Welcome to the Week 17 NFL fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions.
Player rankings referenced in this article are current as of Dec. 27. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section.
The latest NFL news and headlines
Last updated: 11:45 a.m. ET, Dec. 29
Injury news | Weather report
Featured games | Matchup rankings
Best bets | Fantasy football player rankings
Injury news
Updated through 11:45 a.m., Dec. 29
Sunday 1 p.m.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (hip) — Active
Head coach Dave Canales said Legette is day-to-day but would need to make “significant” progress to suit up in Week 17, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person but is active. Without Legette last week, Adam Thielen had five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. David Moore also caught a touchdown pass but was targeted only three times. Jalen Coker saw five targets but ended with only eight receiving yards.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (calf/knee) — Out
Hubbard was a limited participant in practice Friday and a subsequent MRI revealed a Grade 2 calf strain. The Panthers decided to shut down their starting RB for the season, leaving the running game work in the hands of Raheem Blackshear, most likely. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reports some work could fall to Mike Boone, should he be elevated from the practice squad.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (shoulder) — Out
Lamb was shutdown for the season by the Cowboys Thursday, eliminating one of fantasy’s top receivers during most leagues’ championship week. Dipping into the next tiers of the Cowboys’ receiver corps is … unadvisable. Look elsewhere for help.
Anthony Richardson, QB, IND (back/foot) — Out
Richardson didn’t participate in practice this week and has been ruled out. Joe Flacco will start against the fantasy-friendly Giants defense. While inconsistent, Richardson would have been in QB1 territory this week going against the Giants. In the past five weeks, Richardson has scored over 20 fantasy points three times.
Alec Pierce, WR, IND (concussion) — Active
Pierce missed last week due to a concussion but was a full participant during Thursday’s practice and was not given an injury designation. Pierce is the third-most targeted receiver in Indy on a per-game basis (4.14) behind Josh Downs (7.5) and Michael Pittman Jr. (6.5).
Brenton Strange, TE, JAX (shoulder) — Active
Strange was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice and came off the injury report Friday. In Week 15, Strange had 11 receptions and 73 yards receiving but had only two receptions for 22 yards in Week 16.
Derek Carr, QB, NO (hand) — Out
Carr fractured his left hand and hasn’t played since Week 14, so the decision Friday to sit him comes as no surprise. The Saints were thumped by Green Bay on “Monday Night Football” in an embarrassing 34-0 loss. They’d love to get Carr back, but as recently as last week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints QB was a few weeks away from being cleared for contact.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (groin) — Out
The Saints couldn’t get the running game going without Kamara against Green Bay on MNF and it doesn’t look any better for Kendre Miller after his 1.9-yards-per-carry performance.
Chris Olave, RB, NO (concussion) — Out
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, NO (chest) — Active
Juwan Johnson, TE, NO (foot) — Active
Olave’s 21-day practice window was opened, but he’s been ruled out for the Saints’ matchup against the Raiders on Sunday. MVS had good fantasy performances in Weeks 10 and 11 but since has averaged 9.83 PPR points. In Week 16, Johnson had two receptions for 27 yards, while Foster Moreau had two for 33. Until Carr returns, the safest choice for fantasy managers is to avoid Saints pass catchers.
Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (ankle) — Active
Nabers told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan Thursday he views himself as a game-time decision for Week 17 and returned to practice as a limited participant Friday. Nabers is averaging 16.93 PPR points per game, despite playing with three different (all struggling) quarterbacks this season. He only had 13.8 last week but scored 24.2 in Week 15.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (ankle) — Active
Head coach Brian Daboll said Tracy aggravated his ankle injury against the Falcons, according to the Giants’ official site, but he came off the injury report Friday.
Drew Lock, QB, NYG (shoulder) — Active
Daboll had said Lock is on track to play Sunday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, and the QB came off the injury report Friday.
Davante Adams, WR, NYJ (hip) — Active
Aaron Rodgers and Adams have established chemistry over the past four weeks, and Adams has averaged 26.52 PPR points per game since Week 13. He’s also been targeted an average of 12 times, compared to Garrett Wilson’s 8.25. If Adams sits, Wilson could have a strong Week 17 performance.
Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI (concussion) — Out
Hurts remains in the concussion protocol and was ruled out for Week 17 Friday. Meanwhile, Kenny Pickett is off the injury report and appears poised to start Sunday. Temper expectations for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but Brown could still fare well against a Dallas defense ranked 22nd in passing yards per game allowed (223.7) and 30th in yards per play allowed (5.8).
Cade Otton, TE, TB (knee) — Out
Otton was inactive for Week 16 and will miss Week 17.
