Cracking DraftKings Week 17

Ben Cummins's Cracking DraftKings Week 17 Ben Cummins Published 12/29/2023

Favorite Fantasy Game Environments

  • Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles - Over/Under 48
  • Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens - Over/Under 47
  • San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders - Over/Under 48.5

Favorite Additional Fantasy Spots

  • Bills at home against Patriots - Implied Team Total 26
  • Chiefs at home against Bengals - Implied Team Total 25.8
  • Broncos at home vs. Chargers - Implied Team Total 22
  • Rams on road against Giants - Implied Team Total 24.3
  • Seahawks at home vs. Steelers - Implied Team Total 22.5

CASH GAMES

Quarterbacks

Rank Play Opponent Salary
1 Jacoby Brissett vs. 49ers $4,900
2 Jarrett Stidham vs. Chargers $4,800

The elite quarterback plays are discussed in the tournament section of the article. They can also be considered in cash. But there are two elite cash game values this week to highlight.

*Jacoby Brissett developed hamstring tightness in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. His status must be monitored.* Sam Howell is out and Jacoby Brissett is in. Brissett was solid last year on the Browns and has been strong in limited action this season as well. He has led a touchdown drive on all five full drives with the Commanders. Washington’s offense already ranks first in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE) and third in Early Down Pass Frequency (EDPF) and Brissett and the Commanders will have to keep chucking it to try to keep pace with the 49ers. Brissett is at home and priced at just $4,900.

Russell Wilson is out and Jarrett Stidham is in. Stidham will be making his first start in Week 17. He did the same last season with the Raiders, throwing for 365 yards and 3 touchdowns. Sean Payton made Stidham a priority in his first Free Agency as head coach of the Broncos, Stidham gets to play at home, and the matchup is favorable against a Chargers defense that ranks 18th in Expected Points Added per Play (EPA/Play) Allowed since Week 8.

Running Backs

Rank Play Opponent Salary
1 James Conner at Eagles $5,900
2 Chuba Hubbard at Jaguars $5,800
3 Jonathan Taylor vs. Raiders $7,300
4 James Cook vs. Patriots $7,100
5 Javonte Williams vs. Chargers $5,600

James Conner is a dual-threat workhorse. He ran for 86 yards and 1 touchdown in Week 15 and caught five passes for 67 yards and 1 touchdown in Week 16. He has a very exploitable matchup against a struggling Eagles defense that only ranks 29th in EPA/Play Allowed and 30th in Rush EPA Allowed.

In four games under interim head coach Chris Tabor, the Panthers offense has become extremely run-heavy. Chuba Hubbard's averages in those four contests: 22.8 opportunities (would rank second in the NFL over the full season), 88.5 total yards, and 0.75 touchdowns. With the new coaching staff's approach, Hubbard is now one of the most valuable assets in all of fantasy football. He has a favorable matchup here against a Jaguars defense that only ranks 24th in EPA/Play Allowed and 20th in Rush EPA Allowed since Week 8. And the game script actually looks quite favorable with Trevor Lawrence out due to injury.

Zack Moss is out again this week. It's fully Jonathan Taylor's show. Taylor received 18 opportunities in his return to action last week and has now scored five touchdowns in his last four games. He's one of the most talented running backs in the NFL and gets to play at home this week. He's a cash play though and not a tournament one because his upside appears a bit capped against a strong Raiders defense that ranks second in both EPA/Play Allowed and Rush EPA Allowed since Week 8.

Dual-threat James Cook ranks sixth in the NFL in total yards per game (98.1). The Bills are 11.5-point home favorites against the struggling Patriots.

It's certainly possible Sean Payton's offense will improve with Jarrett Stidham, a more comfortable dropback passer than Russell Wilson, under center. Either way though, Javonte Williams is in a favorable spot at home against a Chargers defense that only ranks 18th in EPA/Play Allowed and 26th in Rush EPA Allowed since Week 8. The Broncos are 5.5-point home favorites.

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