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| Thursday, December 28, 2023 |
| There's been a decent amount of talk this season comparing how many quarterbacks have started games across the NFL to previous seasons, and there's one thing that analysis has been missing: The final two weeks of the season. |
| There have already been 60 different starting quarterbacks in the NFL this season, per Pro-Football-Reference.com's Stathead tool, short of last year's 69 and 2021's 63. But we might match (and potentially surpass) that 2021 number this week, with Russell Wilson and Sam Howell benched and Trevor Lawrence very much in doubt with a shoulder injury. It might be tough to get six more backup quarterbacks, but this is a friendly reminder that the final few weeks of the season tend to see a lot more turnover than the early parts of the season, with teams either resting for the playoffs or sitting out starters with nothing to play for, or other reasons. |
| Wilson not only isn't going to start for the Broncos in Week 17, but it seems like he may just never play for them again. The Broncos are sitting him out the final two games of the season to try to avoid an injury that would trigger a guarantee for his contract in 2025, and while it's tough to make the cap math work out on moving on from him this offseason, determined teams can make bad contracts go away if they want to. |
| It's a tremendous downfall for one of the QBs who defined the past 10 years in the NFL, and it'll be fascinating to see what, if any, market exists for the former Super Bowl MVP. Those glory days feel like a long, long time ago, but there have been enough flashes here this season that some desperate team might talk themselves into him as a buy-low option who could push them over the top. |
| But that's all for the offseason. We'll turn our sites to the big 2024 questions next week in this newsletter, but for now, we're still trying to win you your championships, and that's what the rest of today's newsletter is all about. We've got Jamey Eisenberg's top starts and sits at each position here, along with the latest injury news you need to know about from around the NFL. Let's get to it: |
Week 17 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TEJamey, Dave, Heath's RankingsMy Week 16 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
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| Quarterback Start 'Em and Sit 'Em |
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| Start 'Em: Brock Purdy and Justin Fields |
| "Purdy probably lost the NFL MVP award in Week 16 against Baltimore when he threw four interceptions in a 33-19 loss, and he scored a season-low 2.4 Fantasy points. He should rebound this week against the Commanders, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Five of the past six quarterbacks against Washington have scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points, and Purdy scored 25.4 Fantasy points in three games prior to Week 16, including two on the road at Philadelphia in Week 13 and at Arizona in Week 15. He should have another dominant road outing here." |
| Sit 'Em: Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith |
| "Jaylen Waddle (ankle) is likely out in Week 17 at Baltimore, and that's just one of several flaws for Tagovailoa in this matchup. He comes into Week 17 with three games in a row scoring 17.5 Fantasy points or less, and the Ravens just had four interceptions against Brock Purdy in Week 16. For the season, Baltimore is No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and Tagovailoa should only be started in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues." |
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| Injuries |
| Trevor Lawrence (shoulder): Did not practice. It sure sounds like Lawrence should sit out this week, but we've said that a few times already this season only for him to play. Lawrence has that "never missed a start" thing going, and it seems like he's willing to push through injuries he otherwise might not in order to keep that streak going, but this injury might prove too much. It's probably for the best if Lawrence doesn't play, given how beat up he's been this season, but his absence would definitely merit a downgrade for the Jaguars if C.J. Beathard has to start. |
| C.J. Stroud (concussion): Limited practice. The Texans look like they'll have their starting QB back for their last-minute push to the playoffs, and Stroud is a viable, low-end QB1 against the Titans if he is cleared after missing the past two games, and it's obviously an upgrade for Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown. |
| Zach Wilson (concussion): Out. Wilson will miss his second straight game, so Trevor Siemian will start again for the Jets against the Browns Thursday night. It's a terrible matchup and Siemian has one touchdown to three interceptions on 88 attempts this season, so fire up that Browns DST, baby. |
