Begin in DFS: James Conner ($23)
Begin: Tyler Allgeier
Conner has seen a whopping 96 percent of Arizona’s backfield alternatives over the past three video games and has been equal to the No. 1 fantasy RB since 2021 in video games with out Kyler Murray. He figures to be even busier than regular Sunday with DeAndre Hopkins’ standing suddenly in question. Conner’s wage isn’t priced as a top-10 RB this week in opposition to a Falcons protection that ranks bottom-three in DVOA, so he’s an intriguing DFS play.
Greg Dortch was additionally a deep sleeper this week going through an Atlanta secondary that’s shutdown outdoors receivers, however David Blough beginning at QB ought to curb your enthusiasm.
Allgeier has averaged 17.5 carries since Caleb Huntley went down two video games in the past and is playing extremely well. He additionally noticed a career-high in targets throughout Desmond Ridder’s second begin final week and now will get a pleasant matchup with Arizona after going through a string of top-15 run defenses. Allgeier has gotten 5.7 YPC at house this season, performs for the league’s run-heaviest team and will have a constructive recreation script Sunday with Atlanta favored. He’s a top-15 RB this week.
Begin: Cole Kmet, Jared Goff
Justin Fields is my No. 1 fantasy QB this week, whereas Kmet can also be a robust begin enjoying indoors in opposition to a Lions protection permitting essentially the most yards per play at house this season (each Chicago and Detroit are bottom-three in YPP allowed over the past three weeks). The Lions have additionally ceded the fifth-most fantasy factors to tight ends, and the Bears at present have the worst WR group competing for targets within the league.
Goff has a 20:3 TD:INT ratio at house and is averaging extra TD passes in Detroit than the NFL’s chief, Patrick Mahomes, is that this season. Goff is having a quietly productive fantasy season for a non-runner, and he faces a Bears protection permitting the second-most yards per play on the street. The Lions have the best implied staff complete (29 factors) of the week, remarkably greater than Kansas Metropolis’s. Goff seems like a top-five QB this week.
Begin: Jaguars???
Begin: Brandin Cooks
Given the shortage of incentive for Jacksonville, your guess is nearly as good as mine in the case of how a lot the Jaguars’ starters play Sunday in an in any other case extremely favorable matchup. Coach Doug Pederson says he received’t relaxation the starters, however there’s purpose to be skeptical.
Cooks noticed 9 targets, scored and had a second TD nullified (that was 35+ yards) by a shaky penalty final week. Nico Collins stays sidelined, and Davis Mills performs significantly better at house; Cooks has averaged almost twice as many yards in Houston this season. He’s a worthy FLEX play this week.
Begin: Jerry Jeudy, Isiah Pacheco & Jerick McKinnon
We’re guessing on the well being of some Denver move catchers, however with each Greg Dulcich (dominated out) and Courtland Sutton battling hamstring accidents, Jeudy’s ankle could be the least worrisome. Jeudy has additionally emerged because the staff’s clear greatest WR regardless of having a a lot decrease ADP than Sutton coming into the 12 months. He will get a KC protection permitting the seventh-most fantasy factors to receivers, whereas opponents have the fourth-highest move price when going through the Chiefs this season. Jeudy is a robust begin this week if well being cooperates (particularly if Sutton sits).
Kansas Metropolis has the second-highest implied staff complete this week and will get a run-funnel Denver protection that ranks top-five in opposition to the move however bottom-10 versus the run in DVOA. The Broncos enter as near-two-touchdown underdogs and have been annihilated by fantasy backs just lately, permitting six TDs to RBs over the past three video games. Each Pacheco and McKinnon will be began in fantasy championship week.
Sit: Jeff Wilson Jr. & Raheem Mostert
Begin: Hunter Henry
Wilson and Mostert are splitting Miami’s backfield work evenly, and the Dolphins journey to New England this week to face a Patriots protection permitting the fewest yards per play at house. Backup QB Teddy Bridgewater may also be beginning in a recreation Miami enters as underdogs and with one of many decrease implied staff totals of the week. Keep away from Dolphins backs this week if attainable.
Henry left final week’s recreation with a knee harm, however he’s been listed as a restricted participant in observe. In the meantime, Jonnu Smith additionally exited final recreation and seems extra more likely to miss Week 17 whereas in concussion protocol.
If Henry performs and Smith doesn’t, he’s in an intriguing fantasy spot going through a Dolphins protection that’s powerful in opposition to the run but one of the vital weak versus tight ends.
New England’s D/ST is a top-three begin this week as properly.
Sit: All Colts
Begin in DFS: Saquon Barkley ($29)
Nick Foles had one of many worst video games you’ll ever see Monday night time and now travels throughout a brief week to play open air. The Giants don’t have a dominant protection, and Michael Pittman will be began in fantasy leagues if really wanted. Deon Jackson might re-enter the backfield image, however Foles makes Indy a stay-away if attainable this week.
