The players you should be starting, or thinking twice about in fantasy football this weekend. Plus, the bets I’m making this NFL Sunday.

Sunday is here and bizarrely, we’re already six games into week 17.

Today’s schedule, therefore, feels a little bare, with only two games making up the late window.

For fantasy managers though, plenty of lineup decisions still have to be made, with titles and forfeits on the line.

I’ve therefore come up with two starts, two sits, and six player bets to inspire your decision making this NFL Sunday.

Starts and Sits

Start – Tyjae Spears (Titans)

Tyjae Spears has made a case to be started over the last couple of weeks. The second-year back has impressed with his explosive traits, as well as his back-to-back, two-touchdown games.

With Tony Pollard ruled out for this weekend’s match-up with Jacksonville, Spears should have plenty of opportunity to continue his lightning form.

Any running back with 15 or more carries against the Jaguars this year, has finished with at least 75 rushing yards. The Titans have attempted at least 18 running-back carries in each of their last three games.

The Jags have also given up seven rushing touchdowns over their last five games, which is tied-third most in the NFL.

Start – Tank Bigsby (Jaguars)

Hoping for a win over Spears and the Titans today, are the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tank Bigsby has been floating around on waiver wires in recent weeks, as the Jaguars backfield has struggled to straighten itself out.

Last week though, in a loss to the Raiders, Bigsby out-carried Travis Etienne, despite only receiving a 28% snap share.

This week, Bigsby faces a Titans defense that has allowed 5 rushing yards/carry over their last five games, which is seventh most in the league.

Bigsby also carries some touchdown upside into this one, having managed two scores in his last three.

Whilst not likely to single-handedly win you your week, Bigsby should offer solid flex numbers if you’re in need.

Sit – Raheem Blackshear (Panthers)

This is a name I never thought I’d be needing to include.

But after seeing Raheem Blackshear shoot to the top of waiver wires after Chuba Hubbard was ruled out yesterday, I fear it might need to be emphasized.

Carolina face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida, in what could very well turn into a shootout. The Buccaneers though, have allowed the fewest rushing yards/attempt in the league over their last five.

Wit the Panthers defense still an absolute mess, it will likely be on Bryce Young’s shoulders to keep Carolina competitive.

There is nowhere near enough to go on when projecting Blackshear’s fantasy value this week. It’s obviously greater than it was on Thursday, but with so much on the line this week, it’s not worth the risk.

Sit – Dolphins Pass Catchers (… Dolphins)

Whilst I can’t really suggest benching Tyreek Hill or Jonnu Smith altogether, I thought it necessary to remind everyone of just how bad this offense was the last time Tua Tagovailoa missed time.

Whilst Miami’s receivers have built-in explosive upside, we have rarely seen it this year, even when Tua has played. Tyreek Hill has only four top-20 finishes at receiver this season, and just two in the top ten.

Whilst Hill remains, at worst, a flex play this week, the floor completely falls out from underneath the entire Dolphins offense with Tyler Huntley at quarterback.

Jonnu Smith would drop out of the elite range at tight-end, but is still playable if you don’t have another top option. Waddle looks likely to miss the game, but neither he or Malik Washington would project as top-25 options at receiver this week.

Hill is, pretty much, a must-start regardless of the circumstances. His performances this year have been incredibly disappointing, but his elite upside is too great to overlook. Consider Hill a boom/bust WR2/Flex this Sunday.

Sunday’s NFL Player Bets

After landing three of four bets over yesterday’s opening two games, James Conner’s knee let us down in the late match-up.

Today, I’m backing three players with two bets each, covering the games in Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Cleveland.

Panthers @ Buccaneers

Having looked over the props for this game, I was very tempted by Bryce Young’s rushing-yards prop. Currently at 14.5, Young has hit this prop in five of his last six games, rushing for 20+ yards in four of those.

Instead though, I’ve backed Jalen McMillan to continue his impressive run of form, against an atrocious Panthers defense.

Considering the rookie has five receptions in two straight games, as well as 57+ receiving yards in each of his last three, his props just seem far too low this week.

Jalen McMillan over 3.5 receptions 20/23

Jalen McMillan over 42.5 receiving yards 10/11

Raiders @ Saints

Another player who’s hit form recently, but who’s props this week indicate skepticism, is Ameer Abdullah.

Whilst splitting work with Alexander Mattison, Abdullah has caught 12 of 13 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown over the last two weeks.

Those two weeks, whilst not an enormous sample size, represent a massive increase in usage after Sincere McCormick was sidelined with an injury. Abdullah’s output over the last two weeks has been solid, and there’s nothing to suggest that we should expect any less this week.

Ameer Abdullah over 2.5 receptions 10/11

Ameer Abdullah over 17.5 receiving yards 10/11

Ameer Abdullah 4+ receptions and 30+ receiving yards 4/1

Dolphins @ Browns

As previously mentioned, the Miami Dolphins are in Cleveland this weekend in what, thanks to the Bengals, is a potentially crucial game in the AFC playoff race.

The Dolphins are one of three teams hoping to steal a wildcard spot from Denver, but need to win both of their remaining games to have a chance.

I’m staying away from the Dolphins in this one though, as I don’t trust that offense with such a big question mark at quarterback. Instead, I’ve turned my attention to Jerome Ford.

After turning seven carries into 84 yards and a touchdown in week 15, Ford built upon that in week 16, rushing 11 times for 92 yards and another touchdown.

As well as proving himself as an explosive runner, Ford has also topped this week’s receiving yards prop in each of his last four games.

Jerome Ford over 54.5 rushing yards 10/11

Jerome Ford over 18.5 receiving yards 10/11

That’s me done for today. A big thank you to anyone that’s read this far, I really hope you’ve found something useful.

Best of luck to everyone with something to play for in fantasy this weekend, and if your gambling, remember to do so responsibly.

In-depth stats from Pro Football Reference.

Betting odds taken from Bet365 (UK).

All odds accurate at the time of writing.