Week 17 Start/Sit Questions

By: Mike Johnson (@mjohnson86)

Some things in fantasy football are easy. We know we should start Ja’Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. We know we should bench the backup running back who is only on our roster in case of injury. A lot of the decisions are made for us. However, there are a lot of things that are not so simple. All of the “in between” situations are what can make the difference between a few wins and losses, and therefore it can be the difference between a successful season or a failed season. Every Friday, we are here to help!!

I’ll take questions each week in our #fantasy-football channel in our Discord from people looking for Start/Sit advice and give my thoughts. This article on Fridays will feature a few of those questions and responses, so join our Discord to be a part of the conversation or ask questions of your own!!

Question 1:: I'm in the fantasy Super Bowl. I have Jalen Hurts in my starting lineup. I have the option to start Bo Nix or Caleb Williams. Not knowing the status of Hurts, would you start one of the two I mentioned? (Mike1377)

Answer:: I would not have started Williams in that situation, on a short week in questionable weather and with how ugly the Bears’ offense has looked. By the time Nix plays, if we don't have strong reason to believe Hurts is playing then I would start Nix. Personally I don’t expect Hurts to play, as the concussion and his playing style put him at a big risk and a second such injury at this point would probably end his season and, effectively, Philadelphia’s Super Bowl chances. So unless we get word that Hurts has cleared concussion protocol or is almost certain to start, I think you have to start Nix in a strong matchup in the fantasy championship.

Question 2:: For the championship. Half-PPR. Bo Nix or Sam Darnold? Jalen McMillan or Jameson Williams? (nabamen)

Answer:: Darnold over Nix for me. There are some slight concerns over the weather in Cincinnati, and while that doesn’t mean I hate Nix this week, it is enough to make me far more confident in Darnold for this particular question. Darnold is playing in a dome in what is likely to be a highly competitive game and has elite weapons. 

At the WR spot, I’d roll with Jameson Williams. While much of his production last week came on one 80-yard touchdown, he could be in position to go on quite a tear late in the year and into the postseason. The Lions’ defense has been hit hard by injuries and they lost half of their dominant RB duo in David Montgomery. Both of those factors are likely to lead to a higher pass rate and the combination of elite offensive-line protection and the elite speed of Williams is likely to produce more big plays.

Question 3:: 1) Josh Allen or Jayden Daniels?

2) Which two of James Conner, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle and Ameer Abdullah? (hurting at RB)

3) Colts over TB DST, right?

(patriots122436)

Answer:: 1) Will largely depend on weather. Buffalo could have a lot of precipitation and so could Washington. I generally don’t worry too much about weather except in extreme circumstances, but either of these situations could turn ugly and with both QBs being elite, that would make the decision for me if one had a game that looked clear and the other looked ugly. 

2) I’d definitely start Dowdle at one RB spot as the only one who is healthy and has a clear featured role on his team. For the second spot, if Conner plays I think you have to go with him. Pollard continues to be hobbled and Spears has been better recently, while Abdullah has had some strong games but the Raiders could actually lead this game and his touches could go way down.

3) Yes, absolutely. Anyone against the Giants right now.

Question 4:: Chig Okonkwo, Jalen McMillian, Tyjae Spears, or Marvin Harrison Jr. in the flex? I had Zay Flowers and Nico Collins in my WR spots and they pretty much failed, and I have DK Metcalf in the third WR spot (Humble2156)

Answer:: Have to roll with Marvin Harrison Jr. here. He has been up and down, but he clearly has the highest ceiling of the group and that is what you need right now. After the Seahawks game was a dud as well, your lineup likely needs some big scores especially since this is “Championship Week” and your opponent likely has a strong team.

Question 5:: QB for the Championship Finals. Brock Purdy vs the Lions or Bryce Young vs the Bucs? (jayalger)

Answer:: Have to go with Purdy. As mentioned earlier, the Lions’ defense is decimated and this game turning into a shootout wouldn’t shock me. Purdy still has great weapons and a better-than-people-will-realize matchup. Young has been solid recently, but he has nowhere near the same level of playmakers that Purdy has. If both QBs were priced the same in DFS, Purdy would have far higher ownership. That kind of tells you all you need to know.

Join us Saturday for Week 17 Rankings!