For most of us, Week 17 marks the conclusion of the Fantasy Football season, so congratulations to all the winners! However, if you are a football junkie like me. You have one more week to get your fantasy fix. Until fantasy football begins in the NFL playoffs.
The final week of the NFL regular season can spell trouble for fantasy players, as many teams choose to rest their players to prepare for the playoffs, or they may hold them back to prevent further injuries. Personally, I find this week thrilling! The end of the season often leads to unexpected breakout performances, as seen with players like Rashaad Penny, who became a fantasy football hero back in 2021, delivering championship wins for many managers.
Last week, a guarantee was made regarding Cooper Kupp, but the only certainty is that he is no longer a threat to opposing defenses. He recorded just one catch for 29 yards—Dang! Nick Westbrook-Ikhine didn't perform much better and should definitely be benched by championship-contending teams. On the other hand, Jalen McMillan continued his streak, torching the Panthers for two touchdowns. Thus being a key contributor to most championship teams. It certainly helps that he has Baker Mayfield, who can be argued to be as locked in as any quarterback not named Joe Burrow. Although it may be wishful thinking, I would love to see them battle it out in the Super Bowl this year.
We shift gears to the running back position this week as we have three to discuss. One might be the best running back on his team, but his head coach can't be trusted when it comes to his backfield deployment. One is a Raider. The last one has a bright future, maybe, and that is…
Isaac Guerendo (Gueren-GOOOOOO)
It's hard not to root for a small-town kid that makes it to the big leagues. Hailing from Clayton, Indiana, Isaac Guerendo has always been known for his speed. This former track star ran a 4.33 forty at the combine and tied for the third fastest time with Brian Thomas Jr. In Week 18, the 49ers face the Cardinals. Neither team has much to play for this season. This could mean more opportunities for Guerendo to see what they have in the fourth-round pick. He could be a key piece to next year's backfield. Especially with the up in the air status with Christian McCaffrey, at least right now.
The first time we saw Guerendo play was against the Seahawks in Week 6, where he filled in for Jordan Mason, who had sustained an injury. Guerendo finished just one yard shy of reaching 100 rushing yards in that game. Since Week 6, he has consistently scored over ten fantasy points in every game where he has received more than ten touches. At this point in the season, you want players who consistently get opportunities and provide at least ten points from the running back position.
One advantage is that the Cardinals have been quite generous to running backs recently. In their last three games, they have allowed an average of 106 rushing yards to running backs. Furthermore, they've surrendered five rushing touchdowns during that span. However, there is a drawback: the 49ers have only run the ball 18 times per game over the past three matchups. This could be due to playing in negative game scripts, and the Cardinals don't seem likely to put up a significant score. Despite this concern, starting Guerendo this week appears to be a better choice than players like Jaylen Warren, Tank Bigsby, or J.K. Dobbins.
Recommendation: Start
Ameer Abdullah (Prince Abdullah)
When I think of the Raiders, the first thing that comes to mind is a loyal hound dog. As a Raiders fan, I can confidently say we have the most loyal fan base in the NFL. Aside from Brock Bowers' record-breaking season, there wasn't much to be excited about in 2024.
Remember the name Zamir White from the offseason? He was labeled as a dream pick for those employing a Zero Running Back strategy, but his early performance left many regretting their choice by Week 4. From Zamir we quickly fast forward to Mr. Abdullah, first name Ameer. Last week marked the first time since 2017 that Abdullah had 20 carries in a game, and he managed to finish among the top seven running backs. It was against the Saints, but this week, he faces a tougher challenge against the Chargers, who are the top team at preventing running backs from scoring touchdowns. While Abdullah isn't known for being a high touchdown scorer, he has excelled in catching passes out of the backfield. Aidan O'Connell tends to check down to Abdullah for favorable yardage. Over the last three games, Abdullah has averaged more than eight yards per catch. In Week 16, the Chargers allowed 11 completions to running backs out of the backfield. Therefore, even if Abdullah doesn't score a touchdown, he could still be a viable option this week.
We will need to monitor his status throughout the week. Last week, he injured his foot; although the 31-year-old doesn't have a lot of mileage on his legs, the Raiders are struggling this season, which might lead him to sit out this game. If he is cleared to play, you should consider including him in your lineup instead of players like Jaleel McLaughlin, Tank Bigsby, or Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Recommendation: Start
Jaleel McLaughlin (Don't Make Me Laugh)
This situation is challenging because Jaleel McLaughlin has proven to be the best and most consistent running back for the Broncos when he has the ball. He has the burst and pass-catching abilities that make him a solid flex option. However, there are several issues that need to be considered. The primary concern is trusting Sean Payton with the backfield since he tends to rotate multiple running backs, making it difficult to predict who will get the most opportunities. This unpredictability is something you can't take a chance on during Championship Week.
Of course, we know that the Chiefs will be resting some of their key players in this matchup as they prepare for January football. Their philosophy should remain consistent as they aim to continue playing tough against the run. This should be a manageable task for them, even though they typically give up one rushing touchdown when playing away from Arrowhead Stadium.
Here's the most alarming statistic: McLaughlin has not finished higher than running back 24 in fantasy this season on a weekly basis. The last time he faced the Chiefs, he managed only 12 rushing yards without any catches. Therefore, the best decision this week is to sit McLaughlin. Instead, you should start Ray Davis, Blake Corum, and Michael Carter, as they will likely score more points than McLaughlin.
Recommendation: Sit
New Year, New You…
We wish you the best in the New Year from Footballguys! Whether you dominated your leagues or this season is one to forget, we are always here for you. Although the fantasy football regular season may be coming to an end, the Fantasy Football playoff edition is just around the corner. Utilizing tools like Drafting Lists, Projections, Cheatsheets, and ADP will help you throughout the offseason and prepare you for next season's domination!