With some of the Jets’ offensive weapons injured before Thursday night’s game, Rex Burkhead stepped in and became a star. He will be on fantasy radars this week whether he suits up or not with news that Isaiah McKenzie is out for at least 4 weeks.
It’s championship weekend for most fantasy managers.
It’s no small achievement that you’ve made it this far. You’ve dealt with a long-winded draft, injuries, trades, poor game-day judgments, and the dreaded COVID-19 list.
This is where it all boils down to. If you’re fortunate, your lineup doesn’t need any substantial adjustments. You aren’t rushing to fill many positions. However, there may be one or two moves that will help you win your league and the reward that comes with it, whatever that award may be.
With last-minute moves in mind, fantasy sports researcher Kyle Soppe has one final set of questions for select reporters covering teams where a player or two could make all the difference, whether it’s a running back in Houston or New England, a receiver in Buffalo or Philadelphia, or the Rams’ entire passing game. Our reporters have done their utmost to offer accurate, up-to-date information.
Wishing you all the best in your championship games:
Russell Gage has had a rough game after a month of good play: blip on the radar or Week 17 fade?
It’s difficult to say. The issue for fantasy players with Atlanta’s offensive is that the Falcons will game plan to locate flaws, which will be different each week. Gage, on the other hand, hasn’t had back-to-back bad weeks since Weeks 1 and 2 of this season, so consider it a blip in Week 16 versus Detroit. The Falcons, on the other hand, will go to Buffalo, where the weather may be chilly and snowy, necessitating a run-heavy game plan. So keep that in mind this week while you’re thinking about Gage. Michael Rothstein is a writer and producer.
Marquise Brown’s target depth has plummeted, damaging his fantasy worth in the process. Is this by design, or does he still have the game-changing potential that we keep looking for?
Some of this is contingent on Lamar Jackson’s recovery from an ankle ailment. Brown has eight vertical routes catches in his first 11 games of the season. Brown hasn’t caught anything on vertical routes in the last three weeks since Jackson has been sidelined. Jackson boasts the team’s strongest arm and pushes the ball downfield more than any other quarterback in Baltimore. As a result, Brown’s ability to make huge plays is dependent on Jackson. Jamison Hensley (Jamison Hensley)
Given the COVID-19 difficulties in Buffalo’s WR room, should we at least roster Isaiah McKenzie for his Week 16 appearance? Is his Week 16 performance repeatable if the Bills are again shorthanded in Week 17?
Sure, but there’s no guarantee McKenzie will produce anything like the level he did against the Patriots last week. Receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis have been reinstated to the active roster and are expected to participate on Sunday according to the revised COVID-19 guidelines. It will be fascinating to watch how the Bills divide up the plays at slot receiver, a position that Beasley has held throughout the season, despite McKenzie’s speed providing a different skill set than what Beasley’s function on the field is. McKenzie’s stats in New England were much higher than his prior career highs, and it’s doubtful he’ll repeat them this week. Given his effectiveness, he should be given more slot chances, reducing Beasley’s playing time. Alaina Getzenberg is a writer who lives in New York City.
Is there a single Panther we should even consider for Week 17 lineups with Sam Darnold at the helm?
No. Nada. Not in the least. The offense scored one touchdown in Darnold’s last three outings before quarterback went on injured reserve. After taking over for Cam Newton last week against Tampa Bay, he passed for 190 yards and no touchdowns. Since Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve for the second time this season, running back Chuba Hubbard has done nothing. DJ Moore and Robby Anderson, both wide receivers, have been underwhelming. So, to reiterate the original no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no David Newton is an author.
When it comes to starting Packers backs for the remaining two weeks of the regular season, do you prefer either, neither, or both?
Unlikely, and not because they aren’t competent. It’s simply that it’s difficult to predict whether Aaron Jones or AJ Dillon will be the main back from one game to the next. When it comes to snap numbers, there has been a fairly equal split recently. Against the Browns, Jones had 33 snaps and Dillon had 26. Dillon had 35 points and Jones had 28 against the Bears two weeks before. Demovsky, Rob
Can we count on Rex Burkhead to put up big numbers as Houston closes out the season?
Burkhead won’t score two touchdowns like he did in Week 16, but he should receive plenty of touches. RB David Johnson is on the COVID-19 list, and even if he passes his physical and is able to play against the 49ers on Sunday, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly has made it clear that Burkhead is Houston’s RB1. Sarah Barshop is a writer.
Will Austin Ekeler’s comeback cause a shift in touch distribution as a consequence of Justin Jackson’s great day?
Certainly not. No one can match Ekeler’s abilities as a runner and receiver. COVID-19 was the only thing that stopped him, and he claimed to be suffering from severe symptoms. He swears he’ll be returning this week and will be greater than ever. Although Jackson had a good day, he is no Austin Ekeler. Shelley Smith says:
Most fantasy managers are presently in the midst of a one-week season. Is there anything to take away from this passing game’s lackluster showing in Week 16?
No. Matthew Stafford had a poor game, throwing three interceptions, forcing the Rams to depend on the run game to win. But, as you may have observed, Sean McVay hasn’t given up on calling pass plays, so don’t expect them to stop calling for Stafford to throw, and keep an eye out for the 13th-year quarterback to rebound from a rough performance. Lindsey Thiry (Lindsey Thiry)
Is Damien Harris’ backfield now Damien Harris’ backfield, or should we anticipate balance now that Rhamondre Stevenson has returned?
The anticipation is that Stevenson will be added to the mix. If not for his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the fourth-round selection from Oklahoma would still be part of a 1-2 punch alongside Harris. Last week, the Patriots’ “passing back” Brandon Bolden (34) and Harris (31) split all of the plays, with J.J. Taylor seeing no action. The Patriots recognize that this is unlikely to continue, which is why Stevenson is expected to return to his “1B” position at the conventional RB slot, as opposed to Harris’ “1A.” — Reiss, Mike
Is it too late to trust DeVonta Smith, or did Week 16 convince you that he’s a viable option this weekend at Washington?
It is entirely dependent on your choices. He’s averaging six targets per game, and he’s a terrific receiver capable of huge numbers, as we’ve seen. However, his numbers vary from week to week, as they do for most rookie receivers, and he plays in a run-heavy scheme. Smith normally has a couple of receptions every game. It’s a coin toss whether he can boost his output by finding the end zone. Tim McManus, Ph.D.
Is “SF starting RB” a must-have for fantasy teams in Week 17?
Yes. This is a good matchup against a Houston defense that ranks 27th in yards per carry allowed and tied for 30th in total rushing yards allowed. Jeff Wilson Jr. has been rounding into shape, while Elijah Mitchell is getting closer to returning from his knee injury. Given Mitchell’s erratic condition in recent weeks, don’t be shocked if the burden is distributed more equally than it was before Mitchell’s knee injury. Still, in a must-win game for the NFC playoff hunt, this is an excellent opportunity for the Niners to reassert their run-first attitude and go straight at the Texans. Nick Wagoner is a writer.
With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out, do you think Antonio Brown will be able to dominate the targets like he did in Week 16?
Yes. Right now, he’s Tom Brady’s most seasoned and flexible receiving option and route runner, and he still has certain goals to meet: 50 catches, 800 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. When Brady is able to provide such chances for his teammates, he is ecstatic. Brown is eligible to get $333,333 for each incentive. Jenna Laine is a writer who lives in New York City.
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Antonio Brown is a must start for fantasy managers in Week 17, according to Field Yates and Matthew Berry.
