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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 17
12/24/14
QBs | RBs | WRs

Merry Christmas! Well here we are, the end of the road. I want to thank FFToday, Joseph, and all of the readers of the SCR for the opportunity to help the fantasy football community. Week 17 is always a wacky one in our world, so congrats to those who won league titles last week, and good luck to those with still something to play for. On to the final installment of the 2014 Shot Caller’s Report!

Note: Fantasy points based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.

Bye Weeks: N/A

Eli Manning

Eli Manning has thrown 7 touchdowns over the last three weeks. His brother Peyton has thrown 3.


Grab a Helmet

Eli Manning v. PHI: The oft-maligned Manning, Eli has actually been the better brother to own late in the fantasy season. Coming off two straight three-touchdown games, Eli continues to relentlessly target his new favorite toy in Odell Beckham Jr. The ascending Giants offense, meets the descending Eagles defense in a meaningless game. Look for the Eagles to come out flat and the Giants to score a few more points than they did in Week 6 (which was zero!). Manning should surpass 4,000 yards passing and 30 touchdowns by the end of the first quarter (for the season not the game!), and put the cap on a fine fantasy season.

Teddy Bridgewater v. CHI: Despite a few rookie decisions at the end of the first half against the Lions two weeks ago, and late last week against the Dolphins, Teddy B. has displayed enough game to give Vikings fans hope for the future. The first-year pro has completed more than 70% of his passes in four-straight games, and gets a Chicago defense at home that is playing for nothing more than pride. Pencil Bridgewater in for at least 250 and 2 scores, making him a solid Week 17 value.

Josh McCown vs. NO: Want some sneaky daily league QB value? Look at Josh McCown in Week 17. Despite being throttled by Green Bay last week, McCown gets last licks against a recently deceased Saints squad. Tampa Bay should come out firing in this division rivalry in their attempt to earn their first home win of the season. McCown is another QB buttering his bread off the back of a rookie wide receiver, so don’t be afraid to take a gamble this week as a 300-yard, multi-touchdown game isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Grab a Headset

Blake Bortles @ HOU: FFToday’s 22nd highest scoring QB, Bortles has had an underwhelming fantasy season by most accounts. An interesting fantasy prospect early in the year, Bortles has struggled with turnovers, and thrown for only 11 touchdowns in 13 games. The match-up this week is dreadful, even against a Houston secondary that can be beat. The Texans are at home, with faint playoff hopes, so they should come out and start harassing Bortles from the opening whistle. A long day for Blake is on the horizon, so keep away from the rookie this week.

Matthew Stafford @ GB: Expected by many to be a top-five fantasy quarterback in 2014, Stafford has been a tremendous disappointment. Although he’ll be a playoff quarterback this year, if he’s as careless with the football as he was last week against Chicago, the Lions could be in for an early exit. This week he faces off against a Green Bay defense that plays much more efficiently at home than the road. The winner of this game takes the NFC North so both teams will be amped up. Stafford will be without battery-mate Dominic Raiola, and that could foil with protection schemes. The Lions haven’t won in Green Bay in a generation, and nothing in Stafford’s recent play suggests this will change this weekend.

Brian Hoyer/Connor Shaw/Bernie Kosar @ BAL: So it seems that all Cleveland wants for Christmas is a warm body at quarterback. With another season in the crapper, and a host of Cleveland signal callers down and out, it’s anybody’s guess who will be hung out to dry against the Ravens this weekend. When Rex Grossman doesn’t want to play for you, you know you have problems. May you have a lifetime of coal in your stocking if you start a Cleveland quarterback this week.

Running Backs