Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 17 Matchups to Consider
Friends, we made it. The only week every fantasy manager really wants to be playing. The week all of the offseason prep and draft strategies were for. The week that books teams into the class of immortals and carves their names into history. It’s CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! If you’re concerned with your starting lineup this week, it means you’ve nearly made it to the top of the mountain and need to perfect that lineup one last time this season to get you to the top! For the most significant time this season, I’m here to walk through several matchups at each position to help make those crucial decisions to lead you to glory! Usually, I work to find players who may be on the fringe of starter consideration to help glean more insight on them to help that decision-making easier, but this week all bets are off and we’ll be looking higher up the rankings to make sure we’re as prepared as possible to step to the top of the podium when it’s all said and done!
Of course, to get more insight make use of Andy, Mike, and Jason’s full rankings for Week 17!
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson (IND) at N.Y. Giants
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| QB12 | QB12 | QB12 |
QB12 |
This season has been a total rollercoaster for fantasy managers with Anthony Richardson on their rosters. After all the offseason hype around him, Richardson ended up losing the starting job momentarily, and even when he’s been on the field, he hasn’t always been helpful for fantasy lineups. In his 11 starts this season, Richardson has only registered three top-12 QB finishes, though he has scored 20+ fantasy points four times, three of which came in his last five games. The cheat code for Richardson has been his ability to run the ball, where he’s averaging 45 yards per game and scored five TDs in his last five games. That baseline of scoring helps make up for his lack of high-end production in the passing game where he averages just 165 yards per game and is completing a miserable 48% of his passes.
When it comes to a one-game snapshot, fantasy managers need to be shooting for the moon though, and Richardson can provide that super high ceiling this week with a matchup against the Giants. Despite the team’s struggles, New York’s defense has been decent throughout the year, allowing the eighth-fewest passing TDs on the season. That has translated to fantasy where they’ve allowed opposing QBs to score 20+ fantasy points just three times this season. What’s interesting about those three games is that the QBs averaged 53 rushing yards per game against the Giants, which should be right up Richardson’s alley. It feels risky trying to ride the fantasy wave that has been Richardson this year, but it’s likely he will play a role in winning some championships this week!
Kurt would play Richardson over: Jordan Love (GB) at Minnesota
Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. Arizona
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| QB16 | QB16 | QB16 |
QB16 |
There’s been plenty of boom and bust for Matthew Stafford’s fantasy season this year. Stafford has had five weeks inside the top 12 but has also scored under 10 fantasy points in six different weeks, including each of his last two games of the season. Easily the biggest driving factor for Stafford’s fantasy success is whether or not he’s able to throw TD passes. For a pocket passer like Stafford, he’s very dependent on getting into the end zone for fantasy success. There hasn’t been a single game this season where Stafford has scored 10+ fantasy points when he hasn’t thrown two or more TDs and his only games with 20+ fantasy points came when he threw four.
The opportunity for Stafford to turn things around for fantasy managers in need of a QB option could be hard with a matchup against the Cardinals this week. Arizona’s defense has allowed the sixth-fewest passing TDs this season, though they have allowed 15+ fantasy points to opposing QBs in three of their last four games. The Cardinals have allowed top-12 QB finishes in back-to-back games, including a QB3 finish just last week to Bryce Young. To be fair, those were the first top-12 QB finishes the Arizona defense has allowed since Week 6. With such a crucial week ahead, fantasy managers needing a start at QB will probably need to look elsewhere.
Kurt would prefer to play: Bo Nix (DEN) at Cincinnati
Running Backs
Brian Robinson Jr. (WASH) vs. Atlanta
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB16 | RB13 | RB19 |
RB14 |
For the most part, when Brian Robinson Jr. has been on the field for the Commanders, he’s been a great piece to have in fantasy lineups. Robinson has finished as a top-24 RB in nine of the 12 games he’s played in for Washington this season, though two of the games where he didn’t produce for fantasy managers came in two of his last four games. The worry for fantasy managers should be how TD-dependent Robinson may have become for fantasy this season. Only twice this year has Robinson finished in the top 24 without getting into the end zone, though it did just happen in Week 15.
