Dudes
QB – Dak Prescott @ Tennessee Titans
I had Dak as a dud last week thinking he’d struggle against a tough Eagles defense but he lit it up and finished the week QB2 with 27 points. I’m going to ride this wave into the championship. I love his matchup against a Titans defense that has given up the 3rd most points to opposing QBs this season.
QB – Aaron Rodgers Vs. Minnesota Vikings
This may be more of a hunch than an actual statistically driven prediction. Rodgers performed horribly against the Vikings in week 1 and I believe he’ll be hell bent on beating the Vikings and being at the forefront of that beat down. The Vikings are the kings of the division and Rodgers wants to play spoiler.
RB – Saquon Barkley Vs. Indianapolis Colts
This may be Barkley’s New York Giant swan song, there’s zero doubt in my mind that that will be something Saquon is aware of. The Colts are allowing 26 points per week to opposing running backs and Barkley will be putting on a show at MetLife.
RB – Travis Ettiene @ Houston Texans
Etienne has just gone through the ringer, playing top-10 rushing defenses in each of his last 5 games. This week, he gets to face the 32nd ranked rushing defense as a parting gift heading into the offseason (postseason?). I expect Etienne to top 20 PPR points in this one.
WR – Ceedee Lamb @ Tennessee Titans
Ceedee Lamb is currently WR6 on the season after putting up a monster 34 point performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles (while on my duds list). Lamb has proved to me he is that dude and he’ll prove it yet again against an abysmal Titans passing defense.
WR – Mike Evans Vs. Carolina Panthers
This one may be a bit risky as Evans only totaled 5 PPR points last week and Tom has not looked great. But the Panthers have been poor against the pass and Jaycee Horn had surgery on his wrist Tuesday. I’m expecting Horn to be out and I think Evans will get it done in this one.
TE – Tyler Higbee @ LA Chargers
Higbee has seen a resurgence since Baker Mayfield took over at quarterback for the Rams. Higbee went 4/27 and a touchdown 2 weeks ago and followed that up with a 9/92/2 touchdown day. Mayfield is hot, Higbee is hot, and I’m banking on this connection in week 17.
Flex – Christian Watson Vs. Minnesota Vikings
I’m stacking Rodgers and Watson this week. Watson has cooled off after a stretch of monster weeks 10-14 but I expect one more major performance for fantasy managers against the 30th ranked Vikings pass defense.
Duds
QB – Deshaun Watson @ Washington Commanders
Deshaun Watson is ranked QB17 in points scored since returning in week 13. He just doesn’t seem to have it together and I don’t imagine he will get it together against a strong Commander’s defense. The stakes are too high for me to risk playing this Dud.
QB – Geno Smith @ New York Jets
Geno has seen a steady decrease in points over the last 2 weeks and his lowest performance in that timespan came against the Chiefs and their 29th ranked defense against the pass. Smith is cooling off at the wrong time and is heading to New York to face a Jets team that will be doing everything in their power to make it to the playoffs.
RB – Josh Jacobs Vs. San Francisco 49ers
Jacobs has been leaned on heavily this season and has gone over 300 carries for the 1st time in his career. I believe he’s wearing down and I also believe that the 49ers are going to continue to be dominant against the run.
RB – Najee Harris @ Baltimore Ravens
The last time Harris faced the Ravens he ran 12 times for 33 yards. A rushing touchdown saved him from having a 6-point performance. The Ravens defense has been stout against the run since acquiring Roquan Smith and they’ll be smothering the Steeler ball carriers this week.
WR – DK Metcalf Vs. New York Jets
Geno is a Dud this week and I’m stacking that selection with DK Metcalf. DK will be smothered in sauce this week and I expect he’ll finish the game with no more than 5 receptions and 50 yards.
WR – Deandre Hopkins @ Atlanta Falcons
On paper, this looks like a great match-up for Deandre Hopkins. The Falcons have allowed the 9th most points per game to opposing receivers this season. If you look at this more closely, you’ll see the Cardinals quarterback situation is terrible and that the Falcons have not allowed opposing receivers to score more than 14 PPR points total in 3 of their last 4 games.
TE – Mark Andrews Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Andrews hasn’t scored more than 8 points in any of his last 3 games. Even if Lamar comes back, I don’t like his chances of seeing an increase in production this week. The Steelers are allowing only 10 points per game to opposing tight ends, expect Andrews to stay below 10 points yet again.
Flex – JK Dobbins Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dobbins came back from injury strong a few weeks back, but in his last game he was out produced by backfield mate Gus Edwards. The Pittsburgh Steelers have only allowed 20 points per game to opposing running backs and with the Ravens split in their backfield. I don’t like the chances of Dobbins being worth a start.
