Fantasy football championship week is finally here, and managers are faced with difficult lineup decisions as injuries pile up. With most leagues crowning a champion in week 17, every waiver wire pickup and lineup call is magnified.
Quarterback Conundrums
The quarterback position has been a rollercoaster ride for many fantasy managers this season. Heading into the finals, injuries to Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts have created chaos. Owners who have ridden matchup-based streaming options like Daniel Jones face another pivotal waiver wire decision.
As noted by Michael Florio, top waiver wire Quarterback additions include Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Florio highlights Mayfield’s strong showing in week 16 (230 yards, 2 touchdowns) and favorable matchup against Chicago. Darnold threw for 3 touchdowns last Sunday and gets a Lions defense ranked 32nd in pass DVOA.
Additional streaming options and analysis is provided in these Week 17 QB Rankings:
| Rank | Player | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Burrow | vs BUF |
| 2 | Patrick Mahomes | vs LV |
| 3 | Justin Herbert | vs LAR |
(Full rankings from WTOC and Yahoo)
Managers looking for high upside may want to pivot to Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold or even Mike White against the dysfunctional Seahawks.
Running Back Replacements
The running back position has also faced turmoil, as injuries to difference-makers like Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor and Breece Hall have created lineup headaches. Managers searching for replacements have an opportunity to take advantage of emerging workhorse roles.
As noted by CBS Sports, Clyde Edwards-Helaire handled 67% of the Chiefs’ running back touches in his return from injury. With Isiah Pacheco nursing a minor injury, Helaire projects for 15+ touches against the Raiders in week 17.
Additional options include:
- Zamir White – 15+ carries likely vs SF
- Tyler Allgeier – Emerging workhorse role in ATL
- Khalil Herbert – 15+ touches possible if Montgomery is out
These running backs are all widely available on waivers and offer championship week upside.
Overlooked Wide Receivers
The weeks leading up to fantasy football playoffs are crucial on the waiver wire, as emerging players gain traction while injuries sideline starters. One of the top adds has been D.J. Chark, who has earned Trevor Lawrence’s trust in Jacksonville.
As FTN notes, Chark’s targets and production have risen steadily, culminating in an 8 catch, 86 yard, 1 touchdown performance last Sunday. With a premium matchup against Houston coming up, Chark offers high-end WR2 upside.
Other widely available options include Noah Brown, Parris Campbell and KJ Osborn.
Streaming Defenses
Defense remains a volatile, matchup-based position in fantasy football. With most set-it-and-forget-it units already rostered, championship hopefuls are left scouring the waiver wire.
As noted by Rotowire, top streaming options in week 17 include:
| Defense | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Colts | vs NYG |
| Commanders | vs CLE |
The Colts draw an excellent matchup at home against New York, while the Commanders D has shown signs of life in recent weeks. Both units should be widely available and make for high-upside championship week adds.
Managing Injuries
In addition to planned rest for playoff bound teams, a long 17 game season has taken its toll through injuries. Heading into the finals, the status of difference makers like Jalen Hurts, Jonathan Taylor and Josh Allen remains cloudy.
As ESPN notes, fantasy managers may need to pivot to backups like Gardner Minshew, Zack Moss and Case Keenum if starters can’t suit up. Handcuff options become more important than ever during championship week.
Outlook For Week 17 and Beyond
With most fantasy seasons culminating in week 17 action, managers will need to pull out all the stops to take home their league title. The waiver wire remains a crucial resource for replacing injured stars and keeping up with backfield battles and emerging receivers.
Once champions have been crowned, attention will shift to 2024 draft strategy, offseason news and NFL free agency. For now, the focus remains squarely on lineup decisions that could make or break an entire season. It all comes down to championship week!
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
