It's either the finals or the semifinals of the fantasy football playoffs for most, depending on the size of your league. That means championship-hungry fantasy owners still need to make key start 'em, sit 'em decisions, and SN's Vinnie Iyer has your back with his Week 17 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
There are some NFL teams more motivated than others, either chasing preferred playoff positions or playing hard with next season in mind. A slate with several division matchups is either set up for offensive shootouts or defensive slugfests.
Keeping all of that in mind, here are our Week 17 start-sit recommendations to help you survive and advance. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! Use discount code SPORTING.
WEEK 17 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Justin Fields, Bears (at DET)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at CIN)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at TEN)
- Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at GB)
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at HOU)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (if he returns, vs. PIT)
Stronger starts
Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. LAR). Herbert has gone two consecutive games without a TD pass, but he is overdue to get at least two TDs in a rebound performance against the Rams.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. MIN). Rodgers can light up this secondary with the playoffs in sight during a shootout with Kirk Cousins.
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. CHI). Goff is back at home and will be involved in the other high-scoring affair in the NFC North.
Gardner Minshew, Eagles (vs. NO). If Minshew relieves Jalen Hurts (right shoulder) again, he will deliver more fine digits at home.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). Brady and the passing game were disappointing on the road last week, but with the division on the line, he'll be on point with at least 250 yards and two TDs.
Brock Purdy, 49ers (at LV). All Purdy does is pass for at least two TDs per game, and that happens again in a choice matchup in a San Fran fan-friendly road game.
Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins (at NE). He's set up well with great weapons as the fill-in for a concussed Tua Tagovailoa in a critical road game against a weak-enough pass defense.
Mike White, Jets (at SEA). He's back as the starter, and even though this spot is tricky on the road, he can exploit the Seahawks for good production inside.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Justin Fields, Bears (at DET, $8,400). Fields has the best matchup on the board, and if Jalen Hurts (right shoulder) is out, he's worth the lofty price, as other QBs aren't nearly as reliable this week.
DraftKings tournament pick
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. CHI, $5,600). Here's pivoting to the other side of the matchup, as Goff should be chucking often to exploit the Bears' pass defense. His strong home play this season is worth deploying at this price.
Streamer Special
Mac Jones, Patriots (vs. MIA). Russell Wilson (at KC) would be tempting if you're willing to roll the dice, but this is the saner solution by the numbers. Jones tends to pass and play better at home.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. NYJ). The revenge-game narrative is in play, but he might be down key weapons again and the matchup for the passing game is brutal.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. IND). The Colts still have a solid pass defense and also don't give up much rushing to QBs.
Deshaun Watson, Browns (at WAS). Their offense has been ugly of late, and this feels like a low-scoring game.
Carson Wentz, Commanders (vs. CLE). This feels like a low-scoring game in the elements with two tricky pass defenses in play.
Russell Wilson, Broncos (at KC). This matchup isn't bad, but he's a highly volatile choice despite the nice numbers in the first meeting.
Sam Darnold, Panthers (at TB). It might feel like a good idea after last week, but Darn-no.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at LV)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. LAR)
Derrick Henry, Titans (at DAL)- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at GB)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. IND)
- James Conner, Cardinals (at ATL)
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at HOU)
- Cam Akers, Rams (at LAC)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. MIN)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. MIA)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (at WAS)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at SF)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. KC)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- David Montgomery, Bears (at DET)
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (if he plays, at TEN)- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at PHI)
- Najee Harris, Steelers (at BAL)
Stronger starts
AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. MIN). He's being used a lot more down the stretch, and the Pack will keep feeding him in a key spot at home.
Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. DEN). The Broncos' run defense has fallen apart, and the game script will help both backs produce well again.
Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). They both produced last week, with the latter getting a TD, and the Bucs will continue to lean on them at home.
D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, Lions (vs. CHI). As long as Williams (leg) plays, both should get back on track against a defense giving up pretty much everything. The Lions will need them to finish drives and close things out.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. CLE). Robinson should be the strong lead back in a favorable spot with questionable quarterback play.
