Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Lions vs. Bears

Neither the Detroit Lions nor the Chicago Bears has a defense that is any great shakes. Those factors have contributed to the teams both entering their Week 17 matchup at 6-9, and it could lead to something of a shootout to close their disappointing seasons.

The Lions have some injury questions surrounding running back Ameer Abdullah and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but both should be fine to play Sunday. For the Bears, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery hit injured reserve this week, positionmate Eddie Royal is officially doubtful with an illness, and running back Matt Forte and tight end Zach Miller are questionable with their own injuries. The latter two should play, especially Miller; fantasy owners should check back on Forte when active reports come out Sunday morning.

Start ‘em: It's been two very different halves of the season for Matthew Stafford; he averaged 14.2 fantasy points through his first nine games and has put up 21.3 per game since. Against Chicago, expect more of the latter than the former. ... I have a feeling that ranking Calvin Johnson for 2016 will be almost an impossible task. For Week 17, he needs to be an all lineups; for going forward, his ceiling is a huge question mark.

Start ‘em?: After a few big games in a row, Golden Tate put up only five fantasy points in Week 16. Still, he has at least that many in eight straight games now and 10 of 11. That's enough of a floor to make him a solid flex play at least. ... Eric Ebron gets a lot of red-zone attention, and enough tight ends struggle that his shot at a touchdown makes him a decent TE2. ... Matt Prater bounced back from an awful two-game stretch to put up 14 fantasy points last week; he has nine-plus in five of his last seven. You're probably using him, but he's no sure thing.

Sit ‘em: The Detroit running game has been a problem all season. Joique Bell has been the most productive guy; Ameer Abdullah might have the most base talent; Theo Riddick is the best pass-catcher. Ultimately, avoid the whole group in fantasy. ... The Lions' defense has averaged only four fantasy points a game in its last four.

Start ‘em?: Injuries are such complicating factors. If Matt Forte plays, he's a high-end RB2 and you basically have to use him, and that would push Jeremy Langford to mid-tier flex range. But if Forte is out, suddenly Langford is a must-start. Just check the reports late Sunday morning. ... Zach Miller has had some decent games since Martellus Bennett hit injured reserve. He's got potential in a pinch.

Sit ‘em: There have been some very appealing fantasy matchups for Jay Cutler in recent weeks and he just hasn't come through, averaging 11.7 fantasy points a game in his last six. Now, he barely has any wide receivers left. ... With Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson in injured reserve and Eddie Royal doubtful with injury, the Bears will use some combination of Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani and Cameron Meredith as their wide receivers Sunday. Good luck with that. ... Robbie Gould had a huge first half, but his numbers aren't as impressive in the second. ... The Bears' defense has maxed out at 10 fantasy points this season, and has four games in the negative.

Start in every league: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson
Start if you're desperate: Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Matt Prater, Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford, Zach Miller
Bench: Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Detroit defense, Jay Cutler, Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Cameron Meredith, Robbie Gould, Chicago defense