Week 17 Fantasy Football Guide, Part 1: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Tight Ends

I'm just gonna be real right now: Your fantasy league should be over. It's one of those things about which we've all pretty much made an unwritten pact. When people like Peyton Manning will likely not be playing because their teams want them to rest, you shouldn't have a fantasy relevant game. That's why we don't play in the preseason.

All that being said, there are leagues out there with a championship game this week. Since we are committed to helping you win your league title no matter what, we'll still be helping you out. In lieu of positional rankings -- due to a limited audience -- we'll sift through each position and give some pointers. We'll also examine guys who need to play well, as well as those who won't factor at all.

Feel free to leave specific lineup questions in the comments section, and we'll answer. We'll also be having a shortened -- yet quite effective -- Tailgate Sunday morning.

Again, we want you to win ... even if that means supporting you when your league is mishandled.
Quarterback

As long as they are playing, you still have to start your studs. Don't even think about benching Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Kurt Warner (yes, still), Tony Romo or Matt Cassel.

Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, and Tyler Thigpen are also great starts due to matchups.

Sleeper-type options are Jeff Garcia at home against the Raiders -- although Antonio Bryant should be blanketed by Nnamdi Asomugha -- Seneca Wallace against Arizona, Kyle Orton in Houston, and Joe Flacco at home against the Jags.

I don't for one second think either Manning brother is usable, as they won't be playing much.

I really hope you won't be counting on Brett Favre. Of course, if you are, you don't have any business playing this week anyway.

Running Back

I have to admit that I made a huge mistake in my Reality Check when I stated that DeAngelo Williams wouldn't be helpful this week. I didn't do enough homework (Falcons would have tiebreaker over Carolina if they won and the Panthers lost), and I have to remind everyone else that the Panthers do need this game. Against the Saints porous defense, I expect Williams to be the top fantasy scorer yet again this week.

Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Ryan Grant and Thomas Jones are elite choices this week based upon recent play and matchups.

Tashard Choice has been stellar against three of the league's premier run defenses, so I don't see any reason to leave him on the bench against the Eagles this weekend.

Derrick Ward is your best choice in the Giants backfield this week, and Ahmad Bradshaw would be second. I can't see the Giants chancing Brandon Jacobs' health this week against the strong Vikings run defense -- yes, it's still strong, even without half of the Williams Wall. Ward isn't an elite option, but he's shown the signs of being able to run quite well against the best of them. He's a low-end RB2.

Avoid the Niners backfield. Even if Frank Gore comes back, his ankle is obviously not going to be sturdy.

Here are some non-obvious strong starts as RB2 or flex players: Kevin Smith, Cedric Benson, Sammy Morris, LeRon McClain and Maurice Morris.

Here are some deeper sleepers: Darren McFadden, Lamont Jordan, Jerious Norwood, Leon Washington (Ed. Note / Jet fan: get him the ball!) and Cadillac Williams.

I don't believe the Colts will let Joseph Addai play much, and Dominic Rhodes was ruled out by Tony Dungy today. That means Chad Simpson and Najeh Davenport will be going against the Titans defense. Of the two, I'd pick Simpson, but he's only averaging three yards per carry. Looks like it's an avoid-all week when it comes to the Colts backfield.

Tight End

I like both guys in the Bears/Texans tilt. The Bears will likely have to spend tons of attention on Andre Johnson, and the middle of the field will open up for Owen Daniels. He's an elite start, as is Greg Olsen, who is definitely Orton's favorite red-zone target and dump-off option.

John Carlson is a great start, as he looks to gain momentum towards being a TE1 heading into next season.

Dustin Keller was having a breakthrough season, but has fallen on tough times due to inconsistent quarterback play by Favre. I don't expect things to change this week. On the other side of the field in that game, Anthony Fasano is trying to finish the season they way he started it -- with a big game against the Jets. He's a solid option.

Dallas Clark is easily the best tight end in fantasy football presently, but things don't look good for him this week. I doubt Manning plays much, and you don't want to entrust your tight end position to a guy being targeted by Jim Sorgi. Plus, Clark's snaps are likely to be limited as well.