Week 17

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Here we go again! While most league’s championships were decided last week (and congratulations to those who won), some will be holding their Super Bowls this weekend, in which case the title may be decided by how much playing time several key players get … if they take the field at all.

With the Colts, Broncos, Bengals, Patriots, and Jaguars set in the AFC playoff picture, and the Seahawks and the Bears having secured their playoff spots in the NFC, there are quite a lot of uncertainties while setting this week’s fantasy lineups. Hopefully, you have players on your roster from Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Dallas, or the Giants. All those teams are still playing for something (although, the Steelers might be in at gametime already if the Chargers beat the Broncos, and the Cowboys might be out when their game starts … so stay alert and adjust your lineup accordingly).

Yet while players from the handful of teams with something at stake are must-starts, many others are little more than gambles. Week 17 may be the toughest point of the season to set lineups (and write this column, which features the ugliest “No-brainers” section of the year). But for the those of you who are left out there playing for a fantasy title this weekend, we have collected our thoughts in the final edition of Start & Sit to help you patch together a team for the last week of the 2005 season.

START

QB:

Trent Green, KC: The Chiefs might not reach the playoffs, as they need the Lions to beat the Steelers while the Broncos may not to loose at San Diego. With the Denver-San Diego game on Saturday, the Chiefs could end up playing for nothing. Still, it’s likely that they will at least want to end their season on a high note at home by defeating a Bengals team that has no incentive this week other than avoiding injuries, and Green could be the prime beneficiary.

Drew Bledsoe, Dal: This call may be a big gamble. The Cowboys play the Sunday night game, and by then, they could already be out of the playoffs if the rest of the contenders in the NFC (Redskins, Panthers, Giants, and Buccaneers) all win. But if not, look for Bledsoe to light up the scoreboard against a shaky Rams defense with Dallas fighting for a postseason berth.

Others to start:
Michael Vick, Atl
Kerry Collins, Oak
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Kyle Boller, Bal
David Carr, Hou
Jim Sorgi, Ind
Tom Brady, NE

No-brainers:
Eli Manning, NYG
Jake Delhomme, Car
Jamie Martin, StL
Mark Brunell, Was
Drew Brees, SD

RB:

Frank Gore, SF: Gore played a nice game last week, even though teammate Maurice Hicks ended up with more yards thanks to a long TD run. The two will again share carries, but Gore will start and probably get two thirds of the touches again. Against the worst rushing defense in the league, the Texans, this could mean a big day for Gore, and maybe be a factor in your quest for a fantasy championship.

DeShaun Foster, Car: The Panthers play a must-win game at Atlanta, and this could turn out well for Foster owners. Atlanta has big issues against the run, and Foster could therefore be in for a solid day. Carolina is counting on him to carry the team into the playoffs.

Others to start:
Ricky Williams, Mia
Willie Parker, Pit
Chris Brown, Ten
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Jerome Bettis, Pit
Cedric Houston, NYJ
Maurice Hicks, SF
Jonathan Wells, Hou
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Fred Taylor, Jax
Rudi Johnson, Cin
Corey Dillon, NE
LaDainan Tomlison, SD
Ryan Moats, Phi
Steven Jackson, StL
Domanick Davis, Hou

No-brainers:
Larry Johnson, KC
Willis McGahee. Buf
Jamal Lewis, Bal
Cadillac Williams, TB
Tatum Bell, Den
Tiki Barber, NYG
Clinton Portis, Was

WR:

Amani Toomer, NYG: Toomer has gotten more and more involved in the Giants offense during the year, and has produced better stats than Plaxico Burress recently. The Giants play a huge game at Oakland, so look for Toomer to be heavily involved in their offense.

Andre Johnson, Hou: Cynics might feel that the Texans will be playing to lose this game in San Francisco, since they would land the #1 pick by doing so. But be that as it may, Houston’s offense will still score points. And it will mainly be Johnson who does the damage against the worst pass defense in the league.

