NFL Fantasy Forecast Week 17: Busts, Breakouts, Sleepers, and More
With most fantasy football leagues wrapping up their season this week, we welcome you to the final edition of Sportscasting’s fantasy forecast for the 2022 NFL campaign. If your league does include the Week 18 slate, you’re on your own.
So without further ado, let’s dive in.
Sportscasting’s Week 17 NFL Fantasy Football Forecast
Quarterback Bust of the Week: Tom Brady
Luke Norris: Tom Brady has obviously helped more than a few teams to a championship in his day. But your fantasy football squad might not be one of them if you start him this week.
Is there a chance he could go off against Carolina? Sure. The Panthers’ pass defense certainly isn’t the greatest. But outside of the overtime period, he struggled against the Cardinals on Christmas Day and has thrown seven interceptions in his last four games.
And the Panthers are motivated this week as they attempt to take control of the NFC South. So they might bring a little extra pressure.
Player Prop of the Week: Dallas Cowboys defense OVER 8.0 PPR points
Jack Dougherty: The Cowboys’ defense hasn’t been helping fantasy managers of late with 4.0, 0.0, and 4.0 points in their last three games, but if you’ve reached the championship with this group, you’re in luck. On Thursday night, Dallas gets to face a Tennessee Titans offense that looks completely lifeless with Malik Willis under center.
Not only will Willis be starting in Week 17, but star running back Derrick Henry is also doubtful to play due to a hip injury. The Titans are essentially punting on this game with a win-and-in matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on deck, and that’s fantastic news if you own the Cowboys’ defense in fantasy.
Breakout Rookie of the Week: Kenny Pickett
Tim Crean: This is a “break glass in case of emergency” pick, but if you are affected by the Derek Carr benching or the ongoing Lamar Jackson saga and are still in your fantasy football playoffs, Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett could be worth a gamble.
Pickett seems like he’s improving every week, and last week with a near-67% completion rate and 244 yards with a touchdown and an interception, his fantasy numbers are starting to creep up, too.
This isn’t an ideal play, but if all your options are poor this week, a gamble on Pickett just might pay off.
Defensive Disaster of the Week: Chicago Bears
Mike Thomas: Jared Goff has quietly become the second-best quarterback in the NFC this year behind MVP candidate Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Playing at home and facing a Bears team that has nothing to play for, look for Goff to light it up Sunday and give his team a chance to inch closer to an unexpected playoff berth.
Kicker Sleeper of the Week: Jake Elliott
Adam Fromal: Don’t overthink this if you’re playing for a championship — or for some other badge of honor unique to your league’s specifications.
Jake Elliott may rank just 26th at his position on the season (and is rostered in just 16.8% of ESPN leagues), but the Philadelphia Eagles offense stalls out in opponents’ territory far more frequently without Jalen Hurts under center.
As we saw last week when Elliott put up 11 fantasy points against the Dallas Cowboys’ stifling defense, Philly can at least move the ball consistently with Gardner Minshew II under center, and that trend will continue against the overmatched New Orleans Saints.
Oh, and the Saints allow quite a few points to opposing kickers. Only seven teams have been more favorable to them in 2022.
