-feeder against fantasy quarterbacks. With the way the season has gone for this Manning, his offensive line and receivers, there shouldn't be a matchup in the world that should make you feel confident in using this quarterback in fantasy crunch time.

Week 17 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	at Oak	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at Chi	6	+4
3	Drew Brees	NO	vs. TB	3	0
4	Cam Newton	Car	at Atl	4	0
5	Nick Foles	Phi	at Dal	2	-3
6	Andrew Luck	Ind	vs. Jac	8	+2
7	Tom Brady	NE	vs. Buf	10	+3
8	Russell Wilson	Sea	vs. StL	12	+4
9	Matthew Stafford	Det	at Min	7	-2
10	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. KC	11	+1
11	Kirk Cousins	Was	at NYG	18	+7
12	Andy Dalton	Cin	vs. Bal	15	+3
13	Jay Cutler	Chi	vs. GB	5	-8
14	Colin Kaepernick	SF	at Ari	13	-1
15	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. Car	21	+6
16	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. NYJ	14	-2
17	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	vs. Cle	9	-8
18	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Cin	25	+7
19	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Was	28	+9
20	Kyle Orton	Dal	vs. Phi	19	-1
21	Matt Cassel	Min	vs. Det	23	+2
22	Matt McGloin	Oak	vs. Den	33	+11
23	Alex Smith	KC	at SD	22	-1
24	Carson Palmer	Ari	vs. SF	27	+3
25	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	vs. Hou	16	-9
26	Matt Schaub	Hou	at Ten	32	+6
27	Chad Henne	Jac	at Ind	34	+7
28	Chase Daniel	KC	at SD	31	+3
29	Jason Campbell	Cle	at Pit	20	-9
30	Thaddeus Lewis	Buf	at NE	30	0
31	Geno Smith	NYJ	at Mia	29	-2
32	Mike Glennon	TB	at NO	37	+5
33	Kellen Clemens	StL	at Sea	38	+5

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Running Backs: James Starks Is a Solid Start, Regardless of Eddie Lacy's Status

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

James Starks should get plenty of touches and fantasy points against the NFL's worst run defense, Chicago.

Start 'Em

James Starks, Green Bay Packers

The week's most-added player, as we outlined in Wednesday's Fantasy Notebook at Bleacher Report is a solid start even if Eddie Lacy (ankle) is active and starting Sunday. Lacy admits his ankle "still hurts," according to a tweet from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tyler Dunne, and he likely won't be able to handle a full workload.

Even if Lacy could, the Chicago Bears have the worst run defense in football, which would make Starks a sleeper play. Expect Aaron Rodgers to jack up the offense and Starks to reach the end zone at least once, no matter how many touches the Packers have planned for him.

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

This has been a frustrating timeshare, but only for Spiller owners. Jackson has been a consistent force among the top 25 fantasy running backs. Against the New England Patriots this week, a team that ranked in the bottom five against the run all season, both Bills running backs are solid fantasy plays. Spiller should combine for over 100 yards rushing and receiving, while Jackson should be able to rack up 60 yards and a touchdown.

DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart (knee) threatened to cut into the playing time and touches of these two fringe fantasy backs in the second half of the season, but Williams instead took off and looked nothing like a 30-year-old running back. You can trust him against the Atlanta Falcons defense, which is in the bottom 10 against fantasy running backs and second worst against the run. Also, Tolbert, the touchdown vulture, can be considered a good play for his potential to reach pay dirt once or twice here.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

Trent Richardson might be Indianapolis' short-yardage workhorse and potential touchdown vulture, but Brown has flashed game-breaking ability. The Colts like their Thunder-and-Lightning Lite group, and Brown is the better fantasy play of the two. The Jacksonville Jaguars have routinely been punished by fantasy backs (10th worst, per FFToday.com), so Brown is a great bet to crack double digits here.

Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs

The once-ballyhooed prospect out of Arkansas flashed his potential at times this season, even if it has been hard to get touches in an Andy Reid offense behind 2013's No. 1 fantasy running back, Jamaal Charles. Well, with no potential improvement or demotion of the Chiefs' playoff fate at stake, expect Charles to get some well-earned rest. That should open up Davis for a surprising fantasy-worthy final week to the tune of 15 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Sit 'Em

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Here's a mea culpa: Charles opened the week No. 1 in this writer's rankings for the final week. He ends the week out of the group of starters. In fact, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Reid rest his workhorse entirely for the postseason, which starts next week for Kansas City. Charles' body could use some rest.

Even if he plays, don't expect it to be more than a series or two. If you play Charles in fantasy, you are gambling that not only will the Chiefs get a touchdown in one of those few drives, but Charles will be the one who scores. While that has been a good bet of late, we wouldn't put your fantasy championship on it here.

Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons

Jackson's owners have gotten something out of him in the second half of the season, but they don't project to get much out of him against that Carolina Panthers run defense. The Panthers are one of the best against the run and fantasy backs, and the Falcons have the worst rushing offense in football this season. If you're in the finals, you must have another viable option over Jackson by now.

Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Like Jackson above, Sproles has been a bust of a 30-year-old fantasy running back. He isn't even impacting the passing game with Drew Brees like he used to. We admit Ingram hasn't become the feature back like expected either. No one should be starting a Saints running back with any confidence, particularly against a talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers run defense (sixth best against fantasy running backs, per FFToday.com).

Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins

Rex Ryan's New York Jets have been a mixed bag this season, but their defensive play against the run is their one constant. The Jets have the third-best run defense in football, and Miami's offensive line has been notoriously leaky. Miller's sophomore season hasn't been the bonanza some expected it would be, so you should not trust him nor Daniel Thomas in fantasy crunch time against Ryan's squad.

BenJarvus Green Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals

BJGE stayed in the fantasy conscience this season because of his usage and short-yardage touchdowns, but he is a plodder who shouldn't excite anyone seeking a fantasy football championship. His touchdowns bailed him out of some bad weeks, but you shouldn't expect those to come against the Baltimore Ravens run defense. Only five teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns to running backs.

Also, John Harbaugh's Ravens always seem to come through in must-win games.

Week 17 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at Dal	1	0
2	Matt Forte	Chi	vs. GB	2	0
3	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. Phi	3	0
4	Knowshon Moreno	Den	at Oak	7	+3
5	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	vs. StL	5	0
6	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	vs. Cle	6	0
7	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs. KC	9	+2
8	Zac Stacy	StL	at Sea	8	0
9	Alfred Morris	Was	at NYG	10	+1
10	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. Hou	12	+2
11	Eddie Lacy	GB	at Chi	4	-7
12	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at NE	21	+9
13	Frank Gore	SF	at Ari	19	+6
14	Giovani Bernard	Cin	vs. Bal	18	+4
15	DeAngelo Williams	Car	at Atl	17	+2
16	Fred Jackson	Buf	at NE	14	-2
17	Rashad Jennings	Oak	vs. Den	13	-4
18	Bobby Rainey	TB	at NO	16	-2
19	Joique Bell	Det	at Min	23	+4
20	Donald Brown	Ind	vs. Jac	27	+7
21	Reggie Bush	Det	at Min	11	-10
22	Chris Ivory	NYJ	at Mia	22	0
23	Andre Brown	NYG	vs. Was	15	-8
24	Ray Rice	Bal	at Cin	28	+4
25	Danny Woodhead	SD	vs. KC	32	+7
26	Knile Davis	KC	at SD	29	+3
27	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. Buf	33	+6
28	Jonathan Grimes	Hou	at Ten	35	+7
29	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	at Ind	20	-9
30	Jamaal Charles	KC	at SD	34	+4
31	Trent Richardson	Ind	vs. Jac	41	+10
32	Montee Ball	Den	at Oak	31	-1
33	Edwin Baker	Cle	at Pit	30	-3
34	Shonn Greene	Ten	vs. Hou	47	+13
35	James Starks	GB	at Chi	40	+5
36	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. NYJ	46	+10
37	Jordan Todman	Jac	at Ind	50	+13
38	Steven Jackson	Atl	vs. Car	25	-13
39	Darren Sproles	NO	vs. TB	45	+6
40	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	vs. Bal	44	+4
41	Mike Tolbert	Car	at Atl	48	+7
42	Shane Vereen	NE	vs. Buf	26	-16
43	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. Buf	39	-4
44	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	vs. SF	38	-6
45	Dennis Johnson	Hou	at Ten	43	-2
46	Brandon Bolden	NE	vs. Buf	72	+26
47	Michael Cox	NYG	vs. Was	49	+2
48	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. NYJ	52	+4
49	Kendall Hunter	SF	at Ari	60	+11
50	Andre Ellington	Ari	vs. SF	36	-14
51	Bryce Brown	Phi	at Dal	54	+3
52	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	at Pit	57	+5
53	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs. TB	37	-16
54	Chris Polk	Phi	at Dal	76	+22
55	Matt Asiata	Min	vs. Det	42	-13
56	Marcel Reece	Oak	vs. Den	66	+10
57	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Cin	59	+2
58	Robert Turbin	Sea	vs. StL	70	+12
59	Willis McGahee	Cle	at Pit	58	-1
60	Roy Helu	Was	at NYG	61	+1
61	Benny Cunningham	StL	at Sea	77	+16
62	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at Mia	56	-6
63	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. TB	55	-8
64	Michael Bush	Chi	vs. GB	62	-2
65	Brian Leonard	TB	at NO	74	+9
66	Jason Snelling	Atl	vs. Car	75	+9

