Starts:
QB - Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ (@ BUF)
Though it sounds obvious, it is still worth mentioning, you should start players who are on teams still playing for something in Week 17. The Jets have their playoff lives in their own hands. All they need to do is defeat the Bills. Buffalo shut down Kellen Moore last week. But, prior to that, they allowed at least three passing touchdowns in two of the past four games. Also, in two of the past three games, Fitzmagic has thrown at least three TDs in each game.
Other notables: Eli Manning (NYG), Matthew Stafford (DET), Drew Brees (NO)
RB - Darren McFadden, DAL (vs. WAS)
Dallas is using the ground game a lot more with Kellen Moore at the helm. McFadden has rushed for at least 99 yards in three-straight games. His usage is also on the rise. In the past three weeks his carries have risen from nine to 19. Finally, Washington has allowed five rushing TDs to opposing RBs in the past five weeks.
Other notables: Frank Gore (IND), C.J. Anderson (DEN), Eddie Lacy (GB)
WR - Martavis Bryant, PIT (vs. CLE)
Week 16 didn't go as planned for Pittsburgh as they lost 20-17 to Baltimore. Now, the Steelers are on the outside of the playoff bubble. The Steelers need to win in order to stay alive in the wildcard hunt. In Week 10, Bryant tallied 178 receiving yards on six catches and even scored a touchdown against the Browns. Antonio Brown will get a larger percentage of Ben Roethlisberger's attention, but Bryant will still get his chances to shine.
Other notables: Jordan Matthews (PHI), Michael Floyd (ARI), Amari Cooper (OAK)
TE - Zach Ertz, PHI (@ NYG)
Ertz was a target-hog last week for Philadelphia. Sam Bradford threw in Ertz's direction 17 times in Week 16. In the past two weeks, Ertz has 30 total targets. Also, in the past two weeks, both Greg Olsen and Kyle Rudolph found the end zone against the Giants.
Other notables: Tyler Eifert (CIN), Gary Barnidge (CLE), Zach Miller (CHI)
Sits:
QB - Brock Osweiler, DEN (vs. SD)
The Brockweiler was clutch last week, earning the win and boosting the Broncos into the playoffs. However, it's the running game that is weakest for the Chargers. With Osweiler's shoulder bothering him, look for Denver to rely on the ground game and salt away the clock and reduce the risk of extended injury.
Others include: Philip Rivers (SD), Sam Bradford (PHI), Jameis Winston (TB)
RB - Isaiah Crowell, CLE (vs. PIT)
Sure, the Crow has notched at least 88 rushing yards in two of the past three games. He also has three rushing touchdowns in the past three weeks. However, Pittsburgh's defense is great against the run. This season, the Steelers have allowed only four rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. In Week 10, Crowell had six carries for -5 yards against Pittsburgh, too.
Others include: Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR), Christine Michael (SEA), James Starks (GB)
WR - T.Y. Hilton, IND (vs. TEN)
As of Wednesday, we don't know who will be the starting quarterback for the Colts, but we know it won't be Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck, or Charlie Whitehurst. Those guys are also the only three quarterbacks to play a down for Indianapolis this season. As for Hilton, he has surpassed 70 receiving yards once in the past four games.
Others include: DeSean Jackson (WAS), Stefon Diggs (MIN), Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)
TE - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB (@ CAR)
On the stat sheet, ASJ has two touchdowns in his last two games. However, last week, his touchdown was on a Hail Mary at the end of the game. The Panthers defense hasn't allowed more than 50 receiving yards to the opposing TE in the past five games. That stretch has include the likes of Jordan Reed, Jason Witten, Benjamin Watson, and Will Tye.
Others include: Antonio Gates (SD), Heath Miller (PIT), Jason Witten (DAL)
