Vital NFL Fantasy Sleepers – Stunning Must Plays for Week 17
By John Fazio
Both injuries and playoff implications are making many NFL Fantasy Sleepers must plays for week seventeen. Let’s go inside each team and see where the best values are hiding.
Dallas at New York Giants:
Dallas is locked into the #4 seed and the Giants are out making this is a meaningless game. Dallas owner Jerry Jones has publicly stated he will play the starters and try to win this game, effectively eliminating any NFL Fantasy Sleepers. I live in Dallas and I can tell you from experience this has not been the case in the past. Cowboy starters may play some of the first quarter but more than likely the reserves will take the main action. This will allow Cooper Rush (QB), Rod Smith (RB), and WR’s Beasley, Hurns, and Austin to get significant run at bargain basement prices.
As for the Giants, Odell Beckham is officially questionable but I doubt he will play when there is nothing to play for, making Sterling Sharp the #1 target.
Carolina at New Orleans:
Carolina was eliminated last week while the Saints have secured a 1st round bye and home field. Carolina will start Kyle Allen at QB and are deciding whether or not to play their starters. If McCaffrey is held out, a minimum salary RB will most likely start against a second string Saints defense. The depth chart says it will be Christian Artis-Payne followed by Kenjon Barner.
We will have a full update on Saturday when more information is known.
Conversely the Saints will for sure limit starters, giving NFL Fantasy Sleepers such as Teddy Bridgewater (QB), Dwayne Washington (RB), and Tre’Quan Smith & Keith Kirkwood (WR’s) ample run.
New York Jets at New England:
The Jets are out while New England needs a win to secure a 1st round bye. No sleepers here. Obviously the Patriots will play all their starters and the Jets will probably do the same as this is such a rivalry.
Detroit at Green Bay:
Both teams are out of the playoffs. Each side looks like their starters will play, except possibly Matt Cassel (QB) may start in place of the ineffective Stafford. We will know more later.
Jacksonville at Houston
Jacksonville is out while Houston needs a win (and a New England loss or tie) to obtain a 1st round bye. As of now, both teams are playing starters although Jax RB Fournette is officially questionable.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay:
Both teams are out. Atlanta’s Julio Jones (WR) and Tevin Coleman (RB) are questionable, while all other starters from both teams plan to play. Should Jones be scratched, Ridley and Sanu would make good NFL Fantasy Sleepers with the caution that QB Ryan fares much worse on the road.
Miami at Buffalo:
Both teams are out and plan to play starters.
Oakland at Kansas City:
Oakland is out while KC needs a win to secure the AFC West division title and garner home field thru the playoffs. Both sides intend on playing starters.
Philadelphia at Washington:
The Eagles need a win and a Viking loss to make the playoffs, while the Redskins are out. This is a rivalry game that Washington would love to win. Both sides playing starters.
Cleveland at Baltimore:
The Browns are out while Baltimore takes the AFC North division with a win. Both teams playing full on.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh:
Cincy is out while Pitt needs to win and hope Baltimore loses. Both sides trying.
Chicago at Minnesota:
The Bears clinch a 1st round bye with a win and a Rams loss, while the Vikings need a win to make the playoffs. This looks like a PK game to Value Monster but Chicago is as much as +5. More about this in the next update.
Chargers at Denver:
The Chargers need a win coupled with a KC loss to win their division while Denver is out. Both sides trying.
Arizona at Seattle:
Coach Pete Carroll said he will play all starters. Seattle needs to win to stay the 5th seed. Should they lose and Minnesota wins, they will drop to 6th.
San Francisco at LA Rams:
SF is out while the Rams need a win to clinch a 1st round bye. Both sides trying.
Indianapolis at Tennessee:
The winner is in, the loser is essentially out.
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