Fantasy Overview: Week 17

Fantasy Overview offers a weekly breakdown of key information, stats, and strategies to help you excel in your fantasy league. Stay informed about the ever-changing landscape and gain insights to boost your success.

Week 17 Preparation

Congratulations to those who dominated the playoffs up to this point or squeaked through by the narrowest of margins. Several big names failed to come through for us in Week 16, including Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Joe Mixon, Najee Harris, Cooper Kupp, Jerry Jeudy, Khalil Shakir, Travis Kelce, and Trey McBride. If you managed to navigate several roadblocks of poor play, congratulations because it was a minefield. You looked at bad luck in the face and said, "Is that all you got?" There will be some teams in the title game who stumbled in. To use a hockey/soccer analogy, a goal is still a goal even if it slowly rolls past the goalie. It takes skill to advance this far, but a great deal of luck is also involved. Congratulations if you made it this far. Many strong teams will be watching from home without a team competing in Week 17. If that's you, don't be too hard on yourself; winning a championship is not easy. After all, you need to:

1. Get into the playoffs with a few strong players, consistent play, and good depth.
2. Take advantage of good matchups and fade tough ones.
3. Hope for good luck on your side and bad luck for your opponent. 
4. Navigate the refs. 

For those of you who did make it...Week 17 is here. You survived. You're in the Finals. (Hopefully, the majority of you do not have a Week 18 Championship). Maybe you have a lot of money on the line. Or maybe just bragging rights among your family, friends, or co-workers. Either way, the goal is in sight. Here are a few thoughts on taking down your opponent and lifting the trophy. 

Historically, home running backs are more effective.

Unless there's an injury to a big-name player, go with those who got you here. Home running backs are the ticket, especially later in the year. Saquon Barkley (vs DAL), Bucky Irving (vs CAR), Kyren Williams (vs ARI), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (vs NYG), James Cook (vs NYJ), Tank Bigsby (vs TEN), Chase Brown (vs DEN), Joe Mixon (vs BAL), and Brian Robinson Jr (vs ATL) all have home games this week.

Let's not forget about matchups.

Each of these teams allows at least one rushing touchdown per game to running backs this year: Carolina, New Orleans, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Jacksonville, and San Francisco.

Opponents for each

• Carolina at Tampa Bay - The Panthers have allowed four straight 100-yard rushers and five of six. With the NFC South still up for grabs, Tampa Bay has everything to play for. Bucky Irving is one of the better running back starts this week, and Rachaad White also has some value. 
  
  
  
  
• New Orleans vs Las Vegas - The Saints have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns since Week 7, including three last week against Green Bay. They are a mess with injuries, and their competitive spirit might be gone for the season. Will the Raiders want to finish strong or secure a high draft pick? They won last week vs. Jacksonville, if that's any indication. With the injury to Sincere McCormick, Alexander Mattison's role will increase and is worth a look in your lineup this week. In a stretch, Ameer Abdullah also has some value in PPR leagues. 
  
  
  
  
• Chicago vs Seattle - The Bears have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns to running backs since Week 9 and have lost some of their defensive luster over the last few weeks. With Ken Walker III (ankle) likely out, Seattle will turn to Zach Charbonnet to salvage their playoff and division chances. 
  
  
  
  
• Cincinnati vs Denver - The Bengals have allowed six rushing touchdowns to running backs in their last five games. The Broncos have several options at running back, but Audric Estime took a big step forward last week and should continue to get work with Javonte Williams. While there is no specific go-to back, the matchup is favorable. Look for the hot hand to see more action. Last week, that back was Estime. 
  
  
  
  
• Dallas at Philadelphia - Saquon Barkley is on a mission to not only reach 2,000 yards rushing but to eclipse the single-season record of 2,105 yards held by Eric Dickerson since 1984. Barkley needs 268 yards to break the record. 
  
  
  
  
• Jacksonville vs Tennessee - The Jaguars have allowed seven rushing touchdowns to running backs in the last five games. They are limping to the end of the season and allowed 119 yards and a touchdown to Tony Pollard in their earlier Week 14 matchup. A Week 15 ankle injury to Pollard opened up more touches for Tyjae Spears last week, who finished with two touchdowns on 13 touches. Pollard played last week and should be good to go again in this strong matchup. Both Tennessee backs could prove to be productive with a stronger lean toward Pollard. 
  
  
  
  
• San Francisco vs Detroit - The 49ers have quietly allowed four 100-yard rushers in their last five games and will have to face Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions offense in Week 16. The 49ers defense has taken a downward turn in the last half of the season. What was projected to be a tough matchup has become a favorable one for championship week.