Barkley has seemed significantly better just lately and will lastly get a uncommon Giants recreation with a constructive recreation script, making him a robust begin throughout fantasy championship week.
Richie James is a deep sleeper with Kenny Moore dominated out once more. James has run 84% of his routes from the slot this season.
Sit: All Saints however Alvin Kamara
Begin in DFS: Miles Sanders ($25)
The Saints offense will probably be extra purposeful than final week with out the loopy climate situations, however it’s nonetheless a tricky spot enjoying in Philadelphia in opposition to an Eagles protection permitting the second-fewest yards per play at house. Andy Dalton has 3 times as many interceptions on the street this season regardless of enjoying two extra house video games, whereas Chris Olave is coping with a hamstring harm if he’s lively. Kamara is now anticipated to play after mysteriously lacking observe this week.
Sanders noticed 21 carries throughout Gardner Minshew’s first begin and will get one other heavy workload this week, together with if a banged-up Jalen Hurts returns (unlikely, as he is uncertain to play). Sanders has gotten 5.1 YPC and has averaged a landing per recreation at house this season, and he has the second-most red-zone carries within the league over the past month. The Eagles have one of many highest implied staff totals and are landing favorites, so a motivated Sanders needs to be thought of a borderline top-five RB this week.
Gardner Minshew needs to be handled as top-10 QB if he will get one other begin (as anticipated).
Begin: DJ Moore, Leonard Fournette
Moore has admittedly been fortunate to complete as a top-15 WR in three of his previous 4 video games with out ever seeing greater than seven targets, however he’s more likely to see extra quantity this week. Carolina enters as underdogs, and opponents have an above-average move price in opposition to Tampa Bay this season. Remarkably, Sam Darnold leads the NFL in EPA/dropback since returning.
Fournette is outwardly playing through a Linsfranc injury however noticed a whopping 30 alternatives final week anyway. Rachaad White may also get work, however his snap share fell to 36% final week. It’s a fluid state of affairs that might change, however Fournette actually seems to be the popular possibility proper now, and no quarterback throws to his operating backs greater than Tom Brady. With the division title on the road and in an in any other case dysfunctional offense (except it’s in hurry-up mode), anticipate one other heavy dose of Uncle Lenny this week. He’s simply $14 in Yahoo DFS as properly.
Sit: Deshaun Watson & Amari Cooper
Begin: Brian Robinson & Curtis Samuel
Watson ranks forty first out of 42 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA/dropback since he’s returned (h/t Rob Pizzola), which isn’t the most effective ROI for the NFL’s highest-paid participant. He’ll journey to face a Washington protection that’s among the many leaders in stress price and simply noticed Chase Younger return. In the meantime, Cooper hasn’t scored a landing with Watson, has averaged simply 46.7 yards on the street and will get a Commanders secondary that’s allowed only one TD to a large receiver since Week 10.
Robinson is a robust fantasy begin this week going through a Browns protection permitting essentially the most EPA/rush and with Antonio Gibson sidelined. Curtis Samuel also gets a major boost with Carson Wentz again beginning (and Gibson out); he’s arguably Washington’s most most well-liked fantasy WR in championship week.
Begin: Brock Purdy
Fade in DFS: Josh Jacobs ($36)
Purdy has gotten 9.2 YPA with seven touchdowns and one interception (that wasn’t his fault) over his first profession three begins whereas playing through a torn oblique. The 49ers have the third-highest implied staff complete and get to play indoors in opposition to a Raiders staff that simply benched its franchise QB and are permitting the best Passer Ranking (98.8) Towards this season. Quantity might restrict BCB’s fantasy upside on New Yr’s Day, however Purdy is a top-12 fantasy QB this week — and is even higher than you suppose.
Jacobs has been arguably the fantasy MVP this 12 months, however he has just a few obstacles to beat in Week 17. He will get a 49ers protection permitting by far the fewest fantasy factors to operating backs, YPC (3.3) and yards per play on the street this season. No operating again has reached 60 speeding yards versus San Francisco. The 49ers rank first in run protection DVOA, and Javon Kinlaw solely just lately returned final week.
Derek Carr being benched for monetary causes may be much more regarding for Jacobs’ fantasy worth this week. Carr has thrown too many interceptions however has the Raiders top-10 in yards per play this season; as a substitute, will probably be Jarrett Stidham making his first profession begin on New Yr’s Day. Stidham has seemed dangerous whereas getting 5.6 YPA with a 2:4 TD:INT ratio throughout his transient NFL motion and is more likely to be a major downgrade. It can also’t be a great locker room state of affairs; Jacobs sounds ready to move on already. The Raiders’ implied staff complete has dropped to the second-lowest of the week with the QB transfer.
By no fault of his personal, Jacobs is in an extremely powerful spot within the fantasy championship.
