Fantasy Football Week 17: Risers and Fallers

The final week of the regular season has arrived.

However, Week 17 may also be reserved for some league's fantasy football championship.

By the way, if your championship is in Week 17, you're a bold, brave soul.

While the NFC's playoff picture is pretty much summed up, the AFC has a plethora of potential seeding outcomes.

One AFC team in particular (the Indianapolis Colts) needs nine different games to go its way to make the postseason.

Of course, the Week 17 problem is figuring out who will play and for how long. That alone is why league championships decided in Week 17 are for bold, brave souls.

Just think: The Denver Broncos could drop all the way to the sixth seed with a series of unfortunate events.

My predictions for the playoffs are:

• AFC: New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs
• NFC: Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

Good luck in Week 17! This could get weird. 

Riser: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

David Goldman/Associated Press

Although the fantasy numbers were not necessarily superb, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan played exceptionally well against the now defeated Carolina Panthers in Week 16.

In Week 16, Ryan threw for 306 yards and a single touchdown strike.

In Week 17, Ryan and the Falcons get to do battle with the New Orleans Saints.

Earlier this season, Ryan threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. This was one of five games this season in which he's thrown for two or more touchdowns.

Ryan has been mediocre this season, but he should manage to have a solid fantasy outing in the season finale.

Faller: Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

To close out the season, the Seattle Seahawks will be on the road to take on their division rival, the Arizona Cardinals.

As we saw in Week 16, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is really good, and the Cardinals are also really good.

Baldwin has caught at least one touchdown in his last five games, and he has one in six of his last seven games.

However, with playoff spots pretty much locked up, Baldwin may not play the same workload he's accustomed to.

With the likelihood of less snaps coupled with the opponent he'll be tasked with, Baldwin's touchdown streak will come to an end in Week 17.

Riser: Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore arose from the dead Week 16.

Against the Miami Dolphins, Gore carried the ball 15 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

This week, Gore and the Colts take on the Tennessee Titans, who rank 16th in the league in terms of rushing yards allowed per game at just over 110.

For the Colts to make the playoffs, they need an insane amount of events to occur. They need to win their game and also need the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers to lose.

Also, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has been listed as doubtful for Week 17, and fellow quarterback Charlie Whitehurst has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

As a result, we could see former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Stephen Morris or newly signed Josh Freeman start for the Colts.

Because of who the potential quarterback could be, Gore may be tasked with being the guy in Week 17.

As far as the Colts' playoff chances: Yes, I am saying there's a chance.

Faller: Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was perhaps the best fantasy football playoff quarterback from Weeks 14-16.

In Weeks 15 and 16, he threw back-to-back four-touchdown games, and both over 300 yards.

Actually, his Week 16 passing total of 365 yards was a season high.

However, if you're in a Week 17 championship, Cousins may not be the the same reliable option you've been used to.

In Week 17, the NFC East champions will take on the Dallas Cowboys, who actually beat these Redskins in Week 13.

In that game, Cousins threw for just 219 yards and a single touchdown.

Since the Redskins have already clinched the NFC East, this week will be an opportunity to perhaps sit Cousins and the other starters all together, according to the Washington Post.

Look elsewhere as the Redskins literally have nothing to gain from this game.

Riser: AJ McCarron, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Despite the scare of a potentially devastating wrist injury, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron will be good to go for Week 17, according to NFL.com's Albert Breer.

In Week 17, McCarron and the Bengals will take on the lowly Baltimore Ravens.

As we know, in Week 16 the Ravens shocked the world when they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, it's unlikely the Ravens will be able to repeat the same defensive prowess they exhibited in Week 16, especially on the road.

Also, the Bengals have something to play for as they look to lock up a potential first-round bye in the postseason.

The Ravens could sport backups and young players to see what they're made of in the season finale.

Faller: David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The Northern Iowa product and current Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson has been on a tear lately.

Over his last two games, Johnson has four total rushing touchdowns. Also, in his last four games, he's averaging over 104 rushing yards per game.

However, in Week 17, the Cardinals will get a defensive stalwart of an opponent in the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cardinals do, however, have something to play for. If they win, and the Carolina Panthers lose, they'll have a one-way ticket to home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Even if the Cardinals play their starters throughout the entire game, Johnson will be going up against a team that allows just over 85 rushing yards per game, which is the third-lowest total in the league.

Johnson could salvage his day with a touchdown, just like St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley was able to in Week 16.

All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All fantasy numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.