Welcome to our Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 17 of the 2022 fantasy football season!
So we’ve finally made it. All the blood, sweat, and tears of the fantasy season come down to this week – so let’s go get you that elusive fantasy title. Best of luck in your fantasy championship. Here are my Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 17.
Quarterbacks
START: Jared Goff versus The Chicago Bears
Given the plethora of injuries to the position in recent weeks, I’m sure there are plenty of teams scrambling for a starting option at quarterback this weekend. Over his last five games, Jared Goff has thrown an average of 39 times per game, scoring at least 20 fantasy points in three of those games. This week Detroit faces the Chicago Bears, a team that has allowed the eight most fantasy points to the quarterback, according to FantasyData. I expect a high-scoring game where the Lions must win to stay in the playoff picture. Goff is a viable streaming option in your fantasy championship.
Additional Start Candidates: Mike White vs. SEA, Brock Purdy vs. LV
SIT: Geno Smith versus The New York Jets
Geno Smith’s resurgence has been one of the big stories of the NFL season so far, but his struggles in recent weeks have been apparent. He has now failed to throw for over 250 yards in his last two games and has only scored one touchdown in each. Smith now faces one of the toughest matchups for quarterbacks this weekend in the New York Jets. The Jets have allowed the ninth-fewest points to quarterbacks this season and rank sixth in defensive pass DVOA, per Football Outsiders. In my fantasy championship matchup, I’m looking for higher upside.
Additional Sit Candidates: Derek Carr vs. SF, Deshaun Watson vs. WAS
Running Backs
START: Tyler Allgeier versus The Arizona Cardinals
The rookie has recently seen his role in the Atlanta offense increase, becoming the team’s lead back over the last two games. He has turned this opportunity into fantasy production, scoring 35.8 points in half-PPR scoring from his 40 touches. While he has now rushed for at least 50 yards in five successive games, his work in the passing game is a particularly promising aspect of his fantasy production. Last week he reeled in four receptions from five targets, a season-high in both metrics, for 43 yards. Up next, he faces a beleaguered Arizona Cardinals team, which just allowed Fournette and White to score over 30 combined half-PPR points. Allgeier’s stock is rising and is a perfect flex option for your fantasy championship.
Tyler Allgeier has BEEN A STUD
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) December 28, 2022
Last week:
59% snaps
22 touches 117 total yds
15.1% target share
Since Week 10 (min 20 carries)
Yards after contact/att: 3rd
MTF: 2nd
PFF’s elusive rating: 2nd
Could post RB1 numbers this week pic.twitter.com/gHROYWZyE4
Additional Start Candidates: Brian Robinson vs. CLE, Zonovan Knight vs. SEA
SIT: Latavius Murray versus The Kansas City Chiefs
Latavius Murray has given fantasy managers several useful fantasy performances this year. He has, however, been at the mercy of an extremely poor offense with limited opportunities. This was clearly evident on Christmas Day against the Rams, with Murray seeing just nine touches in their blowout loss. On top of this, we saw Chase Edmonds return from injury, who saw eight touches. The Broncos now face division rivals Kansas City in a game they will be heavy underdogs. Facing another negative game script, I would try to pivot away from Murray.
Additional Sit Candidates: Jamaal Williams vs. CHI, Antonio Gibson vs. CLE
Wide Receivers
START: Garrett Wilson versus The Seattle Seahawks
Mike White will return in week 17, and you know what that means – Garrett Wilson’s stock is up. Despite seeing nine targets last week, Wilson accumulated just 30 receiving yards from his four catches. In his three games with Mike White as the starter, however, Wilson hit an average of 112 receiving yards per game. It’s a tough matchup on paper, Seattle has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, but his production has been too good with White to sit him now. After his underwhelming production last week, I’m putting my faith back in Wilson in week 17.
we might just have to keep a camera on @GarrettWilson_V every play pic.twitter.com/dULkwL83HX
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2022
Additional Start Candidates: Christian Watson vs. MIN, Jerry Jeudy vs. KC
SIT: Michael Pittman Jr. versus New York Giants
Another quarterback change in Indianapolis and another disappointing fantasy performance. Last week Pittman saw seven targets, reeling in four for just 39 yards with Nick Foles as the Colts’ quarterback. With Foles likely to remain the starter this week, it’s tough to put any faith in an offense that accumulated just 104 passing yards in their game last week. Pittman isn’t a must-sit this coming weekend against the Giants, but higher upside options may be preferable.
Additional Sit Candidates: Donovan People-Jones vs. WAS, Adam Thielen vs. GB
Tight Ends
START: Dawson Knox versus Cincinnati Bengals
He may have had a number of quiet games earlier in the season, but Dawson Knox has been rewarding fantasy managers in recent weeks. Knox has now scored a touchdown in three successive games. Beyond his usage in the red zone, Knox has also become an increasingly important part of the Bills’ offense over that span, seeing a total of 20 targets across those three games. The game against the Bengals could end up being a fantasy championship-winning shootout, and Knox is, therefore, a great high-upside option once again.
Additional Start Candidates: Tyler Conklin vs. SEA, Cole Kmet vs. DET
SIT: Chigoziem Okonkwo versus Dallas Cowboys
Okonkwo’s stretch of fantasy-relevant games came to an abrupt end last week against the Texans. With Malik Willis under center, the rookie tight end saw just two targets, reeling in one for ten yards. He had previously seen at least five targets in each of his previous four games. Okonkwo’s floor remains low, with Tannehill likely out again this coming week. He also faces the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.
Additional Sit Candidates: Gerald Everett vs. LAR, Juwan Johnson vs. PHI
