The AFC North was once a four-team fight. A month ago, all four members of the division had winning records and had designs on the playoffs. Since then, though, the Cleveland Browns have lost four in a row to fall to 7-8 and a playoff afterthought. The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, have lost two of four and sit at 9-6, but could still claim the AFC's last Wild Card if things go right Sunday.
Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Browns vs. Ravens
Once upon a time, both of these teams were doing well, but now only one of them has a chance to extend its season, and neither has much in the way of fantasy prospects.
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The Browns come into their last game of the season pretty banged up. Quarterback Johnny Manziel has already been ruled out and Brian Hoyer looks likely to join him on the sidelines, meaning the team might be leaning on practice-squad QB Connor Shaw. Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins has also missed practice time and is a question mark for Sunday. The Ravens, meanwhile, could scarcely be healthier, at least from a fantasy perspective.
Needing a win, the Ravens will play host on Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the fantasy considerations for the last week of the season:
BROWNS
Start 'em?: If you're needy, Isaiah Crowell is still likely to get plenty of touches, though he has five or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games. ... With tight end being such a struggling position, Jordan Cameron showed Sunday he still could offer some numbers, though he needs some breaks and he's hard to trust. ... The Browns' defense is barely justifiable as a starter, but if you've struck out on the good options then this one is at least moderate, and it's not like Baltimore's offense is super high-powered.
Sit 'em: The Cleveland offense had gone in the tank even before they had to resort to Connor Shaw at quarterback, but he's exceptionally unlikely to be the salve that heals it. ... Terrance West has the No. 2 running back role in a bad offense. That's a non-starter. ... Even before he was suspended, I wouldn't have touched Josh Gordon. ... Garrett Hartley is only two games into his re-started NFL career, and there's a reason he was unemployed as of November.
RAVENS
Start ‘em: Going against Shaw is a wonderful recipe for the Ravens’ defense, which is a must-start this week.
Start 'em?: If you rode Justin Forsett all the way, you might not have any better options, but it certainly looks like he's hit the wall after a great year. ... Torrey Smith, when healthy, has been super strong in the second half.
Sit 'em: The last two weeks, Joe Flacco has totaled 21 fantasy points. He has bad games far more often than he has good ones. ... Even with Forsett declining, Bernard Pierce and Fitzgerald Toussaint -- who had his first career carries a week ago -- aren't offering much value. ... Steve Smith Sr. has really fallen off as the season has gone on. ... Owen Daniels had that randomly productive Week 15 when the Smiths were hurt, but he's done nothing outside of that in a long while. ... Justin Tucker's numbers have fallen off a cliff.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Baltimore defense
Start if you're desperate: Isaiah Crowell, Jordan Cameron, Cleveland defense, Justin Forsett, Torrey Smith
Bench: Connor Shaw, Terrance West, Josh Gordon, Garrett Hartley, Joe Flacco, Bernard Pierce, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Steve Smith Sr., Owen Daniels, Justin Tucker
