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Just like that, another year is in the books.
We’re onto Week 17 and championship week for fantasy football. Maybe you had a good year, maybe it wasn’t so great. Whatever the reason, it’s always nice to look back and reflect. We’ve been through a lot over the last 12 months.
There was Jake Paul “fighting” Mike Tyson, Bill Belichick becoming a college football coach, Moo Deng, the Costco guy’s rise to fame and someone named Chappell Roan. Somewhere in between all of that, an NFL season ended and began. We navigated fantasy drafts, waiver claims, trades, bye weeks, insane catches, angry runs, bad beats and fantasy D/ST starts and sits.
A fantasy championship trophy won’t be under the tree, but with the right decisions, it should arrive in the mail before we ring in the new year.
So, while you’re feeling all holly and jolly, we must remember to keep our eyes on the prize. There’s a championship to be won and bragging rights to be secured.
Here are four D/ST units that we believe will get the job done in Week 17 and four that we think should be avoided if you can.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 17 D/STs
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
The last time these division foes met, Philly created five turnovers and totaled three sacks while holding Dallas to six points. That was then and this is now, but the Eagles still find themselves in start territory this week. The Cowboys offense has stepped up since that game, scoring at least 20 points in five straight. Unlike Philly, Dallas comes in without any question marks on offense. They should be able to force a few turnovers and total a couple of sacks, securing a solid point total in Week 17. With what’s been a dominant fantasy unit for a good portion of this season, trust the Eagles to get the job done in what might be their final tune-up before the postseason.
Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets)
The Bills looked like they were barely an NFL defense, in fantasy terms, for two consecutive weeks, but righted the ship in Week 16. That ship will continue to head in the right direction, with no iceberg in sight, when the Jets come to town. New York has received some praise recently for their offense that has finally figured it out, to a degree. That only produced nine points last week and a road trip to Canada, we mean western New York, isn’t going to make anything better.
Buffalo has nothing left to play for in the regular season, but this bleu cheese-loving group enjoys tormenting their foes from down south. While these games have been close in New Jersey, Buffalo has been a different story. Keep fading the Jets, who have their eyes on a vacation in two weeks.
Seattle Seahawks (at Chicago Bears)
From one mess to another, we present the Chicago Bears. Firing Matt Eberflus somehow made the team worse, with Chicago averaging just 14 points per game in three straight blowout losses. The Seahawks haven’t been the most reliable fantasy defense, especially over the last three weeks, but we’re going to trust them in this spot with their playoff hopes on the line.
Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)
The top of the draft order has a new look after Week 16 and the Giants should be applauded for that. While some teams are still trying to secure a win, the G-Men are committed to the tank and intend to leave no doubt. They’ve achieved a mediocrity that has them in a league of their own. A dumpster fire that intends to heat up an increasingly frigid tri-state area. Don’t even try to reason with yourself. The Colts are worth starting this week. There are much better things to worry about. Auto-fade the Giants.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 17 D/STs
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
This isn’t in the holiday spirit, but fantasy managers starting the Steelers shouldn’t be surprised if they see some coal in their stocking. Pittsburgh’s struggles on a short week are well-documented by now. Rounding out a stretch that included three games in 11 days, the Steelers now get to host the holiday festivities against the Chiefs, who hardly look like themselves this season.
Kansas City still profiles as a team that will flip the switch when it matters most and a statement on Christmas is a good place to start. Considering their seasons, something funky will happen with the teams’ voodoo magic clashing on a holiday. We’ll have the Steelers ride the bench and wait to see what nonsense awaits this week.
Los Angeles Chargers (at New England Patriots)
Perhaps an unpopular pick, but the Chargers haven’t been as impressive lately. A west coast team traveling east, from warm to cold weather is a recipe for disaster. Yes, the Patriots are starting a rookie quarterback, but this same signal caller looked pretty good against a solid Bills defense in Week 16. Situationally, this spot isn’t a good one and recent history tells us to temper expectations. You can probably do better.
Denver Broncos (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Fantasy’s top-ranked unit, the Broncos, have been a pleasure to have in lineups all season long. With that in mind, we’ll thank them for their service before offering them a seat on the bench for championship week. While we can’t fault you for starting them, Denver’s ceiling isn’t as high with a high-powered Cincinnati offense on the other side. Scoring 28.2 points per game, the Bengals will need to turn the ball over a couple of times for the Broncos to deliver a solid outing. If a better matchup is available to you, don’t be afraid to take it.
Tennessee Titans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Odds are, you probably weren’t starting the Titans this week. Matchups are everything in championship week and they have a great one against the Jaguars. While they held Jacksonville to just 10 points a few weeks ago and recorded two interceptions, they managed only one sack. Even more importantly, they managed to lose, too. While we’d love to fade the Jags, we aren’t doing that with these Titans while a championship is on the line.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 17
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 17.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start and who to sit in Week 17.
→ Kickers are people, too. Here are the most clutch kickers to start, and some to sit, for Week 17.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 17.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 17 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
