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Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em and lineup advice for all Christmas Thursday slate games in Week 17 (2025). Detailed player breakdowns and matchup analysis.
Happy Holidays, and welcome to the RotoBaller Christmas Thursday start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 17! The NFL has recently invaded Christmas Day, and 2025 gives us three compelling matchups to kick off the fantasy football championship week for many teams. So unwrap the presents, pour some eggnog, and let's dive into the last week of the fantasy football season.
Christmas Day will bring us three games, so there will be lots of fantasy football start/sit and lineup decisions to be made. First, the Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Commanders in an NFC East divisional matchup with no playoff implications. Following this game, we have the Detroit Lions visiting the Minnesota Vikings, with the Lions desperately needing a win to stay alive for the playoffs. To end the day, we have the Denver Broncos in a game against a divisional foe, the depleted Kansas City Chiefs.
Each week, I will be bringing you Thursday Night Football analysis, focusing on who to definitely start, who is on the fence, and who should find the bench. With an oversized three-game slate on this holiday Thursday and the fantasy playoffs ending this week, there are plenty of start/sit decisions to make.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!1 week 'til Christmas Gameday!
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders @ 1 PM ET
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings @ 4:30 PM ET
LIVE on Netflix December 25 🎄 pic.twitter.com/FrMw4ezeOZ— Netflix (@netflix) December 18, 2025
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders - 1:00 PM ET
Be sure to also check out our Actives/Inactives Report for notable injuries:
- Javonte Williams (RB, DAL) - Questionable - Neck
- Ryan Flournoy (WR, DAL) - Questionable - Knee
- KaVontae Turpin (WR, DAL) - Questionable - Shoulder
- Marcus Mariota (QB, WSH) - Questionable - Hand/Quadriceps
Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)
Dak Prescott is QB7 in fantasy points per game this year, and the Washington Commanders have allowed the third-most fantasy points to the position. There isn't much to think about here with an implied total over 50 points.
Javonte Williams (RB, DAL)
Javonte Williams is RB11 in half-PPR fantasy points per game, and the Washington Commanders allow the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this year. I'm starting to see a pattern develop here.
George Pickens (WR, DAL)
George Pickens is WR4 in half-PPR fantasy points per game, and the Washington Commanders allow the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this year. We officially have a trend on our hands.
CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL)
Even with the emergence of Pickens as the 1A receiver in this offense, CeeDee Lamb is still the WR11 in fantasy points per game. He and Pickens are both in line for huge games on Christmas.
Terry McLaurin (WR, WSH)
Dallas allows the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season, with three more than any other team in the NFL. It has also given up 26 touchdowns to wide receivers in 15 games. McLaurin leads Washington in target share and receiving yards.
Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL)
Jake Ferguson is the TE8 in fantasy points per game with a 17.1% target share and over 39 receiving yards per game. Washington allows the third-most fantasy points to the tight end position this season, including 10 touchdowns.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR, WSH)
If Josh Johnson starts this game, you are going to see the Commanders get creative with how they manufacture touches for Deebo Samuel Sr. He will get targets and design run plays in this game. Dallas is also terrible against slot wide receivers this season.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WSH)
In Week 16, Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the Washington backfield rotation with a 56.9% snap rate, 16 total touches, and 69 total yards. He also scored and is one player on the Commanders who can succeed even if Josh Johnson ends up starting at quarterback.
Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups
Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin (WRs, DAL)
With a full complement of pass-catchers playing last week, Flournoy and Turpin combined for just six targets and 32 receiving yards. Flournoy may get a random touchdown now and again, but he is not trustworthy unless there is an injury.
Ryan Flournoy Diagnosed with Knee Sprain, Uncertain for Week 17 https://t.co/BBl09hZJQv
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 23, 2025
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, WSH)
In the last three games that Chris Rodriguez Jr. has played, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has played 14%, 19%, and 20% of snaps. Will that change against Dallas? Maybe, but you're counting on something that hasn't happened since early in the season.
John Bates (TE, WSH)
In two-and-a-half games since Zach Ertz got injured, John Bates has one catch for 19 yards. There are better tight-end dart throws out there.