Others to start:
Brandon Lloyd, SF
Isaac Bruce, StL
Keenan McCardell, SD
Donald Driver, GB
Randy Moss, Oak
Michael Clayton, Bal
Plaxico Burress, NYG
Reggie Brown, Phi
Laveranues Coles, NYJ
Chad Johnson, Cin
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Hines Ward, Pit
Terry Glenn, Dal

No-brainers:
Chris Chambers, Mia
Drew Bennett, Ten
Steve Smith, Car
Joey Galloway, TB
Eddie Kennison, KC
Roy Williams, Det
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Santana Moss, Was
Torry Holt, StL

TE/K/D:

Alex Smith, TE, Buccaneers: Smith has gotten more looks recently, and playing against a weak Saints team can help here. Tampa Bay needs to win, and we expect Smith to be a part on the Bucs’ push for the playoffs. So with many other TEs in iffy situations this week, Smith might be a useful option for you.

Matt Stover, K, Bal: The Ravens offense has come alive recently, and this immediately also increased Stover’s output. This trend may well continue against the Browns, so Stover could be a good option this week.

New York Giants Defense: The Raiders are simply playing out the stretch at the end of a disappointing season, while the Giants need a win to get into the playoffs. New York will be highly motivated, and looks like a solid fantasy start.

 
BENCH

QB:

Carson Palmer, Cin: Palmer is slightly injured, and he may not even start this week as a precautionary measure – so follow the news here closely. But in our opinion, he should not even be in your lineup if he starts, because he might not be on the field for more than half the game. The risk here simply is too high, so better go with someone who will play a full game, even if this means starting someone like Kyle Boller.

David Garrard, Jax: The matchup might be tempting, and Garrard did do a fine job in the recent weeks. But it is very likely that Byron Leftwich will be back for at least a half, and this would cut Garrard’s production short. Getting Leftwich on the field and into his rhythm would be a wise plan for the Jaguars, since you never want to go into the playoffs with a quarterback who has not played for more than a month. So stay tuned, and start Garrard only if you can be sure that he’ll play from opening kickoff to final whistle.

RB:

Reuben Droughns, Cle: The Ravens defense has allowed only eight rushing TDs this season. Only the Bears and the Jaguars have allowed fewer. Droughns always has problems running against the league’s better rushing defenses, so he might struggle again this week.

Zack Crockett, Oak: Crockett will fill in once again this week as the Raiders’ starting running back, but his success may be limited against a strong Giants rushing defense. Crockett is a very risky proposition this week.

WR:

Any Seahawks WR: Of all teams, the Seahawks are the toughest to gauge when it comes to how much they will use their starters. Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson may not be used to much, and also Joe Jurevicius might also be pulled early. That leaves DJ Hackett as the best fantasy option, but his success will depend on the playing time of the other WRs. Avoid this murky situation.

Donte Stallworth, NO: Stallworth was a nice fantasy option at times this season, even if he did have some off-games. This week, against a Tampa Bay team that needs to win, the Saints offense might not be able to move the ball well. Stallworth is a risky play; if you have other options, consider sidestepping this matchup and leaving him on your bench.

TE/K/D:

Alge Crumpler, TE, Atl: Crumpler’s production was quite disappointing in the last few games, and may not improve now that the Falcons are out of the playoff race. That goes double for a game like this weekend’s, when Atlanta faces an opponent who has to win to keep playing in January.

Jeff Wilkins, K, StL: In a meaningless game for the Rams, it’s hard to see their offense doing much against the Cowboys. Even if the Cowboys are already out once the game starts, their defense will vent their frustration and play it the hard way against the Rams. This would mean less chances for Wilkins, who therefore might not the best fantasy option this week.

Denver Defense: The Broncos have nothing to play for this week, and simply want to avoid injuries. This will not only show up on offense, but Denver’s defense will suffer as well. Against a frustrated Chargers team trying to at least end their season with a win at home, this depleted Broncos unit may not score many fantasy points for you.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.

 

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