Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17 Published: Dec 26, 2018 at 01:50 AM Michael Fabiano is the ultimate weekly look at NFL matchups and how they'll affect your team. superstars such as Todd Gurley and Antonio Brown will not be featured. All player matchups are based on PPR scoring system. NFL researchers Matt Frederick and have contributed to the column. For your final starting lineup decisions, check our weekly . Quarterbacks -- Start of the Week Pittsburgh Steelers QB VS 2020 0-2-0 's numbers haven't been all that consistent in recent weeks, but he's still a virtual must start when the host the in what is a huge game for Pittsburgh. The need to win and the to lose to make the playoffs. Cincinnati's defense has been gashed by quarterbacks all season long, most recently by . Start Roethlisberger in this AFC North battle. New England Patriots QB VS 2020 0-2-0 Brady's numbers have been, well, un-Brady like in recent weeks. Here's the good news ... Brady and the still having seeding position in the AFC to play for this week, and the just gave up a 40-burger to on their home field. Tom Terrific also beat Gang Green's defensive team for almost 20 fantasy points back in Week 12. Start 'Em: vs. , vs. Cleveland Browns Sleepers: vs. , at New England Patriots Quarterbacks -- Sit of the Week Cleveland Browns QB VS 2020 2-0-0 Mayfield was among the start 'em quarterbacks a week ago, and he delivered with three touchdowns. Keep in mind that he Giancarlo Stanton Jersey had failed to score 14 fantasy points in his previous three games, however, and he has as a brutal road matchup against a strong defense that makes Mayfield a fade for me this week. I'd only consider him in super flex leagues. Minnesota Vikings QB VS 2020 2-0-0 Cousins is coming off one of his better games of the season, as he put up three touchdowns and 22.2 fantasy points in a win over the . He'll have a far tougher task when the come to town, however, as their defense has allowed an average of fewer than 14 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. The have NFC seeding at stake, too. The must lose and the must win for Chicago to take over as the No. 2 seed. Sit 'Em: at , at New York Giants Busts: vs. , at Minnesota Vikings Running Backs -- Start of the Week Seattle Seahawks RB VS 2020 2-0-0 Carson has been one of the unsung heros in fantasy land, and I like him as a No. 2 runner this week against the . Their defense has allowed around five yards per rushing attempt to opposing running backs on the season. If coach Pete Carroll decides to rest Carson, however, Starlin Castro Jersey I would pick up and start as an RB2/flex. Green Bay Packers RB VS 2020 0-2-0 Volume is king in , and Williams has seen a ma sive increase in volume since the lost to an injured knee. He saw 21 touches and put up almost 30 points in a win over the , and his opportunities shouldn't decrease against a defense that has struggled against the run. Williams is a high-end RB2. Start 'Em: vs. , Jr. vs. Los Angeles Rams Sleepers: at , vs. San Francisco 49ers Running Backs -- Sit of the Week Indianapolis Colts RB VS 2020 2-0-0 Mack has scored a touchdown in each of his last three games, but he's also failed to score more than 11 fantasy points in two of those contests. I'd consider him a risk-reward flex starter this week, as he'll face a defense that's allowed just six total touchdowns and the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. The have plenty to play for, though -- as a win earns them the No. 6 seed in the AFC. Philadelphia Eagles RB VS 2020 1-1-0 Adams saw a mere 11 carries in last week's win over the , and he didn't help his cause with a lost fumble in the contest. The Notre Dame product is now in a clear committee with and veteran , who turned back the clock in Week 16. Unle s you're desperate for a flex starter, Adams is better left on the bench. Sit 'Em: at , at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Busts: vs. , at Buffalo Bills Wide Receivers -- Start of the Week New England Patriots Miami Marlins Jersey WR VS 2020 0-2-0 Edelman had a solid line in last week's win over the , posting 70 yards and 19 fantasy points. He's a virtual must-start against the , who have allowed the second-most yards and 12 touchdowns to slot receivers. Edelman took advantage of that matchup back in