“Give me one more.”

An illustrious quote by a legendary character, Chet Steadman. Yes, I know I’m working in a baseball movie reference, but it was too good to pass up. One more week to go for fantasy football glory for most leagues. No, I’m not forgetting about everyone out there who plays in Week 18 for fantasy football championships. The Primer will still be here in Week 18 to support your quest for fantasy football greatness.

Happy Holidays, everyone. Enjoy all of the football, family, and fun.

Welcome to the Week 17 Primer. Enjoy.

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Fantasy Football Primer: Christmas Day

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Watch Live on Fubo
• KC -2.5, O/U 43

Pace and play calling notes

• Since Week 9, Kansas City has ranked ninth in neutral pace and second in neutral passing rate.
• Across their last three games, Pittsburgh has been 11th in neutral pace and 17th in neutral passing rate.

Chiefs Players & Weekly Rankings

Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Travis Kelce

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Patrick Mahomes (QB)

Since Week 9, Mahomes has returned to the QB1 conversation. Across his last eight games, he has averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game with 244.6 passing yards per game and a 15:2 passing touchdown-to-interception ratio. His per-dropback numbers haven’t been amazing, as he’s had 6.1 yards per attempt and only 0.1% CPOE. Those aren’t the per-dropback efficiency numbers we usually associate with a weekly QB1, but Kansas City has leaned on the passing game heavily recently, so the volume infusion has helped cover up some of the efficiency worries. Mahomes could post QB1 numbers again this week against what has become a weakened Pittsburgh pass defense. The Steelers pass defense has become eerily similar on paper to New England. If you are throwing at anyone not named Christian Gonzalez or Joey Porter Jr., you’re likely having success against these defenses. Since Week 10, Pittsburgh has allowed the 11th-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the 12th-highest CPOE.

Xavier Worthy (WR)

The Chiefs have been force-feeding the ball to Worthy over the last two games while also featuring him in the rushing game. Over the last two weeks, he has averaged three rushing attempts and 20 rushing yards (one score). Since Week 15, Worthy has had an 84% route share, a 27.2% target share, 1.52 YPRR (55.5 receiving yards per game), and a 32.7% first-read share. He has averaged 20.1 fantasy points per game in this small sample. Worthy could have another wonderful game this week against what has become a burnable secondary. Since Week 10, Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Calvin Austin (WR)

Over the last two games, Austin has had an 18.2% target share, a 43.5% air-yard share, 2.55 YPRR (65 receiving yards per game), and a 30% first-read share. He has operated as the team’s WR1 with George Pickens out while seeing a red zone target. Austin is a viable flex this week if Pickens is out. Since Week 11, Kansas City has ranked 15th in PPR points per target.

Pat Freiermuth (TE)

Without Pickens in the lineup, Freiermuth has had a 13.6% target share, 1.28 YPRR, and an 18.2% first-read share. Last week, he had a dud after back-to-back TE1 games. Freiermuth should bounce back this week against one of the best tight-end matchups on the board. Kansas City has allowed the most receiving yards per game and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Flex Plays & Fades

Tread lightly with these players who are questionable starts or players I’m fading this week.

Russell Wilson (QB)

Since Week 14, without George Pickens, Wilson has struggled mightily as the QB24 in fantasy points per game with only 167.7 passing yards per game, 6.21 yards per attempt, and 14.3 fantasy points per game. Across his last three games, among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, Wilson has ranked fifth in CPOE, 16th in passer rating, and 30th in highly accurate throw rate. Without Pickens and with his rushing production nearly non-existent this season, he hasn’t been able to flash a ceiling. He’s best viewed as a mediocre QB2 this week, even with the decent matchup. Since Week 11, Kansas City has allowed the 14th-most passing yards per game while also keeping quarterbacks at bay with the third-lowest passer rating, the ninth-lowest CPOE, and the ninth-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed.

Kareem Hunt (RB)

Last week, Hunt had his highest snap rate since Pacheco’s return (43%). He finished with 13 touches and 79 total yards while playing 52% of the rushing play snaps and having a 71% snap rate when the team was in the red zone. I don’t feel great about playing Hunt, as the Chiefs have utilized 3-4 backs each game over the last four weeks, but if you’re going to play a Chiefs running back this week, it is Hunt. His per-touch numbers haven’t looked any better than Pacheco’s since Week 13, with a 6% missed tackle rate and 1.56 yards after contact per attempt. Hunt is also just a shaky flex play this week. Since Week 10, Pittsburgh has ranked 15th in missed tackle rate and 17th in explosive run rate, with the ninth-lowest yards after contact per attempt allowed.

Isiah Pacheco (RB)

Pacheco remains in a limited snap role. In three of the four games since his return, he has played 35-37% of the snaps. He has averaged only 12.1 touches and 45.6 total yards. Last week, Pacheco played only 40% of the rushing play snaps and 29% of the passing down snaps, and he didn’t have a snap in the red zone. Pacheco’s per-touch numbers have remained tough to look at, with a 7% missed tackle rate and only 1.65 yards after contact per attempt. He’s only a low-end flex this week. Since Week 10, Pittsburgh has ranked 15th in missed tackle rate and 17th in explosive run rate, with the ninth-lowest yards after contact per attempt allowed.