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: You Have to Love the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers Back

Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Randall Cobb is a long shot to return Sunday, but you can start any of your active Packers receivers this week.

Start 'Em

Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers

The audible cheer you heard in the distance earlier this week was from the fantasy owners of Green Bay Packers wide receivers. The news Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) is returning has the tendency to do that. Rodgers will likely be rusty early against the Chicago Bears, but that game should get ridiculously loose with two offensive-minded head coaches matching wits in a winner-take-all match for the NFC North.

Heck, even Randall Cobb (knee) might be active and an option Sunday. 

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson's potential loss for the season finale to his lingering knee issue is Burleson's gain. The veteran receiver is likely to be a large part of the Lions' game plan, even if Johnson plays in the limited capacity he did a week ago. The Minnesota Vikings defense has been one of the most abused units in fantasy against wide receivers, so if you need a fill-in option, feel confident in the targets Burleson—and perhaps even Kris Durham—will get here.

Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles

Cooper's season started precariously, but it will finish with him impacting your fantasy championship. Nick Foles has turned up the gas on Chip Kelly's high-octane attack, and Cooper has been the alternative to throwing to DeSean Jackson all the time.

What is most likely to lure you into starting Cooper this week, though, are the struggles the Dallas Cowboys have had against the pass and wide receivers in fantasy. Cooper looks headed for a clutch double-digit week.

Danny Amendola, New England Patriots

Despite the disappointing Week 16 performance against the Baltimore Ravens, Amendola still appears to be the leading option to pick up the slack for Rob Gronkowski's (knee) loss for the season. Amendola's best production has come with Gronk out. Against the Buffalo Bills—a team in the bottom 10 of fantasy against wide receivers and one that couldn't stop Amendola in the season opener—feel confident starting the veteran slot receiver in all fantasy leagues.

Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn, Carolina Panthers

This week lines up nicely for the secondary options in Cam Newton's passing attack. First, Steve Smith is out, giving more regular snaps and targets to LaFell and Ginn. Then, the Panthers are facing an Atlanta Falcons defense that has been in the bottom 10 of fantasy against wide receivers all season.

LaFell or Ginn shouldn't be receivers you're anxious to get in your lineup during crunch time, but the circumstances have combined to make them at least viable options.

