Narrative alert: Steve Smith is hinting
his Week 17 tussle against CIN could be his final NFL game.
Grab a Helmet
Steve
Smith @ CIN: With the sun setting on a Hall of Fame career,
Smith could be lacing up the cleats for the last time. Playing with
a perpetual chip on his shoulder, Smith has shut up the doubters
who said he couldn’t come back from his Achilles injury. With only
personal accolades, and a hatred of Cincinnati to play for, one
of the NFL most emotionally charged receivers could be primed for
a big game. I think the Ravens and Joe Flacco make it a point to
involve Smith early and often. Even though he’s only got one 100-yard
game this season, Smith blasted the Bengals for a 13-186-2 line
just last season. If there is one guy I have to have in my lineup
this week, it’s good ole’ Smith. That chip is going to be as big
as a city block and emotions will be high.
Golden
Tate vs GB: Despite a mysteriously slow start to the
season, Tate has roared back to be a PPR dynamo for the last three
quarters of the year. He’s seen double digit targets in six of his
last ten games, and faces a Green Bay defense that has struggled
to stop passing games all year. Green Bay has given up a league
high 24 touchdowns and 2,772 yards to receivers, getting destroyed
over the last two weeks by guys named Adam Thielen, Deonte Thompson,
and Cameron Meredith. This game is going to be a tight back and
forth contest, and one where Tate will be counted on heavily.
DeAndre
Hopkins @ TEN: Despite having been one of the biggest
disappointments of the fantasy season, Hopkins has at least shown
life since the insertion of Tom Savage at quarterback. He had a
rough go of it last week, but nearly connected on several deep balls.
Even though the game means little to the Texans, this passing game
needs reps and the Titans have allowed the 4th most fantasy points
to receivers. I know he’s been absolutely impossible to trust, but
it’s Week 17...you don’t have much to lose!
Grab Some Pine
Rishard
Matthews vs HOU: The bad matchup (The Houston defense
is a top-5 fantasy defense vs receivers) and the fact that Matt
Cassel and his limited talent takes over for Marcus Marriota make
Matthews a tough sell in the final game of the year. Matthews
has been a breakout fantasy player for the Titans this season,
compiling 8 touchdowns and over 800 yards. He was likely gold
for teams that plucked him off the waiver wire, but he’s been
big play dependent on his low volume. He’s been great, but doesn’t
inspire loads of confidence in the final week.
Amari
Cooper/Michael
Crabtree @ DEN: There is so much NOT to like this weekend
for the Raiders pass receiver duo. They are on the road against
a secondary that totally handcuffed them in Week 9, and they won’t
be catching passes from David Carr until Week 1 of the 2017 season.
My guess is the Raiders lean on their offensive line and go extremely
run heavy in order to attack the soft spot of the Denver defense.
Oakland is going to have to reinvent itself on offense and become
more run focused. We’ll see how that plays out in a game they
need to win.
Jeremy
Maclin @ SD: Since returning from injury in Week 14,
Maclin has struggled to gain a foothold in the receiving pecking
order. Travis Kelce has been the only consistent weekly presence,
and rookie Tyreek Hill commands at least 7-plus touches a game.
With a negative matchup on the Week 17 horizon, Maclin’s
poor season is likely to endure. He’s only found the end
zone twice and his 82 yards in Week 15 were a season high. All
things considered, Maclin has been a pretty big fantasy bust,
and a player to avoid in the final week of the year.
