V for Vendetta – NFL Week 17 – by Slim Gaede
It’s Week 17, which sucks for DFS players, as the season nears an end. But for the league, the year’s most important games happen now – with several teams needing wins to secure playoff berths or strengthen playoff seeding.
This article switches gears slightly this week, as I focus on players who must take out their revenge on the entire league, not simply guys with personal vendettas against certain organizations. These players must post monster performances in order to lead their teams to playoff berths. These are the most important players in the NFL Sunday. (Hint – you might consider rostering them in DFS). Just saying.
Shady McCoy at Miami
The Bills sit in a must-win situation in South Florida, so they will do whatever it takes for a victory. Tough part for Buffalo, is their passing game, which is the worst in pro football. Only one option remains…
Shady has played great this season for an anemic offense – over 1500 scrimmage yards. Over the past three game (all crucial) Shady’s averaging 20.8 FD points with an average of 27 touches per contest. Expect the same amount of touches in this one, and don’t be shocked if he’s over 30 by game end.
Miami has been torched recently by RBs, and with nothing to play for, I don’t expect much resistance. In a division rivalry game anything is possible, but one thing is a lock here – Shady is going off! With so much uncertainty at the RB position Sunday, lock McCoy into your lines as the #1 bell cow.
Russell Wilson vs Arizona
Seattle needs a win plus Atlanta loss to sneak into the six spot in the NFC, and the Seahawks have been complete garbage the last two weeks. The old Seahawks showed up in Dallas – do nothing all day and somehow win the game. 136 total yards of offense, please! Can the NFC’s luckiest team catch another break?
Russell Wilson was cash game porn the previous nine games, accounting for nearly 90% of Seattle’s yardage. Against Dallas and LA however, he scored a combined 26 FD points. Obviously, Wilson must play one of his best games this week, and certainly it’s hard to doubt him. But this offense has been atrocious lately, and I don’t trust him. He makes for a strong tournament play, but as the most expensive QB on the board, I need a safer floor this week.
Julio Jones vs Carolina
Atlanta’s playoff hopes are simple – win and in. But Carolina has vouched to play its starters and go all out, so this game becomes incredibly intriguing.
When you’re in a must-win situation you rely on your best player, and Julio is definitely the guy for Atlanta. I know his season has been disappointing, but only because he’s scored three TDs. In reality, he’s 7th in targets, 9th in catches, and 3rd in receiving yards, but these numbers are overlooked due to the ridiculously low TD total.
Carolina’s rush defense presents a challenge, but the Panthers have been destroyed by opposing WRs lately. Julio saw 11 targets last week in New Orleans, and I can’t believe he would not be the featured player in the game plan this week. Matt Ryan will force feed him if necessary – the Falcons won’t go down without feeding their guy. It’s too good of a matchup and too good of a situation. Jones is lock city.
