LA Rams at Seattle
- Matthew Stafford dominated the Seahawks' vaunted pass defense after they shut him down in the first meeting. He's a potential MVP despite the loss, and there's a much higher possibility of productive games to close the season now that the Rams go into the playoffs as a wildcard
- Puka Nacua was unstoppable and the focus of the pass offense with Davante Adams out. He single-handedly got many fantasy teams into the finals and should be an almost unfair fantasy football advantage in Week 17 at Atlanta.
- Rookie second-round pick Terrance Ferguson was the preferred receiving tight end over Colby Parkinson, catching one score and having a second wiped off the board by a bogus penalty. With Adams already out for Week 17, Ferguson is a potential championship week play off of the waiver wire.
- Sam Darnold threw two bad picks and struggled for much of the game, but came on in the second half and overtime to post a decent fantasy line against a team that picked him off four times in the first meeting. He's still not a good Week 17 play against an improved Panthers defense.
- Ken Walker III finally popped the big plays that we have been waiting for all season. He posted 164 total yards and a score on 14 touches and will be tough to leave on the bench in Week 17.
Philadelphia at Washington
- Jalen Hurts had an easy time moving the ball through the air against Washington. The only reason his stat line was just okay was Washington's lack of competitiveness in the second half. He'll be a high-floor QB1 play for Week 17, pending a weather forecast of possible high winds in Buffalo on Sunday.
- Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith caught touchdowns, and A.J. Brown caught nine balls for 95 yards. Keep them in Week 17 lineups as long as the weather permits.
- Marcus Mariota left with a hand injury and also suffered a quad injury. He's uncertain for Week 17 on Christmas Day against Dallas. If he can't go, Josh Johnson will get the start, making him a suitable what-the-heck QB2/Superflex because of the matchup. Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. are boom/bust plays no matter who starts.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. was the lead back and amassed 69 total yards and a score. The Commanders are likely to lean on the run as much as they can, so Rodriguez is a possible flex option for Week 17.
Green Bay at Chicago
- Jordan Love left this game with a concussion. Malik Willis replaced him and added value as a runner to make him a good fantasy option in Week 17 if Love hasn't been cleared for a Saturday game against Baltimore, but Willis also emerged with a shoulder injury. Clayton Tune could be the Week 17 starting quarterback for the Packers.
- Josh Jacobs started and got a lot of work early despite being a game-time decision. He was ineffective, but still could have been a good fantasy play because of numerous goal-to-go carries, including one that he fumbled at the goal line. Emanuel Wilson played more after the fumble and looked much more capable than Jacobs. We'll have to monitor practice reports to see whether Jacobs is even available for Week 17, but we should expect more of a committee approach if he is. If Jacobs is inactive, Wilson is a strong RB2 play for Week 17.
- Romeo Doubs caught a long score from Willis and was the one good fantasy option from the Packers' passing game, but he left with a wrist injury after failing to secure an onside kick that allowed the Bears to eventually send the game to overtime and win. The wrist injury isn't too concerning, according to the team, but unless Love surprises by getting cleared for Week 17, no Packer passcatcher will be worth a play in the fantasy championship week.
- The Bears' passing game was held in check for most of the game. DJ Moore ended up being a very good play with the other top two wideouts sidelined, only because of his contributions in overtime. He's still a strong WR3/Flex play against the 49ers in Week 17 as we wait to see if either of Rome Odunze or Luther Burden III will be able to play.
- Colston Loveland wasn't a big hit in Week 16, but he wasn't a bust either. He'll be a viable streamer in what could be a high-scoring game at San Francisco.
Tampa Bay at Carolina
- Baker Mayfield authored a good opening drive capped by a Mike Evans touchdown, but then the Panthers' defense rarely gave him a clean look for the rest of the day. Mayfield is still a high-ceiling QB1 against a withering Miami defense in Week 17, but he was a fantasy disappointment in Week 16.
- Emeka Egbuka only caught one pass, and Chris Godwin Jr.'s snap share fell as the team employed a four-wide-receiver committee that also included Jalen McMillan. Evans is still a must-play for Week 17, and Godwin and Egbuka are both worth considering as WR3/Flex plays.
- Bucky Irving absorbed punishment and ran with an edge for the Bucs, but he didn't catch a pass. Sean Tucker scored the rushing touchdown as the team continues to often spell Irving in the red zone and has not restored him to the clear lead back role he had before getting hurt earlier in the year. He's still an upside RB2 play in Week 17 because of the matchup, but Irving didn't help teams advance in Week 16.
- Bryce Young was a solid fantasy play in Week 16 with the Bucs mostly bottling up the Panthers' backfield duo. Young threw two touchdowns and led a field-goal drive to give the team a late lead that held up thanks to the defense. He's only a low-end QB2/Superflex in Week 17 against Seattle, but Young has leveled off as the quarterback of the present and future for the Panthers yet again.
- Tetairoa McMillan had only caught five passes over the last three games, but he caught six in this game, including a touchdown. Even against a tough Seahawks secondary and pass rush, McMillan has to be in Week 17 lineups.
Buffalo at Cleveland
- In an all-time bad beat, Josh Allen had his worst fantasy game since his rookie year. Give some credit to the Browns, who sacked him at the one yard line on a play that made the Bills x-ray Allen's foot during the halftime, but the bad luck of all three Bills touchdowns coming on the ground in the hands of a running back and Dawson Knox dropping a sure fourth down touchdown late kept Allen out of the scoring column and sent home a lot of fantasy teams.
- Quinshon Judkins suffered a dislocated ankle and broken fibula. He will reportedly have a 4- to 5-month recovery, but we shouldn't feel certain that he'll be ready in Week 1 until we get that good news over the summer.
- Shedeur Sanders played better than his stats (one of his interceptions was on Judkins) and added value as a scrambler. He'll be a viable QB2/Superflex against Pittsburgh in Week 17, especially if the Ravens lose to the Packers on Saturday and make the game meaningless for the Steelers.
- Harold Fannin Jr. scored as a receiver on the opening drive and then as a fullback on a one-yard carry to post one of the best tight end games of Week 16. He'll be a strong TE1 play in Week 17.
Kansas City at Tennessee
- Gardner Minshew started but left with a knee injury and will likely miss the last two games of the season. Chris Oladokun will be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs. No Chief is startable in Week 17 lineups on Christmas at Denver, including Travis Kelce, who only caught one pass in this game.
- Cam Ward continues to make strides and had a strong passing day. He's a viable QB2/Superflex against the Saints in Week 17.
- Tony Pollard posted his third straight 100-yard rushing game, and Tyjae Spears had over 100 total yards, five catches, and a score. Both are strong flex options for Week 17.
- Chig Okonkwo was involved early, led the team in targets, and caught six balls, including a touchdown. He's a viable TE1 for Week 17 fantasy lineups.
LA Chargers at Dallas
Photos provided by Imagn Images
