The San Francisco 49ers close out the 2016 season in Week 17 as they host the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. PST on Sunday. More than likely you are finished with your fantasy football league, but there are probably a couple folks out there who have a commissioner that decided a Week 17 title game made sense. Whatever the case, here is some final week fantasy football advice get you through the weekend.
Quarterbacks
49ers-Seahawks: After a few weeks of poor fantasy performances, Colin Kaepernick had a big fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. He managed two touchdowns and a two-pt conversion to finish with a solid day in most fantasy title games. He has had plenty of ups and downs against Seattle, but his scrambling remains valuable. Russell Wilson had a huge day against Arizona last week, which followed a strong performance against LA. Look for another big day in Santa Clara. Start: Russell Wilson; Maybe start: Colin Kaepernick; Sit: None
Starts: Carson Palmer has had a decent run, and even with only one touchdown against the Seahawks, he added 284 yards. He gets a bad Cardinals team this week, although being on the road is something to watch this year with Arizona ... Blake Bortles is coming off a big game at home against Tennessee. This week he’s on the road, but against a bad Colts defense ... The Vikings host the Bears, with Sam Bradford coming off his best game of the season. He won’t match 382 yards and three touchdowns, but he’ll be a better than average start.
Sits: We have no idea how much Dak Prescott will play, if at all, so stay away from him ... Joe Flacco has never had great numbers against Cincinnati (averaging 191 yards, 0.83 touchdowns, 1.83 interceptions in last six full games) ... Matt Moore faces a Patriots team looking to lock up home field advantage, and allowing the eighth fewest fantasy points against quarterbacks.
Running Backs
49ers-Seahawks: With Carlos Hyde done for the year, Shaun Draughn will get the start. DuJuan Harris and Mike Davis will serve as complementary options. It’s an ugly matchup this week. Thomas Rawls has struggled the past three weeks, but gets the woeful 49ers defense. Start: Thomas Rawls; Maybe start: None; Sit: Everybody else
Starts: Time to finally unwrap Fitzgerald Touissant. He is likely to get the bulk of the work in place of Le’Veon Bell as the Steelers have playoff position settled ... Frank Gore gets a solid home matchup against the Jaguars ... Keep an eye out on Doug Martin’s status, but if he does not play, Jacquizz Rodgers is a strong start at home against the Panthers.
Sits: Ezekiel Elliott is a tough call in Week 17, with the Cowboys likely to give him a decent amount of rest ... Le’Veon Bell is another one who will get rest in Week 17 ... Zach Zenner is coming off a big game against Dallas, scoring two touchdowns, but he faces a tough Packers defense in Week 17, and people should not be lulled in on this one.
Wide Receivers
49ers-Seahawks: The 49ers will send out Jeremy Kerley, Rod Streater, Chris Harper, Aaron Burbridge, and DeAndre Smelter. Kerley and Streater each had 60+ yards, with Streater adding a touchdown. They’re actually decent PPR options, but not much else. Doug Baldwin blew up in Week 16, to the tune of 13 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown. He’s had a solid year, but was slow the previous three weeks. Jermaine Kearse and Paul Richardson are a big step behind him. Start: Doug Baldwin; Maybe start: Jeremy Kerley, Rod Streater; Sit: Everybody else
Starts: J.J. Nelson has scored a touchdown in four straight games, and has added more receptions in recent weeks. Stick with the momentum in a solid matchup against the Rams ... Brandon LaFell had 130 yards and a touchdown in Week 16, and the Bengals finale will see them playing without A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert. That opens up more opportunities for LaFell ... Jordan Matthews and the Eagles get a Cowboys team with nothing to play for, and likely resting some key players. It could mean big things.
Sits: Raiders receivers are downgraded with Derek Carr’s injury ... After a strong few weeks, Jamison Crowder has not had a significant role ... Cowboys and Steelers receivers are a tough call with nothing to play for in Week 17.
Tight Ends
49ers-Seahawks: Garrett Celek will get some looks, but is more of a PPR option than anything else. Jim Dray is the No. 2 and is unlikely to see any looks. Jimmy Graham has been up and down all year, but did have 100 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers in Week 3. He and Doug Baldwin are the two most notable targets for Russell Wilson. Start: Jimmy Graham; Maybe start: Garrett Celek; Sit: Everybody else.
Starts: If Jordan Reed is active you play him. If he is not, you play Vernon Davis ... Charles Clay has at least one touchdown in three straight games, and even with E.J. Manuel playing over Tyrod Taylor, there’s value there.
Sits: Jason Witten and Ladarius Green are both question marks in Week 17 with their teams having nothing to play for ... Coby Fleener remains a non-factor in fantasy, and New Orleans on the road is a downgrade for Saints offensive players.