Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 17

We’ve reached the finish line. It’s the last fantasy week, for season-long leagues at least, and you’re probably trying to navigate the news of players sitting on Sunday.

The problem with having a championship in Week 17 is you aren’t guaranteed your stars will play. But, that’s why we’re here. Let’s look at some of the best and worst matchups to end the year.

QB Blake Bortles at Colts
Bortles threw for 325 yards and scored on a 20-yard reception in Week 16. Just your standard QB stat line. He scored three touchdowns back in Week 4 in his first matchup with Indianapolis. The Colts have given up 26 passing touchdowns and only picked off eight passes in 2016. Both teams are still fighting to the end, so go ahead and fire up Bortles for this divisional matchup.

QB Carson Palmer at Rams
He was on a five-game streak of throwing two or more touchdowns until he went up against Seattle in Week 16, but Palmer still finished the day with 284 yards. The Rams have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in the last five weeks. Palmer and the Cardinals offense can go out on a high note against Los Angeles’ fading defense.

RB Fitzgerald Toussaint vs. Browns
Unfortunately for Le’Veon Bell owners, he’s not going to do you any good in Week 17. The Steelers are resting their stars, leaving an opportunity for Toussaint to eat against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Only the 49ers allow more fantasy points to running backs than the Browns. DeAngelo Williams is still recovering from a knee surgery. He only played one snap in Week 16. Expect Toussaint to handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield.

RB Thomas Rawls at 49ers
He’s provided little help to fantasy owners since returning in Week 11. Rawls scored double-digit fantasy points just once in the past six games (he exited Week 16 early with an injury). If he can’t get the job done against San Francisco, there’s not much left to say for his value. The 49ers are the easiest matchup for running backs, and it’s not even close. They’ve given up 23 rushing touchdowns to running backs so far. With Seattle still fighting for a better playoff seed, Rawls will remain heavily involved.

WR JJ Nelson at Rams
Four straight games with a touchdown. Nelson doesn’t see a ton of touches, but he makes the most of every opportunity. Last week he torched the Seahawks for a 3/132/1 line. Now he faces a Rams defense that has given up nine touchdowns to wide receivers in the last five weeks, the second-most of any team in that span. Despite his boom-or-bust style, Nelson’s momentum isn’t letting up.

WR Brandon LaFell vs. Ravens
AJ Green is out. Tyler Eifert is out. The Ravens allow 25.1 points per game on the road. Their defense is banged up. What more do I need to tell you? LaFell is eating up targets with Green gone. He finished with six receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets last week. Now that Eifert is done, he’s an even more important as the focal point of the passing game.

TE Charles Clay at Jets
With a touchdown in three consecutive games, there’s no reason to bench him now. EJ Manuel is starting under center, which is slightly concerning, but the Jets are at that point in your senior year of high school where you just stop caring. New York has given up seven touchdowns to tight ends over the last four games. Clay should be able to find holes in a defense that is basically nonexistent.

TE Zach Ertz vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys have allowed the second-most receptions to tight ends in 2016, and they’ve yielded the third-most fantasy points per game to the position over the last five weeks. Ertz was on a roll until he finished with 33 yards against the Giants last week. Prior to Week 16, he had seen at least six targets for seven straight games. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Dallas eventually sit its starters during Week 17. Trust Ertz again.

QB Dak Prescott at Eagles
It’s been an incredible season for the rookie, and there’s nothing left to prove in the regular season. The Cowboys are adamant about playing their starters, but as mentioned above, it would not be surprising at all to see them sit Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot & Co. at some point. You don’t need a quarterback with nothing to prove in your lineup.

QB Joe Flacco at Bengals
In six (full) career games at Cincinnati, Flacco has averaged 191 yards, 0.83 touchdowns and 1.83 interceptions. He always struggles on the road against this division rival. The Bengals have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in the last five weeks. Starting either passer in this matchup in a poor decision.

RB Zach Zenner vs. Packers
Dwayne Washington is still splitting the backfield work in Detroit, even if he’s completely ineffective. Theo Riddick looks like he could return into the mix as well for Week 17. But regardless of his status, Zenner is going up against a Packers defense that has allowed one running back (Jordan Howard) to score in the last five weeks. Fantasy owners seem eager to play Zenner after his two-touchdown outing in Week 16. Pump the brakes.

RB Melvin Gordon vs. Chiefs
All anyone can talk about regarding San Diego is whether Gordon will get a chance to break the 1,000-yard mark. He’s three yards shy at the moment, and he’s been working hard to make a return in Week 17. A few things to consider if you’re a Gordon owner: 1) He’s not 100 percent. 2) If he does play, he could take a seat immediately after gaining those three yards he needs. 3) He’s definitely not 100 percent. Don’t chase the dream here. He helped you get to the championship, but he’s not going to be the guy winning it for you.

WR Amari Cooper/Michael Crabtree at Broncos
The duo combined to catch eight passes for 83 yards in Week 9 at home against Denver. Now they’re heading to Mile High with Matt McGloin under center. The Broncos have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Everything here adds up to a situation you want to avoid.

WR Jamison Crowder vs. Giants
Crowder has been phased out of the script in Washington. He caught seven passes for 64 yards over the last three games. Last week he saw a season-low of two targets. The Giants have been tough on wide receivers all year. You don’t want to get burned chasing what Crowder used to be before Week 14.

TE Jason Witten at Eagles
As mentioned with Prescott, there’s no telling how long the Cowboys starters will play. Witten saw four targets last week, and he only salvaged his poor fantasy showing with a trick-play touchdown pass from Dez Bryant. Owners should stick to more reliable options for Week 17.