Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Jaguars vs. Texans
Houston gears up for what will almost certainly be a playoff game.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Realistically, the chances the Houston Texans miss the playoffs are almost nil. Still, "almost nil" is not nil, so the Texans will be trying full-on to win Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, to say nothing of their desire to get the offense clicking before what should be at least one playoff game. That was a long sentence. Houston plays Jacksonville Sunday.
Jacksonville won't have running back T.J. Yeldon Sunday, but both primary wide receivers (Allens Robinson and Hurns) should be fine despite being listed on the injury report. The Texans, meanwhile, won't have wide receiver Cecil Shorts III again. The team should have, however, quarterback Brian Hoyer, Running backs Alfred Blue and Chris Polk and tight end Ryan Griffin ready to go despite all being on the injury report.
The Texans host the Jaguars Sunday, looking for a win to lock down the playoffs. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations for the 1 p.m. ET scheduled start time:
JAGUARS
Start ‘em: No quarterback is finishing his season as hot as Blake Bortles, who has averaged 26 fantasy points a game in his last five and has at least 22 in every game. He's a must-start. ... What more could you possible want from Allen Robinson, who has at least six fantasy points in every game since Week 1 and double-digits in 10 of his last 11? ... Julius Thomas struggled last week, but had been really hot for a while before that.
Start ‘em?: In three games as the team's primary running back, Denard Robinson has 14, 6 and 76 fantasy points. That's flex territory, not must-start range. ... Allen Hurns had a huge game in Week 16, but had four or fewer fantasy points in three of four games before that. You're probably using him, but it's no sure thing. ... Jason Myers has come down from his crazy-hot stretch of a few weeks ago. He's a risky fantasy play.
Sit ‘em: The Jaguars’ defense has been mediocre, but isn’t likely to have a big game against Houston.
TEXANS
Start ‘em: The Texans have started four different quarterbacks this season, and DeAndre Hopkins has thrived with all four.
Start ‘em?: Now that it appears Brian Hoyer is healthy again, I’m comfortable using him at least as a QB2, and he has QB1 upside. ... The Texans’ defense has been on fire of late, but this also isn’t the easy-to-pick-on Jacksonville offense of old. There’s risk here.
Sit ‘em: The Houston running game has been no great shakes; none of Alfred Blue, Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes has had a player-game above eight fantasy points in the last three weeks. ... Nate Washington has some mild upside with Cecil Shorts III out, but I wouldn't want to rely on him. ... After a brief decent stretch a few weeks ago, Ryan Griffin has six combined fantasy points in his last three weeks. ... Nick Novak has back-to-back games with 10 fantasy points, the only times he's reached that threshold all season. Believe in the track record.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Julius Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins
Start if you're desperate: Denard Robinson, Allen Hurns, Jason Myers, Brian Hoyer, Houston defense
Bench: Jacksonville defense, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Nate Washington, Ryan Griffin, Nick Novak
