Ring in new year with these Week 17 plays!
New Year’s resolutions usually go in one year and out the other. As we try to better ourselves for 2022, let’s be resolute with our line-up decisions with Giddy Ups (Happy New Year!) and Whoa Downs (Let Old Acquaintance Be Forgot) for Championship Week in most leagues. COVID is still wreaking havoc on NFL rosters. Have depth at all positions and check the inactive list before kickoffs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jalen Hurts, QB — “Put the phone down” — According to the surgeon general, constantly checking Fantasy matchups and stats on a cell phone can cause eye strain and headache. Just relax and start Hurts. He put up 34 points versus Washington last time out. DC is phoning it in, and Hurts is carrying the Eagles into the playoffs.
Justin Herbert, QB — “Forgive and forget” — Herbert was unforgivable last week with untimely interceptions and only one TD. But if you made it to your championship game despite this, it’s due to his season-long heroics. Justin can be a league winner against Denver. Keep the faith!
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/ WR— “Learn a new skill” — Patterson was an average big-bodied WR until the Falcons made him a hybrid receiver/running back. He skillfully combined the positions like peas and carrots. Buffalo has not done well the last six weeks to stop the run. Just ask Leonard
Fournette (26 pts), Jonathan Taylor (56 pts) and Damien Harris (21 and 31 pts).
Jeff Wilson or Elijah Mitchell, RB — “Smile more” — Whoever starts against the Texans will give any fantasy owner reason to smile. The Texans have the worst run defense and the 49ers are the best at running the ball. Start Wilson only if Mitchell is out, so check the injury reports. If both are healthy go with Mitchell.
CeeDee Lamb, WR — “Don’t give up on a difficult friend” — Lamb had a few unfriendly four-point games, but you’d be surprised to learn that he’s 13th in WR points. He’s long past due a breakout game. What better time than against a friendly Arizona defense?
Diontae Johnson, WR— “Make your bed every day” — Making your bed every morning ensures a small accomplishment that will lead to bigger ones throughout the day. Johnson always starts off small in games, but by the second half he’s amassing copious points. Monday at 11 p.m. you could go to bed a fantasy champion.
Rob Gronkowski, TE — “Get in touch with old friends” — The last two times Gronk played Gang Green at the Meadowlands he combined for 139 yards and three TDs thanks to his old friend Tom Brady. Take a trip down memory lane and watch the former Patriot besties ring in the New Year in style.
LET OLD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT!
Baker Mayfield, QB — “Watch less television” — By doing so you won’t have to sit through any more Baker commercials. I think he’s a better actor than QB.
Joe Burrow, QB — “Let go of the past” — It’s unimaginable to bench Burrow after his historic 55-point game last week. But take in these numbers: Roethlisberger (8 points), Herbert (21), Carr (12), Bridgewater (13) and Prescott (8). That’s the passing point totals against the Chiefs in their last five games. If Burrow is your only option, go for it. But it’s a dicey play.
Josh Jacobs, RB— “Dance like no one’s watching” — Look, you’re starting Jacobs. But the Raiders are on the road against Indy’s top four run defense. He’s the 18th best RB on the season, and you drafted him high for just this occasion. “Dance with the one that brung ya” but lower your expectations.
Saquon Barkley, RB — “Quit smoking” — Smoking is bad for your health. So is running behind the G-Men offensive line. 62% of Barkley’s yardage comes AFTER contact. He has two TDs on the year and no game over 64 yards rushing. He was pulled in the fourth quarter last week to protect from further injury. You can’t risk that in a championship game. The Bears have a shaky defense but until the smoke clears in NY, Saquon’s on my bench.
Isaiah McKenzie, WR — “Choose better partners” — McKenzie went ballistic against the Patriots last week with 11 receptions for 125 yards and a TD. But if Gabe Davis and Cole Beasley come back from COVID IR, McKenzie might not even be active. Let this Buffalo roam on the waiver wire where he belongs.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR — “Lose weight” — You could lose 198 pounds by cutting Beckham. He averages three catches per games with the Rams. Last year in Baltimore he had three catches for 22 yards. This week I predict…three catches.
Kyle Pitts, TE — “Travel more” — A trip in January to snowy, windy Buffalo against the third best defense versus TEs is a winter travel advisory.
Next week: For leagues that have Week 18 champ games, we are here to serve! Share your creative Fantasy team names on my Twitter feed @fantasybillboa7 and get a shout out in the Daily News! The winners this week are John, Paul, George and Garoppolo (Oradell, NJ), Thundering Herd (Staten Island) and Pick 6 (Downingtown, PA).