Streaming QBs: Week 17

Week 16 was a cruel beast for our choices of streaming quarterbacks for your fantasy championship game. The high-flying Jalen Hurts (20.58 fantasy points on Yahoo!) came back down to earth as the Eagles struggled mightily against a Dallas defense that limited his options in the passing game. Hurts orchestrated an opening touchdown drive and then hit DeSean Jackson with a beautiful strike down the sideline for an 81-yard score on the next drive and it looked like we were in for something special once again. However, the Eagles had only 1 scoring drive out of their next 11 drives, punting 5 times and turning the ball over on downs before Hurts turned the ball over 3 times himself, however his fumble was certainly an egregious call that should have been overturned. This game was a reality check for Hurts who still managed to top 20+ fantasy points despite the turnovers.

We had no idea that the Browns would place their top 4 receivers on the Covid-19 list less than 24 hours before kickoff, which severely impeded Baker Mayfield (8.00 fantasy points) in putting up a good fantasy showing. It became clear quickly that the run game wasn’t going to cut it and Mayfield could not produce any magic to lift the Browns to victory. Without his weapons, Mayfield is a league-average quarterback.

 

 

Who surprised us? Andy Dalton (27.58 fantasy points) had his best showing as the quarterback of the Cowboys in the 37-17 win over the Eagles. Dalton peppered his two best receivers, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, with 14 targets that resulted in 10 catches for 242 yards and 2 TDs, both to Gallup. Yards after the catch were a big factor in Dalton’s yardage but he was both efficient and effective under center.

Now, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 17. Remember, the caveat is that our recommended players for streaming are less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

Good luck if your fantasy championship game is this week and I hope you have enjoyed this series of articles through the 2020 NFL fantasy football season.

 

 

“Captain Kirk Heroics”

 

Kirk Cousins, Vikings at Lions

 

The Detroit Lions have given up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season and face a determined Kirk Cousins, who comes into this game on the back of throwing for 291 yards and 3 TDs against a strong Saints defense in Week 16. Indeed, Cousins boasts a 21:3 TD:INT ratio in the past 9 games (since the Vikings bye week) and looks completely in tune with star receivers Adam Thielen and rookies Justin Jefferson. It is a meaningless contest but no doubt Cousins will approach this as a true professional and look to finish the season on a high.

Thielen picking up a Christmas TD 🙌 @athielen19 @Vikings

📺 #MINvsNO on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/26hyrDl1ZK

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 26, 2020

 

“Good Old Phil!”

 

Philip Rivers, Colts vs. Jaguars

 

Prior to the disappointing loss to the Steelers last weekend when the Colts threw away a 24-7 lead, Philip Rivers had thrown for multiple touchdowns in his 5 previous outings with 11 TDs. Rivers needs to put in the most important performance of his career to keep the Colts’ season alive in Week 17, and what better matchup to fall into than facing off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Rivers has answered the critics this season with a number of virtuoso performances. Has he got one more in him to catapult his team to the playoffs?

Gunslinger stuff. 🤠

Phil ➡️ @ZachPascal6

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/MFbI1L7srC

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 27, 2020

 

Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions at @benjaminhaller1.

 

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)