New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks
Begin in DFS: Garrett Wilson ($16)
Sit: Geno Smith
Wilson has averaged 10 targets, greater than 110 receiving yards and has been the #3 PPR receiver this season with Mike White, who’s set to return from his rib harm this week. Put merely, Wilson seems like a future famous person, but he stays inexpensive in DFS due to the Zach Wilson factor (that not exists). He will get an admittedly powerful Seattle secondary this week, however matchups haven’t mattered when the spectacular rookie wideout has gotten competent quarterback play.
Smith has gotten simply 5.4 YPA in back-to-back video games and has fallen again to earth whereas rating twenty first in EPA/dropback since Week 10 (h/t Matt Harmon). He will get a tricky Jets protection this week that’s permitting the fewest yards per play (4.8) and an NFL-low 13 passing touchdowns this season. Mike White’s return might assist the sport script, however Tyler Lockett, Marquise Goodwin, Will Dissly and Noah Fant are all banged as much as various levels (Smith would get an additional downgrade ought to Lockett sit once more). The Jets secondary has ceded the second-fewest fantasy factors to large receivers and has grown much more dominant recently, as no WR has scored a landing in opposition to them over the previous three video games (after they’ve confronted Josh Allen, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence).
Additionally, for what it’s price (possibly nothing!), Smith has gotten 9.7 YPA whereas averaging 2.7 touchdowns indoors this season and seven.1 YPA/1.7 TDs open air. Both means, Smith’s comeback story is more likely to hit one other snag this week in opposition to a surging Jets protection, making choices like Gardner Minshew, Aaron Rodgers and Brock Purdy viable options in your fantasy championship.
Minnesota Vikings @ Inexperienced Bay Packers
Begin: Kirk Cousins, Allen Lazard
Cousins’ YPA is down this season however touchdowns and yardage have been there. He’s improved when going through stress this 12 months (which ought to assist in opposition to Inexperienced Bay), and quantity needs to be there Sunday in a matchup with the second-highest complete (48 factors) of the weekend. The climate in Lambeau Area seems able to cooperate.
Lazard ought to see elevated targets with Christian Watson inactive or probably restricted if he performs with out training a lot all week (and with Aaron Jones additionally banged up). Lazard will get a Vikings protection permitting essentially the most fantasy factors to large receivers and the second-most yards per play on the street this season.
Los Angeles Rams @ Los Angeles Chargers
Begin: Cam Akers, Keenan Allen
Akers was fantasy’s top-scoring again final week regardless of sitting many of the fourth quarter in a blowout. He performed 87% of the first-half snaps and has utterly taken over as LA’s workhorse. The Rams’ offensive line stays an issue (and the surging Chargers protection seems more likely to get Joey Bosa again), however Baker Mayfield has supplied secure QB play, and Akers has seemed legitimately good just lately. He’s change into a must-start and is a top-10 RB on my board this week.
Allen in all probability falls underneath “Captain Apparent” to begin, however this recreation isn’t on Yahoo’s DFS slate. He’s averaged 13 targets and 10 catches over the past 4 video games and is more likely to see extra obscene quantity this week with Austin Ekeler coping with a knee harm.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Begin in DFS: Steelers D/ST ($11)
Fade in DFS: J.Okay. Dobbins ($24)
Sunday night time’s recreation is included on this week’s DFS important slate, making a near-minimum Steelers D/ST intriguing. Pittsburgh faces a struggling Ravens passing offense coping with a number of accidents, as Tyler Huntley has only one landing move this season and hasn’t reached 150 passing yards in any of his three begins.
Dobbins break up carries near evenly (12-11) with Gus Edwards final week and didn’t see a fourth-quarter carry. Dobbins isn’t focused (he has one catch since Week 4), just lately admitted his left leg stays “lagging behind” after surgical procedure and is additional hindered by Huntley limiting Baltimore’s offense. Huntley has been an enormous downgrade from Lamar Jackson, and Sunday night time he’ll face a Pittsburgh protection that’s particularly powerful when T.J. Watt is wholesome. The Steelers have yielded simply 4.0 YPC and the second-fewest speeding touchdowns (seven) this season.
Dobbins hasn’t seen greater than 15 carries throughout any recreation in his profession, and he’ll be sharing backfield work in a Baltimore offense with one of many lowest implied staff totals of the week. Begin Tyler Allgeier, D’Andre Swift or AJ Dillon as a substitute.
Buffalo Payments @ Cincinnati Bengals
Begin: Gabe Davis, Tyler Boyd
This extremely anticipated matchup options the second-highest over/underneath (49.5 factors) of the week, and the Bengals have principally stuffed the run when DJ Reader has been on the sector this season. Davis has did not command even near the number of targets fantasy managers expected this season, however he might reward affected person ones in primetime on Monday night time.
Boyd has been enjoying via a damaged finger however isn’t on the harm report this week. He has a sneaky setup within the fantasy finals with Ja’Marr Chase probably shadowed by Tre’Davious White. The Payments have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy factors to outdoors receivers but the Tenth-most to the slot (the place Boyd has run 84% of his routes) over the past month, and opponents have the fifth-highest move price in opposition to Buffalo this season.
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