Week 16 marked the end of the fantasy football season for many leagues as champions were crowned. Though some leagues ended, there are still many fantasy leagues that have their championship set for Week 17. Additionally, fantasy matchups which are always crucial don’t have to be only applied to fantasy football leagues. They work just as well in DFS as they do in regular fantasy leagues. As I have mentioned, to win in fantasy, your players have to have great matchups so here they are. Here are the best Week 17 fantasy football matchups in points-per-receptions leagues.
Best Week 17 Fantasy Football Matchups
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill vs. Houston Texans
Tannehill is having a fantastic season, one that may not be capable of winning an MVP, but should at least be in the conversation for one. Tannehill has averaged over 20 fantasy points per game this season due to his efficient passing and his mobility which gives him bonus touchdowns.
Last week, he along with the Titans were embarrassed as they lost by 26 points to the Packers. Good teams and players bounceback the next week, and that should happen. It also helps that Tannehill is going up against an awful Texans defense. It is a defense that gave up 37 points to the poor Bengals offense last week, and Tannehill scored 28.64 fantasy points against this team in their previous meeting in Week 6.
I expect Tannehill to score a minimum of 24 points in a game where the Titans will dominate, finishing as one of the best Week 17 fantasy football matchups.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jonathan Taylor in recent weeks has looked like the Jonathan Taylor that played at Wisconsin. In his last four games, he has scored a total of 91.9 points which averages out to 22.98 fantasy points a game. He has looked deadly both on the ground and as a receiving back.
He is going up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that has clinched the first overall pick and is horrendous on defense. In fact, they give up the third-most fantasy points to running backs per game. The Colts are fighting for a playoff spot, so they will want to score as much as they can, which means Jonathan Taylor should be out on the field for most of the time on offense.
I predict Taylor has over 150 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Taylor is one of the best Week 17 fantasy football matchups.
Wide Receiver
Adam Thielen vs. Detroit Lions
It has been an up and down season for Thielen, and unfortunately, he will not be playing in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have one last final explosive game. The Vikings are without Dalvin Cook who leads the offense, so they will more likely resort to the pass rather than the run. Also, the Detroit Lions give up the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, and a prime example of this was last week when they gave up a total of 59.5 fantasy points to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
With that in mind, many people would choose Justin Jefferson over Thielen due to his explosiveness, but Jefferson will most likely draw more attention and Thielen is a bigger red zone target.
Still, I expect both guys to have fantastic days, with Thielen edging Jefferson, with what I predict to be a game where he scores around 24 fantasy points. Thielen should finish as one of the best Week 17 fantasy football matchups.
Tight End
Robert Tonyan vs. Chicago Bears
Tonyan was one of the most surprising fantasy players this season. No one expected much out of him, but he has proved people wrong as he has averaged over 11 fantasy points per game. The Bears have a very good defense, but they struggle against tight ends, and this was evident when Tonyan scored 17.7 fantasy points against them in Week 12. This is a huge game for the Packers as they are fighting for the number one seed and with these games, Aaron Rodgers is usually playing at the top of his game.
With his top target, Davante Adams, likely to be doubled, that means he will turn to his second favorite target in Tonyan, who will be able to find soft zones where he will be uncovered.
Additionally, besides looking for Davante Adams, Rodgers also looks for Tonyan in the red zone as he has hauled in 10 touchdowns this season. Tonyan should have a solid day as I expect him to have a touchdown and over 15 fantasy points.
Defense/Special Teams
Washington D/ST vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Washington defense has been one of the most impressive units this season. They have actually given up the fourth-least offensive yards per game this season which is incredible. Coming into this game, with a win Washington goes into the playoffs. But with uncertainty at the quarterback position, their defense might have to win the game for them.
This defense is going up against an improved Eagles offense, but one that still had three turnovers in its last game. I expect that to continue as Chase Young and the others will bring pressure on Jalen Hurts forcing him to fumble at least once and forcing him to throw an interception. Additionally, I predict that the Washington defense holds the Eagles under 23 points, and they might even score a defensive touchdown.
They should finish atop the best Week 17 fantasy football matchups on the defensive side.
Kicker
Daniel Carlson versus Denver Broncos
Daniel Carlson has gotten many opportunities to kick field goals and extra points due to being on a very good Raiders offense. That theme should continue against the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders’ offense with their weapons will be able to score touchdowns against the Broncos, but the Broncos also have a very good red-zone defense, meaning they should get a couple of stops. Those stops will give Daniel Carlson some field goal attempts, which he has converted many times. I expect Carlson to have around three field-goal attempts and three extra-point attempts.
Main Image:Embed from Getty Images
