Week 17 Sits

Here are 5 players who present risk you may want to consider before the finals finish up this Sunday… in two minutes or less.

QB: Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. HOU

Justin Herbert is coming off one of his best all-around games of the season, but the setup flips hard against him in the fantasy championship.

• Houston has been the toughest defense against fantasy quarterbacks all season, consistently choking off passing ceilings

• The Chargers have gone extremely run-heavy in recent games, directly limiting Herbert’s weekly upside

• Herbert has taken constant punishment behind a battered offensive line, raising both floor and durability concerns

In a low-margin, physical matchup where volume and explosiveness are capped, Herbert is a risky bet when the title is on the line.

RB: Rico Dowdle (CAR) vs. SEA

Rico Dowdle’s season has been a success story, but Week 17 lines up as one of his least forgiving spots.

• His efficiency has dipped recently, with under 3.5 yards per carry in multiple late-season games

• Seattle has consistently limited running back production and plays with confidence up front

• Carolina’s offense has struggled to sustain drives, increasing the risk of negative game script

Even with lead-back usage, Dowdle profiles more as a volume-dependent RB2 than a league-winning swing this week.

WR: Khalil Shakir (BUF) vs. PHI

Khalil Shakir’s role looks stable on paper, but the production profile remains fragile.

• Buffalo’s passing offense has leaned conservative, producing multiple sub-200-yard passing games

• Shakir’s usage has been almost entirely short-area, making him reliant on yards after the catch

• The Eagles’ defense has repeatedly limited wide receiver fantasy output, especially underneath options

In a championship matchup, Shakir’s low ceiling and reliance on efficiency make him a risky start.

WR: Emeka Egbuka (TB) @ MIA

Emeka Egbuka’s rookie season started with promise, but his role has quietly collapsed at the worst possible time.

• He has not finished as a top-36 wide receiver since Week 10

• His snaps and routes have fallen behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan in recent weeks

• Tampa Bay’s passing game has been inconsistent, with Egbuka seeing minimal volume and trust

With a shrinking role and a scary-low floor, Egbuka is the kind of gamble that can sink a championship lineup.

And if you’re torn on one last “name-value” decision, the final sit might be the hardest one to accept…

TE: Travis Kelce (KC) vs. DEN

Travis Kelce’s résumé deserves respect, but fantasy championships are about current reality.

• Kelce has multiple recent games with one catch or fewer than 10 yards

• Kansas City is dealing with severe quarterback instability, crushing offensive reliability

• Without a stable signal caller, Kelce no longer carries the volume or red-zone safety net

This is no longer a spot to trust legacy or sentiment… Kelce’s risk outweighs his upside in Week 17.

So that’s the list. Think twice before keeping these players in your lineups, if you can! … as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

And by the way, if you're ready to actually win your league or even if you want to prepare for next year… The Fantasy Accelerator is my year-round fantasy system designed to help sharp players crush waivers, win more trades, and stack championships.

See you tomorrow,

-Joe

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