A midseason trade to Buffalo was supposed to save wide receiver Amari Cooper from the inept Cleveland offense. Instead, the veteran is an afterthought in a high-powered offense. Cooper has three or fewer targets in five of seven games as a Bill and has totaled one catch for 10 yards in his last two contests. He hasn't played more than 55% of Buffalo's offensive snaps yet. Given the Jets are stingy against outside wide receivers, Cooper shouldn't be considered for starting lineups this weekend.

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Just as he was beginning to emerge as Buffalo's top wide receiver, a wrist injury sidelined Keon Coleman for four weeks. The rookie has been quiet since his return. Coleman has a pair of targets and one reception in each of his last two games. While one went for 64 yards against Detroit, Coleman mustered 17 yards in the win over New England. There are too many mouths to feed in Buffalo as the coaching staff rotates receivers and running backs into the game. Because of the uncertain volume and difficult matchup against the Jets (third-fewest fantasy points to receivers), it's difficult to insert the second-round pick into starting lineups in Week 17.

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Since his return from injury, Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) has seen consistent usage. In Weeks 15 and 16, the second-year professional earned seven targets and caught four. Unfortunately, it hasn't translated to fantasy football success. Kincaid tallied 53 yards against Detroit but just 15 in the home win over New England. Kincaid leads tight ends in unrealized air yards and often just secures short-area throws. Kincaid continues to appear on the injury report with his knee issue but does not have an injury designation. The Jets have given up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, making the already disappointing Kincaid a shaky option for fantasy lineups this weekend.

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Outside of the 42-44 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has seen consistent usage in November and December. Cook has averaged 14.4 touches per game since Week 9 and has 14 or 15 touches in four of the last five games. While fantasy managers would like that number to be higher, the 25-year-old has been efficient with his opportunities. He's topped triple-digit rushing yards in three of the last four games and draws a Jets defense that is weaker against the run than the pass. Cook's ranked as a high-end RB2 and should be a lineup lock for fantasy championship weekend.

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On paper, the New York Jets are stingy against opposing wide receivers, especially in fantasy football. The Jets allow the third-fewest fantasy points per game. However, a closer look shows the unit gives up the second-most points per game to slot receivers. Buffalo Bills receiver Khalil Shakir has lined up inside on over 70% of his offensive snaps this season. He's also been a model of consistency, scoring double-digit fantasy points in all but three games. Fantasy managers wanting a safe floor can start Shakir this weekend as a mid-tier WR 3.

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Every player has their off games. Look no further than Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (elbow/shoulder). The favorite to win MVP racked up 93.2 fantasy points in Weeks 15 and 16, plus over 20 in nine straight games. That made his dud against New England (184 total yards and one touchdown) even more surprising. Allen noted that he suffered an elbow contusion against the Patriots but does not carry an injury designation into the weekend. Allen should return to form against another divisional foe, the New York Jets. While New York's defense is just outside the top 10 for fewest fantasy points allowed to the position, they've surrendered the second-most rushing touchdowns (seven) to quarterbacks. If a fantasy manager survived Allen's disappointing stat line from a week ago, they shouldn't be shy about starting him again. Allen is a clear-cut QB1 for Week 17.

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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) upgraded to a full practice session on Friday and was removed from the final injury report for Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Even though the Colts have been a strong matchup for opposing QBs this year -- they've allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to the position through 15 games played -- we seriously hope that no fantasy managers in superflex leagues are having to resort to using Lock as their QB2 with a championship on the line. The 28-year-old threw two more interceptions (both were returned for touchdowns) in last week's blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons and he just has not been good in a starting role for the G-Men let go of Daniel Jones. Lock has completed a career-low 52.7% of his pass attempts with one TD and four picks in his six games (three starts). He can run a little bit, but Lock should be avoided if at all possible.

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San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. Guerendo, who did not play in the Week 16 loss to the Miami Dolphins, may need to upgrade to a full practice on Saturday to avoid carrying a questionable designation into Monday night's Week 17 showdown in what will be a rematch of last year's NFC Championship against the Detroit Lions. If the 24-year-old back is feeling good enough to play on Monday, he should return to lead-back duties for San Fran, albeit in a bad matchup. Although they are pretty banged up now, the Lions defense has allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs in 15 games in 2024. However, in the last five weeks, they've been in the middle of the pack in that same category. If Guerendo is active in Week 17, he'll be a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex in fantasy.

