Happy Holidays RotoBallers! In this article I will be taking a look at some of my favorite FantasyAces DFS lineups plays for the Week 17 slate. With this the last week of the regular season, several teams may opt to rest some of their stars or at least only have them play a partial game. I kept this in mind while making recommendations this week.
These picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, and pricing on Fantasy Aces. Let's get to the picks!
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Quarterback Plays for Fantasy Aces
Aaron Rodgers (@ DET, $7,700)
Rodgers is expensive, but with the Packers needing a win to reach the playoffs, there's no concern about Green Bay resting their starters. Rodgers proved last week against the Vikings that he is as matchup-proof as they come at the quarterback position. He carved up the Vikings pass defense for four passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Before last week, the Vikings had been impressive against quarterbacks, allowing the 24th-least fantasy points per game to the position. The Lions have not been nearly as stifling against the position, allowing the sixth-most points per game. Rodgers might be hard to fit into lineups this weekend, but he's going to be worth it.
Landry Jones (vs. CLE, $5,300)
With Pittsburgh electing to rest Ben Roethlisberger, Jones will be at the helm when the Steelers take on the Browns to finish off the season. Even though Cleveland pulled off their first win of the season last week, their pass defense is still suspect, ranking first in the league in fantasy points allowing to quarterbacks. Jones is not a great real-life quarterback, but considering his matchup and him being a near lock to reach value at his low price tag, he's worth considering as a second quarterback on Aces this weekend.
Running Back Plays for Fantasy Aces
Jacquizz Rodgers (vs. CAR, $4,650)
As mentioned last week, If you can afford to fit David Johnson you are going to want to make sure he's in your lineups. Jacquizz Rodgers will be operating as Tampa Bay's lead back following today's news that Doug Martin has been suspended four games for a PED violation. That would explain Martin's surprise inactive last week against the Saints. Rodgers is in a prime spot against an overrated Carolina defense that is likely already thinking about the offseason. Rodgers is simply way too cheap for a starting running back who figures to see the lion's share of the work on Sunday.
DeAngelo Williams (vs. Cleveland Browns, $3,500)
As mentioned above in the Landry Jones blurb, the Steelers will be resting some of their starters against the Browns. That includes their all-world running back Le'Veon Bell. At this point, DeAngelo Williams has been practicing in full all week and should operate as the lead back. I'm expecting Williams to step in and shoulder a majority of the load, similar to what he did back in Week's 1 and 2 when Bell was suspended. During that time, Williams was able to rack up 236 rushing yards to go along with three total touchdowns. If Williams does end up a surprise inactive, no worries as you can pivot to Fitzgerald Toussaint, who is just $3,000. Cleveland's rush defense is behind only the 49ers in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season.
Wide Receiver Plays for Fantasy Aces
Jordy Nelson (@ DET, $6,100)
Nelson showed last week that he is matchup-proof, toasting a normally stout Vikings secondary for 154 yards and two touchdowns. This week he will likely see coverage from Detroit's best cornerback, Darius Slay. Normally Slay represents a tough matchup, but he will be hobbled by a hamstring injury which kept him out of action last week. The winner of this game wins the NFC North while the loser gets to watch the playoffs from the couch. Expect Nelson and Aaron Rodgers to be firing on all cylinders this Sunday.
Golden Tate (vs. GB, $4,900)
Tate and teammate Marvin Jones have switched roles from the beginning of the season. Jones was tearing up the league over the first month while Tate was an afterthought in the Detroit passing attack. Now the tables have turned as Tate has been at the forefront since Week 9. Green Bay's defense has been shredded through the air all season, allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. The Packers' stout run defense should ensure that the Lions lean heavily on the arm of Matthew Stafford to move the ball in this important divisional battle on Sunday night. Look for Tate to be Stafford's top target in this win or go home showdown.
Tight End Play for Fantasy Aces
Zach Ertz (vs. DAL, $4,550)
Ertz has been on fire as the season nears an end, racking up 27 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown since Week 13. He gets a favorable matchup against a Dallas defense that has not fared well against tight ends this season. The Cowboys are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position. Eric Ebron lit them up for eight catches and 93 yards last week while Cameron Brate tallied five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown back in Week 15. With Jordan Matthews still dealing with an ankle injury and looking unlikely to play, Ertz should be a focal point of Philadelphia's passing offense this weekend.
Defense/Special Teams Play for Fantasy Aces
Washington Redskins (vs. NYG, $2,600)
Normally, Washington's defense is not an attractive fantasy option, but due to some extenuating circumstances they become one of the top defensive values on the slate. The Redskins should be highly motivated in this game as they need to win to lock up a wild card spot (unless the Packers/Lions game ends in a tie). The Giants, on the other hand, are locked into the number five seed no matter what happens and are expected to rest some of their starters. New York head coach Ben McAdoo did say Eli Manning and Odell Beckham will start the game but wouldn't divulge how long they will play. Don't expect it to be all that long. Washington is a -7.5 point home favorite in a game with an over/under of 45.