Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Top Matchup Plays and Sleepers
Week 17 is the penultimate week of the regular season for NFL teams. However, it'll be championship week in most fantasy football leagues.
In the majority of fantasy playoff brackets, only two teams remain. And a champion will be crowned by Monday night, when the Week 17 action will conclude with a highly anticipated matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
It's been a challenge for fantasy managers to make it to this point. Now, the right lineup decisions must be made as those select few try to capture a championship.
Here's some early start/sit advice heading into the Week 17 slate.
Start 'Em: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Over the past two weeks, Tyler Allgeier has put up some of the biggest numbers of his rookie season. In Week 15, the Falcons rookie running back rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Then in Week 16, the 22-year-old had 117 total yards (74 rushing, 43 receiving) in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
There's a good chance Allgeier will keep that momentum going in Week 17. Atlanta is hosting the Arizona Cardinals, who are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, per NFL.com.
It was tougher to trust Allgeier at times earlier in the season when he wasn't quite as involved in the Falcons' offense. But he had 18 touches in Week 15 and a career-high 22 touches last week, so it's clear he's getting a consistent workload since fellow rookie Desmond Ridder took over at quarterback for Atlanta.
So, trust Allgeier to have another productive fantasy performance in Week 17. He should rack up some more big yardage totals, and he has a good chance of getting into the end zone for the second time in three games.
Sit 'Em: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
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Although the Denver Broncos have had a disappointing season, their defense has made things tough on opposing wide receivers this year. In fact, the Broncos are giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to WRs, per NFL.com.
That's why it will be tough to trust JuJu Smith-Schuster in fantasy lineups this week, when the Chiefs will be hosting the Broncos. It's a game that Kansas City should win with ease, so the Chiefs may not even have to pass the ball much, especially in the second half.
Smith-Schuster's production has been inconsistent throughout the season. The 26-year-old has had some solid showings down the stretch, but he also has scored only three total touchdowns (including just one after Week 7).
Most fantasy managers should have better starting options than Smith-Schuster this week. So he should be left on the bench in favor of a receiver with a better Week 17 matchup.
Start 'Em: Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets
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If you've been streaming at tight end and need a Week 17 starter, Tyler Conklin could be a great choice. It helps the 27-year-old's fantasy value that Mike White will be returning from injury to start at quarterback for the Jets on Sunday.
New York also has a great matchup in which Conklin should thrive. The Seattle Seahawks are giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, per NFL.com, which is the primary reason why Conklin is worthy of starting this week.
Conklin has been targeted seven or more times in two of his past four games. However, he still hasn't had more than 34 yards during that stretch. And he also hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 8.
But Conklin could break through and get into the end zone this week. So it's worth taking a chance on him in fantasy lineups, especially for managers who lack a top-tier player at tight end.
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