Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Buccaneers vs. Panthers

The Carolina Panthers suffered their first loss of the season last week, in Week 16. It not only ruined their shot at perfection, it cast some doubt on their chances at home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Sunday, they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their regular-season finale, needing a win to guarantee they don't have a road game during a possible Super Bowl run.

Tampa Bay should have its full complement of fantasy-relevant players good to go for Sunday. As for Carolina, running backs Jonathan Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker are both definitely out for the game, while wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is officially doubtful with a knee injury, and probably won't play either.

Start ‘em: With an outside shot at the league rushing title, Doug Martin should get a load of carries Sunday. It's a tough matchup, but he'll certainly have the quantity. ... Mike Evans remains a low-end fantasy starter, though his numbers have been very inconsistent.

Start ‘em?: That's now four straight games with at least seven fantasy points for Charles Sims, and he's averaged 8.8 per game in his last six. That's worth a fantasy play. ... Austin Seferian-Jenkins has 20 fantasy points in his last two games. He's on the rise, and a borderline starter.

Sit ‘em: A matchup against a good Carolina defense isn't a great time to get cute with Jameis Winston, who is good for double-digit fantasy points every week but isn't likely to crack 20. ... Connor Barth has one game with double-digit fantasy points in his last seven, and five or fewer points five times in that span. ... The Buccaneers' defense has averaged 2.6 fantasy points a game in its last five.

Start ‘em: With Carolina needing a win, Cam Newton will certainly see big usage Sunday, and that keeps him firmly near the top of any quarterback rankings. ... Greg Olsen continues to be one of the league's top fantasy tight ends. ... Graham Gano has eight-plus fantasy points in nine of his last 10 games and 12 of 15 on the season.

Sit ‘em: With Jonathan Stewart out of late, Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert haven't had much to offer fantasy owners. ... The likely absence of Ted Ginn Jr. Sunday means the team will use a three-headed set of Devin Funchess, Philly Brown and Jerricho Cotchery. If I had to pick one to use, it's be Funchess, but it's tough to say for sure, and the better bet is to just steer clear.

Start in every league: Doug Martin, Mike Evans, Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano
Start if you're desperate: Charles Sims, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Carolina defense
Bench: Jameis Winston, Connor Barth, Tampa Bay defense, Cameron Artis-Payne, Mike Tolbert, Devin Funchess, Philly Brown, Jerricho Cotchery