FantasyPros - Week 17 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls (Ep. 1919)

Welcome in to our holiday championship edition of the Fantasy Pros Football Podcast. It’s week 17 starts and sits, Andrew’s back with us, and we’re rolling right into a loaded slate that stretches to Monday night.

Boxing Day vibes with you two is perfect. I’ve got one final that I care about most, and this week’s slow burn to Monday is going to make it a nail‑biter.

Great Christmas, great chaos, seven finals alive. Let’s hope the hot streak holds through the weekend.

Quick housekeeping: use our weekly rankings for your final tweaks. One waiver check for needy teams—are we rolling with Michael Carter in a good spot?

He’s a viable RB2 or flex given the matchup, even if Arizona keeps a committee with Cory Kiner eating red zone work. Efficiency plus Bengals on deck makes him startable.

I’m slightly above consensus on Carter and starting him in a final. If game script cooperates, 13 to 16 touches are in play in a potential shootout.

Flag‑plants time—who are you trusting in your championship lineups?

Tony Pollard is back in our circle of trust. Volume is up, contract incentives are within reach, the Saints’ interior is compromised, and he profiles as a top‑20 back this week.

Co‑sign Pollard, and I’m planting one on Stefon Diggs. The Jets’ pass defense looks checked out, and Drake May should feed him in a matchup that points to volume and big plays.

RB debate: Kenneth Gainwell or Kenneth Walker?

Gainwell. The passing‑game role and red zone usage are steady, while Walker still cedes key touches to Zach Charbonnet; the Browns’ run defense has fallen apart down the stretch.

Gainwell for me as well. Pittsburgh funnels work to backs and tight ends, Walker’s goal‑line role is shaky, and that Cleveland front has been gashed weekly.

RB toss‑up: Breece Hall or Tyrone Tracy Jr.?

Slight lean Breece at home against a banged‑up New England front, with steady touches since midseason. Tracy’s solid too, but the Giants’ line without Andrew Thomas and the goal‑line split give me pause.

Tracy for me. The Jets’ offense with Brady Cook caps Breece’s outcomes, while the Giants look ready to run the ball into the ground to control game flow.

WR choice: Zay Flowers or Jaylen Waddle?

Flowers. He’s been on a heater, offers a sturdy floor, and I’m less spooked by Tyler Huntley than I am by Quinn Ewers stepping in for Waddle.

Waddle for ceiling. Bucs games turn pass‑heavy in a hurry, and this one can pop even if Flowers feels safer for catches.

WR call: DJ Moore or Michael Wilson?

Wilson in a game that could force volume, even with tight end funnel risk. If the Bengals push pace, Arizona’s pass catchers can all eat.

DJ Moore. Wilson’s target dips when Marvin Harrison Jr. plays, and the Bengals defend receivers well; expect Trey McBride to hog the middle.

Rapid fires: Blake Corum over Kyle Monangai, and Christian Watson over Chris Godwin if Jordan Love and Watson are active.

I’m with Corum on projected script, and I prefer Watson’s spike potential if healthy.

O’Maryon Hampton over Jauan Jennings, and Jalen Warren over Tetairoa McMillan given Cleveland’s recent run‑D slide.

Same on Warren, and Hampton especially rises if Kamani Vidal sits, since the Chargers need to lean on the run to protect Justin Herbert.

Michael Carter over Jakobi Myers for floor, and Zach Charbonnet over Adonai Mitchell for touchdown odds.

I lean Jakobi in a juicy spot for Jacksonville’s passing game, and I’m also on Charbonnet for the scoring chance.

Jacoby Brissett over Trevor Lawrence by a hair in a possible Bengals‑Cards shootout; also pivot to Brock Purdy over Matthew Stafford if the Rams’ seeding is settled and rest becomes a risk.

I prefer Lawrence indoors with this heater, but I’m nervous about Stafford rest too. At tight end, I give Tyler Warren the nod over Dallas Goedert unless AJ Brown sits.

I’ll take Goedert over Warren due to red zone usage and that signature shovel near the goal line.

Heads‑up for Monday: if the Rams can’t improve their seed, Sean McVay has a history of resting starters, which could elevate Blake Corum and ding Matthew Stafford. Touchdown calls: Ashton Jeanty, Drake London, and I’m riding Trey McBride in the no‑brainer of the week.

Trust your process and keep the emotions in check. You’ve put in the work—finish strong.

One week is high‑variance; the best team does not always win. Keep maximizing your odds and keep knocking on the door.

Any given weekend can swing your way. Thanks for riding with this show all season, and watch for next week’s programming tweaks—good luck in your finals.