Week 17 Fantasy Picks: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Rams vs Ravens in Fantasy Football Playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens will aim to keep their playoff chances alive when they host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 NFL action. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Rams slated as 5.5-point road favorites in a game that is sure to have fantasy football implications.

Fantasy Football Playoffs Advice

If you need some help with your fantasy lineups, here's some start 'em, sit 'em advice for this Week 17 showdown.

Matthew Stafford Fantasy

Start Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams: Fantasy managers have a right to be upset with Matthew Stafford since he has posted back-to-back weeks with under 18 fantasy points. However, that should not deter anyone from starting the Rams' signal-caller this week. The Ravens have posted the third-worst pass defense DVOA rating in the NFL and are giving up the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season. Stafford should have no trouble picking apart a secondary that is allowing a whopping 280.5 passing yards per game (last in NFL). After all, he ranks as the No. 5 QB in fantasy scoring this year for a reason. Start him.

Tyler Huntley Fantasy

Start Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens: It is seeming more and more likely that Tyler Huntley will draw another start on Sunday as Lamar Jackson tends to a lingering ankle injury. The former Utah standout has proven to be worthy streaming option no matter the matchup he faces. Huntley finished as the No. 1 QB in fantasy scoring during his last start (Week 15) after putting up 215 passing yards, 73 rushing yards and 4 total touchdowns. The Rams are not an easy matchup by any means, but their defense is coming off a game in which it gave up 315 passing yards to Kirk Cousins. Huntley has QB1 upside once again in Week 17.

Van Jefferson Fantasy

Sit Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams: Second-year pro Van Jefferson finds himself as the No. 3 wide receiver on this team thanks to the emergence of midseason acquisition, Odell Beckham Jr. The 25-year-old has racked up just 29 yards on 3 catches (8 targets) over the last two weeks. That is not going to get the job done in the fantasy football playoffs. Despite the Ravens struggling to defend the pass, they have only given up 181 receptions to opposing WRs this season (T-No. 14 in NFL). Jefferson's low floor makes him a risky FLEX play on Sunday afternoon.

Devonta Freeman Fantasy

Sit Devonta Freeman, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Running back Devonta Freeman was a solid waiver wire pickup during the midway point of the season, but his role has quickly diminished on this offense. The veteran ball-carrier has seen just 12 carries over the last two weeks and has played in only 56% of the offensive snaps during that span. This doesn't line up to be a bounce back matchup for Freeman, either. The Rams have posted the fourth-best rush defense DVOA rating in the NFL and are allowing just 96.9 rushing yards per game (No. 6 in NFL). It'd be best to keep Freeman on the bench this week.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.