Week 17 is the most crucial in the fantasy football season. It’s championship week!
Today, we will give you the top players in each stat below. This list will help you with multiple players for each stat so you can make the most informed decisions for your lineup. Let’s start this article with the most important position: QB.
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Stats To Know Before Setting Your Fantasy Football Lineup
We LOVE The Deep Ball
Who doesn’t love an explosive play? Who doesn’t love gaining a gaggle of fantasy points in one play? These quarterbacks provide you the ability to hit your ceiling projections each week.
20+ Yard Throws:
Purdy is interesting because before the season, most thought he would dink and dunk his way to victories. However, he is making waves with his ability to elevate the plays while pairing with YAC-Gods as his pass-catching options. In Week 17, he faces the Washington Commanders.
Purdy should take advantage of the matchup like most quarterbacks do. However, do we worry about his ceiling because San Francisco should have a sizable lead? If you have Purdy, you head right back to the well this week because the matchup is too juicy to avoid.
Another person we need to return to take advantage of this stat is Stroud. After a few weeks without Stroud, all the Texans’ offensive weapons could benefit from the stud rookie returning under center to help threaten the pass-funnel defense of the Titans.
Goff faces Prescott, which means we could be looking into a game with many explosive plays. The Lions’ passing defense is struggling to stop opponents, while the Cowboys love to run man coverage, which is susceptible to explosive plays. This game lets you start players like Brandin Cooks, Jameson Williams and Josh Reynolds in your flex for championship week.
I’m The Juggernaut
I won’t finish that phrase, but you see the quote if you know the YouTube video. These running backs are like the juggernauts, as they bulldoze their opponents on every drive.
Most Broken Tackles:
- Travis Etienne (JAC)
- Najee Harris (PIT)
- Kyren Williams (LAR)
- Jaylen Warren (PIT)
- Derrick Henry (TEN)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)
The biggest shockers on this list sit at one and six. Etienne leading the NFL was not something we thought would happen here at FantasyPros. This week, he faces the Panthers, who allow the fifth most rushing yards this season. This same defense also allows the most rushing touchdowns this season. With those stats fueling the Jaguars’ offensive game plan, the true tank of Jacksonville will have a chance to thrive and create explosive plays.
The following person who shocks us is Gibbs. He stands at 5’9 and “201” lbs. I put quotes around this weight because he probably weighs under 200 lbs. However, when the season started, you expected Gibbs to be the explosive back while David Montgomery broke multiple tackles. However, Gibbs has shown he can handle all facets of the run game and has become the 1A out of these two running backs in Detroit.
The All Cardio Team OR Something Special?
We have the leader in WR air yards below. Notice that one of the players, Amari Cooper, missed the week; however, the rest of this list seems to be players who make sense, except for one, DeAndre Hopkins.
Air Yards Leaders (WR):
- DeAndre Hopkins (TEN)
- Amari Cooper (CLE)
- A.J. Brown (PHI)
- Chris Olave (NO)
- Mike Evans (TB)
Should we trust Hopkins in Week 17? This stat says we should, but we suggest fading him and moving him into the “all cardio” team. Their opponent, the Houston Texans, has allowed the tenth-lowest number of receptions. Although they have allowed a decent amount of yardage, the Texans’ defense has only allowed ten touchdowns to wide receivers (the fifth lowest in the NFL).
At best, Hopkins is a flex play but it’s risky business with their quarterback situation in Week 17.
The Two Yutes, Your Honor
This may be my favorite title from this series in 2023. We use a great movie to explain some fantastic tight ends. Remember when tight ends couldn’t possibly provide value to your fantasy team until a few years into their career? These two Broken Tackle leaders have proven this is no longer the case. Notice the two leaders are in their sophomore and rookie seasons.
Broken Tackle Leaders (TE):
McBride and Laporta can thank their athletic ability for their fantastic season, and one of the factors in their great play is their ability to break tackles. McBride is a scary prospect with Kyler Murray not practicing; however, if Laporta is on your team, don’t overthink it. Just start your studs
Everett may get a more significant piece of the pie if Keenan Allen misses Week 17 against one of the worst defenses facing TEs.
Njoku was an animal last night for the Browns. As long as Joe Flacco is with him, Njoku could be TE1 on the season.
Statistics Explain It All
Trying to make my title sound like Clarissa Explains It All was a stretch, but these stats aren’t in the same ballpark. These stats show the issues with significant quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Trevor Lawrence. It’s been a rough year and as blasphemous as it may sound, if you have an option comparable to these players, you may want to start them under center in Week 17.
Times Knocked Down:
- Patrick Mahomes (KC)
- Jared Goff (DET)
- Joshua Dobbs (MIN)
- Sam Howell (WAS)
- Russell Wilson (DEN)
Poor Passes:
- Trevor Lawrence (JAC)
- Bryce Young (CAR)
- Jordan Love (GB)
- Matthew Stafford (LAR)
- C.J. Stroud (HOU)
Hopefully, these stats helped advance your research to allow you to walk away from your matchup with a victory. Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. If you need more help with waiver wires, start/sit questions, or anything else for your lineup, don’t hesitate to contact me on Twitter (X) at @jpep20.
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