It’s all led up to this. Championship week! From the draft to making the moves, doing the research, and “trusting your gut,” you’re about to play for that sweet championship title, and all that it includes in your league.
Let’s break down some Week 17 fantasy football matchups, shall we?
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Quarterback
Start: Dak Prescott
The Cowboys are out of playoff contention, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer is rolling out his starters on Christmas Day in Washington against the Commanders. With Dak Prescott hoping to lead the league in passing yards, look for the Cowboys to air it out early and often in a juicy quarterback matchup. The Commanders allow the third-most fantasy points per game to the position, so that helps, too.
Dak Prescott‘s Opportunity, Productivity, and Efficiency Metrics
Honorable Mention: Trevor Lawrence
Sit: Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert lit it up last week, going 23 of 29 passing for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He added another 42 yards and a score running the ball, going over 30 fantasy points for the first time this season.
It gets tougher this week, however, as the Chargers are set to host the Houston Texans on Saturday. The Texans are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Look for head coach DeMeco Ryans to have his squad’s defense ready to go after giving up 21 points to the lowly Raiders last week (though they did hold quarterback Geno Smith under 15 fantasy points).
Honorable Mention: Sam Darnold
Running Back
Start: Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty‘s Athletic Profile
After back-to-back single-digit scoring outputs in Weeks 14 and 15, Ashton Jeanty erupted last week in Houston. The volume has been there. His 31.7% Dominator Rating is fifth in the league. He’s also fourth in evaded tackles and seventh in yards created. The biggest hangup for Jeanty this year has been his offensive line, as evidenced by their 1.5 Run Blocking Rating. Last week, however, against a good defense, Jeanty averaged 5.33 yards per carry and chipped in with 60 yards through the air.
The Raiders host the NY Giants on Sunday. The Giants allow the second-most PPR points per game to opposing running backs. The rookie will look to keep his momentum heading into this easier matchup in Week 17.
Honorable Mentions: RJ Harvey, Chris Rodriguez
Sit: Rico Dowdle
In what appeared to be a good spot for Rico Dowdle last week, the former Gamecock left managers wanting more. He managed just 43 scoreless yards from scrimmage against the Buccaneers, even though he again out-snapped and out-carried (by three) Chuba Hubbard.
This week, the Panthers will host the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks allow the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Look elsewhere for RB help in your title match.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Carter, Jaylen Warren
Wide Receiver
Start: Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings has scored a touchdown in four straight games. In fact, he has reached the end zone in six of his last seven games. When the 49ers get in the red zone, they look for #15.
This week, the Niners host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. The Bears have allowed 19 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers so far this season (third). With how successfully Brock Purdy and Co. have been moving the ball, it’s not too hard to connect the dots here.
Honorable Mentions: Wan’Dale Robinson, Christian Watson
Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr.
We haven’t been able to trust Marvin Harrison Jr. much at all in his second year. When he’s been on the field, his production has been erratic, regardless of the quarterback. He has had good and bad games with both Kyler Murray and 2025 “Streamer of the Year” nominee, Jacoby Brissett.
In Week 17, the Cardinals travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. With regards to most other positions, the Cincy defense is a smash spot for fantasy. But they have been pretty stingy against wide receivers. The Bengals allow the third-fewest PPR points per game to the position. The matchup and the inconsistent volume and production for the former Buckeye are enough to have me looking elsewhere this week.
Honorable Mentions: Keenan Allen, Khalil Shakir
Tight End
Start: Harold Fannin Jr.
Harold Fannin Jr. has been an absolute revelation as a rookie this season. He has had at least an 86% snap share in each of the last five games and has become the favorite target of fellow rookie Shadeur Sanders.
Harold Fannin Jr.‘s Opportunity Metrics
In Week 17, the Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who allow the third-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. Look for Fannin to keep it going in the Browns’ attempt to spoil the Steelers’ playoff hopes.
Honorable Mention: Brenton Strange
Sit: Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid is another wildly erratic player who has been driving fantasy managers crazy most of the season. He hasn’t seen a snap share over 50% since Week 5. He did post double-digit fantasy scores in two of the six games he’s played since then, however, making him basically yet another touchdown or bust option at the tight end position.
In Week 17, the Bills host the Eagles, who allow the second-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends. The Bills allow the fewest such points. But unlike Dallas Goedert with the Eagles, the Bills are very content giving snaps and targets to fellow tight ends Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes. Kincaid is seemingly an afterthought in this offense, which obviously runs through Josh Allen and fourth-year breakout running back James Cook. While the boom week is always in play with a guy like Kincaid, the matchup suggests that boom is less likely than usual, and he is just too risky in such a big game for fantasy managers.
Honorable Mentions: Colby Parkinson
That’s all for this week. GOOD LUCK.
As always, thank you for reading!
Feel free to hit me up on X, Instagram, or Bluesky to let me know if you agree or disagree, or to share your own lineup dilemmas!
Many Successes,
Kyle
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