Welcome back, RotoBallers! Below you will find part one of our Week 17 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis for the 2016 NFL football season. Pierre Camus (@pfunk00) breaks down the first half of the Week 17 matchups to help you prepare your lineups to win this week. Be sure to also check out part two of this week's matchups analysis by Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down individual matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL match-ups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

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Week 16 Recap

Greatest Hits: Mike Evans (WR, TB), Todd Gurley (RB, LA), Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

Evans snapped a three-game funk with 97 yards and a touchdown against the Saints. Gurley may finish the season without a 100-yard rushing game, but he at least contributed 87 total yards and a TD in fantasy championship week. With Gronk perpetually hurt, is there any doubt that Kelce is the best fantasy tight end around?  Kelce caught 11 balls for a ridiculous 160 yards plus a TD when it counted most.

Greatest Misses: Derek Carr (QB, OAK), Latavius Murray (RB, OAK), Tavon Austin (WR, LA)

Carr tossed three scores and was on his way to a huge game before his unfortunate break (literally). His tremendous season made Carr a candidate for fantasy MVP given his average draft position. Apparently, it was DeAndre Washington's day to shine instead of Murray. Nobody saw the 99-yard, two-touchdown outburst coming from the rookie, but Murray owners were surely disappointed. Austin didn't have a huge day, but he did score on an end-around early in the game, which could have helped in a WR3 spot for standard league owners.

 

Patriots @ Dolphins - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Dion Lewis (RB, NE) - It took nearly the entire season, but Lewis has taken the RB1 job in New England. He saw only three less snaps than LeGarrette Blount last week. The previous week, he led all Pats RBs in offensive snaps. Lewis has totaled 161 yards the last two games, even with minimal involvement in the passing game. This is a good chance for the Pats to fully work him into the gameplan in preparation for the playoffs.

Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) - Drake has quietly shown up on offense again with nine carries the last two games. He turned in a 45-yard TD run early in the second quarter, but wasn't needed as Jay Ajayi ripped up the Bills' front seven. The Dolphins could put Drake to work while resting Ajayi since they will need their RB1 healthy for the playoffs.

Matchups We Hate

Jay Ajayi (RB, MIA) - It's rare that we would advise fading a player coming off a 200-yard rushing performance, but Week 17 presents a unique situation. The Dolphins are already set in the wild card game, with little incentive to push Ajayi beyond 15 carries. He also suffered a sprained AC joint last week, adding to the likelihood he won't stick around in the second half. The Patriots may rest some starters too, but they aren't the type of team that will cede a huge game to any player regardless of circumstance. If you are in your league's championship game this week, keep Ajayi in your lineup just in case. Otherwise, he is best avoided, especially in DFS.

Tom Brady (QB, NE) - Brady hasn't gone over 150 passing yards in his last game of the season since 2012. Resting him in this meaningless matchup isn't just logical, it may be necessary. He has a slight thigh injury and at 39 years old, he could use the recovery time. There is little chance of Brady producing enough value to make him a QB1 this week.

Notable Players

Matt Moore (QB, MIA) - Moore is in the unique position of being a backup QB leading his team into the playoffs. He has only played two full games this year - his first two in the past five years. Chances are the Fins will let him stay and play to keep the momentum going into Wild Card weekend. It's unlikely he will put up big numbers against the stingy Patriots, but he could outperform his counterpart, Tom Brady.

 

Jaguars @ Colts - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Blake Bortles (QB, JAX) - An offensive awakening occurred last week when interim coach Doug Marrone took over. Bortles threw for 325 yards, his third-highest total of the season and didn't throw a pick for only the fifth time. He also completed 68% of his passes, which was his best total of the year. It could get even better against a Colts team that has allowed 4,106 passing yards already. This is a show-and-prove game for Bortles and his coach, so big numbers could be in store.

Allen Robinson (WR, JAX) - It took 15 weeks, but Robinson was finally utilized properly in the offense. He exploded for nine catches and 147 yards, both season highs. Robinson was moved around the field, creating mismatches that he could exploit. He will have ample opportunity to take advantage of a fading Vontae Davis in this game. For the first time in a while, A-Rob may live up to his WR1 expectations.

