Sit/Start Week 17: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, January 2nd at 4:25 PM ET

Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Betting Odds: DAL-5.5,  51.5 total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Arizona Cardinals

Quarterback

Kyler Murray (Start, Low-end QB1)

After a couple of down weeks, Kyler Murray bounced back in a big way last week. While he is just the overall QB11 Murray is the fantasy QB4 in points per game. In fact, Murray has scored less than 15 points in just two of his eleven healthy starts. Dallas is allowing just 17.5 points to opposing quarterbacks, have a strong pass rush, and lead the league in forcing turnovers. However, with one of the highest totals of the week, this game should see plenty of points scored and Murray will have plenty of opportunities to turn in a solid outing.

Running Backs

Chase Edmonds (Start, RB2), James Conner (Start, Flex if healthy)

Chase Edmonds had the backfield to himself last week when James Conner missed the Week 16 matchup with a heel injury. As of late Wednesday Conner is still not practicing, putting his status for Sunday very much in doubt. With Conner out, Edmonds had his best fantasy week of the season, exploding for nearly 27 fantasy points (16-56-1, 9-8-71). He was also the primary ball carrier inside the 10-yard line for just the second time this season. If Edmonds has the backfield to himself again, he is a solid RB2 in a game that should see plenty of scoring and give Chase plenty of work as a pass catcher. If Conner does go, he should only be considered a flex with touchdown potential. Dallas has been solid against primary ball carries but has allowed seven touchdowns rushing.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Christian Kirk (Start, Flex), A.J. Green (Sit), Zach Ertz (Start, low-end TE1)

With Rondale Moore and DeAndre Hopkins out last week, the Cardinals operated primarily out of three-wide sets with Christian Kirk and Zach Ertz hogging the target share, and A.J. Green splitting time with Antoine Wesley. Since Hopkins exited the lineup, Ertz has been a target hog, 28% of the team’s target share including 13 last week. With this sort of volume Ertz can be trusted as a solid TE1 play. Kirk should also see plenty of action, nine targets last week, and is a what the heck flex play for teams in need. Green has closed out the season slowly, as can be expected by veterans this late in the season. It is best that he stays on your bench this week, even with an outside shot at finding the end zone.

Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback

Dak Prescott (Start, QB1)

December has been a tough month for Dak Prescott before a bounceback last week, where he scored 30.6 fantasy points. Dak opened December with three games where he averaged just 12 points and looked to be struggling to find his rhythm. All three games were on the road, following a stretch of playing three games in the span of 12 days to close out November.  Combined, the three games in 12 days, followed by three straight road games could have contributed to his bad stretch. Last week Dak looked better than he has in weeks and he is back at home to face a reeling Cardinals team. Look for Dak to have a big game on Sunday.

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott (Start, RB2), Tony Pollard (Start, Flex)

The Cowboys backfield duo, Ezekiel Elliott (RB6) and Tony Pollard (RB26), has been a strong tandem all season. Zeke specifically appears to be healthier since Week 14 including back-to-back RB1 weekly finishes. Pollard has tailed off these past three weeks, as he deals with his own injury but he has remained explosive in his opportunities. Zeke hasn’t totaled 100 all-purpose yards since Week 6 but it has hardly mattered as he continues to score and get most of the work. He is a solid RB2 option again this week, as the team will continue to use him heavily at all points of the game. Pollard is a much higher risk option but in a game that has a 51.5 Vegas point total, he is worth a shot at the flex.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

CeeDee Lamb (Start, WR2), Amari Cooper (Start, Flex), Michael Gallup (Sit), Dalton Schultz (Start, low-end TE1)

Dallas has been winning games but the receiving corps has struggled to consistently produce for fantasy managers. The Cowboys Big Three of Ceedee Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup has just one weekly WR1 finish between them in three weeks. Lamb specifically hasn’t topped 66 yards receiving in these last three and hasn’t scored since Week 10. Part of the Cowboys lack of fantasy consistency is the fact that the team, and Dak, has targetted so many different players. Eight different players have caught at least 15 balls, and seven of them have caught 30 or more. It is a remarkable stat that shows just how deep the roster is, and as long as the team is winning, things may not change for fantasy managers. Lamb is a talented player and he must be in your fantasy lineup this week, because of the potential he has in this explosive offense. The same can be said for Cooper, who is quite more boom or bust but still has week-winning upside.

-Marc Salazar (@oldsnake77)