Happy week 17 of the 2024 NFL season! Welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out.
I hope everyone has a great holiday and luckily, we all get football both Wednesday and Thursday to kick off some holiday fun. We get 2 Christmas matchups between the Chiefs/Steelers and the Ravens/Texans, My prediction is a win for the Steelers in a close low scoring game and then a win for the Ravens in a high scoring game. For TNF, this week we get the Seahawks and Bears which I’m predicting will be a win for Geno Smith and the Seahawks.
I am here every week during the fantasy football season with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
Chiefs @ Steelers (WEDNESDAY)
Start – Hollywood Brown – Welcome back Hollywood. Only Xavier Worthy was targeted more in Browns debut which means he has more targets than both Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins. He finished with 45 receiving yards. He is a great deep ball threat which is what the Steelers should be worried about this week. Steelers aren’t a bad defense whatsoever, but Hollywood only needs one big play.
Sit – Najee Harris – Najee has been mediocre lately and must play against the Chiefs who have one of the best rush defenses in the NFL this year. Harris has single digit carries in each of his last two games after having double digit the entire season leading up to week 15. Jaylen Warren has been playing with more spunk and electricity too which does not help Najee.
Ravens @ Texans (WEDNESDAY)
Start – Rashod Bateman – There is worry that Zay Flowers could be OUT for this game due to missing practice on Monday. Keep an eye out to see if he practices Tuesday which will most likely indicate if he will play or not due to his shoulder injury. If he sits, or even if he does not sit, Bateman is in a good spot here. The WR is not always targeted the most, but he makes the most of those targets. Rashad has 5 TD since week 10 and he gets a Houston defense not good at holding down opposing WRs.
Sit – Justice Hill – Hill is currently questionable due to sustaining a concussion last game so I could imagine he might not be playing on Christmas, but even if he does play I would rather sit him this week. Houston is better at stopping the run and he is mostly used on third down situations when King Henry is not in. Bills value is heavily depended on his receiving game so if you start him and he plays you must hope for a competitive matchup.
Seahawks @ Bears (THURSDAY)
Start – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Jaxon continues to be elite down the stretch for the Seahawks and his fantasy managers. Jaxon has scored 5 TDs since week 9 and is averaging 96 receiving yards per game in his last 8 games played. That is terrific volume for the young WR, and I expect more of the same even against the Bears good pass defense. Smith-Njigba is matchup proof at this point and Geno Smith is making the best of it.
Sit – Cole Kmet – Going with Kmet here due to his volume. Yes, he scored a TD in week 16 but he only had 2 receptions due to 2 targets which led to 9 yards. He has 26 yards or less in the last 4 weeks of his season and is behind Moore, Odunze, and Allen in the packing order for Caleb Williams. Do not over think it.
START OF THE WEEK
Start – AJ Brown – The Eagles are going to be without Jalen Hurts this week which is good news and bad news for AJ Brown. Bad obviously because he is QB1, but the good news is that AJ was favored heavily by Kenny Picket who is expected to start for Hurts. Brown was targeted a season high 15 times and finished with 97 yards and a TD. Cowboys will have to get to Pickett because if they don’t, I could see it being a big day for AJ.
Chargers @ Patriots (SATURDAY)
Start – Ladd McConkey – The Chargers are in desperate hunt to stay in the AFC playoff picture. I think that Justin Herbert will come out slinging the ball and will get McConkey heavily involved. The rookie has been great for LA and has been targeted 6+ times in 12 games this season including his last 5 games played. The Patriot’s defense is average so it won’t be necessarily easy, but Herbert and McConkey will be sure to link up.
Sit – Rhamondre Stevenson – Stevenson has a bad matchup this week with LA. They have been stout against opposing RBs this season and the Patriots are playing for pride at this point while the Chargers are fighting for playoff position. I think Rhamondre is held in check.
Broncos @ Bengals (SATURDAY)
Start – Bo Nix – Another team fighting for playoff position in the Denver Broncos. Nix has a great shot at production this week facing the Bengals defense that has been bad this season and is the reason for their 8 losses. Bengals haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention yet, but they need a lot of help, and their defense hasn’t been helping their cause all season. Bo can hurt you on the ground and through the air.
Sit – Tee Higgins – Higgins is currently questionable to play due to an ankle injury. He has been coming on lately but with his injury and the insane target share that Ja’Marr Chase has been getting I don’t see a lot of positives for Higgins to produce nicely this week.
Cardinals @ Rams (SATURDAY)
Start – Kyren Williams – Kyren has been carrying fantasy teams all season and he is here to help finish it out. Great matchup for Williams against the Cardinals defense. The Rams are currently in the playoffs and the Cardinals have been eliminated. Kyren has a lot to play for and he almost always produces.
Sit – Cooper Kupp – Back-to-back uncharacteristic games for Cooper Kupp and it is concerning. In week 15 he was targeted just 3 times and didn’t record a catch. In week 16 he was also targeted just 3 times, and he caught them all for 24 receiving yards. They were both great defenses, but this week the Cardinals defense is best against opposing WRs. It has been the Puka Nacua show in the receiving department so I would be very weary of Kupp again this week.
Cowboys @ Eagles
Start – AJ Brown – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Rico Dowdle – Rico’s was on an impressive streak until week 16 when he ran for just 23 yards and caught a few passes for 28 receiving yards. He gets the Eagles defense this week who has been the best and will want to make a statement at home against the Cowboys after their embarrassing loss to Washington last week. Eagles hold RBs to the bare minimum this season.
