By SCOTT FELTS
Almost all leagues are playing in their championship game this week and one smart move could be the difference between winning it all and getting nothing but disappointment. Here at “Sit, Start, Snipe”, we try to help you make the right decision and I hope that you have enjoyed these articles over the last half of the season.
There were a plethora of injuries in Week 16 that will impact championship games: Quinshon Judkins, Josh Jacobs, Lamar Jackson, TreVeyon Henderson, J.J. McCarthy, Marcus Mariota, Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Romeo Doubs, Gardner Minshew, Kimani Vidal, and Ryan Flournoy … among others.
Because of the stakes of this week‘s fantasy games, I will be giving you players to start and then players you should snipe and immediately start (this week the free agents will be rostered in less than 60% of leagues).
Let’s get started.
Sit
QB: Bo Nix, Broncos (at Chiefs). Nix did have a career high 352 passing yards in Week 16, which has given him 300 or more yards passing in three of his last four games. However, he has managed multiple passing touchdowns only once in his last six games. He does face a Kansas City defense that has nothing to play for but there are better options out there such as Jacoby Brissett, Trevor Lawrence, and even Tyler Shough.
RB: Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. Seahawks). Dowdle has only logged double-digit fantasy points in one of the last four games and he is facing a tough Seattle defense in Week 17. Dowdle has posted 58 rushing yards or less in six straight games. He’s considered the starter in Carolina, but definitely shouldn’t be starting on your fantasy championship team.
WR: DK Metcalf, Steelers (at Browns). After Metcalf punched a fan in Week 16, he has been suspended the last two weeks of the regular season. Even if he were to appeal and be a last-second start, he’s obviously not got his head in the game … not someone you want to throw into a championship lineup.
TE: Mark Andrews, Ravens (at Packers). Andrews hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 11 and has scored less than 15 fantasy points total over the last five weeks. That means he wasn’t doing much with Lamar Jackson at quarterback, and if Jackson misses this game, Andrews certainly won’t outperform his already weak numbers.
Start
QB: Matthew Stafford, Rams (at Falcons). If you are in the fantasy championship, there’s a good chance that Stafford was your starter in Week 16. He went 29 of 49 for 457 yards and three touchdowns. He faces a pedestrian Falcons defense in Week 17. While it’s unlikely he will repeat last week’s performance, Stafford still should put up championship level numbers.
RB: Emanuel Wilson, Packers (vs. Ravens). If Josh Jacobs does not play this week, Wilson will be an absolute must start against the Ravens. In Week 16, Jacobs carried 12 times and Wilson still got 82 yards on 14 carries of his own. Watch this late into the week; if Jacob plays, consider starting Arizona running back Michael Carter, who played 80% of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps in Week 15 and a majority in Week 16. The Cardinals play the Bengals, which have of the worst defenses in the league, so the game could be a shootout.
WR: Parker Washington, Jaguars (at Colts). The Jags have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL in the second half of the season. With the acquisition of Jakobi Myers, Washington slid into the slot position, which actually seems to have helped his game. In a tough matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 16 he had six catches on nine targets for 145 yards and a touchdown. He should be a solid flex start for a championship team.
TE: Harold Fannin, Jr., Browns (vs. Steelers). Week 16 saw Fannin do a little bit of everything. He caught four balls on six targets for 34 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a 1-yard score. Those are touchdowns five and six on the season for Fannin, who’s also averaging nine targets per game with Shedeur Sanders starting at quarterback. Fannin has scored 55 points over the last four weeks with no fewer than nine points in any week. He’s a must start if you have him.
Snipe and Start
QB: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (owned in around 58% of leagues). Since Week 13, no quarterback has more fantasy points than Lawrence. Even against the talented Broncos defense in Week 16, Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and scored over 30 fantasy points. The last time Lawrence scored less than 15 points was way back in Week 4.
RB: Blake Corum, Rams (owned in right at 60% of leagues). Corum has scored at least 13 fantasy points in four straight weeks. The Rams face Atlanta in a good matchup and the game script should have Corum getting touches late as the Rams should be playing with a lead. Hopefully he scores early or breaks one late. Even as a backup for LA, Corum could be a starter for your fantasy champions.
WR: Josh Downs, Colts (vs. Jaguars).With Daniel Jones’ season ending injury and Phillip Rivers throwing passes at 44 years old, a short-area slot receiver like Downs could benefit from Rivers’ quick release. Monitor how he does on Monday night. The Week 17 matchup is a good one against a weak Jaguars pass defense. Another Colts receiver, Alec Pierce, seems to be comfortable with Rivers. During Monday night’s game, Pierce had two touchdowns and almost 20 fantasy points. He’s another option on most waiver wires.
TE: Mike Gesicki, Bengals. With Noah Fant out, Gesicki had three catches on four targets and a touchdown, which was his second trip to the end zone in three weeks. The matchup is a good one as Arizona has allowed the seventh most fantasy points and eighth most receiving yards to tight ends through Week 15, and allowed Kyle Pitts 51 yards and a touchdown in Week 16.
Bonus (K and D/ST)
Here are the top five kickers and defenses of the week to stream, all of which are owned in less than 60% of leagues.
K: Evan McPherson (Bengals), Eddie Pineiro (49ers), Brandon McManus (Packers), Andy Borregales (Patriots), Harrison Mevis (Rams)
DS/ST: Patriots, Giants, Steelers, Saints, Raiders
Weather Alert
Careful if you have players in the Buffalo and Philly game. The current forecast in Philadelphia is for rain and sleet with dropping temperatures below freezing and 15 to 20 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph.
Once again, I want to thank all of the readers that have taken time this season to read this article and follow any of my suggestions. Look for some off-season articles on draft prep and other fantasy ideas and we will return next season with more Sit, Start, and Snipe.