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (vs. ARI). He's getting the volume and production of late, and he steps into another good spot for scrimmage numbers.
Zonovan Knight, Jets (at SEA). Knight should be more active against a reeling run defense after two down games with Zach Wilson.
Zack Moss, Colts (at NYG). Moss is getting most of the key early-down power work over Deon Jackson, and that's where the Giants are weakest.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
James Conner, Cardinals (at ATL, $8,000). Conner is quietly getting the job done big-time while the rest of the offense is lost, and he'll put together another 100 yards and a score as a floor.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at HOU, $7,700). Etienne has run well the past two weeks and should keep it up with high volume on the worst run defense.
DraftKings tournament picks
Cam Akers, Rams (at LAC, $6,100). He's playing on his home field "visiting" a weak run defense and has been on an absolute heater as the centerpiece of Sean McVay's closing offense.
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. CAR, $5,600). The force is strong with Playoff Lenny, as the Bucs are in playoff mode early. He should reel off some chunk plays on the Panthers.
Week 17 DFS: Best values
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. NO). He's suddenly hard to trust after his fumbling issues and limited production the past two weeks, and this matchup isn't good.
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at TEN). Elliott has been coming through because of scoring, but the Titans just don't allow rushing TDs.
Latavius Murray, Broncos (at KC). The Chiefs have tightened up against weaker running games, and Denver qualifies on the road in a negative game script.
JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, Ravens (vs. PIT). The Steelers have stuffed the run in a big way of late in tough tests vs. the Panthers and Raiders.
Devin Singletary and James Cook, Bills (at CIN). The Bengals keep playing fine run defense inside, so Josh Allen will need to throw a ton to beat Joe Burrow.
D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at TB). The rollercoaster continues as Tampa Bay focuses on shutting down the run, much like Pittsburgh did against Carolina in Week 15.
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins (at NE). The touches between both are hard to decipher, and the Patriots are a stout run defense.
WEEK 17 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at GB)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at NE)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. NO)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at TEN)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. CHI)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at CIN)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. SF)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at NE)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. NYJ)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. LAR)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. NO)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. BUF)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at HOU)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (at ATL)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at SEA)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. CLE)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. LAR)
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at KC)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (at CIN)
Stronger starts
D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. TB). He's been reheated with Sam Darnold as their clear No. 1 and can be busy playing off shorter routes and red-zone work.
Amari Cooper, Browns (at WAS). He can work well in this matchup inside-out, and the confidence is back with Deshaun Watson.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at LV). The Raiders' cornerbacks can't contain him outside.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at KC). Sutton missed the first matchup between these teams, and the Chiefs will have similar trouble with him as they did with DK Metcalf last week.
Allen Lazard, Packers (vs. MIN). It's not looking great for Christian Watson (hip), and Lazard should be reheated in a key game.
George Pickens, Steelers (at BAL). With Kenny Pickett back, he's the more appealing play against this secondary, likely minus Marcus Peters (calf) again.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (at GB). He seems to be a good bet to score in this matchup every time.
Greg Dortch, Cardinals (at ATL). Dortch will stay busy as a short-area receiver playing off DeAndre Hopkins, regardless of who's QB.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (vs. SF). He should be a volume-based play in the slot with a ton of short passes with tough coverage outside.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at TEN). Gallup scored last week to get back involved, and the Titans can't cover him well outside.
Jahan Dotson, Commanders (vs. CLE). He is coming through when healthy with either QB.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. CHI, $8,200). Brown has had some solid games but been more on the modest end with his production lately. He returns to smashing in the slot in a great matchup at home.
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. CAR, $7,600). Godwin is operating like Tom Brady's most trusted wideout, and no Jaycee Horn (wrist) outside will trickle down to boost Godwin often in the slot.
Garrett Wilson, Jets (at SEA, $7,300). Wilson will get schemed open inside to use his quickness in the open field to avoid the tougher matchups outside. He'll benefit most from White's return.