| Kenny Pickett (ankle): Limited practice. The Steerlers have not ruled Pickett out yet for Week 17 against the Seahawks, and it sounds like there's some real debate as to whether he will start ahead of Mason Rudolph even if he plays. That doesn't mean the Steelers are necessarily benching Pickett for Rudolph if they opt to go that way – they may just not want to throw Pickett into a must-win game on the road coming off ankle surgery. But, if Pickett is cleared and Rudolph still starts, it raises some very obvious questions about the future of the franchise at the QB position. |
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| Running Back Start 'Em and Sit 'Em |
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| Start 'Em: Austin Ekeler and Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| "Ekeler was better than expected in Week 16 against Buffalo with 15 carries for 65 yards and three catches for 21 yards on four targets. His 11.6 PPR points were his second-best total in his past six games. His best total over that span was Week 14 against Denver when he scored 21 PPR points, and he loves beating up on the Broncos. Ekeler, who went to high school (Eaton) and college (Western Colorado) in Colorado, has scored at least 15.8 PPR points in seven of his past eight games against Denver. And the Broncos are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs this year." |
| Sit 'Em: Derrick Henry and De'Von Achane |
| "Henry already faced this Texans run defense once in Week 15 at home, and Houston shut him down completely with 16 carries for 9 yards and four catches for 1 yard on four targets. The Texans haven't allowed a running back to rush for more than 56 yards in their past five games, including meetings with Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, Breece Hall, Henry and Jerome Ford. And only Ford and Kareem Hunt scored touchdowns over that span. It's tough to bench Henry, but if he doesn't score this week then his stat line will be minimal. And Henry is averaging just 10.1 PPR points per game in seven road outings this year." |
| Injuries |
| Isiah Pacheco (concussion/shoulder): Did not practice. The concussion is the more serious issue for Pacheco, and it has a real chance of keeping him out for this week's game against the Bengals, especially considering the Chiefs are playing on a short week. That puts Clyde Edwards-Helaire in line for an opportunity to be an RB2 for the Fantasy championship. It's a risky play, but a justifiable one. |
| Josh Jacobs (quad): Did not practice. The Raiders were optimistic about Jacobs' chances of playing last week, but he eventually got just one limited practice before being downgraded to a DNP the following day, and it sounds like he's still a ways away from playing this week. That being said, Wednesday's practice was just a walkthrough, so we'll have a better sense of Jacobs' chances of playing in Week 17 against the Colts Thursday and Friday, especially. If he can't go, Zamir White is in that RB2 range after a couple of solid showings in Jacobs' absence. |
| Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle): Placed on IR. If the Patriots had anything to play for in Week 17 or 18, maybe Stevenson might have pushed to come back. But with their season over, Ezekiel Elliott will remain the lead back down the stretch, coming off a three-game stretch averaging 19.2 PPR points. He's much less appealing in non-PPR, but is probably worth starting in all formats at this point. |
| De'Von Achane (toe): Did not practice. Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle): Did not practice. It sounds like this might have been more of a rest situation for both, as Mostert rarely practices in full all week, while Achane played through the injury last week. But we'll monitor both heading into a tough matchup against the Ravens this week, where Mostert is an RB2 and Achane is more like a high-risk, high-reward RB3. |
| Chuba Hubbard (hamstring): Limited practice. This is a new injury for Hubbard, and the big question is whether that "limited" tag reflects the lack of concern we typically associate with that tag or if it means he suffered the injury during Wednesday's session, which would obviously be much worse. For now, we'll assume it's not a significant injury, but there's definitely risk for Sunday's game against the Jaguars at this point. |
| Kenneth Walker (shoulder/illness): Did not practice. It seems safe to assume Walker's absence from Wednesday's walkthrough was the result of the illness, since he played through the shoulder issue last week. We'll watch the next couple of days to be sure, but I'm viewing Walker as a low-end RB2 for the matchup against Pittsburgh. |
| Najee Harris (knee): Did not practice. Harris didn't practice last Wednesday before getting full sessions in Thursday and Friday, and it seems reasonable to assume he'll follow a similar pattern this week. Harris is a low-end RB2/3. |
| Alexander Mattison (ankle): Limited practice. Mattison played through the injury last week, but as expected, was the clear second back behind Ty Chandler. Mattison can be outright dropped at this point unless you're totally desperate for a warm body in Week 17, in which case, you might have bigger problems. |
