INDIANAPOLIS — We're finally here: the last week of the regular season.
And it appears that I'm making a little late run in my head-to-head matchup against Colts.com writer Kevin Bowen in our FanDuel Fantasy Focus competition.
Kevin, of course, already won the head-to-head title two weeks ago by earning his ninth win of the season. But, after a big win last week (thank you David Johnson … again), I have closed the gap to seven wins and nine losses entering the final week of the season.
I'll tell you what: an 8-9 final record sure doesn't sound all that bad.
To get there, I have depended a lot on players who have a ton to play for heading into the final week of the season, particularly Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson, who need to play well for the Packers to earn a spot in the postseason.
I also have T.Y. Hilton in my lineup this week, because I think he'll put up a monster performance to earn the NFL's receiving title (he is the top receiver entering Week 17).
Here you can check out my entire Week 17 FanDuel Fantasy lineup, sleepers and passes, as well as the full results from last week's action.
As always, send me any chatter, questions, "LOL"s or anything else to @AWalkerColts on Twitter using #FanDuelFF.
Also, be sure to catch this week's FanDuel Fantasy Focus show LIVE around 3:30 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) on Colts.com and/or on the Colts Mobile App, as Caroline Cann and Kevin discuss the upcoming week in fantasy football.
Andrew's Week 17 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Aaron Rodgers ($8,800; vs. Detroit): I need guys in my lineup this week with something to play for, and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers certainly have much to play for — a playoff spot. Rodgers lit it up last week — and has emerged once again as a late-season MVP candidate — and he loves this kind of spotlight against a team he's very familiar with.
RB: David Johnson ($9,300; vs. Los Angeles): My guy. David Johnson has been a huge part of my lineup much of the second half of the season, and I'm not giving up now. The guy is an automatic 100 yards and a touchdown or two from scrimmage each and every week.
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers ($5,200; vs. Carolina): This is a value pick; he had a nice performance (14.8 points) last week, and with Doug Martin, um, no longer with the team, look for the Buccaneers to really lean on Rodgers in the run game as they have something to play for, as well.
WR: Jordy Nelson ($8,200; vs. Detroit): I made a huge mistake putting him on my "passers" list last week, and he proceeded to put up 31.9 points. Sheesh. Never again, Jordy. My bad. You and Aaron Rodgers can have huge weeks this week, too, and I wouldn't be mad about it.
WR: T.Y. Hilton ($7,800; vs. Jacksonville): With the possibility of the playoffs no longer in the picture, I still like going with Hilton here, who is trying to win the NFL's receiving title. There's no reason to believe the Colts won't try for some fireworks to give their fans something to cheer for heading into the offseason; No. 13 should be a big part of that.
WR: Jermaine Kearse ($4,500; vs. San Francisco): Kearse should see more and more action, especially after that gruesome injury to Tyler Lockett last week. He was targeted nine times and had a touchdown last week against the Cardinals, and maybe that number will go up even more against the lowly 49ers.
TE: Travis Kelce ($6,800; vs. San Diego): Kelce has been a mainstay in Kevin's lineup this week, so I'm borrowing him. He had a huge performance last week (27.5 points), catching 11-of-12 targets for 160 yards and a touchdown. Go on and do it again this week, Travis.
K: Stephen Gostkowski ($4,700; vs. Miami): Due to my budget, I couldn't go with the GOAT to wrap up the season. So I'll go with Gostkowski, who is conveniently priced at $4,700 for their matchup against the Dolphins.
DEF: Minnesota Vikings ($4,600; vs. Chicago): I think this Vikings defense has a lot of frustration to take out on the poor, poor Bears to wrap up the season. How can you start out 6-0 and be as dominant as they were on defense, and then miss the playoffs? Go ahead and beat up on the Bears for me to make up for it.
Andrew's Guys To Pass On:
RB Le'Veon Bell ($10,000; vs. Cleveland): Here we are: our first $10,000 player. We speculated it could happen at some point this season. While Bell is certainly as worthy as any player for this price, there are better, much cheaper options (my guy David Johnson?) you can go with as your top running back.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. ($8,800; vs. Washington): It'll be Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman on Sunday in D.C., and the Giants have already punched their ticket to the postseason, while the Redskins need a win to get in. This game means much more to Norman, so I'll give him the nod here and think he'll limit Beckham Jr.
RB Ezekiel Elliott ($8,800; vs. Philadelphia): Why even pay for Elliott this week when his team has already clinched the NFC East title and the first-round bye in the playoffs? If nothing else, maybe go with Darren McFadden, the No. 2 back, at $4,500.
WR Julio Jones ($8,300; vs. New Orleans): I think the Falcons will continue to be careful with Jones this week, who continues to nurse a toe injury. He had 70 yards receiving on four catches last week in his first action in three weeks, but I'd pass on him again this time around.
Andrew's Sleepers ($6,000 or less)
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers ($5,200; vs. Carolina): This is a value pick; he had a nice performance (14.8 points) last week, and with Doug Martin, um, no longer with the team, look for the Buccaneers to really lean on Rodgers in the run game as they have something to play for, as well.
