Weekend Wonderings: Week 17 (2024)

By Winsto (12/27/2024)

  1. I wonder how much the weather will affect the games in Week 17, specifically the   the Dallas-Philadelphia matchup at 1 P.M. CST.  The forecast is calling for over one inch of rain for the day, with the heaviest during the actual game.  In addition, the wind is predicted to be 14 mph with gusts reaching about 30 mph.  Simply put, this game will be impacted by the weather, particularly the passing game.  I would not expect many deep throws here, especially since Kenny Pickett (QB-Phi) and Cooper Rush (QB-Dal) will be the ones throwing.  A.J. Brown (WR-Phi) and DeVonta Smith (WR-Phi) will probably not have ceiling games and should be downgraded about 5-10 spots at their weekly rankings.  As for Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi) and Rico Dowdle (RB-Phi), I would not downgrade much, particularly Barkley, as it would be hard to imagine benching Barkley in any situation.  In addition, I would consider alternative options at the Kicker position, apologies to Brandon Aubrey (K-Dal) and Jake Elliott (K-Phi). 
  2. We should also look at the Indianapolis-New York Giants game regarding weather as well, as conditions will also have rain and 10-12 mph winds with gusts up to 30 mph.  I would downgrade Michael Pittman Jr. (WR-Ind), Josh Downs (WR-Ind), Alec Pierce (WR-Ind), even with the possibility of Joe Flacco (QB-Ind) being under center instead of a very Questionable Anthony Richardson (QB-Ind), who did not practice all week due to injury. I would also lower expectations for Malik Nabors (WR-NYG) if you are still relying on him.  This game could simply be the Jonathan Taylor (RB-Ind) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB-NYG)/Devin Singletary (RB-NYG) show 
  3. My biggest takeaway from the Christmas and TNF games of Week 17 is I expect Kansas City to rest virtually all of their fantasy relevant players in Week 18, as they have locked up the #1 seed and 1st round Bye in the AFC. 
  4. Speaking of possible fantasy relevant players who could be rested, I would pay close attention to the outcome of the Packers-Vikings game.  If the Vikings win, then the Detroit-San Francisco game is actually meaningless to Detroit, as their path to the #1 seed and 1st round Bye in the NFC will be decided in their Week 18 matchup against Minnesota.  Detroit’s Head Coach, Dan Campbell, insinuated that Detroit will go all out to win Monday night against San Francisco, regardless, but it might be a good idea to have a contingency plan in place if reports suggest otherwise.  Thus, if you are relying Detroit’s fantasy relevant players such as Jared Goff (QB), Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR), Jameson Williams (WR), or Sam LaPorta (TE), have a backup plan in place in the event Minnesota defeats Green Bay. 
  5. The flip side to this is if Detroit does decide to hold back, then I would bump up Brock Purdy (QB-SF), Isaac Guerendo (RB-SF)–I do expect him to play, Jauan Jennings (WR-SF), Deebo Samuel (WR-SF), and George Kittle (TE-SF).  This game has the highest over/under of the week at 50.5. 
  6. The game with the 2nd highest over/under is the Denver-Cincinnati matchup.  I would roll with your Bengals fantasy players despite Denver’s solid defense.  As for Denver’s offense, I like Courtland Sutton (WR) this week despite meh production the last two games. 
  7. I must apologize to my readers regarding an oversight I made in my Week 17 Waiver Wire write-up.  I completely failed to mention an interesting TE to consider—Chig Okonkwo (TE-Ten).  Since Mason Rudolph (QB-Ten) has gone under center, replacing Will Levis (QB-Ten) in Week 15, Okonkwo has seen about a 28% target share.  Tennessee is facing Jacksonville this week, a defense that gives up the 6th most fantasy points to the TE position.  If you were relying on TEs such as David Njoku (Cle) or Cade Otton (TB), who have both been ruled OUT for Week 17, then Okonkwo is a solid fill-in. 
  8. As if you needed more reason to play your Tampa Bay fantasy players, Carolina will be missing Jaycee Horn (CB) and Josey Jewell (LB) on defense.  They already lost Shaq Thompson (LB) and then Trevin Wallace (LB) for the season.  This game is setting up nicely for Baker Mayfield (QB), Bucky Irving (RB), Mike Evans (WR), and Rachaad White (RB).  Jalen McMillan (WR) is also in a smash sport, with both Otton (TE) and Sterling Shepard (WR) ruled OUT.   
  9. If you are in need of an IDP play for Week 17, may I suggest Luke Gifford (LB-Ten).   He is expected to wear the Green Dot on defense with Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB-Ten) ruled out, thus he should see close to 100% of the snaps.  The last game he saw 100% of the snaps while filling in, he had 11 total tackles (8 solo, 3 assists). 
  10. As I stated last week and will state again: as it is crunch-time in fantasy football, go with the guys who got you here. 
  11. And finally…, I wonder why I think the Times Square celebration is overrated on New Years’ Eve.  I guess it is because the organizers always seem to drop the ball.