The Baltimore Ravens will face the Houston Texans in Week 17. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding QB Lamar Jackson.
Is Lamar Jackson Playing in Week 17?
Jackson is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any unexpected setbacks, he is on track to play on Christmas.
We’ll continue to monitor the Ravens’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Lamar Jackson in Week 17?
The development of this Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken relationship is special. We knew it had the potential to take over, but what has impressed me is the growth behind the gaudy box-score numbers.
With two weeks to go, the two-time MVP already has a career-high in touchdown passes. Jackson has thrown for multiple scores in four straight games and in eight of his past nine. But it’s been the “how” that has me believing not only in this matchup and in his potential to make a run during the playoffs but for years to come.
Last season, Jackson had a quick throw rate of 59.1%. That’s below league average, but it was above his career rate and a second straight season of increase. There seemed to be a level of wanting to maybe not “hide” Jackson as a passer, but in the first season in this system, there wasn’t a rush to ask him to progress through reads.
That’s changed this season, and it’s looked amazing. Jackson’s quick throw rate through 16 weeks sits at 53.6% of the time, and he looks as comfortable as ever in letting the aerial game come to him, understanding that his elite athleticism is there if need be.
In-pocket passer rating by season:
- 2021: 87.2
- 2022: 92.2
- 2023: 100.9
- 2024: 118.7
The Texans’ three lowest sack rates have all been posted in the second half of the season, making it difficult to envision Houston knocking Jackson off of his perch this week.
There’s inherent risk that comes with betting on Baltimore’s passing game, but it has nothing to do with the passing game. That Derrick Henry guy is always a threat to limit Jackson’s volume (seven sub-20 completion games this season), but now that we are getting quality through the air, I’m less worried today about that than I was four months — or even four weeks — ago.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 17 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Lamar Jackson’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 17
As of Thursday, Jackson is projected to score 23.4 fantasy points in Week 17. This includes 240.1 passing yards, 1.7 passing touchdowns, and 0.6 interceptions. It also includes 10.2 rushing attempts for 61.2 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Lamar Jackson’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship QB PPR Rankings
1) Josh Allen | BUF (at KC)
2) Jalen Hurts | PHI (vs. WAS)
3) Jayden Daniels | WAS (at PHI)
4) Patrick Mahomes | KC (vs. BUF)