RB Darren McFadden ($4,500; vs. Philadelphia): The Cowboys would be fools to play Ezekiel Elliott much, if at all, in this meaningless game. So I'd go with his backup, McFadden, who is a steal at $4,500. He was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, so there's no reason to believe he can't rack up some yards and points for you this week.
WR: Jermaine Kearse ($4,500; vs. San Francisco): Kearse should see more and more action, especially after that gruesome injury to Tyler Lockett last week. He was targeted nine times and had a touchdown last week against the Cardinals, and maybe that number will go up even more against the lowly 49ers.
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Week 16 Results
Andrew's Week 16 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Drew Brees ($8,500; vs. Tampa Bay): 16.06 points (21.25 minimum value; -5.19 total value)
RB: David Johnson ($8,700; at Seattle): 31.6 points (21.75 minimum value; 9.85 total value)
RB: Jordan Howard ($6,800; vs. Washington): 13.3 points (17 minimum value; -3.7 total value)
WR: Antonio Brown ($8,600; vs. Baltimore): 20.6 points (21.5 minimum value; -0.9 total value)
WR: Michael Thomas ($6,900; vs. Tampa Bay): 12.8 points (17.25 minimum value; -4.45 total value)
WR: Tyler Lockett ($4,700; vs. Arizona): 4.8 points (11.75 minimum value; -6.95 total value)
TE: Cameron Brate ($5,600; at New Orleans): 7.7 points (14 minimum value; -6.3 total value)
K: Adam Vinatieri ($5,100; at Oakland): 6 points (12.75 minimum value; -6.75 total value)
DEF: San Diego Chargers ($4,900; at Cleveland): 10 points (12.25 minimum value; -2.25 total value)
= 122.86 total points (-26.64 in total FanDuel value; -2.96 per player)
**
Kevin's Week 16 FanDuel Lineup:**
QB: Jameis Winston ($8,000; vs. New Orleans): 18.48 points (20 minimum value; -1.52 total value)
RB: Bilal Powell ($6,500; vs. New England): 8.4 points (16.25 minimum value; -7.85 total value)
RB: Ty Montgomery ($6,300; vs. Minnesota): 6 points (15.75 minimum value; -9.75 total value)
WR: Mike Evans ($8,900; vs. New Orleans): 19.2 points (22.25 minimum value; -3.05 total value)
WR: T.Y. Hilton ($7,600; vs. Oakland): 14.5 points (19 minimum value; -4.5 total value)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins ($6,600; vs. Cincinnati): 5.8 points (16.5 minimum value; -10.7 total value)
TE: Delanie Walker ($6,400; vs. Jacksonville): 9.8 points (16 minimum value; -6.2 total value)
K: Ryan Succop ($4,500; vs. Jacksonville): 6 points (11.25 minimum value; -5.25 total value)
DEF: Tennessee Titans ($4,900; vs. Jacksonville): 3 points (12.25 minimum value; -9.25 total value)
= 91.18 total points (-58.07 in total FanDuel value; -6.45 per player)
WEEK 16 WINNER: Andrew (7-9)
WEEK 16 PICK OF THE WEEK: RB David Johnson, Andrew (31.6 points; 9.85 total value)
WEEK 16 JOKE OF THE WEEK: WR DeAndre Hopkins, Kevin (5.8 points; -10.7 total value)
REVIEW: Week 16 Guys To Pass On
Andrew:
RB LeSean McCoy ($9,500; vs. Miami): 23 points (23.75 minimum value; -0.75 total value)
RB Melvin Gordon ($8,600; at Cleveland): 0 points (21.5 minimum value; -21.5 total value)
QB Ben Roethlisberger ($7,900; vs. Baltimore): 21.06 points (19.75 minimum value; 1.31 total value)
WR Jordy Nelson ($7,500; vs. Minnesota): 31.9 points (18.75 minimum value; 13.15 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 2-2
ANDREW SAVED YOU: 7.79 in total value
Kevin:
QB Tom Brady ($9,000; vs. New York Jets): 20.56 points (22.5 minimum value; -1.94 total value)
QB Aaron Rodgers ($8.600; vs. Minnesota): 37.18 points (21.5 minimum value; 15.68 total value)
RB LeSean McCoy ($9,500; vs. Miami): 23 points (23.75 minimum value; -0.75 total value)
WR Julio Jones ($8,500; vs. Carolina): 8 points (21.25 minimum value; -13.25 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 3-1
KEVIN SAVED YOU: 0.26 in total value
REVIEW: Week 16 Sleepers
Andrew:
RB Justin Forsett ($5,100; at Kansas City): 7.1 points (12.75 minimum value; -5.65 total value)
TE Cameron Brate ($5,600; at New Orleans): 7.7 points (14 minimum value; -6.3 total value)
TE C.J. Fiedorowicz ($4,900; vs. Cincinnati): 6.2 points (12.25 minimum value; -6.05 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 0-3
ANDREW COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -18 in total value
Kevin:
RB Frank Gore ($6,000; vs. Oakland): 7 points (15 minimum value; -8 total value)
WR Allen Robinson ($5,800; vs. Tennessee): 19.2 points (14.5 minimum value; 4.7 total value)
TE Levine Toilolo ($4,800; vs. Carolina): 1.5 points (12 minimum value; -10.5 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 1-2
KEVIN COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -13.8 in total value