If Robinson is going to help lead fantasy managers to a championship, he’ll have a tough matchup this week against the Falcons. Atlanta’s defense has been tough against the run this season, allowing the fewest rushing TDs in the league, giving up just seven total scores on the ground. For fantasy, Atlanta has been susceptible to giving up productive RB weeks as of late, allowing a top-20 RB finish in each of their last three games. What’s interesting is that in each of their last two games, the Falcons have allowed an opposing RB to get into the end zone through the passing game, something Robinson hasn’t done a single time this season. It’s tough to not trust your studs that got you to the title game, but fantasy managers might need to consider other options this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Tony Pollard (TEN) at Jacksonville
Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) vs. L.A. Chargers
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB21 | RB21 | RB23 |
RB21 |
Despite the offensive struggles in New England, Rhamondre Stevenson has been a consistent fantasy asset this season for fantasy managers. Stevenson currently sits as the RB24 on the season behind eight top-24 RB finishes including four top-10 finishes. What’s really limited Stevenson’s upside for fantasy has been his surprising lack of involvement in the passing game for the Patriots, catching less than three targets in three of his last four games. In all but one game where Stevenson has caught at least three targets, he’s finished as a top-24 RB, so it’s fairly crucial heading into championship week.
At first glance, Stevenson’s matchup against the Chargers this week might make fantasy managers think twice before putting him in their lineups this week. Los Angeles’ defense has been solid against the run this season in terms of yardage but is allowing the seventh-highest yard per carry in the league. When it comes to fantasy, L.A. has allowed opposing teams’ RBs to score 28 fantasy points in four of their last five games after not allowing more than 21 RB points to be scored against them in a game in their first 11 games of the year. Stevenson may be a shaky start, but fantasy managers should consider him an RB2 with a decent floor again on their run to a title.
Kurt would play Stevenson over: Jerome Ford (CLE) vs. Miami
Zach Charbonnet (SEA) at Chicago
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB13 | RB17 | RB18 |
RB11 |
The backup RB that nobody expected to be the one to pay off for fantasy managers, Zach Charbonnet has the chance to come out of pretty much nowhere to play a role in fantasy championships. Thanks mainly to how dominant Kenneth Walker has been throughout the year, Charbonnet spent the majority of the fantasy season getting scraps in the Seattle running game, seeing just six opportunities per game from Weeks 4-12. Since Week 13 though, Charbonnet has finished as a top-24 RB in three of four games, including an RB1 overall finish in Week 14. Whether it’s strictly the massive opportunity that he’s seen in the Seattle offense or not, Charbonnet has been great on the ground for the Seahawks, averaging over six yards per carry in the three games where he saw 45% of snaps or more.
With Walker already ruled out for Week 17, a matchup against the Bears presents itself as a massive opportunity for Charbonnet to go down in some fantasy managers’ halls of fame. Chicago allows 4.7 yards per carry this season, the sixth-highest rate in the league. For fantasy, the Bears have allowed a top-16 RB finish in seven of their last eight games, including five top-10 RB finishes during that stretch. Fantasy managers already know that Charbonnet will have the backfield to himself and should play him with confidence as an RB who has the chance to finish in the top five this week.
Kurt would play Charbonnet over: Josh Jacobs (GB) at Minnesota
Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton (DEN) vs. Cincinnati
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR15 | WR14 | WR14 |
WR14 |
Maybe we shouldn’t all be surprised, but Courtland Sutton is on his way to finishing as a top-15 WR for the season. After being a sneaky good start for most of 2023 thanks to his 10 TD catches, Sutton has provided stability for fantasy rosters in a Denver offense that has been an unexpected source of fantasy value. Since Week 6, Sutton has finished as a top-24 WR six times and only finished outside of the top 30 twice during that stretch. What’s fed Sutton’s consistency for fantasy has been the nearly eight targets per game he’s seen, and that includes a game where he didn’t see a target at all.
The opportunity for Sutton to play a role in winning a fantasy championship is alive with a great matchup against the Bengals ahead in Week 17. Cincinnati’s defense has allowed the sixth-most passing TDs this season and is allowing a fantasy point above expectation to opposing WRs. What’s surprising is that the Bengals’ defense has tightened up over the last handful of weeks, allowing a combined 23.3 fantasy points to opposing teams’ fantasy WRs in their last two games. While that’s impressive, it shouldn’t scare fantasy managers off from playing Sutton this week, since those two games came against the likes of Will Levis and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Fantasy managers who’ve ridden the Sutton wave to get to this point should play him confidently this week.
Kurt would play Sutton over: Tee Higgins (CIN) vs. Denver
Jameson Williams (DET) at San Francisco
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR28 | WR28 | WR28 |
WR28 |
The rollercoaster that has been Jameson Williams paid off for fantasy managers last week with his third top-six WR finish of the season. Fantasy managers have finally been able to see what made the Lions trade up to draft Jameson Williams as the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, with the elite speed and athleticism that makes him so dangerous. The issue for fantasy managers though has been getting anything consistent out of Williams where they feel confident putting him into their lineup as anything more than a dart throw on the week. Because of that, Williams has turned into a flex-type play that has fantasy managers hoping they can catch lightning in the bottle like they did in Week 16 in an 82-yard TD catch against the Bears.