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Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) was added to the Week 17 injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited session. Thielen was again limited in Friday's practice but was removed from the final injury report and will play on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if rookie Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) returns to the field, Thielen should continue to be quarterback Bryce Young's top target in the passing game. The Buccaneers defense has been a top-10 fantasy matchup for receivers in 2024, allowing 2,383 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns in 15 games. The 34-year-old is no longer in his prime like he was in Minnesota, but he's developed a strong chemistry with Young the last two years and caught his third touchdown of the year in the Week 16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Thielen has a solid floor as a WR3/flex in Week 17 in fantasy lineups.

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New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (toe) is listed as questionable for Week 17 against the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but head coach Brian Daboll is "hopeful" that the 21-year-old first-rounder out of LSU will play. Nabers didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday but returned to a limited session on Friday. The impressive first-year wideout has dealt with his fair share of nagging injuries in his first year in the NFL, but he's only missed two games due to a concussion. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Nabers looked good in practice on Friday and is expected to play this weekend. Fantasy managers will want to check back for confirmation on Sunday morning that he's active, but if he is, as is expected, he should be left in lineups on championship week as a WR2 with WR1 upside against the Colts.

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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has had an up-and-down year in 2024. Before Miami's Week 9 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, he was considered an essential part of the ground game. Since the crucial fumble the week prior, he has received 34 touches, with the backfield touches dominated by fellow back De'Von Achane. In Week 17, he and the Dolphins will travel to take on the Cleveland Browns in a matchup where the weather conditions will play a factor in the game plan. With rain and harsh winds in the forecast, the play calling could favor the run heavily. That said, it remains tough to trust Mostert with the few opportunities he's had. He's best left on the bench for championship week.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is coming off of his third consecutive game with exactly three catches, although those nine catches came on 19 targets. Fellow wideout Michael Pittman Jr. seemed like Anthony Richardson's preferred option based on his 13 receptions over the last three games, but looking closer, Pittman Jr. had the same amount of targets as Downs over that stretch (19). While Downs' aDOT of 7.12 yards contrasts with Pittman Jr.'s 11.26, they are basically the Colts' 1A and 1B receivers for fantasy purposes this week. That is, if Anthony Richardson is under center for the Colts, but after missing practice all week with back and foot injuries, the second-year QB is at risk of missing Week 17's matchup with the Giants. If that happens, Joe Flacco will slide in as QB, and the 39-year-old showed more rapport with Downs than Pittman Jr., with Downs logging a 36-338-1 line (five games) compared to Pittman Jr.'s 13-139-1 line (four games) with the veteran at the helm. Neither one makes for a great play this week, as both look like high-end Flex options with Richardson calling the plays, but Downs has WR3 upside if Flacco gets the start.

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The Minnesota Vikings defense will square off in a difficult matchup with the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. The Vikings' D has been a top unit this season -; forcing turnovers at one of the higher rates in the league while allowing the third-fewest points (18.4) and second-lowest rushing total per contest (87.1 YPG). However, they'll get their toughest test in quite some time, with a Packers offense scoring the seventh-most points per game (27.5) in the NFL. Green Bay has been particularly effective in rushing the rock (147.3 YPG -; fourth-most), so it should be an excellent bout of strength versus strength. For what it's worth, Minnesota intercepted quarterback Jordan Love three times after his return from injury in Week 4. Still, Love tossed four TDs against them. The unit ranks as RotoBaller's D/ST10 ahead of fantasy championship weekend.

