Tis the week before Championship Week in fantasy football. It was a remarkable 2024 semifinal. Matchups be damned, the majority of the top 25 players were not players many of us expected, including myself. This is what makes fantasy so much fun. Let’s dive into my Week 16 takeaways as we look ahead to Week 17.
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Quarterbacks
- Player: Jayden Daniels
- Game:Â vs. Eagles
- Stats: 24/39, 253 passing yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 81 rushing yards
The QB1 for the semifinal shredded the Philly defense. The Eagles have allowed the third-fewest points to QBs this season and over the last month. If you worried about starting him, I hope you left him in your lineup. Daniels has averaged the second-most points for a QB over the last month. He’ll have a great opportunity to replicate his success against the Falcons who give up the seventh-most points to QBs.
Notables:
Jalen Hurts left the game early due to a concussion. If you were able to survive despite this, I wish you well. His status is up in the air next week despite a great matchup against Dallas. I mentioned a QB for Week 17 in our pod last week and hope you were listening.Â
Josh Allen let down his shareholders in a plus matchup against the Patriots. He appeared to have injured his elbow, which should be monitored closely entering Week 17. If he’s less an 100%, you should listen to our pod last week for a Week 17 replacement.
The Lions relied on the arm of Jared Goff with Knuckles out. In a matchup against the Bears that appeared tougher on paper, he rewarded his shareholders. Goff is on a three-game heater and should be considered a must-start in the championship week.
Bryce Young is emerging as a possible fantasy asset in superflex leagues. He produced his first game of the season with two passing TDs and zero turnovers. He’s showcasing his wheels too with three rushing TDs in his last four games. Luckily for Young, he’ll face the fantasy-friendly Buccaneers next week in Tampa Bay.
Patrick Mahomes finally has a healthy cast of WRs, finishing as a top-1o QB. Since the Bills squeaked by the Patriots, I would expect Mahomes to suit for the Netflix Christmas game against the Steelers. Mahomes will be fringe top-10 play for me in Week 17.
Running Backs
- Player: Jonathan Taylor
- Game: vs. Titans
- Stats: 29 carries, 218 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs
Taylor was hell-bent on avenging his fumble that devastated the fantasy community. He gashed Tennessee with TD runs of 65 and 70 yards. He was fortunate to face the Titans who allow the eighth most rushing yards and third most TDs to RBs over the past month. Entering Championship weekend, just know he has toted the ball 20+ times in five of his last six games. Taylor was absolved of his football sin and will be treated to the top-three friendliest defense to RBs in facing the NY Giants.
Notables:
Jerome Ford proved to be worth the waiver wire investment finishing as RB9 this week. He’ll have a neutral matchup against Miami in Week 17 and should see around 15+ touches. For what it’s worth, the Niners abandoned the run against the Dolphins in Week 16.
De’Vone Achane has at least six receptions in four straight games and is a true RB1. He should be a lock for 18 touches against a stout Browns defense that allows the sixth-fewest points to RBs.
Gus Edwards emerged out of the woodwork for two rushing scores. JK Dobbins could return in Week 17, so monitor the situation accordingly.
Jaylen Warren out-touched Najee Harris 17-9 against the Ravens. Warren should be the preferred back against the Chiefs on a short week.
Jahmyr Gibbs drew 27 touches with the backfield to himself. This was more than I anticipated and wonder if the Lions will give him 20+ touches against the Niners who have been eliminated from postseason contention.
James Cook has rushed over 100 yards in three of his last four games. If Allen’s elbow is serious, he could be in line for his biggest workload of the season against the Jets, who allow the seventh-fewest points to RBs.
Wide Receivers
- Player: Justin Jefferson
- Game: at Seattle
- Stats: 10 receptions, 144 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs, 13 targets
Jets came up clutch for his shareholders with his first WR1 outing of the 2024 season. To think we were worried about the weather in this matchup. His 27 targets in consecutive games is the most Jefferson has seen in two games this season. He’ll face a familiar foe against the Packers where he posted 85 receiving yards and one TD in Week 4.
Notables:
Brian Thomas Jr. is going to be on a lot of championship rosters. He’s playing his best football at the right time. Thomas will face the Titans, who are allowing the 11th most points to WRs over the last four games. This will be his second time facing them after putting 86 yards on 12 targets.
Keenan Allen was surprisingly WR2 this week. Allen’s production spikes have come against the Lions and Detroit who rank in the top 10 of advantageous teams to WRs. He’s faced them four times over the last five games. His next opponent is the Seahawks who allowed the Vikings to go off.
Much like Edwards, Deebo Samuel made a surprise showing this week. He has a legitimate case to repeat his success against the Lions who allow the eighth-most points to WRs.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had respectable outputs against the Browns. The Bengals have everything to play for next week, so expect them to throw the kitchen sink at the Broncos. Both are must-starts.
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith may be down to their third-string QB against the Cowboys next week. It would be very hard to trust either despite a great matchup.
The Chiefs WR room has gone from abysmal to fantasy relevance in a short time. Xavier Worthy led the team in targets and yards in the return of Hollywood Brown. Brown was second in targets and yards, while DeAndre Hopkins became the third fiddle. It’ll be hard to trust any on a short week with a small sample size.
Tight Ends
- Player: Brock Bowers
- Game: vs. Jaguars
- Stats: 11 receptions, 99 yards, 13 targets
He should be in contention for Rookie of the Year as the only rookie TE to surpass 100 receptions in a season and is 10 yards away from the TE rookie receiving yards record. He’ll draw a tough matchup in Week 17 against the Saints who rank in the bottom 10 of points allowed to TEs. If you’re this far into a title run, you’re STARTING this monster regardless of the matchup.
Notables:
Dalton Schultz should see an uptick in volume in Week 17 with the devastating injury to Tank Dell in a playoff-seeding matchup against the Ravens.
A trip trick-play saved Sam LaPorta to the chagrin of his shareholders. I wouldn’t expect much in Week 17 against the Niners who allow the third-fewest points to TEs in the last month and the second-fewest over the entire season.
Trey McBride shit the bed at the wrong time, especially in a matchup against the Panthers who allow the second-most points to TEs. He will be on my naughty list during the holiday season.
George Kittle continues to be the top passing weapon for Brock Purdy. He’ll face Detriot, the toughest defense against TEs but cannot see a situation where you’re benching him in the chip.
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