Fantasy Football 2023: Start or Sit Week 17

It’s Championship week for most teams, and a lot of us are on full tilt if we’re still in the mix for that ring. The crew at The League Winners is here to help with those difficult start and sit decisions! 

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 17 – Start

Ezekiel Elliott, RB – New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills (Sheldon Hand)

With Stevenson ruled out for the rest of the year, Zeke becomes a must-start. He is averaging eight targets a game since taking over the backfield and has scored two touchdowns in three games. The Bills are not a matchup to avoid, and Zeke is a safe option with an upside. He is the RB 8 over the last three games averaging 15.7 fantasy points per game. 

Javonte Williams, RB – Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (Harry Prskalo)

Javonte Williams could be in line for a big game this week. The last time the Chargers met, he ended up finishing inside the top 12. They meet again in Week 17, and with a change at quarterback, Williams has an opportunity to be a safety blanket this week and win you your championship.

Rashee Rice, WR – Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals (Brandon Haye)

I know that the Chiefs struggled again on offense, but Rashee Rice had 12 targets. He has nine or more targets in five straight games and gets a Bengals defense that just allowed Mason Rudolph to torch them. I expect a bounce-back game from the Chiefs and Rice to be a big part of that.

Matthew Stafford, QB – Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants (Erika Brown)

Over the last five weeks, Matthew Stafford has been a QB1 for the Rams. These weeks he faces a New York Giants team that has allowed 13 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards passing for quarterbacks on the year. With his receiver corp healthy and productive over the last few weeks, Stafford should carry your team over the top to a Championship this week.

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 17 – Sit

Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Miami Dolphins vs Baltimore Ravens (Sheldon Hand)

The Ravens just made Purdy look like a high school quarterback. Tua has been ok the last two games in tough matchups but hasn’t had a strong game since week 11 against the Raiders. He is the QB 19 since week 12, averaging 13.3 fantasy points. Derek Carr has been hot lately and could be a pivot option. Mullens and Murray also provide a potential higher ceiling.

Garrett Wilson, WR – New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns (Harry Prskalo)

Garrett Wilson has been serviceable all year long. This week against the Cleveland Browns, it may be best to keep him on the bench. The Browns have all the statistics to show that they are an elite defense, and with the championship on the line this week, I do not want to risk starting Wilson. 

Jonathan Taylor, RB – Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders (Brandon Haye)

Taylor Returned last week against the Atlanta Falcons but was only able to produce 43 yards on 18 carries. This week he gets the Raiders who have improved on defense since Antonio Pierce became head coach. In the last three games, they are 13th against the run in yards and have decreased the amount of yards per game in that stretch from 122 to 103 yards per game.

Dalton Schultz, TE – Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (Erika Brown)

Dalton Schultz has been boom/bust for most of the season. With his quarterback still possibly out due to injury, he is a risky start. On top of that, the Tennessee Titans have been phenomenal against the tight end position on the year, only allowing a single touchdown in Week 16 and less than seven points per game.