Championship Week was the longest week in the fantasy football season with four days of NFL football with one more to go tonight! This week tested everyone’s mental fortitude. Was it worth it? The answer should be a resounding, YES! Let’s dive into my Week 17 takeaways.
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Quarterbacks
- Player: Baker Mayfield
- Game: vs. Panthers
- Stats: 27/32, 359 passing yards, 5 TDs
After struggling against Carolina in Week 13, Mayfield came up huge for his shareholders posting his BEST game of the season. He became the sixth QB to toss five TDs in a single game this season. This is a performance many will talk about for years to come. For those playing in Week 18, he’ll face the Saints. Sir Matty Smiles is the proud sponsor of this takeaway.
Notables:
Drew Lock did a number on the Giants’ future by slanging four tuddies and going over 300 yards. This was truly shocking.
Unsurprisingly, Joe Burrow lit up Denver with 400+ yards and four total TDs. The Broncos entered the game allowing the second-most points to QBs over the last month and Burrow took advantage with his Pro-Bowl WRs.
Patrick Mahomes rewarded his shareholders with his best game of the season, posting his FIRST game of 2024 with 300+ yards and three TDs.
Justin Herbert had his FIRST game of the season with three passing TDs. Entering Week 17, the Patriots only allowed three TDs to QBs over their last four games.
Kyler Murray flopped with a potential league-winning matchup against the Rams, who allowed the third-most points to QBs over the last month.
Jordan Love was also given a gift in Week 17 with a matchup against Minnesota who has given up the third-most passing yards to QBs over the last month. Love was disappointing with 185 passing yards. He was lucky to end up as a top-20 QB.
The legend of Sam Darnold grows larger every day in fantasy as he posted back-to-back three TDs games in the fantasy semifinals and finals.
Jayden Daniels was impressive on Sunday Night Football becoming the only QB to rush for 100 yards while tossing three TDs in a single game this season. He’ll be my QB1 entering 2025.
Running Backs
- Player: Saquon Barkley
- Game: vs. Cowboys
- Stats: 31 carries, 167 rushing yards
He surpassed 2,000 rushing yards during Championship Week. Incredible. Dallas’ rushing defense has been better of late but Barkey’s 167 yards were more than Derrick Henry’s 151 from Week 3. I am sure New York fans are pondering “what if” after seeing Barkley reach such a milestone in NFL history while losing the top pick with a win. They won’t have long to think as the Giants travel to Philly to face Barkley. The Giants are the ninth most advantageous team to RBs over the last month and allowed Jonathan Taylor to finish as RB1 this week.
Notables:
For the first time this season, Taylor finished as the RB1 in back-to-back weeks. His strong finish to the season should help his ADP in 2025.
King Henry was a monster on Christmas with this eighth game to rush over 100 yards while ending his four-game TD drought. For the first time this season, he caught two passes in back-to-back games.
Ameer Abdullah’s RB5 finish was a thorn to Mattison shareholders and probably the reason some teams lost the title week. His 20 carries were his highest since the 2017 season when he tallied 21 carries in Week 9.
J.K. Dobbins returned in Week 17 drawing a full workload and scoring a TD with Gus Edwards ruled out. Hope you had the faith to plug him in.
Jaylen Warren was the Steelers preferred back against the Chiefs, finishing as a top-10 back. Injuries limited Warren all season and hope we see what he can do in Arthur Smith’s scheme in 2025.
Bucky Irving is the real deal for Tampa. This Quack Attack could emerge as a second-round pick following his impressive rookie season and was a diamond in the rough for dynasty.
Bijan Robinson lived up to his ADP with back-t0-back 20-point performances in the playoffs. He’s totaled four rushing TDs since Michael Penix Jr. took over as his QB.
Wide Receivers
- Player: Tee Higgins
- Game: vs. Broncos
- Stats: 11 receptions, 131 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 12 targets
Higgins saved the Bengals and his fantasy shareholders after his WR1 performance. He recorded 10 TDs in 11 games played this season for Cincy. Denver’s defense was something to fear early this season but over the last month, they’ve allowed the third-most points to WRs. Higgins will face Pittsburgh in Week 18 who allow the eight-most points to WRs.
Notables:
Malik Nabers faced the Colts who entered the game allowing the fifth-fewest points to WRs and he ended up at the WR2 for Week 17. His two TDs were of the 31 and 59-yard variety. Just wait until he gets a competent QB.
If you started Marvin Mims Jr. in any league, hats off to you. I am as shocked as you are.
Mike Evans continues to defy time posting two TDs with the fantasy championship on the line. He’s only 85 yards away from his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season. His teammate, Jalen McMillan, was a great streamer start by securing two TDs.
Puka Nacua is that dude to the dismay of Cooper Kupp stans. Nacua is generating all the targets a younger Kupp used to get. Nacua could lead the league in receiving next season, health and Matt Stafford permitting.
Brian Thomas Jr. has become the Jaguars’ entire offense in a short time with another day of 100+ yards and a TD. He should be a second-rounder in 2025.
Garrett Wilson mopped up nicely during garage time with Tyrod Taylor under center. We will take the stats no matter when it occurs.
The Joe Flacco effect was on full display again as he produced two WRs (Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierre) in the top 10.
Adam Thielen deserves more appreciation as he posted double-digit points in four of his final five games. The WR1 position in Carolina should have immense value next season.
Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor outperformed Justin Jefferson by securing TDs. All three ended up as top 30 WRs for Week 17.
Tight Ends
- Player: Trey McBride
- Game: at LA Rams
- Stats: 12 receptions, 123 yards, 1 receiving TD, 16 targets
McBride’s breakout game may have been one game too late after his dud in Week 16 (semifinals). Nonetheless, he caught his first receiving TD of the season and his third game of 100+ yards when it matters most in fantasy and for that we thank him. It was clear he was the focal point of the Cards’ attack as the Rams allowed the sixth-most points to TEs all season.
Notables:
Brock Bowers’ record-breaking season saw him post his ninth game with double-digit points, the second-most by a TE behind George Kittle. Bowers surpassed Mike Ditka’s record for the most receiving yards by a rookie TE and Puka Nacua’s record for most receptions by a rookie.
Travis Kelce busted out of his mini-slump at the perfect time. He posted his highest receiving yards total since Week 9 and first TD since Week 10. It helps when the Steelers have allowed the third-most points to TEs over their last four games.
T.J. Hockenson tallied his second-best game of the season in a TE-friendly matchup against the Packers.
Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely each caught TDs from Lamar Jackson as the Texans have given up the sixth most points to TEs over the last four games. For fantasy purposes, I hope we can combine these outputs into one singular TE in Baltimore for 2025.
Jonnu Smith finished the season on a heater scoring in double digits in six out of the last seven games starting in Week 11. He scored a TD to salvage his day despite Tua Tagovailoa missing in action.
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