Tony Pollard, RB, TEN (ankle) — Out
Pollard was ruled out on Saturday, teeing up Tyjae Spears for a potentially big week. In Week 16, Spears had 10 carries for 27 rushing yards and added 39 receiving yards while sharing the rushing duties. He should see significant improvement on that with the backfield to himself against a Jaguars defense that gives up nearly 400 yards per game and concedes the fourth most points to opposing offenses.
Nick Folk, K, TEN (abdomen) — Out
Brayden Narveson missed his only field-goal attempt while filling in for Folk in Week 16 and the Titans may go in a different direction this weekend. Best advice? Don’t roster a Titans kicker this week.
Sunday 4 p.m.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, CLE (calf) — Expected to play
Jameis Winston, QB, CLE (shoulder) — Questionable
Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE (knee/shin) — Expected to play
Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE (concussion) — Out
David Njoku, TE, CLE (knee) — Out
The Browns were dismal with Thompson-Robinson under center, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-6, but Njoku was the primary pass catcher with 10 targets, eight receptions and 66 yards receiving. Stefanski said Thompson-Robinson will start at QB as long as he’s healthy, and he came off the injury report Friday, which limits the effectiveness of any Browns pass catcher, regardless of injury status.
Christian Watson, WR, GB (knee) — Questionable
Watson said after Monday’s lashing of New Orleans that he would get his knee examined and is “hoping for the best,” according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, but he hasn’t practiced as of Friday morning. On MNF, Dontayvion Wicks had a team-high seven targets but only three receptions and 13 receiving yards, though he did have a TD reception. Jayden Reed had three receptions and 76 receiving yards, while TE Tucker Kraft finished with 63 receiving yards.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA (hip) — Doubtful
Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (wrist) — Questionable
Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (knee) — Questionable
Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful Saturday, with the Dolphins elevating Skylar Thompson to the active roster. Given the wet forecast, rolling out a quarterback with a hip issue seems like a dicey proposition. The trickle-down effect could be significant if Tagovailoa doesn’t play. Even if Hill and Waddle play, it’s hard to foresee solid production.
Tucker Kraft, TE, GB (hip) — Expected to play
Luke Musgrave, TE, GB (ankle) — Expected to play
Kraft and Musgrave both came off the injury report Friday. While Musgrave returned to the field in Week 16, Kraft is the starting tight end for the Packers. Musgrave had only one target and no receptions; Kraft had three receptions for 63 receiving yards on four targets.
Sunday Night Football
Drake London, WR, ATL (hamstring) — Expected to play
Head coach Raheem Morris said London could have returned against the Giants in Week 16, according to the Falcons’ official site. On Friday he was removed from the injury report. With rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. under center in Week 16, London was targeted eight times and caught five passes for 59 yards. Darnell Mooney saw six targets and had five receptions for 82 yards. TE Kyle Pitts had one reception for seven yards and continues to disappoint.
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (ankle) — Expected to play
McLaurin was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice and came off the injury report Friday. Since Week 12, McLaurin is averaging 22.95 PPR points per game, but last week Olamide Zaccheaus saw more targets and had two touchdowns. Still, McLaurin is the only reliable receiver in the Commanders’ offense.
Monday Night Football
Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF (foot/hamstring) — Questionable
In Guerendo’s Week 16 absence, Patrick Taylor had eight carries for 24 yards, while WR Deebo Samuel had five carries for 25 yards.
