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Some quarterbacks are coming into Week 17 with ideal matchups while others seem likely to underperform. We’ve identified two signal-callers who are ideal starters in fantasy football and two who could bust ahead of the action. Let’s go over some of the top options and fades.
Quarterback Starts
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Herbert is finishing his rookie season against the team he got his first start against. He shocked the world by throwing for 311 yards and a score against the reigning champs in Week 2 and has refined his skills since then. Kansas City ran away with the division and will likely rest starters in Week 17. Expect Herbert to go out with a bang against a Chiefs side that’s already thinking about the playoffs.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Falcons imploded like usual in Week 15 but Ryan impressed by throwing for 356 yards and three scores in Atlanta’s embarrassing defeat. Tampa Bay’s run defense has been exceptional all year and Atlanta’s backfield has been pitiful lately. Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst could all have big days in the season finale if the Falcons are forced to be one-dimensional again.
Quarterback Sits
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
The first matchup between the Cowboys and Giants was a shootout. Dallas was energized by Dak Prescott’s injury and came out on top but New York has quietly had one of the better defenses in the NFL since then. The Giants have forked up just 20.5 points per game since Week 6. While Dallas has shown flashes of brilliance on offense in recent weeks it will finish out the year at MetLife Stadium.
Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh has elected to sit Big Ben for the season finale ahead of the playoffs so Rudolph will be under center. The 25-year-old helped the Steelers finish with an 8-8 record last season but was very underwhelming as a passer. He completed just 52.3 percent of his passes and threw four picks the last time he faced the Browns in Cleveland so I’d stay away from him as a cheap DFS pivot.