It’s Week 17 of the regular season in the National Football League, and they say if this is your championship week you are crazy. Judging from the number of downloads of this week's episode though there are a lot of week 17 Championship nuts. I used to be one. Wish I still was.
As we discussed on episode 17, the main reason for wrapping things up in week 16 is because a lot of NFL teams, with their play-off spot locked in choose to rest key players. However, that's been known to happen in week 16, and isn't a guarantee for week 17.
This year only two teams have their position set: the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. We'll get to the latter in a minute, but in Wisconsin Aaron Rodgers, and probably a few other offensive stars, will take a breather. The rest of the play-off picture is, well, weird from a fantasy stand point.
New Orleans can secure a first round bye if they beat Carolina AND San Francisco loses in St. Louis. Saints coach Sean Peyton doesn’t think the latter scenario is likely, and as been talking about sitting QB Drew Brees. Both games start at 1:00. What if the Rams are beating the 49ers in the 3rd quarter (for some insane reason) and the Saints are trailing Panthers? Does he put Brees in? Does he start Brees and then watch the scoreboard?
No one else is talking about resting their starters, because everyone that’s alive in the NFL play-offs needs to win to either clinch, or to get a more favorable spot. The only exception would be the aforementioned Houston Texans who are the third seed in the AFC no matter what. However, back-up QB TJ Yates will want to get plenty of experience with the first team offense, so no one will be resting in Houston.
Week 17 is a bit more volatile than week 16 to be sure, but your starters are your starters. Meanwhile, here is the latest on injuries.
RB LeSean McCoy is out with an ankle injury.
RB Jackie Battle is out.
RB Reggie Bush is out.
RB Mark Ingram is out
RB Darren McFadden is out
RB James Starks is out, which could mean a decent day for either John Kuhn, Ryan Grant or both.
TE Jake Ballard is out.
WR Greg Jennings is out.
WR Lance Moore is out.
I'm really interested to see what the Saints do with Drew Brees. It’s the national game on FOX so a lot o the country will get to see it.
If you’ve come this far, I think it bodes well for 2012, as the folks who play further into the fantasy play-offs are more in tune down the stretch and can see who’s hot going into next season.
Remember, copy your league stats for the draft, which is only 7 and half months away!
Good luck in your games. Remember, you can stream, or download, The No Huddle at Podbean, or subscribe in iTunes.
PF’s Tape Recorder, (hopefully) entertains with comedy, music, and interviews year round. Have a listen. You can also subscribe to that in iTunes.
On the football side, we’ll see you next August.