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Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders has been one of the best kickers in fantasy football over the last several games. He has scored the most fantasy points by any kicker since Week 8 and has made his last 23 field goal attempts. In Week 17, he and the Dolphins will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in brutal kicking conditions. There is projected to be a 50% chance of rain and 25+ mph gusts at kick-off. To make matters worse, the Browns allow the lowest field goal percentage in the entire NFL at 69%. As hot as Sanders has been, he is best left on the bench for Week 17. He comes in as the 18th-ranked kicker in this week's RotoBaller rankings.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder is set for an increased role on Sunday evening against the Atlanta Falcons. With Dyami Brown (hamstring) ruled out, Crowder now sits as the No.3 wide receiver on the depth chart. Crowder played the hero last weekend, catching two of his four targets for two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the final minutes. This was the first time this season the veteran wideout saw at least four targets in a single game. With Noah Brown (kidney) and Dyami Brown both sidelined, Crowder should be set to see a similar target share once again. Crowder is worth a look as a sneaky play in DFS but should not be started in any season-long format despite facing an Atlanta secondary that has allowed the third-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season given he has had minimal fantasy production all season long.

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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz is a risky play this weekend facing the Atlanta Falcons. Ertz suffered a concussion during their Week 15 victory over the New Orleans Saints but was able to turn the corner in time to suit up last weekend. However, the veteran tight end caught just one of his two targets in this contest. This was only the second time this season Ertz caught just one pass in a single game. Ertz opened this week as a non-participant with a shoulder injury. However, he was able to log two straight full practices the following days, which suggests this injury is minor. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should view Ertz as a low-end TE1 in PPR formats, as he has averaged 10.3 PPR points over his past five games but has had a minimal role the past two weeks. He will face an Atlanta secondary that has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez is a risky streaming option in Week 17 when he faces the Atlanta Falcons. Gonzalez has filled in for the injured Austin Seibert (groin), who has been on the IR since Week 12. As the replacement option, Gonzalez has gone 3-for-5 on attempts and a perfect 14-for-14 on extra points. He holds a career 79.7% FG conversion rate and a 95.3% conversion rate on extra points. Even though he has struggled to find consistency throughout his career, facing a weak Atlanta defense, the Commanders may have put Gonzalez in ample scoring situations on Sunday evening. In 14+ team formats, Gonzalez is a viable streaming option. However, fantasy managers in shallower leagues should look for a more stable and proven option.

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The Washington Commanders defense should be viewed as a desperation streaming option this weekend facing the Atlanta Falcons. Last weekend, they could not contain Saquon Barkley as he tallied 150 yards and two scores on the ground. This week they have another tough matchup ahead of them facing Bijan Robinson. However, the pass rush led by Dante Fowler Jr. and Frankie Luvu has been very productive, tallying seven sacks over their past two games. Outside of Robinson, they will face a passing attack led by rookie Michael Penix Jr. Penix made his career start last weekend. He was not tasked to do much against a weak Giants team, as he threw for just 202 yards on 27 attempts. However, this weekend, the Falcons may need to push the ball in the air to keep up with a potent Commanders offense. With Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) ruled out, the Commanders secondary will be undermanned, facing Drake London and Darnell Mooney. As a result, this defense carries a decent floor with projected sack production but little upside when facing a tough Atlanta offense.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith has had the best season of his career and has become one of the most crucial pieces to the offense. Since Week 8, Smith has been the TE1 and is fifth in touchdowns on the year. Week 17 presents a matchup with the Cleveland Browns, who rank 11th in fantasy points and 12th in yards per game to opposing tight ends. To make matters worse, there is a 50% chance of rain and 25+ mph winds projected in Cleveland at kickoff. However, we've seen him beat less-than-ideal conditions and be a safety blanket for Tua Tagovailoa. Start him as a solid TE1 in the championship week. He comes in as RotoBaller's TE6 in the Week 17 rankings.

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Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels should be locked into all lineups on Sunday evening when he faces the Atlanta Falcons. Daniels is coming off one of the most impressive wins of his rookie campaign, where he threw five scores and tallied 339 all-purpose yards in a comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Over his past four contests, Daniels has found the end zone 14 times (12 passing, two rushing) and averaged just over 300 total yards per game. This is a great sign for the rookie QB as he hit a two-game skid during Weeks 10 and 11, where he averaged just 13.0 PPR points per game. On Sunday night, the Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the eighth-most PPR points to opposing QBs. He is a must-start in all formats.

From RotoBaller