Kirksey’s Christmas Picks
Current Spread: DAL -7, TOTAL: 50.5
Picks: DAL -7, UNDER 50.5 (assuming Marcus Mariota does not play)
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings - 4:30 PM ET
Be sure to also check out our Actives/Inactives Report for notable injuries:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET) - Questionable - Knee
- J.J. McCarthy (QB, MIN) - OUT - Hand
- Aaron Jones Sr. (RB, MIN) - Questionable - Ankle
- Jordan Mason (RB, MIN) - Questionable - Ankle
- T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN) - Questionable - Shoulder
Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET)
Even after his dud performance in Week 16, Amon-Ra St. Brown is the WR3 in half-PPR fantasy points per game. And also after that performance, I think the Lions and St. Brown are going to want to go scorched earth on their opponent since they feel they were robbed against the Steelers. He is a must-start.
Jameson Williams (WR, DET)
Since Week 10, Jameson Williams actually has one more fantasy point per game in his contests than St. Brown does. Since Dan Campbell took over the offensive play-calling, he has been making Williams a focal point of the Detroit offense.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET)
Looking just since Week 10 again, Jahmyr Gibbs is the overall RB1 in fantasy football. Even when we see him get shut down in the running game, as he was on Sunday, he is so versatile that he can still come up with 17.8 fantasy points when he only has two rushing yards.
Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Jared Goff (QB, DET)
This is a tough one for Week 17, but I'm still starting Goff. He ranks third in passing yards per game and seventh in yards per attempt, but now gets a Vikings pass defense that has been amazing in the last month or so. Since Week 12, Minnesota has allowed the fewest passing yards per game and has allowed no passing touchdowns to opponents.
Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN)
Justin Jefferson has 16 red-zone targets, which ranks eighth among wide receivers, but they have turned into just two touchdowns. Jefferson is a player who has been tough to manage for fantasy owners, but someone you really have to start in case he has one of those games where the Vikings feed him 14 times.
Jordan Addison (WR, MIN)
Before Week 16, Jordan Addison had been the preferred target for Vikings quarterbacks over the second half of the season. But Addison saw his targets drop so that Jefferson could get nine targets. I don't think Addison or Jefferson will be world-beaters in Week 17, but they have touchdown upside and should be considered in the WR2-3 range.
Aaron Jones Sr. (RB, MIN)
Even while he was dealing with an ankle problem last week, Jones had 23 touches for 93 yards. He is the clear favorite running back over Jordan Mason right now, and the Lions just gave up huge games to both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups
Isaac TeSlaa (WR, DET)
Isaac TeSlaa is a touchdown-or-bust option for the Lions who is going up against a tough secondary from Minnesota. TeSlaa is often used as a red-zone weapon, but with everyone healthy, he's a hard player to lock into lineups in championship week.
David Montgomery (RB, DET)
David Montgomery only saw 18% of snaps last week. Last week, he had his lowest touch count in a game this season, with only four carries that he turned into 14 yards. He is slowly being phased out of this offense and only gets a large number of touches when the Lions are way ahead.
Max Brosmer (QB, MIN)
There are surely better streaming options at quarterback than Max Brosmer sitting on your waiver wire, even in 2QB or Superflex leagues. Brosmer is only a play if you are truly desperate.
Jalen Nailor (WR, MIN)
The two-touchdown game from Week 15 is an incredible anomaly and should be ignored. Nailor has 46 total yards in every other game he has played since Week 11.
Jordan Mason (RB, MIN)
Jordan Mason has scored once in five weeks and has seen his snap share drop tremendously since Aaron Jones Sr. came back from injury. He is dealing with his own ankle issue right now, and might be limited if he does play.
T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN)
T.J. Hockenson has been tremendously hurt by his quarterback play this season. He is the TE25 in fantasy points per game with only two top-10 weekly scoring outings this season. He has gone over 50 receiving yards in a game only twice this season.
Kirksey’s Christmas Picks
Current Spread: DET -7.5, TOTAL: 43.5
Picks: DET -7.5, OVER 43.5
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs - 8:15 PM ET
Be sure to also check out our Actives/Inactives Report for notable injuries:
- Pat Bryant (WR, DEN) - Questionable/Not Expected to Play - Concussion
- Gardner Minshew II (QB, KC) - OUT/IR - Knee
- Rashee Rice (WR, KC) - Questionable - Concussion
- Tyquan Thornton (WR, KC) - Questionable - Concussion
Rashee Rice Not Practicing Tuesday https://t.co/c6IFNoDVlY
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 23, 2025
Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Bo Nix (QB, DEN)
Only seven quarterbacks have been better for fantasy football than Bo Nix since Week 13. He averages 19.7 fantasy points per game in that span, and threw for 295 yards the last time he played the Chiefs. Their defense is beat up now, so this should be a week Nix can put up a top-10 score.
Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN)
Since Week 13, Courtland Sutton is the WR8 in half-PPR fantasy points per game as Nix has really been laser-focused on getting him the ball and letting him operate in space. Against a banged-up secondary and with the Broncos trying to hold onto the top seed in the AFC, expect big things for this duo.
RJ Harvey (RB, DEN)
Since Week 11, RJ Harvey has been the overall RB11 in fantasy points per game, averaging 16.6 touches and 79.6 total yards with five touchdowns. He is getting work in the running game and the passing game and has been the safety blanket when Nix can't find open receivers.
Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
Troy Franklin (WR, DEN)
Pat Bryant was taken to the hospital following a scary hit after a reception in the Broncos' game against Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon. He was immediately placed in concussion protocol, but there was fear for a period of time that Bryant did not have movement in his arms and legs. Troy Franklin got 64% of snaps in the game as a result, a number he had not reached since Week 11.
Xavier Worthy (WR, KC) - assuming Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton do not play
Xavier Worthy was the presumed winner of Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton being out last week, but it only resulted in three targets, two catches, and 41 yards. But if the Chiefs do care about staying competitive in this game, they will have to throw the ball. Worthy is a flex start if those two wide receivers are out, especially considering how far Travis Kelce has fallen.
Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups
Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, DEN) and Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, DEN)
These two Denver players have one game total between them where they have played more than 32% of snaps over the last five weeks. Marvin Mims Jr. gets some gadget plays now and again, but he is not a factor in the red zone and has two touchdowns all season.
Evan Engram (TE, DEN)
Evan Engram's role in the Denver offense is primarily short-yardage plays, and he has been held to two or fewer catches and under 25 yards in four of his last five matchups. He also has not been consistently utilized in the red zone this season, which severely limits his touchdown potential.
Chris Oladokun (QB, KC)
No. There is really no universe where you should be relying on Chris Oladokun against the mighty Denver Broncos defense. This is a team trying to get the season over with.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt (RBs, KC)
The last time one of these running backs finished in the top 20 at the position was Week 12, when Kareem Hunt was RB7 on the back of two touchdowns. Hunt has four weeks in a row with under 10 fantasy points, and Isiah Pacheco has been even worse.
Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
Travis Kelce might be at the end of the line, and if that’s the case, he goes out with a whimper instead of a bang. He caught just one pass for six yards on Sunday and now faces the prospect of a third-string quarterback in Weeks 17 and 18. He is unusable now in the championship game if his managers made it that far, and this likely closes the book on one of the best fantasy football tight ends ever.
Kirksey’s Christmas Picks
Current Spread: DEN -13.5, TOTAL: 36.5
Picks: DEN -13.5, OVER 36.5
Start/Sit Matchup Charts
Dallas Cowboys
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| CeeDee Lamb, WR | Start | 121 | @ WAS |
| George Pickens, WR | Start | 120.5 | @ WAS |
| Javonte Williams, RB | Start | 115.8 | @ WAS |
| Dak Prescott, QB | Start | 114.7 | @ WAS |
| Brandon Aubrey, K | Start | 111.6 | @ WAS |
| Jake Ferguson, TE | Start | 104.8 | @ WAS |