Matchups We Hate

Frank Gore (RB, IND) - It would be surprising if Gore played in the final week of the season. The Colts won't be in the playoffs and the 33-year-old has nothing to prove in the final game. It's not clear that any Colts RB is worth plugging into lineups, as Robert Turbin has been nothing more than a goal-line vulture and Josh Ferguson has been non-existent.

Donte Moncrief (WR, IND) - Moncrief is another starter that is unlikely to see the field in Week 17. His absence could give a player like rookie Chester Rogers some sleeper value. Andrew Luck's value is questionable at best with some key players out of commission in the season finale.

Notable Players

Corey Grant (RB, JAX) - Nearly every other running back in Jacksonville is hurt, so Grant could get a chance to strut his stuff. Grant hasn't done much in his limited chances this season, averaging just three yards per carry. To be fair, he's only carried the ball 14 times. The Colts don't stop the run very well; only three teams have given up more rushing yards on the season. Playing Grant is surely a roll of the dice, but in Week 17 that's about what to expect.

 

Panthers @ Bucs - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB, TB) - Rodgers will get plenty of run now that Doug Martin is suspended and Charles Sims is on IR. He has been outstanding in his limited opportunities with the Bucs this season. He ran for 101 yards in his first start against Carolina, back when they were convinced they would still come back to be a playoff team. This time, the Bucs are the ones who will be fighting to stay alive and Rodgers is their lone option in the backfield. He could very well be the top RB in all of fantasy football this weekend.

Mike Evans (WR, TB) - He came up big when it counted in Week 16 with 97 yards and a touchdown. Now, he gets to face an even more generous defense in Carolina. The Panthers don't have anything to play for and wouldn't be a good bet to stop Evans anyway. Evans caught six passes for 89 yards and a TD against the Panthers in Week 5. There's  good chance he outdoes himself in this game.

Brandon Myers (TE, TB) - There will be no Cameron Brate in this game, as the waiver wire wonder has been placed on injured reserve. Brandon Myers will take his spot against the team that allows the second-most fantasy points to the tight end. Myers did haul in 806 yards in 2012 with Oakland and 522 the following year with the Giants. He could become a primary red zone target in a choice matchup.

Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, CAR) - CAP might get some run in this game if the Panthers decide to rest Jonathan Stewart. The last time he saw the field was against these very Bucs. Artis-Payne came away with the best game of his professional career that day, running for 85 yards and two TD. It's a shot in the dark putting him in your lineup, but he could be a sleeper worth considering.

Matchups We Hate

Cam Newton (QB, CAR) - It appears Newton is going to be the QB to start this game, but he probably won't finish it. Even so, Newton has become downright benchable these days, as hard as it may be to believe. He has failed to throw for 200 yards in four of the last six games and has only accounted for nine touchdowns in those games. Next year may be a different story, but Newton appears ready to throw in the towel on 2016.

Notable Players

Devin Funchess (WR, CAR) - Logic dictates that the Panthers rest Kelvin Benjamin for most of this game, which could open the door for Funchess to be the WR1. He has been dealing with his own knee issues lately and could find himself on the bench as well. If he does play a full game, he will have Derek Anderson throwing against a much-improved Tampa secondary. Don't take the chance on Funchess unless you have no better options.

 

Bears @ Vikings - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Howard will go for his seventh 100-yard game of the season against a Vikings defense that seems to have quit on the season. Back when they were still considered a Super Bowl contender in Week 8, the Vikes ceded 153 yards to Howard in his fifth start. Since that time, Howard hasn't fallen under 99 total yards in a game. Assuming he gets a full workload, Howard could be a top-five RB in Week 17.

Cameron Meredith (WR, CHI) - Despite the return of Alshon Jeffery, Meredith was the one to shine in Week 16. He caught nine passes for the second straight game, totaling 239 yards in those two games. Much like Robby Anderson in New York, Meredith has been the primary target for his backup QB and it should remain that way to close out the season.

