Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions to Consider

Theoretically, fantasy football managers should have an easier time settling start-or-sit debates the deeper we get into an NFL season. There's almost a full campaign's worth of data about these players and matchups, so you might feel as safe as ever when making assumptions about and projections for them.

Of course, we all know that isn't the case, as injuries ravage fantasy and real-life rosters, and a lot of rolls are in a near-constant state of change. The bigger challenge, though, is the way the pressure meter rises over the course of the season. You can make mistakes in the first few weeks and still have time to correct them.

That, obviously, isn't the case now, as most fantasy leagues will reach their championship conclusion this weekend.

There is no safety net, emergency glass or margin for error. You either guess right and win the big one, or you don't and spend the next several months wondering when it all went wrong.

That second scenario is an absolute bummer, so we'll do our best to help you avoid it by spotlighting a pair of starts and sits we feel especially strong about.

Start: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Detroit Lions)

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Cowboys 22-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Saturday night's showdown between Detroit and Dallas could be full of fireworks, and Dak Prescott should be at the center of them.

He's been a bit quiet by his standards of late, though Week 16 thankfully wasn't the disaster his Week 15 performance was. That shouldn't be an issue here, as Detroit's generous defense and high-powered offense both point to potential video-game numbers for Prescott.

The Lions have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, per Yahoo. Four different quarterbacks have thrown at least three touchdown passes against them, including Bryce Young and Jordan Love, and Prescott has the talent and receivers needed to increase that number.

Sit: Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 24: Gardner Minshew #10 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the first quarter In the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If you've tried streaming Gardner Minshew at times this season, there's a decent chance he treated you well. His passing volume sometimes gets cranked all the way up, and the playmakers around him can help him post big numbers.

That doesn't always happen, though, as his good games are more of exceptions than expectations. He just laid an egg with 201 passing yards, no touchdowns and an interceptions this past week. It was the fourth time in his last six games that he's had at least as many interceptions as touchdowns.

He isn't someone you can trust one week to the next, and he's best avoided in this matchup. The Raiders, remember, just held Patrick Mahomes to 235 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception their last time out.

Start: D'Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Philadelphia Eagles Running Back D'Andre Swift (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half during the game between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles on December 25, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While D'Andre Swift can run hot or cold, he's been an asset more often than not. And sometimes, he's much more than that.

In Week 16, he rolled over the New York Giants with 20 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. It was the fourth time this season he's tallied better than 70 scrimmage yards and a score.

He could take his numbers even higher here. The Eagles could get control of this contest early and use Swift to help run the clock, potentially giving him plenty of looks against a Cardinals defense allowing more fantasy points to the position than anyone.

Sit: Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Miami Dolphins)

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens stiff arms Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

While Gus Edwards has been a touchdown machine this season (12 scores so far), his fantasy relevance is almost exclusively tied to whether he finds the end zone or not. Without much explosion in his game (he's had a single 30-plus yard gain on the ground) and limited involvement as a pass-catcher (12 receptions on 13 targets), he can't pick up the slack if he doesn't score.

He's had 70 scrimmage yards or fewer in seven consecutive contests. He didn't crack 40 scrimmage yards in three of those games. Without a touchdown, his floor can just completely bottom out.

He is on a two-game scoring streak for whatever that's worth, but he could have trouble extending it here. The Dolphins might turn this into a shootout, which would minimize Edwards' role. Even if they don't, though, this is a run defense that's only allowed one running back to rush for a score since Week 8.