Sit 'Em

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

You should fully prepare to be without Megatron for your fantasy finale, regardless of his "questionable" status. He is only listed that way after not practicing this week to give his opponents something to prepare for, we say. Megatron has tried to downplay reports he played through a PCL tear, but he's clearly not 100 percent healthy. The Lions shouldn't risk him seriously damaging that knee for 2014 with absolutely nothing to play for—save for coach Jim Schwartz's job.

If Schwartz plays Megatron here and something bad happens, he might never be a head coach in the NFL again. Expect Johnson to be held out.

Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Austin Pettis, Brian Quick and Stedman Bailey, St. Louis Rams

Just the mere menagerie you see here is enough to sit all of these guys. Having Kellen Clemens as the quarterback and the Rams' emphasis on the running game with Zac Stacy don't help either.

Oh, and by the way, the Seattle Seahawks are at home, coming off a loss and really, really good. Seattle is No. 1 against the pass, No. 1 against fantasy wide receivers and absolutely a defense to sit anyone against—particularly these marginal guys in fantasy crunch time.

David Nelson, Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley, New York Jets

The Jets will try to play spoiler in Miami to attempt to save Rex Ryan's job, but their best chance of attacking the Dolphins defense will be to run right at it. It might open up something in the play-action game perhaps—like it did in Nelson's recent two-touchdown performance—but you cannot trust Geno Smith against a decent defense. The Dolphins are at least that. They have been one of the best in fantasy against wide receivers all year, too.

Hakeem Nicks, Rueben Randle, Jerrel Jernigan and Louis Murphy, New York Giants

If we've learned anything from the 2013 fantasy season, it has been to be afraid, very afraid, of starting Eli Manning's wide receivers. Even with Victor Cruz (knee) out for the season, Nicks hasn't been trustworthy. Randle has been banged up, too.

Jernigan is coming off a productive week, and the Washington Redskins have been in the bottom 10 against fantasy wideouts, but sit all of your Giants receivers to keep your sanity this Sunday.

Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals

The second-year receiver has blossomed into a reliable NFL and fantasy starter this season, but you cannot run him out there with any confidence this week. Not only has Carson Palmer been banged up physically and less productive statistically, the San Francisco 49ers defense is still one you don't want to mess with if you can avoid it. You should have better options on your bench than Floyd this week.

