It is Week 17. If you are reading this with interest, it means you have made it to the championship. You have made it to the finish line – the end goal. Congratulations. You may have dominated all year and reached it, or perhaps you were lucky by having the team with fewer injuries or COVID cases. No matter. You are here, and that is all that matters. This week is a new start—a new beginning and most certainly the end. Everything depends on now.
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Quarterback Streamer #1 of the Week: Justin Fields (QB – CHI) vs. New York Giants
It is early in the week, and we don’t know if Justin Fields has fully recovered to play. However, his potential output against a lousy team is too much to pass up if he is starting. Fields is far from polished and elite this early in his career, but he looks more comfortable each start. He has all the tools for success, which translates well for fantasy output. If he is out, you could do worse than Nick Foles. He’s not as enticing based on his lack of mobility, but Foles is playing for that “look at me, I’m still a starter” mentality that may motivate him. I am not nearly in on Foles, but one can’t be too picky at this point in the season.
Quarterback Streamer #2 of the Week: Trey Lance (QB – SF) vs. Houston Texans
I originally had Jimmy Garoppolo in my alternate streamers, then got wind that he is out, and it is Trey Lance time. I know Lance is a rookie with little experience, which is a must-win, but I believe he is the future. The future is now. He’s a beast. He’s an athletic running machine. His arm strength is immense. Is he a risk? Sure. But he has too much upside to ignore. Sure, he could flame out. However, the 49ers need to win. I think he’ll be more on the conservative side throwing, leading to fewer mistakes. I also think he has about 2-3 long shots in him that can go for touchdowns. And yes, he’ll run. He could race you to the title. You have only to smile, knowing you might be starting the best future starting quarterback in football today.
Quarterback Streamer #3 of the Week: Tyler Huntley or Josh Johnson (QB – BAL) vs. Los Angeles Rams
Again, Lamar Jackson may be back under center, but if you have room for one of these quarterbacks on your roster, they might be a wise add. I mean, the way each week feels like a whole season with so many changes, you never know. I prefer Tyler Huntley, but Josh Johnson was decent despite losing to the Bengals. I know the Rams are challenging, but the Ravens are desperate now. They have watched their season go from expected division winners to hoping to be a wild card team when the playoffs start. Huntley is the closest thing to LJax there is. Johnson is less of a double threat but has the wheels if need be.
Quarterback Streamer #4 of the Week: Taysom Hill (QB – NO) vs. Carolina Panthers
Are you starting to see a trend here? Konami Code. Getting a dual-threat QB at this point in the season maximizes your floor. The Carolina Panthers are a wounded animal already looking to next year. New Orleans is in the thick on it. There is no time to argue about Taysom Hill’s competence as a thrower. There is no time to discuss his future beyond 2021 as a starter. The Saints need him now – and so does your roster in Week 17.
Alternate Quarterback Streamers:
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA) vs. Tennessee Titans
If one of those above options is not available, grab Tua Tagovailoa. The Titans are middle of the pack versus quarterbacks and need to keep winning to secure the division. Miami is still on the hunt for a playoff spot. This game should be fun to watch with the potential for high scoring. Tua has the confidence of his coaches now and has Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker, and Mike Gesicki. He isn’t a rushing quarterback by nature but has the wheels to manufacture rushing gains.
Mac Jones (QB – NE) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mac Jones has had a few rough weeks, but now he gets the Jacksonville Jaguars. He lacks the mobility you want, and if they rely on the running game, his ceiling is capped. However, I believe Jones will return to his good but not great form in fantasy. That means giving you a solid 15-20 fantasy points. Nothing sexy but enough to let the rest of your roster catapult you to victory. New England is in a position of needing a victory if they want to win their division and have home-field advantage for most of their playoffs. It is never a smart bet to side against a pissed-off Bill Belichick.
Tight End Streamer #1 of the Week: Gerald Everett (TE – SEA) vs. Detroit
As bad as the Seahawks have been this season, Gerald Everett has been one of the bright spots. He’s come into his own since returning from injury. He’s one of Russell Wilson‘s favorite targets. Since their bye week, Everett has averaged over five targets a game and has three touchdowns. He’s not elite despite having elite college production and athleticism, but he’s been pretty consistent. Detroit always plays tough, which means close games. Close games ensure that Russell Wilson will be forced to have a balanced attack. This game script means more work for Everett.
Tight End Streamer #2 of the Week: Cole Kmet (TE – CHI) vs. New York Giants
Cole Kmet is in a similar situation as Gerald Everett. Not elite production but good production. He’s averaging more targets and receptions a game than Everett. As they say, always choose players on the field getting targets. The downside for Kmet is he has not scored a touchdown in 2021. Maybe this is the week he makes it happen?
Tight End Streamer #3 of the Week: Evan Engram (TE – NYG) @ Chicago Bears
Evan Engram is coming off of one of his best fantasy weeks of the year. He has been averaging five targets a game since his bye week. His quarterback situation is always tenuous, but he’s been consistently mediocre. And consistently mediocre at this point in the season ensures you have a chance of winning your final week.
Alternate Tight End Streamers:
Foster Moreau (TE – LV) @ Indianapolis Colts
It’s hard to say at this time whether or not Darren Waller is coming back this season. If he is back in Week 17, don’t look to Foster Moreau. If he is out, then play Moreau. It’s that simple
C.J. Uzomah (TE – CIN) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
C.J. Uzomah is averaging nearly six targets in his last four games. In the receiving game, he’s being overshadowed by Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd, but he’s getting looks and yards. This should be a great, high-scoring game against the Chiefs. And despite having five touchdowns on the year, Uzomah has not scored in eight games. He’s due.
Good luck this week! This long, painful rollercoaster is almost finished. If you’ve made it this far, keep holding on and try to enjoy the ride. Hopefully, when it stops, you can disembark a champion! Thank you to everyone who reads this and for all of your generous support over the years.
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Marc Mathyk is a featured writer at FantasyPros and co-founder of Veridian Global, a fantasy football apparel company. For more from Marc, check out his archive and follow him @Masterjune70.