Week 17 Injury Report
| Player | POS. | Team | Inj. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RB |
ARI |
Knee |
Active |
|
|
RB |
ARI |
Ankle |
Out |
|
|
K |
ARI |
Knee |
Out |
|
|
WR |
ATL |
Hamstring |
Expected to play |
|
|
WR |
CAR |
Hip |
Active |
|
|
RB |
CAR |
Calf/Knee |
Out |
|
|
WR |
CIN |
Ankle/Knee |
Active |
|
|
QB |
CLE |
Calf |
Expected to play |
|
|
QB |
CLE |
Shoulder |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CLE |
Knee/Shin |
Expected to play |
|
|
WR |
CLE |
Concussion |
Out |
|
|
TE |
CLE |
Knee |
Out |
|
|
WR |
DAL |
Shoulder |
Out |
|
|
TE |
GB |
Hip |
Expected to play |
|
|
TE |
GB |
Ankle |
Expected to play |
|
|
WR |
GB |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
IND |
Concussion |
Active |
|
|
QB |
IND |
Back/Foot |
Out |
|
|
TE |
JAX |
Shoulder |
Active |
|
|
RB |
LAC |
Knee |
Active |
|
|
RB |
LAC |
Ankle |
Out |
|
|
TE |
LAC |
Shoulder |
Active |
|
|
QB |
MIA |
Hip |
Doubtful |
|
|
WR |
MIA |
Wrist |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
MIA |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
NO |
Hand |
Out |
|
|
RB |
NO |
Groin |
Out |
|
|
WR |
NO |
Concussion |
Out |
|
|
WR |
NO |
Chest |
Active |
|
|
TE |
NO |
Foot |
Active |
|
|
RB |
NYG |
Ankle |
Active |
|
|
QB |
NYG |
Shoulder |
Active |
|
|
WR |
NYG |
Toe |
Active |
|
|
WR |
NYJ |
Hip |
Active |
|
|
QB |
PHI |
Concussion |
Out |
|
|
RB |
SF |
Foot |
Questionable |
|
|
TE |
TB |
Knee |
Out |
|
|
RB |
TEN |
Ankle |
Out |
|
|
K |
TEN |
Abdomen |
Out |
|
|
WR |
WAS |
Ankle |
Expected to play |
Weather report
Outdoor games only
According to Rotowire’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, several matchups this week could be affected by rain, including Jets-Bills, Cowboys-Eagles, Dolphins-Browns and Falcons-Commanders. Rainy weather doesn’t have much impact on the running game, as game scripts typically favor the run in the rain, so I’ll focus on the passing game in the breakouts below.
New York Jets (4-11) vs. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
58 degrees, 70 percent chance of rain
Deploy Breece Hall as a RB2 and James Cook as a RB1 as is typical. Aaron Rodgers is a veteran in his 20th season, so he has played in many games affected by precipitation. According to TruMedia, he has a career Comp% of 63.1 percent in the rain and a 101.3 passer rating. When it’s not raining, his Comp% increases to 65.3 percent, though his passer rating is similar at 102.8. Rodgers’ experience means Davante Adams should be a safe start despite the rain. But he’s questionable heading into Week 17, and Garrett Wilson could see more targets if Adams sits.
Josh Allen is another veteran QB with rainy-day experience. According to TruMedia, since 2021, Allen has averaged 230.29 passing yards per game in the rain to go with a 62.8 percent Comp%; he’s also thrown nine TDs and eight interceptions in those contests. In that same span without rain, his Comp% increases to 64.4 percent with 117 passing TDs to only 45 interceptions and an average of 257.47 passing yards. While Allen’s numbers in the rain don’t sound alarm bells, starting a Buffalo WR in the playoffs may. In Week 16, TE Dalton Kincaid was the most targeted pass catcher (seven), followed by Khalil Shakir (six). No Bills receiver had over 30 yards receiving. In Week 15, Keon Coleman was the only wide receiver to have more than 50 yards receiving, which he accomplished on a lone reception.
Other potential weather-impacted matchups
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (62 degrees, 50 percent chance of rain): Jalen Hurts won’t play Sunday, meaning Kenny Pickett (ribs) will start. A.J. Brown is hard to sit, but if the forecast doesn’t change, DeVonta Smith is benchable. On the plus side, Saquon Barkley could see incredibly high usage. For the Cowboys, Rico Dowdle is a good flex option with a run-heavy game script.
Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns (59 degrees, 84 percent chance of rain): Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said the team is preparing as if DTR will start — bad news for fantasy. With or without rain, Browns pass catchers can be benched with DTR under center. Jerome Ford, on the other hand, is in RB2 territory this week. Tua Tagovailoa’s Comp% drops from 68.2 percent without rain to 61.8 percent with rain, but is now doubtful.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders (59 degrees, 91 percent chance of rain): Two rookie quarterbacks in the rain. One of whom, Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., will start for only the second time. In Penix’s first start, WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney were his top targets with eight and six looks, respectively. But Penix had zero passing TDs and finished with a 73.4 passer rating … against the Giants. Penix has tons of potential, but with such a high chance of rain and a QB in his second start ever, Bijan Robinson may be the Falcon to start this week. Rookie of the Year candidate Jayden Daniels is only slightly more seasoned and hasn’t played an NFL game in the rain, according to TruMedia. Though he had a tough time running last week, Brian Robinson Jr. is primed for a bounce-back game with the prospect of high usage. Terry McLaurin has been averaging 22.95 PPR points per game since Week 12 and is a fringe WR1/WR2 this week. But this is a tough spot for both young quarterbacks.
For more information on how weather affects gameplay, read Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather.
Featured games
Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.
Sunday afternoon
Green Bay Packers (11-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, Minn.