| D'Onta Foreman (personal): Full practice. I'll admit, I have no idea what to make of the Bears backfield at this point. Khalil Herbert was the clear lead back last week with Foreman out, when pretty much every Fantasy analyst assumed they would turn to Roschon Johnson. Does that mean Herbert is the lead back moving forward? My best guess is just that – a guess – and my preference is to avoid this entire backfield if I can, with a lean toward Foreman as the lead back for now. |
| Zack Moss (forearm): Limited practice. Moss looks like he might be able to return after missing last week's game, but it'll be in a diminished role behind Jonathan Taylor, who had 18 touches last week in his return from thumb surgery. One place Moss could make his presence felt is in the passing game, as Taylor had just one target last week. Moss is a desperation RB3 in PPR. |
| Brian Robinson (hamstring): Limited practice. Chris Rodriguez (ankle): Did not practice. Robinson is making progress after missing nearly the entire month of December with his injury, but he'll have to get through the next few days of practice without a setback before we can expect him to play. Antonio Gibson would be in the RB2 discussion if both Robinson and Rodriguez are out, but he and Robinson would both just be RB3s if Robinson plays. |
| Wide Receiver Start 'Em and Sit 'Em |
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| Start 'Em: Nico Collins and Rashee Rice |
| "We got a little lucky with Collins in Week 16 against Cleveland since he scored a touchdown and caught a two-point conversion, which helped him score 13.8 PPR points. But he only had four catches for 18 yards on six targets with the combination of Case Keenum and Davis Mills at quarterback in a tough matchup. This week, C.J. Stroud is back from his two-game absence with a concussion, and Stroud should lean on Collins against the Titans. In four games prior to Collins hurting his calf in Week 14 at the Jets, he had scored at least 13.5 PPR points in each outing, including two games with at least 23.4 PPR points. Collins is also averaging 21.8 PPR points in eight games at home this season." |
| Sit 'Em: Garrett Wilson and Drake London |
| "Wilson is more of a bust alert than a must-sit receiver in Week 17, but this could be a tough game for him at Cleveland. The past three No. 1 receivers against the Browns -- Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore and Nico Collins -- combined for 12 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown on 27 targets, and Wilson still has quarterback concerns with Trevor Siemian starting again for the Jets. Wilson also has scored eight PPR points or less in two of his past four games, and he combined for 6.8 PPR points in his past two road outings at Buffalo in Week 11 and at Miami in Week 15. He also has just one touchdown since Week 2." |
| Injuries |
| Tyreek Hill (ankle): Did not practice. Jaylen Waddle (ankle): Did not practice. At this point, it looks a lot more likely that Hill will play – he had a "Vet rest" tag in addition to the ankle. Waddle hasn't been ruled out, but he's dealing with a high-ankle injury something few players return from in a week. The good news here is, you're starting them both if they play, so it's not a confusing situation. |
| Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder): Did not practice. It sounded like Chase did a bit more work during the walkthrough session Wednesday than he did last week, but he was officially a DNP. He's got a chance to play, and I'll have a hard time sitting him if he does, but he seems likely to be limited if he does, so there's risk there for sure. |
| Keenan Allen (heel): Did not practice. Josh Palmer (concussion): Did not practice. We've basically gotten no details on Allen's injury, and at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see him again this season; in fact, I might be more surprised if he does play again. Palmer also seems likely to sit out Week 17, though both could improve enough by the weekend to change that. |
| Michael Pittman (concussion/shoulder): Limited practice. Pittman was cleared by the independent neurologist last week, but had a setback after traveling with the team that restarted the concussion protocol process. It looks like he has a chance this week, but it'll be tough to trust until we see him active on Sunday. Pittman is a WR1 if he's active. |
| Amari Cooper (heel): Questionable. This could just be a de facto rest situation with the Browns playing on a short week, but the fact that Cooper didn't practice at all is certainly a concern. He's also got one of the toughest matchups in the league in the Jets, so it's less than ideal in many ways. Coming off one of the best games by any player all season in Week 16, it's going to be tough to sit Cooper if he's active, but it looks like a big risk either way. |