If Williams is going to play a role in winning a fantasy championship, he’ll have a tough time pulling a Monday night miracle for fantasy managers against the 49ers. While San Francisco may not be the defense that we’re used to avoiding in recent years for fantasy, they’ve still been a tough matchup for WRs, allowing 5.3 fantasy points below expectation on the season. Maybe more importantly for Williams this week, the 49ers have allowed the fewest pass completions over 20 yards this season, and have allowed just four completions over 40+ yards on the year. With the inconsistency that Williams brings to the table, fantasy managers playing as underdogs may be willing to inject that volatility into their lineups with such a high-scoring total expected but shouldn’t view him as anything more than a flex play this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Calvin Ridley (TEN) at Jacksonville
Jordan Addison (MIN) vs. Green Bay
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR22 | WR22 | WR23 |
WR20 |
What felt like the beginnings of a sophomore slump season for Jordan Addison has turned into quite the tear of fantasy success down the stretch of the year. After the first three weeks of the season saw Addison score a total of five fantasy points, the Vikings’ WR has finished inside the top 24 five times. What could be concerning about Addison’s production for fantasy is that there may be some TD dependency forming. Despite seeing nearly seven targets per game since Week 4, Addison hasn’t scored more than 10 fantasy points in any game this season without getting into the end zone. What may be more impressive are the 15 red zone targets Addison has seen since Week 9 that have played a role in getting him into pay dirt. While Addison has the ability to still explode for fantasy managers’ lineups, the perception should still be that he’s a bit of a “boom-bust” fantasy option.
The matchup for Addison against the Packers this week is tough enough that fantasy managers should be taking a hard look before putting him into their lineups. Green Bay’s defense has allowed just 23.7 fantasy points per game to opposing teams’ WRs, the lowest average in the league, and has given up below that mark in three of their last five games. With all of the firepower in the Vikings’ passing game, both Addison and Justin Jefferson have finished in the top 24 in the same week just three times this season. A pair of top-24 WRs in the same game is something the Packers haven’t allowed in any of their last six matchups. While Addison likely played a role in getting fantasy managers to their title game, there may be better options this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Garrett Wilson (NYJ) at Buffalo
Tight Ends
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN) at Jacksonville
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| TE5 | TE4 | TE5 |
TE6 |
Talk about a late-season hero at TE, Chig Okonkwo has been a waiver-wire darling at the TE position. Okonkwo has been a top-seven TE in three of his last five games, including hitting that mark in back-to-back weeks for just the second time in his career. What’s been a contributor to Chig’s fantasy success over the last two weeks has been the 21 targets he’s seen in the Titans’ offense, turning that attention into 140 yards and 24.5 fantasy points without scoring a TD. Okonkwo’s 30% target share over the last two weeks should put him into play in any roster heading into such an important week.
There couldn’t be a better matchup to be leaning on Chig for fantasy this week than the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s defense is allowing 1.7 fantasy points above expectation to opposing TEs this season and has allowed 15+ points to opposing teams’ WRs in two of their last four games. What should be encouraging for fantasy managers taking the leap with Chig this week is that Brock Bowers just finished as the TE2 against the Jags without getting into the end zone. The TD upside for TEs can make or break most weeks, but if Chig continues to see the massive amount of work in the Titans’ passing game that he saw last week from Mason Rudolph, he should be a piece of championship rosters this week.
Kurt would play Okonkwo over: Jonnu Smith (MIA) at Cleveland
Dalton Kincaid (BUF) vs. N.Y. Jets
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| TE12 | TE11 | TE13 |
TE13 |
What was expected to be a breakout campaign has turned into fantasy sadness for fantasy managers who invest in Dalton Kincaid this season. Despite the massive opportunity that many fantasy managers expected Kincaid to have in the Buffalo passing game heading into this season, the second-year TE hasn’t been able to turn that into reality. What’s frustrating for fantasy managers is that the targets have been there for Kincaid, who’s seeing six targets per game this season. The problem has been Kincaid turning those targets into production, where he’s only surpassed 50+ yards three times this season.
If fantasy managers are thinking of using Kincaid as a late-season dart throw at the TE spot, his matchup this week against the Jets might suggest looking elsewhere. New York’s defense has been tough for TEs this season, allowing 1.5 fantasy points under expectation to the position on the year. Over the last four weeks though, the Jets have allowed some production from opposing TEs, allowing three TDs scored by TEs and giving up two top-five TE finishes during that stretch. Still, betting on Kincaid finding the end zone for just the third time this year doesn’t seem like the type of bet that’s worth making in such a crucial week, so fantasy managers need to be looking elsewhere for TE.
Kurt would prefer to play: Zach Ertz (WASH) vs. Atlanta