Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Raiders vs. Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have won nine in a row since starting 1-5 and clinched a playoff spot. They could be either the five or six seed in the AFC playoffs, and could even win the AFC West with some help, but that would start with them beating the Oakland Raiders Sunday afternoon.

The Raiders expect wide receiver Amari Cooper to play Sunday despite a foot issue. For the Chiefs, wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas hit injured reserve this week. Running back Spencer Ware, wide receiver Albert Wilson and tight end Travis Kelce are all on this week's injury report, but all three should be fine to play.

Start ‘em: There's nothing special to Latavius Murray, but he has the gig all to himself, and that's more than a lot of guys can say. He's a high-end RB2.

Start ‘em?: The borderline-elite quarterback of the early season that was Derek Carr has given way to a mid-range QB2; he's averaged 16.9 fantasy points a game in his last seven, which is nothing special. ... It's been several weeks since both Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper produced well in the same game. You like both; you don't love either. ... The Raiders' defense has been much better of late, averaging 9.4 fantasy points a game in its last five.

Sit ‘em: The Raiders have two somewhat competent tight ends between Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford, but together they don't have much in the way of upside. ... Sebastian Janikowski has been a marginal kicker this year, but his upside is severely lacking.

Start ‘em: When he first got the Kansas City starting job, Charcandrick West was huge, with 62 fantasy points over three games. His ceiling is much lower now, but he is still a low-end RB2 that should be in lineups. ... Jeremy Maclin has put up 13.6 fantasy points a game in his last five and has been a sure fantasy starter for a while now. ... Travis Kelce has rebounded a bit of late and deserves consideration back among the solid TE1's. ... The Chiefs' defense has been the best in the league over the second half, and not even a decent Oakland offense is enough to make you shy away.

Start ‘em?: Take out his Week 2 game against what was then an unstoppable juggernaut of a Denver defense, and Alex Smith has at least 11 fantasy points in every game this season. He's a high-floor quarterback with an occasional shot at a big game. ... Cairo Santos has been up and down in recent weeks. You're probably using him if you have him, but he's no sure thing.

Start in every league: Latavius Murray, Charcandrick West, Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, Kansas City defense
Start if you're desperate: Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Oakland defense, Alex Smith, Cairo Santos
Bench: Mychal Rivera, Clive Walford, Sebastian Janikowski, Spencer Ware