| Jordan Addison (ankle): Did not practice. Addison is viewed as day to day, which suggests he has a chance to play this week, but we'll need to see him get at least a limited practice in over the next couple of days. Addison is no sure thing, but with T.J. Hockenson out for the season, the Vikings will likely have to lean on him even more. If he's out, K.J. Osborn is a viable WR3/4. |
| Courtland Sutton (concussion): Did not practice. Sutton has to clear the concussion protocol to play, and it doesn't look like he's made much progress yet. At this point, I'd assume he isn't playing, and even if he does, it'll be tough to trust him with Jarrett Stidham started the final two games of the season. Stidham very well may be a lateral move from Russell Wilson at this point, but we just don't know how he's going to distribute targets, and Sutton isn't the kind of target hog we can just assume will remain productive with a backup. He'll be just a WR3 if he does play. |
| Jayden Reed (toe/chest): Limited practice. Christian Watson (hamstring): Did not practice. Dontayvion Wicks (chest/anle): Did not practice. The good news is, Reed is making progress. That's where the good news ended Wednesday, as the Packers look like they might be very shorthanded for Week 17. |
| Marquise Brown (heel): Did not practice. Brown finally succumbed to this injury, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he needed another week to rest it, given how long it's been an issue. It also wouldn't be a surprise if he just didn't play again this season. |
| Zay Jones (knee/hamstring): Limited practice. Jones was back at practice Wednesday after missing last week's game, which is a promising sign. However, it's not a great matchup and if Lawrence is out, he's just a WR4 for me. |
| Tight End Start 'Em and Sit 'Em |
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| Start 'Em: Jake Ferguson |
| "Ferguson only had 8.5 PPR points in Week 16 at Miami, but he should rebound this week against Detroit at home. In his past two home games, Ferguson had 11 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, and he scored at least 12.2 PPR points in each outing against Seattle and Philadelphia. The Lions are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and Ferguson remains a top-10 Fantasy tight end in all leagues." |
| Sit 'Em: Dalton Kincaid |
| "Kincaid has been awful lately with 8.8 PPR points or less in four games in a row, including a combined 1.7 PPR points in his past two outings against Dallas and the Chargers. In those two games, he's combined for just four targets and one catch for 7 yards, and the return of Dawson Knox in Week 14 from his wrist injury has ruined Kincaid's upside. He had eight catches for 75 yards on eight targets in Week 7 at New England, but there's no way to expect that again from Kincaid in the rematch given his recent level of play." |
| Injuries |
| Cole Kmet (knee): Did not practice. The Bears expressed optimism about Kmet's injury earlier in the week, but his first chance to practice came and went without him out there. We'll see how the next few days go, but make sure you've got an alternative ready to go just in case. |
| Darren Waller (knee): Limited practice. Waller is one of the better alternatives out there if he's available in your league, though obviously that depends on him being cleared. He hasn't had a big game since his return from IR, but with Tyrod Taylor at QB for the Giants, the chances of hitting a big play down the field are certainly increased. I'll have Waller at the high end of the "TD-or-bust" range of TEs. |
| Hunter Henry (knee): Limited practice. Henry got in a limited practice late last week before being inactive, so this doesn't mean he's definitely coming back. But he has a chance, certainly, and he'll be in that "TD-or-bust" range with three touchdowns in his past two games (and Mike Gesicki scored a TD in Henry's absence last week for good measure). |
| DST Start 'Em and Sit 'Em |
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| Start 'Em: Bills vs. Patriots |
| "The Bills defense was a disappointment in Week 16 at the Chargers with no turnovers and 22 points allowed, although Buffalo had five sacks. This week, the Bills defense should perform better against the Patriots at home. Buffalo has 13 sacks in the past three home games against Denver, the Jets and Dallas, and the Bills held the Cowboys and Jets to 16 total points in their past two games in Buffalo." |
Sit 'Em: Ravens at Dolphins
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| "The Ravens have scored at least 31 points in seven of their past nine games and only have two turnovers in the past five outings. The Dolphins DST is on fire right now with three touchdowns in the past five games, 10 sacks in the past two games and 20 points or less allowed in five of the past six outings, this should be a tough test on the road in trying to stop Lamar Jackson. This is a good week to avoid the Dolphins DST." |
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