Week 17 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. Phi	4	+3
2	Brandon Marshall	Chi	vs. GB	2	0
3	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at Dal	9	+6
4	A.J. Green	Cin	vs. Bal	3	-1
5	Josh Gordon	Cle	at Pit	1	-4
6	Demaryius Thomas	Den	at Oak	5	-1
7	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	vs. GB	6	-1
8	Pierre Garcon	Was	at NYG	7	-1
9	Jordy Nelson	GB	at Chi	13	+4
10	Eric Decker	Den	at Oak	10	0
11	Andre Johnson	Hou	at Ten	14	+3
12	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Buf	12	0
13	Danny Amendola	NE	vs. Buf	31	+18
14	James Jones	GB	at Chi	27	+13
15	Roddy White	Atl	vs. Car	20	+5
16	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. NYJ	18	+2
17	Antonio Brown	Pit	vs. Cle	8	-9
18	Vincent Jackson	TB	at NO	15	-3
19	Keenan Allen	SD	vs. KC	11	-8
20	Marques Colston	NO	vs. TB	16	-4
21	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	vs. SF	17	-4
22	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Cin	22	0
23	Anquan Boldin	SF	at Ari	29	+6
24	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. Hou	25	+1
25	Michael Crabtree	SF	at Ari	24	-1
26	Brandon LaFell	Car	at Atl	37	+11
27	Riley Cooper	Phi	at Dal	21	-6
28	Greg Jennings	Min	vs. Det	28	0
29	Mike Brown	Jac	at Ind	52	+23
30	Jarrett Boykin	GB	at Chi	36	+6
31	Doug Baldwin	Sea	vs. StL	35	+4
32	Calvin Johnson	Det	at Min	19	-13
33	Golden Tate	Sea	vs. StL	38	+5
34	Cordarrelle Patterson	Min	vs. Det	30	-4
35	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	vs. Jac	23	-12
36	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. Den	43	+7
37	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. NYJ	26	-11
38	Randall Cobb	GB	at Chi	58	+20
39	Robert Woods	Buf	at NE	44	+5
40	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at Ten	62	+22
41	Miles Austin	Dal	vs. Phi	78	+37
42	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs. Was	33	-9
43	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	vs. Bal	82	+39
44	Ace Sanders	Jac	at Ind	61	+17
45	David Nelson	NYJ	at Mia	74	+29
46	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. Car	39	-7
47	Andre Holmes	Oak	vs. Den	53	+6
48	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at Mia	79	+31
49	Nate Washington	Ten	vs. Hou	45	-4
50	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	vs. Cle	46	-4
51	Da'Rick Rogers	Ind	vs. Jac	51	0
52	Lavon Brazill	Ind	vs. Jac	93	+41
53	Marquise Goodwin	Buf	at NE	92	+39
54	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Cin	67	+13
55	Rueben Randle	NYG	vs. Was	42	-13
56	Tavon Austin	StL	at Sea	97	+41
57	Michael Floyd	Ari	vs. SF	32	-25
58	Justin Hunter	Ten	vs. Hou	64	+6
59	Marvin Jones	Cin	vs. Bal	34	-25
60	Donnie Avery	KC	at SD	72	+12
61	Nate Burleson	Det	at Min	48	-13
62	Terrance Williams	Dal	vs. Phi	63	+1
63	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	vs. Cle	50	-13
64	Chris Givens	StL	at Sea	101	+37
65	Ted Ginn	Car	at Atl	55	-10
66	Tiquan Underwood	TB	at NO	89	+23
67	Jerome Simpson	Min	vs. Det	83	+16
68	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	at Mia	65	-3
69	Lance Moore	NO	vs. TB	75	+6
70	Santana Moss	Was	at NYG	73	+3
71	Kenny Stills	NO	vs. TB	77	+6
72	Andre Roberts	Ari	vs. SF	85	+13
73	Greg Little	Cle	at Pit	95	+22
74	Kris Durham	Det	at Min	47	-27
75	Vincent Brown	SD	vs. KC	86	+11
76	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	vs. Jac	107	+31
77	Jason Avant	Phi	at Dal	81	+4
78	Rishard Matthews	Mia	vs. NYJ	71	-7

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Tight Ends: Expect Vernon Davis to Rebound and Joseph Fauria to Step Forward

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Joseph Fauria is more renowned for his end-zone dances than his fantasy totals, but his week lines up nicely.

Start 'Em

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Davis is coming off a frustrating Monday night shutout, but you have to keep him active in all leagues. First, your options at tight end have dwindled all season due to injury, and the ones that have stayed healthy have proven inconsistent. Davis and Colin Kaepernick remain a better bet than almost any combo in football.

Oh, the Arizona Cardinals just happen to be the absolute worst team in fantasy against tight ends, too. This lines up to be a huge week for Davis.

Joseph Fauria, Detroit Lions

Brandon Pettigrew has officially been placed on season-ending IR and Calvin Johnson (knee) appears to be on the wrong side of questionable this Sunday. It should open up snaps, targets and red-zone opportunities for your early-season touchdown vulture, Fauria. This perfect storm makes Fauria not only an intriguing sleeper, but potentially a must-start option for the fantasy owners who don't have an elite tight end.

Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans

Back-to-back solid weeks and injuries to the tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart have made Griffin a fantasy-pertinent name of late. He is dealing with his own knee issue, but we should expect him to play and be productive against a Tennessee Titans defense that has given up the eighth-most points in fantasy against tight ends.

Sit 'Em

Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams

Cook's season started off promising, but it is finishing with a whimper. Blame it on Kellen Clemens having to take over for Sam Bradford (knee) and a tough schedule against the defenses of the NFC West. Well, Clemens is still the quarterback, and the Seattle Seahawks are the opponent in the season finale. It is a tough week to trust Cook with so much on the line in fantasy.