| Dallas Cowboys, DEF | Risky Start | 103.8 | @ WAS |
| Ryan Flournoy, WR | Risky Start | 102.1 | @ WAS |
| Luke Schoonmaker, TE | Sit | 101.4 | @ WAS |
| Malik Davis, RB | Sit | 99.4 | @ WAS |
| KaVontae Turpin, WR | Sit | 99.1 | @ WAS |
| Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE | Sit | 98.4 | @ WAS |
| Hunter Luepke, RB | Sit | 97.4 | @ WAS |
| Jonathan Mingo, WR | Sit | 95.6 | @ WAS |
Washington Commanders
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| Terry McLaurin, WR | Start | 107.5 | vs. DAL |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB | Start | 106.4 | vs. DAL |
| Deebo Samuel Sr., WR | Start | 104.6 | vs. DAL |
| Jake Moody, K | Risky Start | 102.3 | vs. DAL |
| Jeremy McNichols, RB | Sit | 101.7 | vs. DAL |
| Treylon Burks, WR | Sit | 101.1 | vs. DAL |
| Josh Johnson, QB | Sit | 100.9 | vs. DAL |
| Chris Moore, WR | Sit | 99.2 | vs. DAL |
| John Bates, TE | Sit | 98.8 | vs. DAL |
| Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB | Sit | 98.7 | vs. DAL |
| Ben Sinnott, TE | Sit | 98.1 | vs. DAL |
| Commanders, DEF | Sit | 67.7 | vs. DAL |
Detroit Lions
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR | Start | 117.3 | @ MIN |
| Jahmyr Gibbs, RB | Start | 117.2 | @ MIN |
| Jared Goff, QB | Start | 114.4 | @ MIN |
| Jameson Williams, WR | Start | 109.6 | @ MIN |
| Detroit Lions, DEF | Start | 108.1 | @ MIN |
| David Montgomery, RB | Risky Start | 103.4 | @ MIN |
| Jake Bates, K | Risky Start | 102.1 | @ MIN |
| Kalif Raymond, WR | Sit | 98.2 | @ MIN |
| Isaac TeSlaa, WR | Sit | 97.6 | @ MIN |
| Anthony Firkser, TE | Sit | 95.8 | @ MIN |
| Shane Zylstra, TE | Sit | 95.6 | @ MIN |
| Tom Kennedy, WR | Sit | 95.4 | @ MIN |
Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| Justin Jefferson, WR | Start | 108.1 | vs. DET |
| Aaron Jones Sr., RB | Start | 107.6 | vs. DET |
| Jordan Addison, WR | Risky Start | 103.4 | vs. DET |
| Will Reichard, K | Risky Start | 102.5 | vs. DET |
| Jalen Nailor, WR | Sit | 100.1 | vs. DET |
| T.J. Hockenson, TE | Sit | 99.7 | vs. DET |
| Max Brosmer, QB | Sit | 99 | vs. DET |
| Josh Oliver, TE | Sit | 97.2 | vs. DET |
| Zavier Scott, RB | Sit | 95.8 | vs. DET |
| Tai Felton, WR | Sit | 94.4 | vs. DET |
| Minnesota Vikings, DEF | Sit | 90.9 | vs. DET |
Denver Broncos
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| Courtland Sutton, WR | Start | 113.1 | @ KC |
| Bo Nix, QB | Start | 110.9 | @ KC |
| Denver Broncos, DEF | Start | 107.9 | @ KC |
| RJ Harvey, RB | Start | 107.5 | @ KC |
| Troy Franklin, WR | Risky Start | 103.6 | @ KC |
| Wil Lutz, K | Risky Start | 102.7 | @ KC |
| Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR | Sit | 100.5 | @ KC |
| Marvin Mims Jr., WR | Sit | 100.1 | @ KC |
| Evan Engram, TE | Sit | 99.8 | @ KC |
| Jaleel McLaughlin, RB | Sit | 97.4 | @ KC |
| Adam Trautman, TE | Sit | 97.2 | @ KC |
| Nate Adkins, TE | Sit | 96.9 | @ KC |
| Tyler Badie, RB | Sit | 96.7 | @ KC |
| Adam Prentice, RB | Sit | 94.4 | @ KC |
| Cody Schrader, RB | Sit | 90.5 | @ KC |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Start/Sit | Matchup Rating ▾ |
Game Matchup |
| Harrison Butker, K | Start | 105 | vs. DEN |
| Travis Kelce, TE | Risky Start | 103.7 | vs. DEN |
| Xavier Worthy, WR | Risky Start | 102.9 | vs. DEN |
| Marquise Brown, WR | Sit | 101.9 | vs. DEN |
| Isiah Pacheco, RB | Sit | 101.9 | vs. DEN |
| Kareem Hunt, RB | Sit | 101.3 | vs. DEN |
| Tyquan Thornton, WR | Sit | 101 | vs. DEN |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR | Sit | 98.7 | vs. DEN |
| Noah Gray, TE | Sit | 97.1 | vs. DEN |
| Brashard Smith, RB | Sit | 95.4 | vs. DEN |
| Chris Oladokun, QB | Sit | 95.4 | vs. DEN |
| Nikko Remigio, WR | Sit | 94.2 | vs. DEN |
| Kansas City Chiefs, DEF | Sit | 93.7 | vs. DEN |
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