EJ Manuel: One of the few backup quarterbacks
that has some legitimate fantasy value in Week 17.
Grab a Helmet
EJ
Manuel @ NYJ: Coming off another lost season, Manuel
looks to close out his Bills career on a high note against a Jets
defense that gave up a few weeks ago. Manuel has been a pretty huge
bust since being a first round pick several years ago, and hasn’t
managed a meaningful snap this year. His two spot starts in 2015
weren’t disasters, and he’s shown the ability to run the ball a
little if he has too. He’s one of the few quarterbacks healthy and
playing for something in Week 17. Manuel is trying to put some good
game tape together in order to garner a decent job in 2017. Although
they are out of playoff contention, the Bills will be fired up to
embarrass the Jets and I expect that they’ll go all out, giving
Manuel some decent upside at a bargain basement price.
Russell
Wilson @ SF: Wilson has 7 touchdowns in his last two
games, is playing a historically bad 49ers defense, and hits the
road in what amounts to a very important game for playoff seeding.
Wilson and the Seahawks beat the tar out of the Niners in Week 3
and I expect a similar result. The Seattle running game is banged
up, and it would be nice for Seattle to jump out to an early lead
for once. I look for Seattle to come out gunning. The Niners have
given up the 3rd most touchdown passes in the league, so look for
Wilson to add a few more to that total before Week 17 is complete.
Drew
Brees @ ATL: Brees is the ultimate competitor, so although
he won’t be motivated by playoff opportunities, Brees does get another
shot to vanquish a division foe on the road. After a two-week hiccup,
Brees is back to his normal self with 688 yards and 5 touchdowns
in his last two games. Drew has been well over 300 yards passing
in his last five games against Atlanta, and the Falcons have the
No.2 seed as motivation, meaning they aren’t going to give this
one away. This game could have a final score total in the 70’s,
so get Brees out there and hope for an absolute carnival of offense.
Grab a Headset
Matt
McGloin @ DEN: Not only were the Broncos eliminated
from the playoffs Sunday night, but their vaunted defense was
kicked around by the Chiefs. They surrendered 33 points, gave
up huge chunk play after another and generally looked outclassed.
This week they play for pride as they host a Raiders team reeling
from the loss of its MVP caliber quarterback. McGloin, who has
been on the team for the past several years, steps in for the
injured Carr and will get his first meaningful snaps since Week
1 of 2015. McGloin sports an 11-11 touchdown to interception ratio
for his career and has really done nothing to inspire much confidence
in his four years. This is a prideful bunch on Denver, and they
are going to be sour about missing the playoffs after winning
it all last year. McGloin is an incredibly tough spot and simply
not a recommended start this week.
Dak
Prescott @ PHI: Dallas keeps saying they are going
to play their starters, and I don’t doubt that guys like Prescott
and Elliott will start, I find it very hard to believe any of
the “Big 3” see more than a half of football. The Eagles played
inspired football last week against the playoff bound Giants,
and I think they do the same this week. Will absolutely nothing
to play for I look for Dallas to be smart and conservative with
their starters. He’s been mostly magical all year, but Prescott
isn’t going to be a usable option in fantasy this week.
Andy
Dalton vs BAL: Other than an 86-yard catch and run
touchdown by Brandon LaFell, Dalton has struggled to generate
plays in the passing game since the loss of A.J. Green. With Green
and Tyler Eiftert already ruled out for the season finale, it’s
incredibly hard for me to find a scenario where Dalton lights
it up against a Raven defense that will bring the hammer even
in a meaningless game. Games between these two teams are always
bloody street fights but Dalton is simply fighting with plastic
weapons. Always a gamer, Dalton will hang in there and sling the
ball around, but there are several other higher upside options.
