What a year it’s been! Like every other fantasy football season, it flew by in the blink of an eye, and It's hard to believe we’re already in championship week! Week 16 brought another round of high-scoring action, with 10 teams scoring 30 or more points. That brings the total to 28 teams hitting the 30-point mark over the last three weeks alone! The fantasy playoffs have been exciting, and defenses have struggled to keep up.
Now, it’s time to focus on setting those championship lineups. Thank you for joining me throughout the year—I hope it’s been as fun for you as it has for me. Good luck in the finals, and I’ll see you next year!
Starts
QB - Drake Maye - New England Patriots (LAC)
If you need a streamer this week, New England rookie Drake Maye has been incredibly consistent down the stretch. Over his last five games, he’s averaged 242 passing yards per game with 8 touchdowns. He’s also posted 17 or more fantasy points in four of those five matchups. While his ceiling might not be high, his solid floor is clear.
This week, Maye faces a middle-of-the-pack Chargers defense. While I don’t expect a shootout, I trust him for another solid performance, likely around 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. If you're looking for a dependable option with a safe floor, Maye is worth considering.
RB - Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants (Ind)
The Giants' offense has been one to avoid for much of the season, but RB Tyrone Tracy has quietly had a solid second half of the year. Over his last eight games, he’s posted double-digit fantasy points in five of them, showing consistency and an ability to produce when given the opportunity. Although his overall volume isn’t as high as some other backs, Tracy’s role in the offense has been valuable, particularly in PPR formats. His usage in the passing game has helped make up for the lack of carries, and he’s proven that he can still contribute to fantasy lineups in the right matchups.
This week, Tracy finds himself in a favorable spot against the Colts, who are allowing 136 rushing yards per game—4th highest in the NFL. Despite not receiving a heavy workload, Tracy's 25 targets over his last five games show that he’s involved in the team's passing attack, which boosts his fantasy value. Given his consistent usage and favorable matchup, Tracy is a safe option to plug into your lineup, making him at least a reliable flex play this week.
WR - Xavier Worthy - Kansas City Chiefs (@Pit)
It’s been a somewhat mediocre season for Kansas City rookie WR Xavier Worthy, but he has turned it up over the past few weeks. His recent performance has shown significant improvement, and with veteran receiver Hollywood Brown back in the lineup, has opened up the field for him even more. The extra attention that Brown commands has allowed the rookie to find more opportunities, and he’s taken full advantage. Over the last six games, Worthy has recorded at least four catches and 40 yards in each one, showing consistent involvement in the offense and a growing connection with QB Patrick Mahomes.
Interestingly enough, one of the most notable aspects of this recent surge is his increased target share. Over this six-game stretch, Worthy has received 46 targets, a clear indicator he's becoming a bigger part of the game plan. When you’re getting that many targets and have Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball, you deserve a spot in fantasy lineups. Additionally, with Pittsburgh’s pass defense being only mediocre, it further solidifies the rookie’s potential for another solid outing. Given his recent form and favorable matchup, he should be at least a flex play for Week 17 with the upside for more.
TE - Hunter Henry - New England Patriots (LAC)
It’s hard to believe, but we’re talking about the Patriots making a fantasy start list again. Are we in 2007? With rookie QB Drake Maye showing promise, TE Hunter Henry has emerged as one of the more consistent players in the league. Over his last nine games, Henry has recorded at least eight targets in six of them. In today’s NFL, a tight end seeing that kind of volume should be firmly in your fantasy lineup. Yet, despite his steady usage and solid production, Henry is still available in 30% of fantasy leagues, which is a surprise considering his involvement.
His yardage has been quite respectable as well, averaging 50 yards per game over his last five matchups. This level of consistency makes him a reliable option, especially for those seeking stability from the tight-end position. All this to say that with his consistent target share and decently reliable yardage, Henry is a safe bet. If you’ve been struggling to find a solid player at the TE position, it's time to make sure Henry is starting in your lineup, as he continues to deliver strong fantasy production week after week.
Defense - Seattle Seahawks (@Chi)
This is the matchup I’m rolling with this week. While Seattle's defense has allowed back-to-back big games, it’s been a solid year for them overall. Additionally, they’ve been particularly strong in favorable matchups, posting double-digit fantasy performances five times against teams like the Jets, Cardinals, and Falcons. Their ability to shine in these situations has made them very reliable, and now they find themselves facing a rookie quarterback in a crucial game.
