Fantasy Football Saturday Mailbag for Week 17
Good morning, FootClan, and a very warm welcome to Week 17 of The Fantasy Footballers’ Saturday Morning Mailbag! It’s Saturday, it’s early, and as always, I am here to select a handful of your questions from The Fantasy Footballers’ Discord server and answer some of the hot topics that didn’t quite make it to that week’s edition of The Footcast. The Ballers’ Discord is home to the biggest and best online fantasy football community in the world, and is your go-to if you’re looking to talk about all things fantasy football. Head over today and get involved with thousands of members across dozens of dedicated channels for start/sit questions, trade advice, and waiver wire insights, as well as exclusive areas which are only available to members of the Footclan.
This is it, FootClan…Championship Week! There’s only one more W standing between you and a #FootClanTitle, so let’s make this one count! The time for loyalty to those who got you here is over. We are all about making sure every single roster spot is filled with a player or a DST who either benefits us or impedes our opponents.
In this week’s mailbag, we discuss what to do in the difficult situation of having not one, but two elite QBs to choose from ahead of the big game, we talk dynasty trade tactics at this stage of the season, and we consider the possibility of starting both Rams RBs against Atlanta. Oh yeah, and I state my case for FLEXing a rookie TE on the Cleveland Browns over last year’s overall RB5…let’s dive right in!
Question #1 – Start/Sit (Elite QB Edition)
Hello Ballerinos! Should I start Matthew Stafford or Joe Burrow in my Championship game? I’ve got Ja’Marr Chase, and my opponent has Puka Nacua. – Rafa_DehKo
Answer: This feels like heading out to dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town and trying to decide whether to order steak or lobster for your entrée – either way, you’re eating good!
Matthew Stafford top-scored at the QB position in Semi-Finals week – putting up 30.9 fantasy points in our Ballers’ Preferred scoring format – as the Rams narrowly lost to their NFC West rivals Seattle in what was quite possibly the greatest ever Thursday Night Football game ever played. Joey B wasn’t far behind the man he faced back in Super Bowl LVI, dropping 309 yards and four TDs on the hapless Miami Dolphins to end the week at the QB3 for fantasy, sending many a manager who started him after his 5.5 point outing in Week 16, into this week’s Championship matchup.
While there really isn’t a great deal to separate these two heading into the final week of the fantasy season, I am 100% plugging Joe Cool into my starting QB slot against Arizona…especially if I can stack him with arguably the most talented WR in football right now, Ja’Marr Chase. Statistically, Stafford has the easier matchup of the two, facing an Atlanta defense ranked 16th against the position as opposed to Burrow, who squares off against the Cardinals, who fare slightly better, ranking 14th with two games left on the year…but that’s where the positives end for Matty Snapback. Sure, the Rams may have the 2nd highest implied team points total remaining on the week…but Cincinnati’s is higher. And yes, the O/U for the game in Georgia is a whopping 49.5…but Cincinnati’s is higher at 53.5. The only concern I have for Burrow and the Bengals’ passing game is any potential weather impacting the aerial attack in Ohio on Sunday afternoon, but as of now, we are looking at a little bit rain and almost no wind…so we should be good.
Stafford will likely once again be missing Davante Adams – and while that didn’t seem to hurt his output last Thursday, I would much rather be starting Burrow and his full complement of pass-catchers at home to the Cardinals. In finals week, I want to be able to celebrate every TD scored by any of my players, so rooting for Stafford but wincing every time he completes a pass to Puka (which he did on 42% of his successful attempts last week) doesn’t sound like my idea of fun. Plug in Burrow and hope that he and his alpha WR outscored Stafford and his…good luck!
Question #2 – FLEX Appeal (Rookie TE vs RB1 Special…no, really)
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Hi Ballers! I managed to survive a potential disaster after starting Josh Jacobs over Harold Fannin in the FLEX last weekend and still made it to my Championship! That said, would you start Fannin or Jacobs this week in Full-PPR, assuming Jacobs is Limited or a DNP all week? – crazymoneyboi
Answer: The thought of starting a rookie TE on the Cleveland Brown in my FLEX position over a season-long RB1 makes me feel more uncomfortable than I did on Christmas Day after my second helping of dessert…but, I think I’m starting Fannin here.