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- TV: Fox
Winners in five of their past six games, the Packers head to Minnesota as slight favorites against the Vikings. The Packers have leaned on Josh Jacobs in the latter half of this season, but the Vikings’ run defense is one of the league’s best (as opposed to their vulnerable secondary). Green Bay largely abandoned the run in their Week 4 clash against Minnesota, when Jacobs only received a season-low nine carries.
Though quiet from a fantasy perspective from October to November — and with just one TD over that span — Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is peaking during the fantasy playoffs. Over the past three weeks he’s posted just shy of 350 receiving yards with five touchdowns. Jordan Addison has been a strong contributor at cost as well, with 20 receptions and four touchdowns on 29 targets since Dec. 8.
Read the full preview.
Sunday night
Atlanta Falcons (8-7) vs. Washington Commanders (10-5)
- Venue: Northwest Stadium — Landover, Md.
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC, Peacock
Michael Penix Jr. gets his second start for the Falcons but will face a much stiffer test from the Commanders’ defense than he received from the woebegone New York Giants. Penix was … fine against the Giants, completing 66% of his 27 passes, but getting picked off once in the process. As noted above, it could be a slop fest in the rain at Northwest Stadium Sunday night, a field not known for its high quality turf.
A rain game raises some questions for the Commanders’ backfield, which saw Brian Robinson Jr. carry the ball 10 times for just 24 yards and fumble twice against the Eagles. Robinson still saw the majority of the work in the running game (Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols combined for eight yards on five total carries) and figures to again be the workhorse out of the backfield in Week 17. Ciely has him slotted at RB20 this week.
Read the full preview.
Monday night
Detroit Lions (13-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN, ABC
Sportsbooks are expecting a shootout, with the highest total for the remaining games this week. That’s likely due to the many, many (many) injuries depleting the Lions defense and Detroit’s high-powered offense that has put up 110 points over the past three games. Meanwhile, the Niners’ offense (similarly injury-plagued) has mustered just 29 over its past two games. What’s left of the Lions secondary (27th in the league on passing yards allowed per game) could help Brock Purdy and Co. put a few more points on the scoreboard though.
As expected, following the loss of RB David Montgomery, it’s been the Jahmyr Gibbs show in the Lions’ backfield. He posted 109 yards rushing and a touchdown on 23 carries, with another 45 yards on 4 receptions against the Bears in Week 16. He is Ciely’s top running back this week.
Read the full preview (coming Monday).
Week 17 best bets
Austin Mock scours his weekly projections to spot the top values on the board.
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders under 47.5 (-110) at BetMGM
Michael Penix Jr. won in his debut last week and looked pretty good doing so, but I’m not going to overreact to a performance against the current version of the Giants. I’m not super high on the Commanders defense, but I do think they’ll give Penix a much harder time down to down in his first road start. I lean toward Washington in this game but don’t love the price, and I have a much bigger edge on the total given my model’s expectation that the Falcons offense underperforms.
- Worst price to bet: Under 47 (-110)
— Mock
See all of Mock’s best bets for Week 17.
Fantasy football matchup rankings
Jake Ciely’s Week 17 fantasy football matchup rankings.
This is the weekly fantasy football strength of schedule, or fantasy football matchup rankings, piece. The word of the day is “APA,” which might make you say, “DAMN!” but it’s really for Adjusted Points Allowed. Essentially, it’s the “true” measure of the strength of schedule because it breaks matchups down by strength of opponent (positionally) faced each week.
The difference in a defense facing an elite player versus a basement talent will skew the fantasy points allowed for a team. APA adjusts for the previous opponents and gives us an “expected fantasy points allowed” to find the best and worst matchups. This is a truer and more accurate “strength of schedule.”
Quarterback matchups
- Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 25.5, +5.5
- Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ), APA: 24.8, +4.9
- Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DAL), APA: 23.6, +3.6
Running back matchups
- Tampa Bay Buccanneers (vs. CAR), APA: 26.3, +6.9
- Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 23.7, +4.3
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN), APA: 23.4, +4.0
Wide receiver matchups
- New York Jets (at BUF), APA: 39.3, +7.4
- Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 36.4, +4.6
- Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ), APA: 36.2, +4.4
Tight end matchups
- Denver Broncos (at CIN), APA: 17.2, +4.8
- New Orleans Saints (vs. LV), APA: 16.1, +3.7
- Carolina Panthers (at TB), APA: 15.8, +3.4
— Ciely
See all Week 17 matchup rankings.
Jake Ciely’s Week 10 fantasy football player rankings
Find out Jake’s top QB, RB, WR and TE for the week!
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
Get Ciely’s full Week 17 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.
(Photo of Jalen Hurts: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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