Zach Miller, Seattle Seahawks

The veteran had his moments this season, most of them coming on short-yardage touchdown receptions, but you cannot trust him against a solid St. Louis Rams defense in Week 17. The Rams have allowed just four touchdowns to tight ends this season and are fourth best against tight ends in fantasy. If you're in the finals, you must have a better option than Miller on your bench or on the waiver wire.

Tim Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You can be happy with Wright's production as a rookie and be excited about his future, but you cannot trust him against the New Orleans Saints in the season finale. Rob Ryan's defense is No. 2 against the pass and sixth best against fantasy tight ends. Wright is a sit in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues this week.

Week 17 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. TB	1	0
2	Julius Thomas	Den	at Oak	3	+1
3	Vernon Davis	SF	at Ari	2	-1
4	Greg Olsen	Car	at Atl	4	0
5	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. Phi	7	+2
6	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. Car	5	-1
7	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. KC	10	+3
8	Martellus Bennett	Chi	vs. GB	6	-2
9	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. NYJ	9	0
10	Ryan Griffin	Hou	at Ten	12	+2
11	Joseph Fauria	Det	at Min	14	+3
12	Dennis Pitta	Bal	at Cin	11	-1
13	Delanie Walker	Ten	vs. Hou	8	-5
14	Heath Miller	Pit	vs. Cle	18	+4
15	Coby Fleener	Ind	vs. Jac	15	0
16	Andrew Quarless	GB	at Chi	21	+5
17	Zach Miller	Sea	vs. StL	27	+10
18	Michael Hoomanawanui	NE	vs. Buf	30	+12
19	Tim Wright	TB	at NO	16	-3
20	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	vs. Bal	28	+8
21	Marcedes Lewis	Jac	at Ind	13	-8
22	Jared Cook	StL	at Sea	26	+4
23	Zach Ertz	Phi	at Dal	20	-3
24	Logan Paulsen	Was	at NYG	25	+1
25	Rob Housler	Ari	vs. SF	38	+13
26	Brandon Myers	NYG	vs. Was	19	-7
27	Brent Celek	Phi	at Dal	22	-5
28	Ladarius Green	SD	vs. KC	35	+7
29	Scott Chandler	Buf	at NE	24	-5
30	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	at Mia	37	+7
31	Jacob Tamme	Den	at Oak	29	-2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Defense/Special Teams: Matchup Reality Makes for Some Easy Decisions This Week

Start 'Em

Detroit Lions

Even before Adrian Peterson was ruled out, the Lions were going to be a recommended play against a Minnesota Vikings team that has been the fourth-most generous team in fantasy, regardless. Peterson's absence is just icing on the cake for those going with a streaming defense in crunch time.

Denver Broncos

Von Miller's (knee) loss impacts the Broncos' Super Bowl hopes, but it isn't enough to scare you off them in the season finale, not with so much at stake for AFC home-field advantage. The Oakland Raiders have been the seventh-most favorable matchup for fantasy defense/special teams. Consider the Broncos a solid start in all leagues.

Miami Dolphins

Speaking of favorable matchups, you have to love the Dolphins at home in a must-win game against the error-prone Geno Smith and the New York Jets. The Jets have been the third-worst team against fantasy defense/special teams, making the attacking Dolphins front a potentially game-changing play here.

Sit 'Em

Chicago Bears

What a difference a year and a head-coaching change make. Under Lovie Smith, the Bears were a proud defense worthy of fantasy consideration. Under West Coast guru Marc Trestman, they are a unit to take advantage of in fantasy the other way—by starting players against them. You cannot trust the shaky Bears defense against the Green Bay Packers in the long-awaited return of Aaron Rodgers.

Dallas Cowboys

OK, if you look at the yardage and points-against numbers, the Cowboys are one of the worst defenses in football. In fantasy terms, though, they have been (quietly) a top-eight unit in standard-scoring leagues. You have to absolutely hate the matchup against Chip Kelly's potent Philadelphia Eagles attack, though. Look away.