Week 12, beating Gang Green for 84 yards, one score, and almost 19 points. Philadelphia Eagles WR VS 2020 1-1-0 Jeffery produced a respectable but underwhelming 82 yards and 11.2 points in a win over the . I'd still start him in a big game for the versus a Washington defense that's allowed the sixth-most yards and 12 touchdowns to receivers split out wide. Quarterbacks also have a 104.6 pa ser rating when targeting boundary wideouts. Start 'Em: vs. , vs. San Francisco 49ers Sleepers: vs. , at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receivers -- Sit of the Week Chicago Bears WR VS 2020 0-2-0 A regular member of the sit 'em wide receiver list, Robinson hasn't had more than 85 yards or scored a touchdown in a single game since Week 10. He's a fade for me this week again, as he'll face a defense that's allowed just two touchdown catches and the fewest fantasy points to enemy wide receivers on their home field. Cleveland Browns WR VS 2020 2-0-0 Landry is coming off another "meh" stat line, and an upcoming game against the makes him a risk-reward WR3/flex starter at best. Baltimore has been tough on slot receivers, allowing just four touchdowns and an average of 13 points per game to the position. Also, only the have allowed fewer fantasy points to wideouts at home overall. Sit 'Em: vs. , at Denver Broncos Busts: at , vs. Arizona Cardinals Tight Ends -- Start of the Week New Orleans Saints TE VS 2020 2-0-0 Cook has been one of the best tight ends in fantasy land this season, ranking in the top five Jeff Locke Jersey in targets and points at the position. I'd expect him to put up a nice line when he faces the , who have had a tough time against tight ends. In fact, Cook beat them for 100 yards, one touchdown catch, and 23 fantasy points back in Week 13. Start 'Em: at , vs. Dallas Cowboys Sleepers: vs. , at New England Patriots Tight Ends -- Sit of the Week Minnesota Vikings TE VS 2020 2-0-0 It only makes sense that Rudolph scored two touchdowns a few days before Christmas, right? Before you chase the fantasy points, however, I would remind you that he's been a nonfactor for most of the 2018 season. What's more, an upcoming matchup against the isn't what you would call favorable. I'd keep Rudolph on the fantasy sidelines in Week 17. Sit 'Em: at , vs. San Francisco 49ers Busts: vs. , at Minnesota Vikings Kickers -- Start of the Week Kansas City Chiefs K VS 2020 2-0-0 One of the top kickers in fantasy land, Butker is in a great spot to bring home a fantasy championship to those who extend their postseason into Week 17. That's due in large part to a matchup against the , who have allowed an average of almost nine points per game to kickers and surrendered 12 to Butker during a matchup in Week 13. Start 'Em: vs. , at New York Giants Sleepers: at , vs. Philadelphia Eagles Kickers -- Sit of the Week Minnesota Vikings K VS 2020 2-0-0 Bailey has been on a short hot-streak, scoring a combined 20 fantasy points in his last two games. I'd still keep the veteran on the sidelines this weekend, however, as the have been tough on enemy kickers during the course of the season, In fact, they've surrendered an average of fewer than seven fantasy points per game to the position. Sit 'Em: vs. , at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Busts: at , vs. Detroit Lions Defenses -- Start of the Week 2020 1-1-0 VS 2020 0-2-0 The defense has been one of the most valuable in fantasy land in recent weeks, and I like that trend to continue against and the . The young quarterback is expected to make his first NFL start this week, and he's bound to make some mistakes against one of the league's most aggre sive defensive units. Start 'Em: D/ST vs. , D/ST vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Sleepers: D/ST at , D/ST vs. Oakland Raiders Defenses -- Sit of the Week 2020 1-1-0 VS 2020 0-2-0 The defense produced an impre sive 17 fantasy points against the last week, so some fantasy owners out there might be looking to chase the points. I'd avoid that temptation, however, as a road matchup against the isn't very favorable. Defenses have averaged fewer than five points against them over the last five weeks. Sit 'Em: D/ST at , D/ST at Seattle Seahawks Busts: D/ST vs. , D/ST vs. Los Angeles Chargers Jose Fernandez Jersey This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.