With many fantasy football managers contemplating their championship game lineups, the question of “who should I start” is perhaps more important than ever. To help with that, we examine the fantasy points allowed to the position in the last four weeks in order to identify the best options. This information can also be used to help make decisions for DFS as well as Underdog Fantasy Best Ball leagues.
For the purpose of this article, all data discussed is using half-PPR and four-point per passing touchdown scoring unless otherwise stated. The Titans and Cowboys are excluded from matchup data as they have already played.
Who Should I Start in Fantasy Football This Week?
The top five starting options in terms of the QB position based on matchups in the last four weeks are intriguing. The Eagles (23.82 PPG) have been the most favorable opponent for QBs in terms of fantasy points but handing the fate of your fantasy championship to Andy Dalton is tough to do.
Dalton averages just 13.1 fantasy points per game and sits as the QB28 in our Week 17 QB fantasy rankings. That means his only real value is in 14-team Superflex leagues or as a hit-and-hope option in 12-team SF formats.
Sitting as the second-most favorable matchup are the Chicago Bears (23.79 PPG), who Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff faces this week. Goff sits as the QB9 this week in our rankings and is the QB16 on the season, averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game.
Seeing the Chiefs (22.63 PPG) as the third-best matchup is intriguing for Russell Wilson this week. The Broncos’ QB averages just 13.8 points per game, but he had 25.6 fantasy points the last time they faced in Week 14.
MORE: Fantasy Outlook for Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Darren Waller with Jarrett Stidham at QB
The last two matchups in the top five are the New York Giants (21.35 PPG) and Miami Dolphins (21.30 PPG). However, starting either Nick Foles or Mac Jones in your championship game is an extremely brave thing to do. Both rank outside the top 20 this week, meaning they’re unlikely to be valuable options in 1QB formats.
At running back, fantasy managers will be relieved to see that Saquon Barkley has the best matchup of the week with the Indianapolis Colts (33.60 PPG). The Falcons’ pairing of Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson has an intriguing matchup with the Arizona Cardinals (32.13 PPG). Allgeier is the better option based on the usage in recent weeks, sitting as the RB18 in our Week 17 RB fantasy rankings.
A borderline starting option in the past month has been Travis Etienne Jr., but his matchup with the Houston Texans (27.95 PPG) makes him interesting. The last time he faced the Texans back in Week 5, Etienne had 114 total yards on 13 touches, despite the Jaguars losing 13-6 at home. He sits as the RB6 in our Week 17 rankings.
The other intriguing matchups for RBs this week are the Seattle Seahawks (26.65 PPG) and Denver Broncos (25.90 PPG). That makes the trio of Zonovan Knight, Jerick McKinnon, and Isiah Pacheco all potential starts, regardless of league size in Week 17.
The top five best matchups for WRs makes for some interesting starting considerations for this week. The Colts allow an average of 42.47 fantasy points per game to WRs in the last month. The problem is that Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Richie James are not always the most consistent trio. All of them sit between WR36 and WR43 in our WR fantasy rankings, making them fringe 14-team options.
The situation with the Packers is somewhat complicated by the health of Christian Watson. Nevertheless, both Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs are in consideration as either 12 or 14-team starting options this week. Heading back to Indianapolis and any concerns over Michael Pittman Jr. should be dispelled with the fact they have a favorable matchup with the Giants (36.60 PPG).
The same could be said about Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The Buccaneers’ WRs have not always been easy to trust this year, but a relatively soft matchup with the Panthers (36.10 PPG) keeps both in 12-team consideration. With the Dolphins, neither Tyreek Hill nor Jaylen Waddle need the help of a bad Patriots (35.9 PPG) secondary that is missing multiple players to be starting options.
Among the top-five options for the tight end position is good news for Travis Kelce‘s fantasy managers. K.C.’s matchup with the Broncos (17.55 PPG) is second-best for TEs in the last four weeks. Among the rest of the top five are limited help outside of 16-team leagues.
The highest-ranked of those in our Week 17 TE fantasy rankings are Noah Fant (TE17), Jordan Akins (TE21), Colby Parkinson (TE25), and Trey McBride (TE29).
Top Fantasy Football Matchups in Week 17
As you consider who to start in your Week 17 fantasy lineups, examining the past four weeks of data in terms of fantasy points allowed to the position can give you some ideas of which direction to look. Below are the five most favorable matchups for each position.
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing QBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Eagles (23.82 PPG) | vs. Saints
2. Bears (23.79 PPG) | at Lions
3. Chiefs (22.63 PPG) | vs. Broncos
4. Giants (21.35 PPG) | vs. Colts
5. Dolphins (21.30 PPG) | at Patriots
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Colts (33.60 PPG) | at Giants
2. Cardinals (32.13 PPG) | at Falcons
3. Texans (27.95 PPG) | vs. Jaguars
4. Seahawks (26.65 PPG) | vs. Jets
5. Broncos (25.90 PPG) | at Chiefs
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Colts (42.47 PPG) | at Giants
2. Vikings (38.45 PPG) | at Packers
3. Giants (36.60 PPG) | vs. Colts
4. Panthers (26.10 PPG) | at Buccaneers
5. Patriots (35.90 PPG) | vs. Dolphins
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing TEs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Falcons (19.17 PPG) | vs. Cardinals
2. Broncos (17.55 PPG) | at Chiefs
3. Dolphins (13.08 PPG) | at Patriots
4. Jets (12.70 PPG) | at Seahawks
5. Jaguars (12.28 PPG) | at Texans