DraftKings tournament picks
Drake London, Falcons (vs. ARI, $4,900). London is heating up with fellow rookie Desmond Ridder, and he should break out with 100 yards and a score.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. MIN, $4,700). With Christian Watson (hip) not looking great to play, it's time to pivot to the other promising rookie to make big plays vs. a shaky secondary.
DJ Chark, Lions (vs. CHI, $4,300). Gabriel Davis destroyed this No. 2 spot for the Bills last week, and there should be more of a Chark attack following a nice performance in Carolina.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (vs. DEN). It's hard to trust Chiefs' wideouts with their RBs and Travis Kelce dominating most of the production.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (at HOU). The Texans will contain the downfield passing game with their zone defense, making this more of a Christian Kirk game.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at BAL). He might draw the tough matchup vs. Marlon Humphrey.
Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at ATL). The downfield passing game is gone without Kyler Murray.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (at WAS). He was feeling it with Deshaun Watson, but now Cooper seems safer again.
Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. IND). Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins are doing more, and this matchup isn't great.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (vs. MIA). Who knows what you'll get from New England's wideouts after Kendrick Bourne was the man last week?
Brandin Cooks, Texans (vs. JAX). Here's not feeling it anymore with him or Chris Moore.
Joshua Palmer, Chargers (vs. LAR). He's not getting the targets with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen back.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. BUF). He's not getting the targets with Trenton Irwin now involved.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at LV)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at GB)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (at HOU)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. PIT)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. NO)
- Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at BAL)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. SF)
Stronger starts
Dawson Knox, Bills (at CIN). He's scoring and getting key looks from Josh Allen.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at TEN). This matchup is too good for his position to avoid him.
Taysom Hill, Saints (at PHI). He stays hot in his hybrid rushing role.
Cole Kmet, Bears (at DET). He did good damage against them earlier.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at SEA). He gets the cheat code matchup vs. the Seahawks with Mike White back.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). Otton put up good digits in the first meeting, and they'll lean on him more.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
George Kittle, 49ers (at LV, $7,400 and $5,900). Kittle is on absolute fire with Brock Purdy, and this matchup is beautiful, as he can run past the entire Raiders' defense.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
David Njoku, Browns (at WAS). He struggled in a bad matchup last week, and he'll be an afterthought this week.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (at LAC). Don't chase the scoring surge with Baker Mayfield from the past two weeks.
Noah Fant, Seahawks (vs. NYJ). He's hot when it gets coldest, but you're rolling the dice on a TD.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. LAC). He's not involved enough, and now Donald Parham Jr. is.
Juwan Johnson, Saints (at PHI). He's not getting the TD this week.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- 49ers (vs. LV)
- Cowboys (at TEN)
- Eagles (vs. NO)
- Ravens (vs. PIT)
- Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- Patriots (vs. MIA)
- Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
- Jaguars (at HOU)
Stronger starts
Giants (vs. IND). The Colts somehow look worse with Nick Foles.
Jets (at SEA). The Seahawks are more giving with sacks and turnovers of late.
Chargers (vs. LAR). Sean McVay will try to foil Brandon Staley, too, but this defense is playing very well.
Commanders (vs. CLE). The Browns are getting sloppy with the ball.
Steelers (at BAL). They'll keep it ugly and low-scoring, too.
Cardinals (at ATL). They can go after a rookie QB hoping to finish strong with the retiring J.J. Watt.
Lions (vs. CHI). There's some potential for a huge mistake.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Browns (at WAS, $3,700). The Browns' pass defense can cause some problems for either mistake-prone QB.
DraftKings tournament pick
49ers (at LV, $2,900). What the? They are very cheap given how well they are playing and how poorly the Raiders' offense just played.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Bills (at CIN). You can't go here vs. Joe Burrow.
Bengals (vs. BUF). You can't go here vs. Josh Allen.
Dolphins (at NE). They're not playing well
Rams (at LAC). They cool off vs. Justin Herbert.
Packers (vs. MIN). Don't chase the Miami points.
Panthers (at TB). The GOAT will play better at home.
Seahawks (vs. NYJ). Not vs. non-Zach Wilson.
Falcons (vs. ARI). This is a trap for a bad, non-playmaking defense.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 17 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
