Week 17 fantasy football lineup decisions fraught with peril

If you are still playing fantasy football in Week 17, there is only one question to ask yourself: Why?

This is the week when most sensible fantasy leaguers are done with their seasons, because there are way too many personnel questions that will adversely affect your lineups. In the final week of the NFL regular season, teams that have clinched playoff berths and cannot significantly change their seeding will often rest their starters to preserve them for the postseason.

Plus, many key players will be unavailable for the season finales because of health issues.

There is no point in playing in Week 17 when important starters are unavailable and the results become skewed. If that’s the way your league is set up, it’s time to make a strong appeal to your commissioner to change things next season.

THE RESTERS

The Steelers, Cowboys, Texans and Giants are the primary teams that might rest starters. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has declared he will not play Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell or Antonio Brown. The other three teams have publicly indicated they won’t rest their starters, but coaches certainly cannot be believed. In cases such as Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Odell Beckham Jr., for instance, you cannot be confident you will get a full amount of potential production. It’s going to be hard to construct an ideal lineup for Week 17.

STEVE SMITH’S FAREWELL

Steve Smith has announced that Sunday’s game against the Bengals will be the last of his NFL career. The Ravens have nothing to play for, so they’ll make a strong effort to get the ball to him, instead of working him into the flow of a normal game plan. Look for Smith to get red-zone looks, and because of a possible healthy amount of targets, he is a good start as a third wide receiver.

RECORD CHASING

Antonio Gates needs one touchdown reception to tie the all-time record for scoring catches by a tight end. Last week, it was obvious Philip Rivers was telegraphing passes to him in key situations, and Rivers made sure to get Gates the ball near the goal line for a touchdown catch. Gates has said he plans to play next season, but Rivers will continue to try to get him the record with nothing else on the line for the Chargers. So go ahead and start Gates.

MARTIN SUSPENDED

Doug Martin has been suspended by the NFL, and Jacquizz Rodgers will start for Tampa Bay against Carolina. While Rodgers is a smaller running back, the Buccaneers have shown a willingness to ride him hard when he starts. He totaled 56 carries in Weeks 5 and 7. Rodgers will get a lot of volume against a Panthers defense still missing Luke Kuechly, so he is worth starting if you have a running back hole.

RAIDERS MINUS CARR

The Raiders will go to Denver without quarterback Derek Carr, and they have not locked up the AFC West title. Journeyman type Matt McGloin will start against a Broncos defense looking to play spoiler. McGloin has 11 career touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games. His presence could drag down the potential production of receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. If you have a close decision regarding those receivers and another player, go with the alternative.

PACKERS-LIONS

The biggest game of the week pits the Packers at the Lions for the NFC North title. Detroit could look to re-establish running back Zach Zenner, who had a strong first half against Dallas last week, in an effort to balance the offense and keep the Packers’ offense off the field. Consider using him if you are desperate for running back help. Both teams are vulnerable in the secondary, so expect strong outings by Golden Tate and Davante Adams. Start Matthew Stafford if your other quarterback option is being rested.

SEAHAWKS FOR NO. 2 SEED

The Seahawks blew their opportunity to control the No. 2 seed in the NFC last week, but travel to San Francisco with some hopes of getting back into that favorable postseason position. San Francisco has a historically awful run defense, and it looks as if Thomas Rawls (shoulder) will play. With Tyler Lockett’s season over, Jermaine Kearse could get more looks and is worth a desperation play. Jimmy Graham is a good bet to score his first road touchdown of the season.