With league championship battles in the balance, we’re here for all of your fantasy football start/sit needs for Week 17. Thursday Night Football features the Tennessee Titans and the Dallas Cowboys. Fantasy managers don’t need to look further for your start/sit advice — we have it right here.
With Cowboys running back Tony Pollard not practicing on Monday or Tuesday, the focus of this game goes to Ezekiel Elliott. Is Elliott a must-start if Pollard is out? Let’s dive into whether you should start Elliott against Tennessee.
Should You Start Ezekiel Elliott vs. the Titans?
It appears as though Elliott’s backfield mate isn’t quite right yet, as Pollard sat for the second-straight practice on Tuesday. Third-string running back Malik Davis got more action despite Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously proclaiming Pollard would be able to play against the Titans. Considering Pollard has a thigh injury that could theoretically worsen if overworked, the Cowboys should play it safe this week.
Sitting as the RB20 this season after missing two games, Elliott has been a good fantasy producer for his managers, thanks to his 11 touchdowns and average of 13.5 points per game. Consistency is the name of Zeke’s game, and he’s good for 15 carries for at least 50 yards each week. It also helps that he’s reached double-digit touchdowns for the third time in four years.
Although Elliott isn’t a dynamic back who helps as a receiver or with explosive plays anymore, he’s on an absolute tear with scoring. Elliott’s reached the end zone in eight straight weeks. That includes the game that started his resurgence, Week 6 against the Eagles, in which he had 13 carries for 81 yards.
MORE: Week 17 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Advice
Elliott has eclipsed 81 yards just once since then but has been a perfect complement to Pollard’s more explosive style. Only four backs have more red-zone fantasy points than Elliott, with all 11 of his scores coming within the 20. This gives him immense value every week because he plays such a prominent role in the NFL’s third-highest-scoring offense.
With Pollard officially marked as questionable but likely leaning towards being out, Elliott becomes a more valuable play than someone who is touchdown-dependant. He’s a must-play because he’ll likely get 20 or more touches. He was averaging 17 touches a game, even with Pollard in the lineup.
Also, consider that the Titans are effectively taking this game off, likely sitting Derrick Henry and already ruling Bud Dupree, Ryan Tannehill, Jeffrey Simmons, and Amani Hooker. Tennessee’s No. 4-ranked defense against running backs will be much less successful against this pulverizing Cowboys’ front. I’d be surprised if Elliott doesn’t have one of his best games of the season.
If you have a roster where sitting Elliott was a choice, your hand is all but forced if Pollard is out. Elliott was already a great starting option, but he now has the matchup advantage and a full workload to benefit from. He might win your league for you.
The only viable reason you should sit Elliott is you have two elite backs and an elite receiver able to play the flex spot. Even then, I’d question whether Elliott is a better option than those. It’s rare we have such an obvious start decision.