Matchups We Hate

Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN) - Last week, Diggs scored his first touchdown since Week 8 against the Bears. That's about the only positive that he has given fantasy owners over the last six weeks. Diggs hasn't gone over 60 yards and is averaging less than five receptions per game in that span. He currently has a hip injury and may not be a full-go in this game. Avoid if at all possible.

Notable Players

Alshon Jeffery (WR, CHI) - Jeffery has come back strong with 89 and 92 yards respectively in the last two weeks. He does face the prospect of shadow coverage from Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes this week. Jefferey managed to put up 63 yards and a TD in Week 8 against the Vikings, so he could remain a solid WR2 if his snap count is high enough.

 

Browns @ Steelers - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Landry Jones (QB, PIT) - The fact that Jones will be playing the hapless Browns is the only reason he becomes stream-worthy. If you were riding Roethlisberger and need a QB this week, Jones is the logical substitute. The Browns already got their one win out of the way, so it should be business as usual for the defense that allows the most fantasy points to QBs this year.

Eli Rogers (WR, PIT) - Rogers has publicly stated his desire to play in Week 17, so he may get his wish. Cobi Hamilton hasn't caught more than two passes in a game since Week 7 and isn't a viable option. Rogers went for 84 and 75 yards the past two weeks, making him the best AB alternative this week.

Matchups We Hate

Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT), Le'Veon Bell (RB, PIT) and Antonio Brown (WR, PIT) will all sit out Week 17, according to coach Mike Tomlin. If you happen to play in a league where your Super Bowl takes place in the final week, you will need to find a quality sub for these Steeler studs.

Notable Players

Fitzgerald Toussaint (RB, PIT) - If DeAngelo Williams were active, he would be a must-start in this matchup. Unfortunately, he has been slow to recover from knee surgery and probably won't go against Cleveland. Toussaint is not the same caliber player, so don't assume he becomes a good play instead. He could see a career high in carries against the worst team in the league, making him an intriguing play. There is a great deal of risk involved in relying on someone who has 35 career rush attempts in the NFL and a 2.8 yards per carry average.

Corey Coleman (WR, CLE) - It's been a slow road back to prominence for the rookie speed burner since his Week 2 outburst. The QB situation in Cleveland has held Coleman back, although he is still seeing his share of targets. Coleman was targeted 12 times in the first game against Pittsburgh, but only converted four catches for 39 yards. Coleman will face rookie Artie Burns and could find a way to get open deep as the Browns go for broke in the final game of a dismal season.

 

Cowboys @ Eagles - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Darren Sproles (RB, PHI) - Sproles is the only healthy running back on Philly's roster worth any attention. As a result, he may see his biggest workload of the season. Sproles has found the end zone each of the last three weeks and should do so again this week as the Eagles' primary offensive threat.

Zach Ertz (TE, PHI) - Ertz has been one of the most consistent performers at tight end over the last month. He didn't find much room to work against the Giants secondary last week, catching just two passes for 33 yards. Prior to that game, he had 25 receptions and 271 yards in the previous three games. The Cowboys allow the 10th most fantasy points to the tight end, so there is good reason to think Ertz could finish as one of the top TE plays this week.

Matchups We Hate

Jason Witten (TE, DAL) - If anyone deserves a week off, it's Witten. His consecutive games streak stands at 162 and counting. He will surely play in order to keep the streak alive, but if the Boys are smart, he won't see the second half. Even so, he faces an Eagles team that allows the second-fewest points to tight ends and limited him to two catches for 16 yards earlier this year.

Notable Players

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL) - Don't believe the hype. Jason Garrett claims the starters will play "as normal," but we know better than to believe coach-speak. Elliott will start and could very well break a big play or reach the end zone early on, but don't expect a typical Zeke day. You are better off taking a chance on Darren McFadden.

Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) - Jerry Jones has publicly stated that Tony Romo will not play in Week 17. Instead, it will be Mark Sanchez taking the majority of snaps in Week 17. Prescott will start and may play as much as an entire half, so it's possible that he puts up some fantasy points. However, it's not worth finding out if you can help it.

 

Texans @ Titans - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU) - Last week didn't go quite as well for the rejuvenated Texans passing game, but Hopkins still has plenty of hope left. The Titans are in contention to finish as the worst pass defense in the league, depending on the outcome of this game. Hopkins will face an inexperienced tandem of LeShaun Sims and Antwon Blake at corner. He should see enough action to make him start-worthy at the very least.

Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) - The Titans will play their final game out of playoff contention, which means we may finally see a full dose of Henry. Giving Henry the start will serve two purposes: keeping DeMarco Murray healthy heading into the off-season and boosting Henry's confidence. Henry only carried the ball three times against Houston in Week 4 and hasn't carried more than 16 times in a game this season. That could all change this week, making Henry an undervalued play. He is averaging 4.5 yards per carry in his rookie season.

Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) - Lamar Miller shouldn't see the field in this matchup, making Blue the primary ball carrier once again. Blue was effective, running for 73 yards and a TD last week. He even earned the praise of his head coach through the media. Blue has a somewhat limited ceiling since he is more of a north-south grinder, rather than a speedster. If he gets 16-20 carries again, he is worth a RB2 slot this week. Akeem Hunt should serve as nothing more than a change of pace back.

Matchups We Hate

Matt Cassel (QB, TEN) - You have to be a special kind of crazy to spend salary in DFS or take a chance plugging in Cassel for this week. The Texans allow the third-fewest fantasy points to QBs this season, making this a tough matchup regardless of who is behind center for Tennessee. Cassel was mediocre last week in relief of the injured Marcus Mariota, completing 13 of 24 passes for 124 yards, one TD and one INT. He's finished with a completion percentage under 60% in six of the last seven seasons with just three more TD than INT during that span (78/75). There are better options out there if you're looking to gamble (see Jones, Landry).

Notable Players

Lamar Miller (RB, HOU) - Another RB1 that will probably sit for most, if not all of Week 17, Miller should be kept out of all lineups. He has been banged up all year, so there is no reason for the Texans to roll him out with the division already wrapped up.

Tom Savage (QB, HOU) - This is a tricky situation for Bill O'Brien. The Texans have nothing at stake this week, so it may be a chance for them to let Savage cut it loose to boost his confidence. It also could be a chance to plug in Osweiler in the second half to boost his confidence and protect their new starter. Savage has yet to throw a TD in two games, so even if he stays in the whole time, there isn't a lot of promise that he will put up a huge fantasy day.

 

Ravens @ Bengals - Sunday 1/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Steve Smith (WR, BAL) - Smith has announced that this will likely be his final game before retirement. Expect the receiver to see a big dose of targets as a parting gift. Smith had seven receptions for 79 yards in a tough game versus the Steelers last week. Now he faces a depleted Bengals team that will watch the playoffs from home for the first time in six years. Smith should be a PPR monster this week.

Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) - Jeremy Hill will end a disappointing campaign on the sidelines due to a knee injury. Burkhead has been more effective anyway, averaging 4.8 Y/A compared to 3.8 for Hill. The Ravens are one of the better teams against the run, but Burkhead's volume could result in big numbers nonetheless.

Matchups We Hate

Mike Wallace (WR, BAL) - Wallace simply hasn't been a fantasy asset in the second half of the season. His last productive game was back in Week 9, which is also the last time he scored. Since then, Wallace hasn't topped 62 yards, including a 57-yard game against the Bengals. If the Ravens are going to complete passes against the second-best fantasy defense against WR, it will be to the retiring Steve Smith.

Notable Players

Cody Core (WR, CIN) - Core saw a whopping 14 targets last week, which led to eight receptions but only 39 yards. A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert are out, so Core should get one more chance to be featured in the passing game. He hasn't produced much other than one big play against the Eagles a few weeks ago, but if you're looking for a sleeper play at WR, he could fit the bill.

Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!