The Bears’ offense showed improvement in Week 16, but they still struggled to put up points, managing only 17 against a Lions defense that was missing key players due to injuries. With Seattle playing for a playoff spot, expect them to ramp up their defensive intensity and take advantage of Bear's rookie QB Caleb Williams in a high-stakes game. Play the Seahawks with confidence this week, as they should be able to step up and deliver strong fantasy production.
Sits
QB - Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins (@Cle)
For a few weeks this year, Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa looked like a must-start, consistently putting up solid numbers. However, it’s championship week, and now more than ever you need to go with the hot hand. Unfortunately, Tua's recent performances have been underwhelming. Over the last two weeks, he’s thrown for fewer than 220 yards each time with only 2 touchdowns and 4 turnovers. These struggles have significantly lowered his fantasy ceiling heading into Week 17.
To make matters worse, his upcoming matchup doesn’t do him any favors. The Browns have been stout against the pass, allowing just 212 passing yards per game on the year. Given the current trend of poor performances and the tough matchup ahead, it’s looking like another low-scoring outing for Tua. If you're still holding on to him, it’s time to make sure he stays on your bench.
RB - D’Andre Swift - Chicago Bears (Sea)
Chicago running back D’Andre Swift has earned a spot on this "sit" list more times than any other player, and for good reason. Despite being widely owned and having a high ADP, Swift has been largely mediocre throughout the year. To make matters worse, his performance hasn’t improved as the season has gone on. Over the last five games, he has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in each contest and has averaged only 40 rushing yards per game with no touchdowns and no more than 3 receptions.
This week, Swift does have a somewhat favorable matchup against Seattle, but the Bears are likely to be playing from behind, which means they’ll be forced to throw the ball. Given his lack of production and the expected game script, there’s little reason to trust Swift in your lineup. To that end, it’s best to keep him on the bench and look for better options.
WR- Marvin Harrison Jr - Arizona Cardinals (@LAR)
Arizona WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has arguably been one of the biggest busts of the year, especially considering his draft position. While much of the disappointment can be attributed to high expectations, the real issue has been his inability to consistently convert targets into production. The rookie has accumulated over 100 targets, yet has only caught 51 of them. This kind of inefficiency is simply not sustainable in fantasy football and has severely limited his value.
Harrison has only topped 50 receiving yards five times this season while surpassing the 100-yard mark just twice. Given his inconsistency and lack of impact, it’s unlikely he will suddenly turn things around in championship week. For fantasy owners looking to secure a win, it’s best to leave Harrison on the bench and look for more reliable options.
TE - T.J Hockenson - Minnesota Vikings (GB)
I shared my frustrations with Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson earlier this year, and unfortunately, not much has changed. While he carries a big name, his results have been far from impressive. The problem primarily lies with QB Sam Darnold, who hasn’t been utilizing Hockenson much in the passing game. Over the last four games, "Hock" has caught just 14 passes, averaging a mere 38 yards per game. Even more concerning, he has yet to find the end zone.
The lack of target share is evident, and unless something drastically changes, this looks like another low-scoring week for him. Additionally, given his current minimal involvement in the offense, it's highly unlikely he will break out in the championship match. To that end, Fantasy managers are better off considering other options that offer more consistent production.
Defense - Washington Commanders (@ATL)
On paper, this matchup seems like one of the better ones of the week. The Commanders are fighting for a playoff spot, facing off against a rookie QB who has made only one start. For Commanders fans, however, this is exactly the type of game where their defense tends to struggle. Despite the favorable matchup, Washington’s defense has been inconsistent and underwhelming, regardless of opponent. Case in point: they’ve allowed 28 or more points in six games, thus raising concerns about their ability to shut down even a rookie QB.
Given their track record, this game has the potential to turn into a high-scoring affair, and the Commanders' defense simply can't be trusted in such a crucial week. Fantasy managers should be cautious and avoid relying on this unit in the championship round, as the potential for a random shootout or a disappointing performance remains high.
As we approach the final week of the fantasy football year, it’s important to make the right moves to secure a championship win. Whether you’re setting your lineup with must-start players like Drake Maye, Tyrone Tracy, and Hunter Henry, or deciding who to bench—such as Tua Tagovailoa or D'Andre Swift—this week’s matchups will play a key role in determining your success. The pressure is on, but with the right decisions, you can finish strong. Best of luck in your championship, and may your roster perform to its fullest potential!
