By Ryan Bologna
Week 17 in the NFL is coming up, and hopefully you are preparing for a championship matchup in your fantasy league. Here is who top outlets recommend starting for this weekend’s games.
Quarterbacks
With much help from Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins has had a strong season. He is one of the stronger quarterbacks in a weak NFC. The Vikings are facing the Packers in Green Bay, and the Vikings have seeding to play for. They are hoping to keep the 2 seed and stay ahead of the 49ers. The outlets expect him to have a good game.
The outlets don’t expect Geno Smith to have a strong game. The Seahawks have tailed off as the season goes along, and it won’t get any easier for Smith as he will face a tough Jets defense at home. Both of these teams are playing for their playoff lives, and outlets don’t expect a lot of points from Smith this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Trevor Lawrence, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy | Geno Smith, Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz |
| ESPN | Kirk Cousins, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott | Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy |
| CBS | Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers, Mike White | Tom Brady, Deshaun Watson, Geno Smith |
| Yahoo | Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert | Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, Brock Purdy, Tom Brady, Mike White |
| Sporting News | Justin Herbert, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Gardner Minshew, Tom Brady | Geno Smith, Daniel Jones, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson |
Running Backs
Outlets have been high on Chiefs running backs over the last couple of weeks, and that continues this week with Jerick McKinnon. Isiah Pacheco has had some good games, but McKinnon eats into his carries, and is much more of a receiving back. Outlets think he will have a good game against Denver.
The Ravens will face the Steelers this week, and experts believe that it will not be a productive day for J.K. Dobbins. The Ravens offense has not been very good over the last couple of weeks, and Pittsburgh has been in low-scoring games. Dobbins is probably someone to avoid.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Travis Etienne, Jerick McKinnon, Cam Akers, D’Andre Swift, Tyler Allgeier | Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, Raheem Mostert |
| ESPN | Cam Akers, Travis Etienne, Miles Sanders, Ezekiel Elliott, David Montgomery | Kenneth Walker, Najee Harris, D’Andre Swift, Devin Singletary, Cordarrelle Patterson |
| CBS | Tyler Allgeier, Leonard Fournette, Jerick McKinnon, AJ Dillon, Cam Akers, D’Andre Swift | Latavius Murray, Jeff Wilson, Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, Najee Harris |
| Yahoo | Ezekiel Elliott, Cam Akers, Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker, Miles Sanders | D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins, Tyler Allgeier, D’Onta Foreman, Devin Singletary |
| Sporting News | AJ Dillon, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, Leonard Fournette, D’Andre Swift | Miles Sanders, Ezekiel Elliott, Latavius Murray, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards |
Wide Receivers
Despite the ineptitude of the Broncos offense, outlets have optimism for Jerry Jeudy. He had a great game against the Chiefs last time around, which was a game that Russell Wilson showed life in. He left the game with a concussion, but could return this weekend.
The outlets aren’t as high on Colts receiver Michael Pittman. He is facing the Giants this weekend, who could clinch a playoff spot with a win at home. The Colts offense looked terrible with Nick Foles at the helm last week, and the Giants could also be getting their number one cornerback in Adoree Jackson back.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Christian Watson, Chris Godwin, Drake London, Jerry Jeudy, D.J. Chark | Marquise Brown, Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Donovan Peoples-Jones |
| ESPN | Jaylen Waddle, Garrett Wilson, DeVonta Smith, Christian Watson, Jerry Jeudy | Michael Pittman, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson, D.J, Moore, Gabe Davis |
| CBS | Garrett Wilson, Drake London, Jerry Jeudy, D.J. Moore, Allen Lazard | Michael Pittman, Diontae Johnson, Marquise Brown, Darius Slayton, Davonte Adams |
| Yahoo | Garrett Wilson, Christian Kirk, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jerry Jeudi, Brandon Aiyuk | Amari Cooper, Zay Jones, Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, Michael Pittman |
| Sporting News | D.J. Moore, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Courtland Sutton, Allen Lazard | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Zay Jones, Diontae Johnson, Marquise Brown, Donovan Peoples-Jones |
Tight Ends
Evan Engram has been an integral part of the Jaguars success over their run in the second half. Trevor Lawrence is looking like people expected out of the draft, and the Jaguars have a game against the Texans coming up. Engram should have plenty of chances to produce this weekend.
David Njoku had high hopes coming into the season, but Deshaun Watson has not been good at all since returning from suspension. Njoku might be a good sleeper next season, but there are better options for you this weekend.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Evan Engram, Dalton Schultz, Cole Kmet, Dawson Knox, Hunter Henry | David Njoku, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Cade Otton, Shane Zylstra |
| ESPN | George Kittle, Evan Engram, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, Cole Kmet | Pat Freiermuth, David Njoku, Dawson Knox, Tyler Higbee, Dalton Schultz |
| CBS | Dawson Knox, Cole Kmet, Tyler Higbee | Darren Waller, Gerald Everett, Noah Fant, Mark Andrews |
| Yahoo | T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, Evan Engram, Dallas Goedert, Dalton Schultz | Tyler Higbee, Pat Freiermuth, Cole Kmet, David Njoku, Dawson Knox |
| Sporting News | Dawson Knox, Dalton Schultz, Taysom Hill, Cole Kmet, Tyler Conklin | David Njoku, Tyler Higbee, Greg Dulcich, Noah Fant, Gerald Everett |
