Week 17 brings a conclusion to the fantasy football season. With most regular fantasy football leagues finished, many people will be turning to those ever-so-popular daily fantasy contests to get their fix. It’s especially important to target motivated fantasy players who have their divisional titles on the line, or perhaps just want to correct a poor performance from the previous week.
Beware of players who have already clinched their division or perhaps a bye week, or need to remain healthy such as guys like Tom Brady, or Tony Romo, who may find themselves sitting out early as a win for their team doesn’t matter in Week 17. With that said, here are some players who could help you win some daily fantasy contests this week.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson just put up a spectacular performance proving he was no match for a staunch Cardinals’ defense blasting them for three touchdowns and over 400 total yards. Week 17 has Wilson and the Seahawks hosting the St. Louis Rams. With division title the goal for Seattle, look for Wilson to knock this game out of the park again against a defense who has allowed the 11th most fantasy points to quarterbacks the past two weeks. Wilson makes a smart pick, you can get for a lower salary in your daily fantasy leagues for Week 16.
Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
We can be sure that Manning will want to right the horrible wrongs of his Week 16 performance where he coughed up four interceptions, contributing to the team’s loss against Cincinnati. What better of a team for Manning to redeem himself than the Oakland Raiders in Week 17? Look for Manning to get back on course and offer a high-end fantasy performance against a Raiders defense who has allowed an average of 313 passing yards to quarterbacks over the last two weeks.
Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
Newton and the Panthers travel to Atlanta where they will be motivated to bring on their best performance of the season in order to secure the NFC South divisional title. Starting Newton in a Week 17 daily fantasy league against a Falcons’ defense who have allowed the most passing yards all season to quarterbacks could have Newton rewarding some major fantasy points as he piles on the passing yards.
Marshawn Lynch, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks
Something tells me the Seahawks are going to be unstoppable as they fight at home to secure their divisional title. Lynch made a mockery of the Cardinals’ defense last week, so Week 17 should have Lynch poised for another fabulous fantasy performance. Facing the Rams who have softened as of late, and have allowed 267 rushing yards over their last two games, should have Lynch topping the charts once again, making him must-start in daily fantasy football leagues this week.
Justin Forsett, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens
Forsett should get back into the swing of things as the Ravens fight to have any hope at clinching their division’s title in Week 17. Fortunately, Forsett faces the Cleveland Browns this week, who over the last two weeks have been just awful at stopping running backs. Over the course of the last two games, the Browns have allowed a staggering 368 rushing yards and four total touchdowns to running backs, setting the stage for Forsett to offer a monster fantasy performance in Week 17. Forsett makes an awesome pick in daily fantasy football leagues for those who trust this tasty matchup.
A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Green has a fabulous fantasy matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, where both teams will be fighting their hardest to win the AFC North title. With the Steelers allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers over their last four games, at an average of 31.50 per week, Green definitely has the ability to achieve some major points in Week 17. Take note also that the Steelers have allowed nearly 900 yards escape to wide receivers in the last four games, making Green a solid fantasy option for Week 17.
Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Beckham is an absolute must-start, even at his high daily fantasy league price in Week 17, playing the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles has allowed a generous 730 yards and four touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over their last four games. Their defeated secondary will be no match for the dynamite rookie, who has scored six touchdowns in his past three games. Budget how you must to secure Beckham in your daily fantasy lineup in Week 17.
Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
With everything to play for in Week 17, Benjamin makes an ideal choice for daily fantasy leagues due to his extremely favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Over the course of the last two weeks, the Falcons have allowed an average of 216 yards per game to wide receivers. Benjamin, is the NFL’s fifth-most targeted wide receiver this season, making him a wide open recipient of Newton’s to pile up plenty of receiving yards, while racking up a ton of fantasy football points in Week 17.