Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 17: Top Matchup Plays and Sleepers for Final Games

The fantasy football realm returned to normal in Week 16, helping owners secure spots in title games or win leagues outright. 

Well, mostly. Before Monday, the top scorers were familiar names such as Aaron Rodgers (36) and Russell Wilson (33). In third place was a guy named Adam Thielen (32) of the Minnesota Vikings.

Kidding aside, the point illustrates how both matchups and sleepers come into play even at the end of seasons. The big name is great in a good matchup, but an unexpected one in a great matchup can win a league.

Below, let’s look at Week 17 matchup comparisons and identify some matchups and sleepers to know.

     

Quarterback

Top Matchup Play: Drew Brees, NO (at ATL)

Though his team isn’t heading to the playoffs, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will finish the season with a bang.

As expected, Brees had a down performance in Week 16 with 15 points against a stout Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. But he’s still the same player who has 20 or more points in nine games this year.

One of those came against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, where he tossed a trio of scores on the way to 25 points. Now Brees gets those playoff-bound Falcons again on the road.

Whether Atlanta plays starters doesn’t much matter considering the unit’s woes against quarterbacks this year. Owners can expect Brees to flirt with the top-scoring mark of the week.

      

Sleeper to Know: Blake Bortles, JAC (at IND)

Quarterback is an easy streaming position on a week-to-week basis, but for owners in need of a sleeper for some reason, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is the guy.

Just like he was last week—Bortles cruised to 25 points in Week 16 in a great matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Folks might shy away from Bortles, but it was his fifth trip above 20 points.

Owners can expect another against the Indianapolis Colts. Bortles lit up the Colts in Week 4 for 25 points.

Those Colts haven’t improved at all against quarterbacks, not after Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders dropped 21 on the unit in Week 16. Odd as it sounds, owners certainly have a Jaguars player to lean on this week.

     

Running Back

Top Matchup Play: Le’Veon Bell, PIT (vs. CLE)

Those who took the gamble on Pittsburgh Steelers running back …

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