Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Patriots vs. Dolphins

For the seventh season in a row and 12^th in the last 13, the New England Patriots are heading to the playoffs, with only their AFC seeding left to consider. For the seventh season in a row and 13^th in the last 14, the Miami Dolphins are ending their season after 16 and only 16 games. The two teams, as far apart in fortunes as just about any in the league, face off Sunday to end their regular seasons.

The Patriots won't have wide receiver Julian Edelman on the field Sunday. Wide receiver Danny Amendola is on the injury report as well, and while he has said he expects to play, the fact that the Patriots are only playing for seeding and have more games to worry about might keep them from pushing Amendola too hard. Wide receiver Brandon LaFell and tight end Scott Chandler should both play despite their own injuries. The Dolphins, meanwhile, will probably be without wide receiver Rishard Matthews for another week, but the teams other injury report entries (quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills) are all expected to play.

Start ‘em: There's a real chance the Patriots jump out to a big early lead Sunday and sit their starters in the second half. It's on the table. But even if that happens, the big names, like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, will get theirs. You're using them. ... Stephen Gostkowski has had a big three-week stretch after some mild struggles before that. ... The Patriots' defense has 13.3 fantasy points a game in its last three and faces a subpar Miami team.

Start ‘em?: In a PPR league, James White is a must-start. In standard, he might not have to be in every lineup, but frankly, he's close.

Sit ‘em: In Week 12, Brandon Bolden put up 15 fantasy points. He has 17 combined in the four games since. ... We might not see much of Danny Amendola Sunday as he works to get over injury. And it's not like Brandon LaFell or Keshawn Martin have done much in his stead. Just avoid the wide receivers.

Start ‘em: It would certainly be nice if the Dolphins would use Lamar Miller more consistently, because per touch he's been great. Still, he's done enough to be solidly in RB2 territory. ... Jarvis Landry bounced back from a bit of a down stretch last week. He catches enough passes to be in all lineups.

Start ‘em?: In the last five games, DeVante Parker has averaged 8.8 fantasy points a game, putting up fewer than eight only once. The rookie is closing fast.

Sit ‘em: There has been nothing to build on from this Ryan Tannehill season. He's been a big disappointment. ... Remember when Jordan Cameron was fantasy-relevant? I bet he does, too. ... Andrew Franks has two or fewer fantasy points seven times this season, reaching 10 only once. ... The Dolphins' defense has had seven games in the negative this year. The only note in their favor is the possibility the Patriots rest their guys, and that only happens if they're way ahead, which would be bad for the Miami defense. Just stay away.