Welcome into Week 17 of the 2021 season, and the latest in our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. The final week (for many of you I hope). Everything has led up to this moment- from the draft prep this is the moment that all of that comes into focus- championship week. Now, I understand you might already have your lineup set- but if you don’t we are here.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start ‘Em
Jalen Hurts @WAS
Hurts didn’t have a good time of it last week. But this week, he has the best matchup you can hope for. When Hurts faced up against Washington earlier in the season, he did really well, like week-winning performance. There’s no reason to think the same won’t happen here.
Matthew Stafford @BAL
The Ravens secondary has struggled, as has the defense generally, with COVID and injury hitting it hard. The fact is that even though Stafford struggled last week, if you have managed it to the playoffs with Stafford on your roster, he is a great start this week.
Joe Burrow v KC
Burrow likely got you to the playoffs if you had him, after a massive game last time out. A matchup against Kansas City would have been one to target earlier in the season, but they have been good down the stretch. Still, Burrow has looked good in leading the Bengals offense. I’m trusting him for this week.
Sit ‘Em
Russell Wilson v DET
This is alot to do with the matchup as much as anything else. I don’t know if the Lions can keep up the pace with Seattle, and that means more rushing attempts for an offense that has limited Wilson’s production this season.
Ryan Tannehill v MIA
Sure, there is the revenge game narrative here. But that’s the only thing that this game has going for it for Tannehill. Without Derrick Henry, he has struggled for production. It’s offset by rushing TDs, but it’s not something to rely on for fantasy each week.
Start ‘Em
Rashaad Penny v DET
This leads on from the sit of Russell Wilson. Seattle likes to run the ball, and Penny has been doing well with the ball. With Detroit likely to struggle to maintain pace, Penny should have plenty of touches.
Devin Singletary v ATL
The Buffalo backfield is a rollercoaster isn’t it? We had Zack Moss make a run for the job, Matt Breida then stepped in and stole TDs. Now, we move to Singletary reminding people of his existence. The Falcons have also struggled against RBs in recent weeks.
Boston Scott/ Jordan Howard @WAS
We return to the Eagles running back room without Miles Sanders. This week should be a great matchup against Washington. I’m copping out of selecting one of them, but that’s mainly because both should have a good game. Ok, if you are forcing me, I’ll go for Scott.
Sit ‘Em
Dare Ogunbowale @NE
Yep. You picked him up this week, with James Robinson out with an awful injury. But that doesn’t mean you have to play him. There isn’t much of a history of great production, and this offense isn’t exactly top-tier. Then factor in the Patriots defense and I’m looking elsewhere for championship week.
Devonta Freeman v LAR
Freeman was a good option for a while, but that has really stalled recently. He isn’t getting the touches out of the backfield, and the Rams defense has stopped efficient production against them. Not for me this week.
Start ‘Em
Christian Kirk @DAL
Kirk has a good matchup this week, and has volume in a good offense (at least 9 targets in back-to-back games). With DeAndre Hopkins out, when the Cardinals are forced to throw the ball, it’ll be going to Kirk.
DeVante Parker @TEN
Obviously, Waddle is a must-start, given his importance to the offense, but Parker is worth consideration too. The Titans secondary has been struggling all season, and Parker has seen a decent target share when he has been available. It might be a risk, given Parker did nothing last week, but I’m putting him in lineups this week.
Odell Beckham @BAL
Kupp is going to get the majority of the targets, that’s just going to happen. But, given the weakness of the Ravens secondary, there should still be plenty of targets for the aerial attack. I like Van Jefferson too, but there’s something nostalgic about playing Beckham to win the champtionship.
Sit ’em
Chase Claypool v CLE
Claypool has continued this fantasy drought, scoring just once this season. The Browns defense should force Ben Roethlisberger to make quick throws, and that doesn’t spell good things for Claypool who hasn’t made many big plays this season.
Terry McLaurin v PHI
You might not have a better option- in which case fine, play him. But the Washington offense hasn’t been that great recently. Against a tough Eagles defense I’d be looking elsewhere. I mean put it this way, in his last five games he has a TOTAL of 25 targets, 12 receptions and 164 yards. Yep. Not great.
Start ‘Em
Foster Moreau @IND
One real weakness of the Colts defense is it’s ability to defend against TE’s this season. Coming off the back of a decent game against the Broncos, Moreau should have an opportunity to impress. Especially as Darren Waller found himself on the COVID list, in addition to his injuries.
Dallas Goedert @WAS
DeVonta Smith has been very hit-or-miss this season. And he hit last week against the Giants, but Goedert is the consistent part of the offense. Against Washington, just two weeks ago he ran the show. I’m not expecting that level of performance, but he should have a solid fantasy performance.
Sit ’em
Kyle Pitts @BUF
Nope. Can’t do it. I love Pitts as a talent, but this game isn’t one to put him in. He has had a run of solid games, with a good target share, but this isn’t a game to target. The Bills defense has been great against the position. With the pressure that they are likely to bring to Matt Ryan, I’m not holding out much hope.
Jared Cook v DEN
Cook has been serviceable the past few weeks. Nothing great, but not killing you either. The thing is that the Chargers are set to welcome back Mike Williams from the COVID list, pushing Cook down the list of weapons in the offense.
Start ‘Em
New Orleans v CAR
The Saints have been a great defense this season. Getting after the QB, and forcing turnovers. Then when you factor in the Carolina offense, and the constant switching of QBs, this is the type of defense for Championship week.
Chicago Bears v NYG
The Bears offense has been inconsistent, but the defense has been good enough. And it’s not like they really need to be fantastic against the Giants. The Giants are stalling on offense, waiting for the end of the season.
Sit ‘Em
Baltimore Ravens v LAR
The Ravens defense has struggled recently as the toll of injuries and COVID has taken it’s toll. I’m not expecting something to the degree of what happened last week against the Bengals, but equally, the Rams offense is a solid unit and should put up points.
Cleveland Browns @PIT
You might not need me to tell you to look at a different streaming option, but just incase, you should. Yes, the Steelers offense hasn’t looked good, but a divisional game at Heinz Field to keep their playoff hopes alive? That feels to me like a game that can go a number of ways, and I don’t want to take that risk for the championship.
Start ‘Em
Greg Zuerlein v ARI
Zuerlein has been really solid, with double-digit, or near double-digit scores in nearly all of his games this season. This Dallas offense is a scoring machine, shown in Zuerlein scoring 8 PATs last week. Start him.
Evan McPherson v KC
McPherson has been a big part of the Bengals offense doing well. Being able to know you can rely on your kicker if your drive stalls out is a great thing. McPherson has been great too, with five or his last six games as double-digit scores.
Sit ‘Em
Matt Prater @DAL
At the start of the season, Prater was an automatic start. Right now, he isn’t. He missed two FGs last time out against the Colts, and hasn’t hit double-digit scores very consistently.
Daniel Carlson @IND
Carlson has been a little hit or miss this season, but it’s mainly down to what happens to the team. The Raiders have struggled at times to give Carlson the opportunity to kick, either from being out of range or failing to keep the pace. The Colts defense have been great against kickers this season too.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 17 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – USA TODAY Sports