It’s been another testing week for Josh Jacobs managers as the perma-injured superstar was once again only present for a smattering of Green Bay’s practice sessions ahead of their Saturday night clash at home to the Ravens. This has become somewhat of a routine for Jacobs, and those who watched him be outsnapped (and arguably outplayed) by third-year teammate Emanuel Wilson will undoubtedly be a little nervous about just what version of JJ we are going to see take to the field at Lambeau this evening.
The good news – Jacobs doesn’t carry any injury designation following a pair of limited practice sessions to round out Green Bay’s preparations. The bad news – he performed this exact same routine last week and ended up rushing for just 36 yards on 12 carries in the damaging loss to divisional rivals Chicago. Following the loss, the Packers fell to 9-5-1, and are all but locked into the 7th seed in the NFC Playoff picture meaning they will likely face another trip to Soldier Field in 2 weeks time…so why would they want to risk their star RB in what could ultimately be a dead-rubber matchup against a team fighting for their postseason lives on the other side of the bracket.
I fully believe Jacobs starts this one, but if Baltimore goes up early, or Emanuel Wilson continues to be the more efficient rusher in this backfield, don’t be shocked to see Jacobs shut down for large portions of the game in an attempt to keep him fresh for the playoffs. In contrast, the Browns and their rookie QB Shedeur Sanders are playing with a fire in their belly, as the 144th pick in this year’s NFL Draft looks to secure a starting job for 2026. Since Sanders took the reins in Week 12, Harold Fannin has been the overall TE3 in Full–PPR scoring and has finished as the TE1 and TE2 in two of his last three outings.
It’s likely to feel horrible – especially in Championship week – but I’m starting Fannin here.
*Editor’s Notes: Monitor Fannin’s health, as he is battling a groin injury.
Question #3 – Trade Advice (Win at All Costs Edition)
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Howdy, hey Ballers! If you are in a Dynasty League with no trade deadline, how aggressive are you in sacrificing future assets for veterans or players with good matchups in Championship week? – doffman
Answer: This question couldn’t have come at a better time doffman – as I am also in this very situation myself as we enter the biggest matchup of the year!
There are a number of factors we need to take into consideration I guess, but the overarching question you need to ask yourself is: “how badly do I want to win this title?”. Obviously, we all want to win every league we play in, but with the repercussions of dynasty trades potentially being felt for years after we make them, we have to give extra consideration to not only whether a trade is fair, but what the knock-on effects may be for our future shot at a title.
If I am entering the week as a favorite, I’m probably going to ride with the team I came into the title game with…matchups allowing, of course. They are the reason you’ve made it this far – so why look in a different direction now? If, however, I am a heavy underdog (especially with an aging squad) or my opponent has pulled some Christmas Day ‘Jacory Croskey-Merritt’ style shenanigans…then I’m happy to move all in to go get an extra piece to hopefully turn the tide in my favor.
Each and every scenario will be different, but I’ll divulge mine to give you some context and to show you where my headspace is. Entering the week, I was a projected 20-point underdog going against Drake Maye, Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, James Cook, Jameson Williams, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, and Kyle Pitts…how I was only projected to be destroyed by 20 points is the biggest mystery of all. However, after Jamo and CeeDee stuttered on Christmas Day for my opponent, and my Dak Prescott/Detroit Lions DST combo put up almost 50 points…I am in the driver’s seat. With only Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle to partner with Christian McCaffrey at RB, I made an aggressive move to acquire Chase Brown and his absolutely mouth-watering matchup at home against Arizona – the cost: David Montgomery and a 2026 1st rounder. Did I overpay – yes; will it potentially impact my chances of success next season – also yes…but will I care in the slightest come Tuesday if I’m celebrating a W and lifting that trophy – not a chance!
Only two teams make the big game each year – you have to put yourself in a position to win at all costs – just make sure that your league’s commissioner is aware that trades are potentially being made so that they can be pushed through in time for any potential early kick-offs! Good luck!
