Week 16 is in the books! Were your fantasy teams able to stave off the injury bug? Whether you need an injury replacement or want an upgrade over your current starter, here is a list of streamers with favorable matchups in Week 17. Monitor the fantasy players on your team that has locked up a real-life playoff spot. Those players could be in danger of being rested in Week 17.
The following players are owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo Leagues.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Believe it or not, Cousins is the QB11 through the first 16 weeks of the season. He’s put together a fantastic season so far, compiling 3,860 yards (257.3 yards per game) and 32 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions. Cousins has proven to be an elite fantasy quarterback while supporting studs like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook. This week, he faces a Detroit Lions defense giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Fire up Cousins as a top-10 option.
Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Carr returned from a groin injury last week to throw 336 yards and a touchdown while adding a touchdown on the ground. He shredded a very stingy Miami Dolphins defense with the help of Darren Waller and Nelson Agholor. This week, he faces a Denver Broncos that is giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. With the Broncos missing their top two corners, Carr is a legitimate top-15 play with a top-10 ceiling.
Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Rivers struggled in a tough matchup last week in Pittsburgh, but he returns home to face a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that is giving up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. With the Colts vying for a wild card spot in the playoffs, expect Rivers to throw 30-plus times in this game to ensure a victory. He should do enough in the first three quarters to produce a top-20 finish.
Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Hurst is owned in a little over 50 percent of Yahoo Leagues, but he’s on the list this week. He has thrived without Julio Jones in the lineup. With the Falcons out of playoff contention, there’s no reason to run Jones out there this week at less than 100 percent. Hurst is averaging five targets over his past two games while scoring two touchdowns. This week, he goes up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that is giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Hurst is a top-10 option this week.
Irv Smith Jr., TE, Minnesota Vikings
Smith Jr. had his best game of the season last week, catching six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns. He also saw a season-high nine targets. With the Vikings out of playoff contention, expect the Vikings to feed the talented second-year pro early and often. Smith has the luxury of facing a Detroit Lions defense that has given up 12.7 fantasy points per game to the tight end position over the last four games. He had a low-end TE1 floor with room for more.
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
For the second week in a row, Ertz saw a team-high seven targets. While it only amounted to three catches for 33 yards, volume is king at the tight end position this year. Expect Ertz to receive 5-8 targets in what could be his last game in an Eagles uniform.
Dallas Cowboys, D/ST
Dallas is averaging 14.3 fantasy points over their last three games. This week, they travel to New York to take on a Giants team that is giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to defenses. With Daniel Jones struggling to move the ball with his legs, expect the Cowboys to rack up multiple sacks and turnovers this week. They are a top-10 option this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, D/ST
Tampa Bay faces an Atlanta Falcons offense that is averaging just 65.7 rushing yards over their past three games. While starting a defense against the Falcons sounds like a scary proposition, the Falcons have to travel to Tampa Bay to take on a surging Buccaneers team that just held the Detroit Lions to seven points. The Buccaneers defense has one of the safest floors this week.
New England Patriots, D/ST
New England hosts a New York Jets team that’s giving up the most fantasy points to defenses. Sam Darnold is 0-2 in his career against the Patriots while throwing four interceptions and zero touchdowns. New England is a high-floor play at home this week.
Greg Zuerlein, K, Dallas Cowboys
Zuerlein makes this list for the second week in a row. He’s averaging 13 fantasy points per game over his last three while hitting 8-9 of his field-goal attempts. With the Cowboys clicking on offense, expect Zuerlein to receive another three-plus field goal attempts.
Brandon McManus, K, Denver Broncos
McManus returned from the Covid list last Sunday to hit 3/4 field goals against the Los Angeles Chargers, including multiple 50-plus yard field goals. This week, the Broncos host a Las Vegas Raiders defense giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to kickers. With Drew Lock auditioning for next season, McManus has top-10 potential this week.
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