What You Need to Know From Week 17

KC @ PIT

• The Chiefs won and locked up the #1 seed and will rest starters in Week 18 against Denver.
• Travis Kelce had his best game in weeks as a potential parting gift. We'll see if retirement rumors are true soon.
• Xavier Worthy had a strong game. While he wasn't as spectacular as some of the rookies drafted ahead of him, he could have been if he and Patrick Mahomes II had better timing on the deep ball this year. The best is yet to come.
• Pittsburgh needs to beat the Bengals or hope the Chargers lose to the Raiders to draw the Texans instead of the Ravens in the Wild Card round. They could still win the division if they triumph and the Browns somehow beat Baltimore.
• Russell Wilson had his best game as a runner and has streamer value in what should be a high-scoring Week 18 game.
• Pat Freiermuth was Wilson's favorite target and is also a Week 18 streamer.
• Jaylen Warren has been the Steelers' best fantasy running back as they've played from behind the last two weeks and should be projected as the better play over Najee Harris this week, but both are at least flex plays.

BAL @ HOU

• The Ravens just need to beat the Browns to lock up the #3 seed in Week 18, so Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers are still good plays, although Flowers had a dud in Week 17 as the Texans didn't put up much of a fight.
• The Texans were sleepwalking in this game and are locked into the #4 seed now, so don't expect to see their key starters for long against the Titans, if we see them at all.

SEA @ CHI

• This was a miserable offensive game by two teams that won't be going to the playoffs as the Seahawks were eliminated later in the week despite winning 6-3 in Week 17.
• Ken Walker III was put on injured reserve before the game, and Zach Charbonnet should get the start again in Week 18.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba disappointed in Week 17 but should be drafted a lot higher in 2025 than in 2024.
• Caleb Williams and the whole Bears offense underperformed without the benefit of garbage time. Keenan Allen will be a free agent, and the Bears will be hiring a new head coach as change is coming.

LAC @ NE

• Justin Herbert was terrific against the Patriots, mainly throwing to Ladd McConkey, who was a week-winner in the most important week of the fantasy season. The Chargers can get up to the #5 seed with a win over the Raiders and a Steelers loss, so Herbert and McConkey are both live plays for Week 18.
• Joshua Palmer left with a heel injury. If he can't go in Week 18, Quentin Johnston becomes a solid flex play.
• J.K. Dobbins returned from injured reserve and had a good game. He's a strong RB2 play in Week 18.
• Drake Maye and the whole Patriots offense struggled. Maye could sit after taking a big hit. The Patriots only needing to lose to secure the #1 pick could play into the math of whether Maye plays against the Bills.
• Antonio Gibson took over the backfield, and Rhamondre Stevenson played less than half of the snaps, barely touching the ball. Both are under contract next year, so this will be a situation to track in the offseason.

DEN @ CIN

• This game was 10-10 going into the fourth quarter but turned into a 30-24 overtime thriller with a flurry of late scoring.
• Bo Nix found his connection with Marvin Mims Jr., hooking up on two long scores. Mims was a week-winner as a what-the-heck flex, and exciting things could be in store in the future for this duo.
• Jaleel McLaughlin returned and led the always unpredictable Broncos backfield. There's no viable play here, even though Denver needs to win to get to the playoffs in Week 18.
• Joe Burrow had another massive game, and this time, it was Tee Higgins winning championships with a three-score game, not that Ja'Marr Chase was bad, going over 100 yards with nine catches. Chase will be the #1 pick in some leagues, assuming no repeat holdout situation casting a shadow on his value.
• Chase Brown left with an ankle injury. He has a chance to play in Week 18 with the Bengals still alive for a playoff berth. If he can't go, Khalil Herbert will get the start and have RB2/Flex value.

ARI @ LAR

• This was a quiet offensive game, which has been the norm for the Rams since a 44-42 win over the Bills.
• James Conner tried to play through a bone bruise on his knee but had to leave the game, giving way to Michael Carter. If Conner can't go in a meaningless season finale against the 49ers, Carter will be a flex play.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. was productive against the Rams for the second time this season. The best is yet to come, even though his rookie was a disappointment, albeit with unreasonable expectations for a rookie.
• Trey McBride finally scored and secured his spot as the #1 fantasy tight end in 2025 drafts.
• Cooper Kupp was a dud yet again. He has a $5 million roster bonus on March 15, so we will be watching his status closely after the season. Don't forget the Rams love Jordan Whittington, and he could be in the Kupp role next year.
• The Rams can still secure the #3 seed and avoid the Lions/Vikings loser with a win, but it's unclear if Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, and the rest of the starters will play the whole game against the Seahawks. Head coach Sean McVay indicated a strong lean toward resting key players, so project Week 18 lineups with that expectation.

DAL @ PHI

• Cooper Rush came back to earth after a strong recent run of games with CeeDee Lamb on injured reserve. Rico Dowdle is the only decent play for the Cowboys offense with a finale against Washington, who can avoid playing the Eagles in the first round with a win.
• The Eagles are locked into the #2 seed and may rest players in Week 18, including Saquon Barkley, even though he went over 2000 yards and is only 101 yards away from the single-season record.

CAR @ TB

• The Panthers running game was non-existent without Chuba Hubbard, but it didn't result in a big game for anyone in the Carolina passing game except Adam Thielen. Theilen remains a strong play as the Panthers try to play spoiler against the Falcons in Week 18.
• Baker Mayfield threw five scores and is as hot as any quarterback heading into Week 18. With the Bucs needing a win to take the division, Mayfield might be the #1 ranked quarterback for the last week of the season.
• Jalen McMillan scored twice and has become one of Mayfield's favorite red zone targets. He'll be a strong WR2/WR3 option in Week 18.
• Mike Evans only needs 85 yards to break 1000 for the 11th straight year. Expect him to get it against the Saints.

NYJ @ BUF

• Aaron Rodgers had one of the worst games of his career but will start again in Week 18 against Miami as the Jets try to play spoiler. He is barely capable of supporting baseline value for Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams if he doesn't improve in Week 18.
• Breece Hall only played 49% of the snaps as the Jets have moved back to a committee model in the backfield. Hall is only an upside RB2/Flex against Miami.
• Josh Allen accounted for three scores and was an elite play, but he will likely only play a drive or so in Week 18, so he's not a viable play.
• James Cook got his 15th rushing touchdown, the most in the league. He fell to the fifth round because of worries about Allen taking all of the short rushing scores.