Alex Smith, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
If for some reason Smith is your primary quarterback as Week 17 brings us the conclusion of the 2013 fantasy football season, plan to find another quarterback. The Kansas City Chiefs have locked in the No. 5 seed in the AFC and will play a meaningless game as they face the Diego Chargers this week. The Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid will most certainly sit out Smith or severely limit his play time to keep him healthy as the Chiefs conclude their regular season. If you’re thinking back to Smith’s last outing in Week 12 against the Chargers where he brought you an abundance of fantasy points, this will not be the case in Week 17. Start an alternative quarterback who has something to strive for this week.
Projected Statistics: 7/10, 84 yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
With fantasy football championships at stake, Wilson poses a risky start in Week 17 as the Seahawks play another home game where they face the St. Louis Rams. Wilson has been in a terrible “fantasy funk” for the past three weeks averaging only 170 yards per game and sporting a matching ratio of three touchdowns to three interceptions. The Rams defense ranks in the top 10 in defending quarterbacks and have only allowed three passing touchdowns in their last four games. Seahawks fans surely didn’t see a loss coming last week against the Arizona Cardinals, so protect your fantasy team from a loss in week 17 and switch Wilson out for another quarterback with better outlook.
Projected Statistics: 12/28, 127 yards, one touchdown, one interception
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan surprised fantasy owners last week when he produced like his old self against a brutal San Francisco 49ers defense.
Don’t let this fool you into believing fantasy greatness is on the horizon for Week 17, however. The Falcons entertain a hungry Panthers team who can claim a first-round bye by beating the Falcons this week.
With a defense who allows the second fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, look for the Panthers to dish up all sorts of trouble for Ryan and team.
The Panthers have only allowed one quarterback all season to throw for more than one touchdown against them in a game and that was Drew Brees in Week 14. Ryan should be avoided in your fantasy lineup this week.
Projected Statistics: 26/38, 246 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions
Kyle Orton, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
If you were a Tony Romo owner, you got short-changed as he departed the fantasy football scene one week early with a season ending back injury. So, do you pick up Orton as your backup quarterback to trust in Week 17? I would not recommend it if your championship is still within reach. For starters, Orton has not started an NFL game since 2011. In Week 17 the Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles; and, while the Eagles defense has never been one to fear, it nearly shut out the Chicago Bears last week in a 54-11 game which caused Jay Cutler to look pathetic as he managed only one passing touchdown and 222 yards. Cutler and team should have had a field day versus the Eagles, so it seems really difficult to trust a rusty backup quarterback to bring your team to victory after watching Cutler squirm last week. Hopefully, you have a more solid option other than Orton in Week 17.
Projected Statistics: 18/28, 211 yards, one touchdown, one interception
Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Boldin and the 49ers travel to play the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. If the Cardinals defense wasn’t taken seriously before, it definitely got everyone’s attention last week as it caused immense trouble for the Seattle Seahawks, causing them to lose their first home game in two years last Sunday. Facing a defense who allows the fifth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and a healthy Michael Crabtree in the picture sharing targets, makes Boldin is a dicey fantasy option in Week 17. WR3 numbers could be the best Boldin earns you this week, so plan for another player who has a better outlook for your fantasy team.
Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 47 yards, zero touchdowns
Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Once again, I list Smith in the fantasy football players to avoid. If you’re playing for a win this week, Smith, who is questionable due to a hamstring injury, is a sketchy start as the Ravens play in Cincinnati Week 17. Smith hasn’t surpassed 100 receiving yards since Week 5 and has only three touchdowns all season. Joe Flacco was limited last week and if he’s still not 100% due to his knee injury, he’ll continue to have trouble connecting with Smith, further tanking Smith’s fantasy value in Week 17. Find a safer choice to secure a win.
Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 46 yards, zero touchdowns
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
Charles helping you achieve a Week 17 fantasy football championship does not mesh as the Chiefs play a token game against the San Diego Chargers this Sunday.
Likely Charles’ stellar performance all season helped boost your fantasy team to playoffs this week.
Unfortunately, word is that the Chiefs’ primary starters will see minimal field time since their playoff position is locked in for the AFC, which means you can’t trust Charles to contribute much fantasy value to your team this week.
There’s a chance he’ll dash in for a score, before he sits out, but that is not a guarantee if your championship is on the line. Hopefully you saw this potential situation coming and planned for a suitable replacement for Charles in Week 17.
Projected Statistics: Six attempts, 43 yards, one reception, 15 yards, zero touchdowns
Steven Jackson, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
In Week 17, Jackson and the Falcons face a ferocious Carolina Panthers defense. Jackson is on a late-season upswing and while it may be tempting to continue to roll with him this week, remember that the Panthers defense give up the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Last week both Saints running backs totaled only 10 rush yards and zero touchdowns when they played Carolina. Unless Jackson can barrel his way in for a touchdown or you get points for any passes he catches, he’s better off on your bench in Week 17.
Projected Statistics: 13 attempts, 44 yards, three receptions, 28 yards, zero touchdowns
Antonio Gates, Tight End, San Diego Chargers
Every point counts as fantasy football championships are on the line, so relying on Gates to miraculously have a double-digit fantasy game or score a touchdown is not a reality this week. The Chargers play the Chiefs in Week 17 and they are the strictest team against tight ends. Even with the chance that the Chiefs sit some of their starters, Gates is worn-out and his lousy fantasy numbers over the past several weeks do not justify counting on him to help your fantasy team win this week. Check other tight end options that will earn you higher points than Gates in Week 17.
Projected Statistics: Two receptions, 39 yards, zero touchdowns
Dennis Pitta, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens
If you’re still hanging on to Pitta due to lack of viable options for the tight end position, you’re going to be in for another long game in Week 17 when the Ravens play in Cincinnati. The Bengals are no slouches when it comes to defending tight ends. Flacco, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown since Week 14, is still bumbling around with a sore knee which doesn’t bode well for Pitta’s fantasy value this week. This matchup could be another blowout for the Ravens, so don’t trust Pitta to contribute much to your fantasy team in Week 17.
Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 43 yards, zero touchdowns