Jaylen Warren (RB)

Warren is an RB3/flex again this week. Last week, he stepped up as the Steelers were down by playing 67% of the snaps with 17 touches and 92 total yards. He has looked like Pittsburgh’s best back since Week 7, with a 20% missed tackle rate and 2.59 yards after contact per attempt. I don’t think Warren dominates the backfield work in Week 17 like he did last week, but I may be wrong. If he sees that type of workload this week, he’ll be an RB2, especially if he can get into the endzone. It’s a horrible matchup, though, so temper your expectations. Since Week 11, Kansas City has held backs to the 13th-fewest rushing yards per game, the fifth-lowest explosive run rate, and the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

Najee Harris (RB)

Harris is the RB29 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17.9 touches and 79.3 total yards. He’s been brutal in fantasy over the last two games, as he hasn’t surpassed 50 total yards gained in either contest. He’s also been held out of the end zone in each game. Last week, Harris saw his snap share fall to 28%, with only nine touches and 42 total yards. I think that snapshare is likely an outlier, but it’s also possible we are seeing a changing of the guard in this backfield. Among 64 qualifying backs, Harris ranks 14th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 29th in yards after contact per attempt. He has another terrible matchup this week that renders him an RB3/flex. Since Week 11, Kansas City has held backs to the 13th-fewest rushing yards per game, the fifth-lowest explosive run rate, and the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

George Pickens (WR)

Pickens opened this week with only a limited practice. I think he will probably miss Week 17 and return for the regular season finale. I’ll update his status as we get more information.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR)

The Chiefs have had Hopkins play a full-time role in various weeks, but across the last two games, his route share has dipped to 55.2% as he has had a 12.3% target share, 1.52 YPRR (36.5 receiving yards per game), and a 16.4% first-read share. In these two games, Hopkins has averaged only 8.2 fantasy points per game. It’s tough to consider him as anything more than a middling flex play this week with the limited route share and this passing attack flowing through Xavier Worth over the last few games. The matchup is good, though, which could help elevate Hopkins’ production when he’s on the field. Since Week 10, Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Marquise Brown (WR)

Last week, Brown made his debut as a Chief and had a 19.5% target share, 23.2% air-yard share, 45 receiving yards, and a 25% first-read share. All of these metrics are awesome, especially considering that this was his first game with Patrick Mahomes. However, here’s the downside: Brown only had a 33.3% route share and logged an incredible 53% TPRR. That TPRR isn’t sustainable, and we have to see his route share increase before we can look at Brown as a fantasy-viable wide receiver. Pick Brown up off the waiver wire if you have a league that plays into Week 18, but he’s not in consideration for fantasy for Week 17.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans

• Watch Live on Fubo
• BAL -3.5, O/U 47.5

Pace and play calling notes

• Since Week 11, Houston has had the 12th-slowest neutral pace and ranked second-best in neutral passing rate. In the same timeframe, Baltimore has ranked 14th in neutral pace and seventh in neutral rushing rate.

Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings

Texans Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Lamar Jackson
• Derrick Henry
• Joe Mixon
• Nico Collins

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Zay Flowers (WR)

Last week, Flowers erupted with his fifth 100-yard receiving day of the season. He ranks 12th among wideouts in deep targets this season (tied). He should have another wonderful week for fantasy GMs if he can overcome the talented Houston secondary. Since Week 12, Houston has featured single high with 59.5% of their defensive snaps. Against single-high, Flowers has had a 27.9% target share with 3.05 YPRR and a 32.5% first-read share. Houston has been a tough draw for receivers. Since Week 10, Houston has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target and the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Flowers has the talent to overcome this matchup, but I also don’t think he has a “boom” game in Week 17.

Mark Andrews (TE)

Since Week 5, Andrews had had a 15.7% target share, 2.23 YPRR (44.2 receiving yards per game), and a 16.6% first-read share as the TE7 in fantasy points per game. During this stretch, he has led all tight ends with seven end-zone targets. This week, he should be considered a strong TE1 again. Houston has held tight ends to the fourth-fewest receiving yards per game, but they have allowed the eighth-most receiving touchdowns per game to the position.

Dalton Schultz (TE)

Since Week 11, Schultz had had a 16.9% target share, 1.27 YPRR, and an 18.7% first-read share. During these last five games, he has seen two end-zone targets. C.J. Stroud will lean on him more with Tank Dell out for the rest of the season. He should flirt with TE1 value again this week. Baltimore has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards per game and the ninth-highest yards per reception to tight ends.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Flex Plays & Fades

Tread lightly with these players who are questionable starts or players I’m fading this week.

C.J. Stroud (QB)

Last week was Stroud’s first outing with at least 18 fantasy points since Week 6 against New England. Since Nico Collins‘ return, Stroud’s numbers have remained mediocre, with only 6.75 yards per attempt, 224 passing yards per game, a 7:5 passing touchdown-to-interception ratio, and 0.4% CPOE. The loss of Tank Dell last week will hurt his floor and ceiling. He’s best viewed as a decent QB2 this week. Since Week 10, Baltimore has turned into a tough defense to pass against, allowing only 6.35 yards per attempt, 229.5 passing yards per game, and an 86.1 passer rating.

Rashod Bateman (WR)

Despite entering Week 16 with a foot issue, Bateman had an 80% route share. He finished with only one reception for a 14-yard score, but the larger takeaway here is that he was healthy enough to play his normal full-time role. Bateman returns to the flex radar this week. Since Week 12, Houston has featured single high with 59.5% of their defensive snaps. Against single-high, Bateman has had a 12.1% target share, 1.35 YPRR, and a 13.1% first-read share. With a touch matchup this week, he’s better off left on the bench for championship week. Since Week 10, Houston has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target and the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

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*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*