Baltimore Ravens

Like the Bears, changes over the past year have changed the effectiveness of this unit in fantasy. The Ravens are not only out of the top 15 fantasy units this season, but they are also facing a Cincinnati Bengals team that had been in the top 10 against opposing defenses for most of the season.

Week 17 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	vs. StL	1	0
2	San Francisco 49ers	SF	at Ari	2	0
3	Carolina Panthers	Car	at Atl	3	0
4	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	vs. Bal	4	0
5	New England Patriots	NE	vs. Buf	6	+1
6	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. NYJ	5	-1
7	Detroit Lions	Det	at Min	20	+13
8	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	at SD	12	+4
9	Denver Broncos	Den	at Oak	10	+1
10	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	vs. Jac	7	-3
11	Tennessee Titans	Ten	vs. Hou	9	-2
12	St. Louis Rams	StL	at Sea	13	+1
13	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	vs. SF	11	-2
14	Cleveland Browns	Cle	at Pit	17	+3
15	New Orleans Saints	NO	vs. TB	8	-7
16	New York Jets	NYJ	at Mia	22	+6
17	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	vs. Cle	15	-2
18	Green Bay Packers	GB	at Chi	27	+9
19	San Diego Chargers	SD	vs. KC	16	-3
20	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Cin	25	+5

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Kickers: Greg 'The Leg' Zuerlein Has to Be Greg the Sit at the Seattle Seahawks

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Even the most loyal of Greg Zuerlein fantasy owners have to be ready to sit him at the Seattle Seahawks.

Start 'Em

Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings

As much as you might hate the fact the Vikings will be without Adrian Peterson (foot), you conversely should like Walsh's matchup. The Detroit Lions have allowed the most field goals in football this season. Walsh kicking in dome conditions in a good matchup is a solid play.

Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers

Like Walsh, Gano might not be a weekly fantasy option in most leagues, but the matchup is too favorable to ignore. The Atlanta Falcons have given up the second-most points to kickers. Gano is a nice fallback option.

Caleb Sturgis, Miami Dolphins

Sturgis has been up and down just like the Dolphins have all season, but they are facing a New York Jets team that has nothing but spoiler hopes. The Jets have given up the third-most points to fantasy kickers, so if you have been looking to make a change at the position, he is one of the three best stopgaps.

Sit 'Em

Jay Feely, Arizona Cardinals

Feely posts big fantasy numbers from time to time, but his inconsistency, Carson Palmer's banged-up status and the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers defense combine to make Feely a must-sit. The 49ers are the best team in fantasy against kickers this year.

Dan Carpenter, Buffalo Bills

Carpenter is a much better fantasy option when the Bills are at home with crowd noise helping the cause. Playing against the New England Patriots on the road, Carpenter is as likely to be shutout as he would be a potential double-digit threat.

Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams

Legatron and Greg the Leg has cool nicknames. He has a cold fantasy matchup in Week 17 at the Seattle Seahawks. That is the sixth-best team in fantasy against kickers. Don't bother with him here, no matter what you think of his leg strength.

Week 17 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. Buf	2	+1
2	Matt Prater	Den	at Oak	1	-1
3	Steven Hauschka	Sea	vs. StL	5	+2
4	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. Phi	6	+2
5	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Cin	7	+2
6	Phil Dawson	SF	at Ari	10	+4
7	Mason Crosby	GB	at Chi	13	+6
8	Nick Novak	SD	vs. KC	4	-4
9	Blair Walsh	Min	vs. Det	16	+7
10	Ryan Succop	KC	at SD	14	+4
11	Alex Henery	Phi	at Dal	15	+4
12	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	vs. Jac	3	-9
13	Graham Gano	Car	at Atl	11	-2
14	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. NYJ	19	+5
15	David Akers	Det	at Min	9	-6
16	Robbie Gould	Chi	vs. GB	17	+1
17	Shaun Suisham	Pit	vs. Cle	20	+3
18	Rob Bironas	Ten	vs. Hou	22	+4
19	Shayne Graham	NO	vs. TB	8	-11
20	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	vs. Den	24	+4
21	Greg Zuerlein	StL	at Sea	31	+10

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.