Question #4 – Start/Sit (Rams RB Special)
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Merry Christmas, Ballers! Do we stick with Kyren Williams over Blake Corum for the Rams’ Week 17 trip to Atlanta, even though the Falcons are the worst franchise ever? (Who Dat) – The Forgotten 4th Footballer
Answer: The short answer here is yes, but if I can manufacture an opportunity in my line-up to play both, then that’s possibly the route I am taking. Over the last four weeks, both Williams and Corum have posted double-digit fantasy outings, finishing as an RB2 or better in the process (ok, Kyren just missed out at RB28 last weekend, but it was close!). Right now, they are both absolutely 100% startable in Championship week as the Rams travel to Atlanta, hoping to atone for their narrow one-point defeat to Seattle last Thursday – one which saw them slip from 1st to 3rd in the NFC West. Matthew Stafford and company do still have the opportunity to end the regular season as not only division winners, but the #1 overall seed in the National Football Conference, so I fully expect them to head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a chip on their shoulder – and without Davante Adams, both Williams and Corum will have a significant role to play in any potential victory for Sean McVay’s men.
The Rams are averaging 37 points per game since Week 12, so there should be plenty of TD opportunities to go around for each of these backs, even if they continue to split the workload fairly evenly. Despite Kyren only seeing 55% (fifty-five!) of carries over these last four weeks (down from 75% in the opening month of the season), I still prefer him to Corum…as do each of Andy, Mike, and Jason. Williams is an auto-start as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2, but if faced with the prospect of FLEXing the likes of Rico Dowdle, Woody Marks, or Zach Charbonnet come 1 pm on Sunday, then it is more likely than not that I will be entering my Championship head-to-head with not one, but two Rams RBs in my lineup. Good luck!
It’s time for Rapid Round…
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Merry Christmas Ballers! Do I start Bucky Irving or Ashton Jeanty this week? Full-PPR. Thanks, guys. – SylvesterCologne
Answer: Congratulations on making it all the way to your Championship game after suffering the unfortunate multi-week injury to Bucky, and the unfortunate “plays for the Raiders” hampering of Ashton Jeanty’s potential. He may have had a scary few weeks, but after an RB1 performance in the fantasy Semi-Finals, it’s hard to see a scenario where I’m benching Jeanty…especially at home against the Giants, who are currently ranked 31st against fantasy RBs. Bucky is still a strong RB2 this week…but Jeanty has potential to repeat as the overall top-dog at the position – he’s a must start.
I survived a Josh Allen Semi-Finals dud. Do I start him this week in my Championship game, or do I turn to Joe Burrow? – TheFFScout
Answer: If you have ever read my Saturday Mailbag article before, you know my default answer to all Josh Allen questions is: “if he’s starting, I’m playing him”…but after briefly leaving last week’s 23-20 win over Cleveland following a knock to the foot, this may be the week I have to look elsewhere whilst my King heals up. Allen should still be a top-10 play at home against Philly…but Burrow at home in the highest O/U of the week is too hard to pass on. Let’s hope they both score 40, but I’m starting Joey B.
Keep/Trade/Cut: Christmas edition: Christmas Tree, Christmas Lights, Christmas Movies. – B1GGN
Answer: If we’re talking about the Christmas lights that are hung on the outside of the house, then that’s an easy cut…get those outta here! It just wouldn’t be Christmas without six feet of plastic covered in monstrous baubles staring at me from the corner, so that’s my keep. Sadly, I don’t get as much time to watch movies around the festive period as I used to, so that’s my trade in this situation…grudgingly!
Merry Christmas Ballstars! Favorite Christmas Movies? – El Pollo Sashimi
Answer: I may not get the time like I used to, but there’s one Christmas movie I always ensure is part of my festive programming and that is the G.O.A.T.…The Muppets Christmas Carol. Special shout-outs to Die Hard, Scrooged, and Jim Carrey’s version of The Grinch…all excellent choices.
That will do it for this week, FootClan – I hope you all had a great Christmas and good luck in your Championship matchups…bring home those #FootClanTitles!