Fanduel NFL Picks Week 17
Unfortunately for everyone, we have finally reached that time in the season where it ends. Sure, there are still the playoffs, however, your seasonal league is over, your favorite team may not be making the playoffs, and you have gained weight after all of your Christmas goodies. This season has been a blast and I have enjoyed spitting information and players out there for you. Thanks for sticking with me and for the last time this season, let’s make some money.
In the final week of the season, we have 30 of 32 teams available on the main slate. The only teams missing are the Colts and Titans who will be playing Sunday night for the right to enter the playoffs. The other thing to keep your eyes on during the week is whether or not a team is going to rest players. With that being said, here are my 7 players to consider in FanDuel cash games in week 17.
Recommended DFS Tools:
- Daily Roto – Daily Roto has Redzone data, snap counts, targets, and an awesome Lineup optimizer
- The Quant Edge – TQE has a WR/CB matchup tool that’ll be perfect for WR Start/Sits.
Quarterback
$9,500 vs Raiders
If the Chiefs win in week 17, they lock up home-field advantage in the AFC. The last time Patrick Mahomes faced off with the Raiders, he finished with 295 yards and 4 touchdowns. Add in his 52 rushing yards and that is good for 33 FanDuel points. That game was on the road. He gets to return home against the same Raiders defense he torched last time. The Raiders defense has not improved and has allowed the 4th most points to the position since week 13. The Raiders have nothing to play for while the Chiefs have everything to play for. I expect Andy Reid to attack early and often and that means utilizing Mahomes and his talents.
$8,700 vs Bengals
There has not been a bigger game for the Steelers this season. For a shot at the postseason they must win and hope for a Ravens loss. Roethlisberger has set career highs in pass attempts, completions, and passing touchdowns. He is also just 111 passing yards away from setting a new career high there. This has by all means been a strong season for him and he now gets the Bengals. When the two teams met in week 6 Roethlisberger threw for 369 yards and a touchdown. With Big Ben playing at home and the strength of the Steelers offense built around the passing game, Roethlisberger should be leaned on heavily in this matchup against a terrible Bengals defense.
Runningback
$6,400 vs Cardinals
Chris Carson has been one of the hottest backs in the NFL over the last 3 weeks. he has rushed for 90/1, 119/1, and 116/2. Pete Carroll has already stated that he has no intentions to sit his starters and the Seahawks are a running team. Carson has received 22 or more carries in each of the last 3 games. In a matchup with the Cardinals, who have allowed 21.6 points per game to running backs in the last 4 weeks, the Seahawks should be able to control this game on the ground. On top of all of this, Carson is the goal line back and has received 22 red zone carries over the last 4 weeks. At just $6,400 this week, Carson feels like a steal and I think should be in all of your cash game lineups.
$8,800 at Giants
Ezekiel Elliott is leading the NFL in rushing yards with 1,434 yards and barring Saquan Barkley outrushing Elliott by 236 yards, Zeke will finish the season as the rushing champ. This will be the 2nd time in the 3 years that Zeke will win that title. However, I know you want to know why I like him this week, not how good he has been since entering the league, so here it is. First off, Elliott has not had fewer than 109 yards in 8 weeks. His new role in the passing game has made him into an even more trustworthy option and brought his floor even higher. Next, Elliott is averaging 85 rushing yards per game against the Giants in 4 career matchups. Lastly, the Giants have been the 2nd worst defense against running backs over the last 4 weeks. Zeke should eat in week 17.
Wide Receiver
$8,600 at Buccaneers
Julio Jones famously started this season with 7 touchdown-less games. In the 8 games since then, Jones has scored 7 touchdowns, including 4 in this last 3 games. He has been dominant all season and has started getting into the end zone. Prior to last week, Jones had seen 8 or more targets in 11 straight games. That target number should be in the double digits this week. In the 8 games this year the Jones has received double-digit targets, he is averaging 133.9 yards per game while also scoring 4 times. In week 17 he gets a matchup that should allow him to ball out yet again. He will primarily see Carlton Davis III, who is allowing a QB rating of 109.4 while giving up 4 touchdowns and intercepting 0 passes. Jones one of the best in the sport and is primed to dominate in the final week of the season.
$5,200 at Chiefs
Need a cheap option at a position while fitting in your studs? Think about using Jordy Nelson this week. He has become the favorite target of Derek Carr over the last several weeks and seen 7 or more targets while catching 6 or more passes in each of the last 4 games. At just $5,200 it won’t take Nelson much to return his value. On top of all of this, he gets to face a Chiefs defense that has struggled the entire season. Over the last 4 weeks, they have been the 4th worst defense against wide receivers. In a game that I expect the Chiefs to gain an early advantage, the Raiders will be forced to throw the ball to keep up. This should provide plenty of opportunities for Nelson to capitalize on a great situation.
Tight End
$7,700 vs Raiders
Give me all the Travis Kelce this week! We all know how great Kelce is and the potential he brings each and every week. The reason I like him so much this week is the matchup. The Raiders have allowed the most points to tight ends since week 13 by over 3 points per game. But with 9 targets in 7 of the last 8 games, Kelce is going to be used heavily in this matchup. Kelce is my number 1 tight end for the week regardless of price.
For the last time this season, thanks for reading and good luck in week 17. Go make some money to spend on New Year’s Eve.
Father to a daughter and son as well as a husband to a wife. I have a healthy obsession with football and not so healthy obsession with ice cream. I have been following the NFL closely for over a decade all while working full-time jobs, primarily as a police officer.
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