By Brooksie on December 28, 2022
Before we get into Week 17’s Starters, let’s see what I got right and what I got wrong with the starters from week 16.
QB: Looks like the Jets were not the only ones wrong to start Zach Wilson. He was paltry. I was also wrong to start David Carr, but I am quite happy about him being shut down by Pitt. Maybe Rogers can’t be as good as he once was, or can he? I was wrong to have started him this past week. I just got broomed.
RB: Did you put Kamara back in your line-up like I said? He had 76 yards rushing and 34 receiving with a TD. I was right to start him. I also told you to get on the McKinnon bandwagon. He did not get many yards, but he got a TD which pushed him over the edge making me right to start him. And regarding Mostert and Wilson, if you had rock, you and I were right, but if you had paper or scissors, then you and I were both wrong.
WR: Diontae Johnson had 64 yards with no TDs. I guess I was wrong about him getting his first TD of the year, and I was wrong to have started him. Metcalf did not do as I anticipated. He only had 87 yards with no TDs, thereby, making me wrong to have started him. Then there is Mike Evans who had 3 catches for 29 yards against Arizona. Paltry. I was wrong to think Evans and Brady were still a couple. I guess they broke up, too.
TE: What did I say? What did I say? I said Fant would get you a garbage time TD and yep, that is exactly what he did. You’re welcome. Even though he only had 12 yards receiving, the points from the TD is still above what is expected from him, thereby, making me right. The Bucs tight ends are bad. How bad are they? They are so bad, they could only muster a total of 12 yards with no TDs against the team who is worst in the league against the position. I was wrong to think otherwise. I could say the same thing about Tonyan who was only able to manage 12 yards against the Dolphins.
D: The Browns gave up 17 points, less than 250 total yards, with 1 INT, but got the loss. This is close. I say a push here. The Ravens got the W, gave up only 9 points, had a fumble recovery and 2 sacks. I was right to start them. The Bucs got the W, gave up 16 points, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 sack and 1 pick. I was also right to start them.
Let us see who is available to possibly put in your starting lineup for this week.
QB:
Aaron Rodgers: Let’s try this again. Minnesota’s pass D has gotten worse throughout the year. Is it possible he has his 1st 300 yard game of the year? How weird would that be, not happening until week 17. It would be weirder if not at all. He’s due, right?
Brock Purdy: The Raiders are at the bottom in passing yards allowed, passing TD, and INTs. Plus they are out of the playoffs. Can you say let down game? Purdy can vulture them.
Justin Fields: If you have taken him out, time to put him back in. He has had some tough match-ups of recent. This week he has Detroit who he lit up earlier in the year.
RB:
Cam Akers: He is our latest, let’s ride the bandwagon guy. This week he has a Chargers D that is at the bottom of the league in yards per carry. They just made the playoffs too. Another let down game?
Brian Robinson: Cleveland is at the bottom of the league in run D. I say Robinson does well, if they keep the ball out of Gibson and Samuel’s hands. He could have his first multi-score game of his career.
J. K. Dobbins: In his first game this year against Pittsburgh, he had 120 yards and 1 TD. They have not gotten that better since then. No reason he shouldn’t duplicate.
WR:
Jerry Jeudy: The last time Denver played Kansas City I told you to play Jeudy. What did he do? He lit them up for 3 TDs. Not sure he will do that again, but yards with at least one TD is not unreachable.
Michael Gallup: The Titans are one of the best against the run and one of the worst against the pass. Could be a good game for both Lamb and Gallup.
Drake London: In the last 3 games he has had 12, 11, and 9 targets. Arizona is at the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed, and they are second worst in passing TDs allowed. I say he has his first 100 yard game with a TD to boot.
TE:
Cole Kmet: The last time the Bears played the Lions, he had 74 yards and 2 TDs. Can he duplicate? Maybe. Who else are they going to throw the ball to?
Tyler Conklin: Seattle is one of the worst in the league against tight ends. If you are throwing Hail Marys this week, here is one.
Speaking of Hail Marys, Cade Otton wants to play as well. He did have his second best yardage output in a game earlier against Carolina, so it is possible. Desperate times, call for desperate measures.
D:
I know the Rams just put up a lot of points, but I do not trust them to do so again against a better of late Chargers D.
The Giants have been middle of the road of recent, while the Colts offense has been put out to pasture. Trust the Giants to be the better team here.
Unfortunately, the Bucs will topple Carolina and Brady will get into the playoffs with a poor team and a poor year. Hopefully, they will be annihilated in the first round.