You only start one quarterback so you better make it count. Quality and upside are important here while securing a solid floor. I know that sounds like a lot so let’s try and keep it simple. Look for a good matchup, a quarterback who has been performing well with a strong supporting cast, a defence that will be favorable to opposing signal-callers, and a game script that supports success. For the most part, the quarterbacks at the top of the salary list speak for themselves as elite options, but here we dig deeper.
For those who have yet to subscribe, what are you waiting for? Until then you will get one free pick to whet your appetite. Phillip Rivers ($6,000 DK, $7,300 FD) gets a great matchup this week as the Colts take on the Jaguars. The Colts are on the bubble to make the playoffs and really need the win against the Jags this week. The Jaguars give up the 2nd most yards per attempt in the NFL this season. When the two teams met earlier this season, Rivers threw for 363 yards, and I would expect to see much of the same again this week.
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I’m going to level with you, Kirk Cousins ($6,300 DK, $7,700 FD) really isn’t very good. But I will tell you what is worse, and that is the Lions pass defence. The Lions pass defence gave up nearly 500 yards last week to the Bucs, and have regularly sat around the 300-yard mark all year long. This is a week when Cousins should be able to get it done for the Vikings and put up 300 yards and a few touchdowns.
Josh Allen ($7,600 DK, $8,200 FD) should come in and have a nice game against the Dolphins this week. Both teams have something to play for, and that should keep Allen in the game all day. The Dolphins are 5th worst in the NFL in yards per pass attempt, and when the two teams previously met, Allen had a 411-yard passing day. This might be my favourite pick of the week. Allen is a player worth considering almost every week, but when he gets particularly good matchups you should be trying to get him into at least one lineup.
Deshaun Watson ($7,700 DK, $8,700 FD) gets another nice matchup this week going up against the Titans. The Titans have given up the 5th most passing yards in the league this year, and this week should be no different. When Watson faced the Titans earlier in the year, he threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns. Play Watson this week, and thank me later.
With the Saints needing the win to grab the two seed in the NFC, Drew Brees ($5,900 DK, $7,400 FD) should play the full game against the Panthers. Brees is coming off a 311-yard passing game last week and will be facing a pass defence that has struggled this year. Michael Thomas won’t play, but there are enough weapons for Brees to have a big game. He is a solid GPP play, but I would avoid him in cash games, with concerns that he might only play a half if the Saints get up big.
Normally in a Week 17 matchup, I would avoid Tom Brady ($7,200 DK, $8,400 FD) due to playing time concerns. This week though, with the Bucs needing the win to ensure they get the winner of the NFC East, I don’t see him now playing the entire game. The other piece of good news is that the Bucs are facing the Falcons. While the Falcons managed to keep the Chiefs to a low point total last week, I’m not sure they are going to do that two weeks in a row. I would feel comfortable using Brady in GPP’s as he could come out if Bucs go up big, but otherwise expect a big day similar to the 390 yard passing day he had two weeks ago.
