Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 17
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 17.
Josh Allen (QB – BUF) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy players likely can’t stomach the idea of benching Allen during championship week. Yet, they need to temper their expectations for the superstar quarterback. While he is expected to play, Allen is dealing with a foot injury. Unfortunately, the former Wyoming star has struggled compared to expectations lately, averaging 1.4 passing touchdowns and 18.8 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, as the Bills have leaned on James Cook, totaling one or fewer passing touchdowns and under 16.8 fantasy points in three of those contests, including last week.
Despite being the No. 1 quarterback in many fantasy experts’ Week 16 rankings, Allen had only 19 pass attempts for 130 yards, zero passing touchdowns, and 6.9 fantasy points. Furthermore, he had only 17 rushing yards and zero touchdowns, putting forth his worst fantasy performance on the ground this year (1.7). Meanwhile, the Eagles have held quarterbacks to 182.9 passing yards, 0.7 touchdowns, and 10.5 fantasy points per game over the past seven weeks despite facing Jordan Love, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Caleb Williams, and Justin Herbert during that stretch.
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) vs. New England Patriots
While Hall looked like he was primed for a second-half breakout after totaling 20 touches for 147 scrimmage yards and 32.9 PPR fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, the former Iowa State star has been a massive bust since that performance. The veteran averaged 17.2 touches for 67 scrimmage yards and 9.4 fantasy points per game over the past six weeks, totaling 8.4 or fewer in 66.7% of the contests, including all three outings with Brady Cook under center. Unfortunately, Cook will start again on Sunday.
When Hall faced the Patriots in Week 11, Justin Fields was under center for the Jets. Yet, the former Iowa State star still struggled, totaling 16 touches for 64 scrimmage yards and 8.4 fantasy points. Meanwhile, New England has struggled to stop the run over the past two weeks. However, they faced the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, two of the top rushing attacks in the league. More importantly, the Patriots have held running backs to 19.2 fantasy points per game this season, the third-fewest in the NFL.
Woody Marks (RB – HOU) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week, Marks was a last-minute inactive against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an ankle injury. However, the rookie is on track to play Saturday against the Chargers. Yet, fantasy players should think twice about starting the former USC star. Marks has struggled lately, averaging 15.7 rushing attempts for 52.9 yards and 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game over the past eight weeks, totaling 7.9 or fewer in 57.1% of the contests. Furthermore, he has one rushing touchdown during that stretch, totaling over 10.8 fantasy points only twice.
Unfortunately, Marks faces a Chargers defense that has surrendered 19.4 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve shut down rushing attacks lately, allowing 12.2 fantasy points per game to running backs since their bye week, the fewest in the league. Los Angeles has held running backs to 63.5 rushing yards per game and only one touchdown during that stretch. Only Saquon Barkley (18.2) and Ashton Jeanty (12.1) have scored more than 6.3 fantasy points against the Chargers over the past month.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Many started Harrison last week after the second-year pro missed four of the past five games with a heel injury and an appendectomy. Unfortunately, he and Michael Wilson struggled, as both players saw only three targets. While Wilson lucked out, catching Jacoby Brissett’s only touchdown of the game, Harrison scored a measly 2.4 PPR fantasy points. Furthermore, the former Ohio State star only played 29 offensive snaps (51%) compared to 25 (44%) for Xavier Weaver and 36 (63%) for Elijah Higgins. Meanwhile, his matchup this week is far from fantasy-friendly.
Cincinnati’s defense has had no answer for opposing tight ends and running backs. However, they have shut down opposing wide receivers this season. The Bengals have held wide receivers to 26.3 fantasy points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, Cincinnati has surrendered 88.2 receiving yards and 18.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers since their Week 10 bye despite facing multiple elite quarterbacks, allowing only two receiving touchdowns. Expect Harrison and Wilson see fewer targets than Higgins for the second consecutive game because of the matchup.
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB) vs. Miami Dolphins
Hopefully, fantasy players don’t find themselves in a situation where they have to consider starting Egbuka this week. He started his rookie year on fire, 20.5 PPR fantasy points per game over the first five contests. Unfortunately, his production has fallen off a cliff since the hot start. Egbuka has averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game over the past 11 weeks, totaling more than 10.4 only once. Furthermore, he has averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game over the past six weeks, totaling nine or fewer in all but one contest.
More importantly, Egbuka had a career-low two targets and five fantasy points last week against the Carolina Panthers, seeing only two targets, seven fewer than Mike Evans and four fewer than Chris Godwin. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have quietly held wide receivers to 28.1 fantasy points per game this season, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they have slowed down opposing No. 2 wide receivers lately, surrendering 2.7 receptions on four targets for 35.3 receiving yards and 10.4 fantasy points per game to those pass catchers over their past three outings.
Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI) vs. Buffalo Bills
Goedert has been one of the better fantasy tight ends. He is the TE7 for the season, averaging 12.5 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Goedert has been hot-and-cold, struggling against teams that defend tight ends well. Furthermore, his target volume has been inconsistent. After totaling 20 targets over the past three weeks, Goedert had 4.3 targets over the previous four weeks, totaling five or fewer in all but one contest. Unfortunately, he averaged 5.4 fantasy points per contest during that four-week stretch, scoring single-digits in every game.
Meanwhile, the Bills surrendered 19.5 fantasy points to Harold Fannin Jr. last week. However, the rookie had only four receptions for 34 receiving yards. He needed a receiving and rushing score to put up 19.5 fantasy points, accounting for both Cleveland Browns touchdowns. Yet, Buffalo has surrendered 7.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the fewest in the NFL. They’ve given up 8.1 or fewer fantasy points to tight ends in 73.3% of their games this season, including 10 of the 12 contests before the matchup against Fannin.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.