Jets @ Bills
Start – Breece Hall – This play is based off of matchup. Bills have been very lenient with opposing RBs, so Breece has a good chance here for quality production. The Jets seem to be in most games up until the end so running the ball is very likely, at least early in this case against the Bills. Feed Breece.
Sit – Khalil Shakir – Shakir had an unprecedented game last week where he has just 22 receiving yards. This week he gets the Jets secondary which can be scary, even for MVP leader Josh Allen. I would sit Shakir this week on matchup alone.
Raiders @ Saints
Start – Jakobi Meyers – A solid matchup for Jakobi here in week 17 against the Saints defense. Saints have struggles to contain opposing WRs all season, and even with the mess that is the Raiders QB situation, I like Meyers here.
Sit – Kendre Miller – The hype for Miller was quickly shot down after the Saints got beat 34-0 to the Packers. Miller had 31 total yards in the debacle. Vegas’s defense isn’t very good but more like average against RBs which should be enough to contain Miller and the Saints offense. I wouldn’t start any Saints.
Colts @ Giants
Start – Jonathan Taylor – JT has erupted in his last 3 games played. 96 rushing yards and a receiving TD in week 13, 107 rushing yards in week 15, and then 218 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs just last game. He is peaking with his team on the playoff bubble and now gets to display his talents against the dismal Giants defense. Sign me up.
Sit – Malik Nabers – Nabers is a star in the making that is for sure. I have him in my sit spot because the Giants are a mess, especially on offense. The Giants have been playing soft secondary’s and now get the Colts who are better against opposing WRs than any team the Giants have played since their BYE. I would try to avoid all Giants as they might be tanking for that #1 draft pick.
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Start – Baker Mayfield – Baker needs to win this game and have some help in order to make the playoffs, but they are still technically alive. Great spot to be in for Baker going against the Panthers defense yet again. All he has to do is not throw INTs which he has struggled with down the stretch. Baker has been rushing well and has multiple TD passes in 3 consecutive games. I like Baker a lot here.
Sit – Chuba Hubbard – Hubbard is a menace and a delightful surprise this season. He is coming off a 152-yard rushing performance that he scored twice in. But now he takes on the Bucs defense that has been good defending the run. Just 4 games ago these 2 teams met, and they held Hubbard to 43 rushing yards on 12 carries. I’m expecting more of that this week. Chuba is currently questionable to something to keep your eyes on.
Titans @ Jaguars
Start – Tyjae Spears – Spears has been on a tear with back-to-back 2 TD games. Now he gets the Jaguars nonexistent defense who he will want revenge against since they held him in check just weeks ago. With his recent success I expect a big dose of Spears in the offense whenever they can, even with Pollard out there who is currently questionable.
Sit – Brenton Strange – Going with Strange here who is currently questionable with a shoulder injury. The Titans hold opposing TEs in check most of the time and when they played just weeks ago, they held Strange to 1 reception for 21 yards. I’m going to avoid him entirely.
Dolphins @ Browns
Start – Tyreek Hill – Tyreek is currently questionable but gets a great matchup. The Browns have been bad, and Hill has actually scored a TD in 5 of his last 7 games. The receiving yards aren’t where we expect them to be week in and week out, but he has been scoring and is the best weapon on the Miami offense. Must start.
Sit – Jerry Jeudy – Jeudy has 20 receiving yards last week against the Bengals defense which is dismal compared to his recent production. Since the Browns decided to sit Winston, it has had a drastic effect on the offense. This week Jeudy is questionable to play, is most likely not being thrown to by Winston, and has the Dolphins pas defense to play against. All signs point to the bench for Jerry.
Packers @ Vikings
Start – Jayden Reed – Reed has a solid matchup against the Vikings poor pass defense. He torched Minnesota back in week 4 for 139 receiving yards and a score. If Christian Watson is unable to play that just means Reed’s volume could be greater. This game has a lot of playoff implications so Reed should be used heavily in order to keep the ball rolling.
Sit – Josh Jacobs – Yes, we have seen Jacobs go nuclear lately scoring 12 TDs in his last 8 games, but this week may be different. Josh has to play the Vikings rush defense that is very good unlike their pass defense. When these teams played in week 4, Jacobs was held to 78 total yards and no TDs. I believe that the Packers will need to throw a lot more than rush to get a W this week.
Falcons @ Commanders
Start – Jayden Daniels – Jayden has been incredible this season and especially in his last 4 games. He has been throwing TD passes, rushing all over the place, and putting his team in a playoff position. He is a lock for offensive rookie of the year, and I expect him to pad more stats Sunday.
Sit – Brian Robinson Jr – I expect a heavy dose of Daniels and a very little dose of Robinson. Falcons have a surprisingly decent rush defense which Daniels is sure to know about and will want to air it out. Daniels steals a lot of rushing yards away from Robinson as well which doesn’t help Brian. Unless Washington goes up early, I don’t expect a lot of volume for him.
Lions @ 49ers
Start – Jauan Jennings – The Detroit defense struggles with opposing WRs, so this is Jennings’ spot to keep up his good gameplay and take it to the Lions in San Francisco. I imagine the 49ers will want the MNF spotlight to spoil some of Detroit’s post season plans like keep them from a 1 seed.
Sit – Jared Goff – Goff has had an elite year for Detroit and has been electric at home. This week they travel to the 49ers whose defense has made opposing QBs life not so easy. I understand if you have to start Goff and I wouldn’t blame you, but the matchup is rough.