Those competing in Week 17--whether in a league or in DFS--here are some unconventional QB predictions as we round out the season:
UNDERRATED:
(1) A.J. McCarron is this week's 21st ranked QB based on 72 industry experts (per Fantasy Pros). Barring a setback (he has a sprained wrist), McCarron will be a top 16 option this weekend. The Ravens' D, which surprisingly kept Big Ben in check last weekend, remains a bottom-five unit. Cincy is playing for a first round bye--critically important for a team that needs a healthy Andy Dalton to have a shot at the Super Bowl. Expect McCarron's best performance of the season.
(2) Houston will win its division with a win, and that alone makes Brian Hoyer (ranked 17th this week) worth a closer look. Add DeAndre Hopkins and a beatable Jaguars D to the mix, and three TDs is entirely doable. Hoyer is worth the re-injury risk as a QB1 play this weekend.
(3) Sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment. Recommending Ryan Tannehill counts as one of those times. But Week 17's 25th ranked QB is abysmally underrated against a beat-up Patriots team. The Dolphins can cut him loose after next season. The big money in his contract doesn't hit until 2017. Expect "good" Tannehill to show up. I'm predicting 300+ yards and 2+ TDs, which sounds ridiculous, but I'm willing to stake my rep on it.
(4) Brock Osweiler's ranked 20th in a must-win home matchup against the anemic Chargers? Yes, please. 250+ yards and 2+ TDs--good for a top 14 finish and then some.
OVERRATED:
(1) Blake Bortles is ranked too high at #7. He belong is in the 12-16 range, facing a motivated Houston D that's playing far better than it did to start the year. They've been impressive in four of their past six games, including two straight road matchups heading into Week 17. Bortles has fantastic personnel playing around him, but he won't end the season on a high note.
(2) Sam Bradford has collected more than 17 fantasy points only once this season. Even facing the Giants, ranking him 14th is a mistake. There are better third- and fourth-tier QBs to take a chance on this weekend.
UNDERRATED:
(1) A.J. McCarron is this week's 21st ranked QB based on 72 industry experts (per Fantasy Pros). Barring a setback (he has a sprained wrist), McCarron will be a top 16 option this weekend. The Ravens' D, which surprisingly kept Big Ben in check last weekend, remains a bottom-five unit. Cincy is playing for a first round bye--critically important for a team that needs a healthy Andy Dalton to have a shot at the Super Bowl. Expect McCarron's best performance of the season.
(2) Houston will win its division with a win, and that alone makes Brian Hoyer (ranked 17th this week) worth a closer look. Add DeAndre Hopkins and a beatable Jaguars D to the mix, and three TDs is entirely doable. Hoyer is worth the re-injury risk as a QB1 play this weekend.
(3) Sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment. Recommending Ryan Tannehill counts as one of those times. But Week 17's 25th ranked QB is abysmally underrated against a beat-up Patriots team. The Dolphins can cut him loose after next season. The big money in his contract doesn't hit until 2017. Expect "good" Tannehill to show up. I'm predicting 300+ yards and 2+ TDs, which sounds ridiculous, but I'm willing to stake my rep on it.
(4) Brock Osweiler's ranked 20th in a must-win home matchup against the anemic Chargers? Yes, please. 250+ yards and 2+ TDs--good for a top 14 finish and then some.
OVERRATED:
(1) Blake Bortles is ranked too high at #7. He belong is in the 12-16 range, facing a motivated Houston D that's playing far better than it did to start the year. They've been impressive in four of their past six games, including two straight road matchups heading into Week 17. Bortles has fantastic personnel playing around him, but he won't end the season on a high note.
(2) Sam Bradford has collected more than 17 fantasy points only once this season. Even facing the Giants, ranking him 14th is a mistake. There are better third- and fourth-tier QBs to take a chance on this weekend.