Fantasy Football Week 17: Championship Week Booms and Busts
Welcome to Championship Week, folks! If you’re reading this, you’ve made it to the big dance and have the opportunity to bring home a fantasy football championship. Congratulations on making it this far—now, it’s time to make sure your roster is optimized for that final push. We’ve got you covered with some booms and busts for Week 17 to help you make those crucial decisions. Let’s dive in!
Booms: Players to Start
1. Bucky Irving (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
This one’s easy. Irving is primed for a huge Week 17, especially against the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers are motivated as they’re still in the playoff hunt, and they need to win. With Rashad White’s recent struggles (including a fumble last week against the Cowboys), look for Bucky to get an increased workload. He’s already been involved as both a rusher and receiver, and Carolina’s defense is one of the worst against running backs. If you’ve got Irving, fire him up in your championship lineup.
2. Adam Thielen (WR, Carolina Panthers)
Thielen has been on a tear lately and is getting tons of targets, making him a fantastic option against Tampa Bay this week. Bryce Young is looking more comfortable, and Thielen is the primary beneficiary. Tampa Bay’s defense has been vulnerable to wide receivers, as evidenced by what Cooper Rush did to them last week. Expect Thielen to get plenty of opportunities in a high-volume passing attack. If you’re in a PPR league, he’s a must-start.
3. James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
Conner has been consistent and reliable all season, and this week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams should be no different. Conner is not only the lead rusher for Arizona but also a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield, getting several targets per game. With Kyler Murray still struggling, Conner is the focal point of the offense. Against the Rams, who have allowed plenty of fantasy points to running backs, Conner should be locked and loaded as a high-volume, high-floor RB1.
4. Calvin Ridley (WR, Tennessee Titans)
Ridley is back to his old ways, and with great matchup this week, he’s in for a huge game. Ridley is still a touchdown machine, and the Titan’s offense looked better with Mason Rudolph at the helm. His target share has been solid all season, and he’s a key part of their offense in the red zone. This is a decent matchup for Ridley, and he should continue to be a go to target.
Busts: Players to Avoid
1. DK Metcalf (WR, Seattle Seahawks)
Metcalf has been in a slump lately, and with JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) clearly taking over as the top target in Seattle, Metcalf’s fantasy value has plummeted. This week, Seattle faces the Chicago Bears, a team that isn’t an easy matchup for wide receivers. Despite a decent game last week, Metcalf only had three catches and was saved by a touchdown. His lack of consistent targets makes him a risky play in a championship week, and it might be wise to look elsewhere if you have other viable options.
2. Breece Hall (RB, New York Jets)
Hall’s production has been inconsistent, and this week, he’s facing a tough Buffalo Bills defense. Buffalo is one of the top run-stopping units in the league, and they’ll be focused on shutting down Hall to make the Jets’ offense one-dimensional. The Jets’ offense has been dysfunctional all season, and Hall’s ceiling is capped in this tough matchup. Unless you have no other options, it’s best to leave Hall on your bench this week.
3. Cooper Kupp (WR, Los Angeles Rams)
Kupp has not been the fantasy stud many hoped he would be this season, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to turn it around in Week 17. Puka Nacua has taken over as the top target in Los Angeles, and Kupp has struggled to make an impact. The Rams face the Arizona Cardinals, who have been tougher on the pass lately than they were early in the season. Kupp simply hasn’t been getting the volume or the quality targets to justify starting him in your championship lineup. He’s too much of a gamble at this point.
4. Rico Dowdle (RB, Dallas Cowboys)
Dowdle has been disappointing over the last couple of weeks, and this week, he faces a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense. Philadelphia is one of the best at stopping the run, and with the Cowboys’ offense struggling to find consistency, Dowdle is a risky start. He didn’t take advantage of a prime matchup last week against Tampa Bay, and given the tough competition this week, it’s hard to trust him as a starting running back in the fantasy finals.
Conclusion
Championship Week is here, and it’s time to make those tough calls. Whether you’re deciding between a boom or bust, trust your gut, but also consider matchups, motivation, and recent trends. The players we’ve highlighted should give you a solid foundation for your lineup decisions.
Good luck to everyone in the fantasy football championship! Whether you’re competing for the title or just hoping for a good showing, we wish you the best of luck as you close out your season.
