Week 17 is coming up, and that's an afterthought for most fantasy teams, with Super Bowls tending to be played in Week 16. But there are total points leagues and daily games where these games matter. We're still looking at teams for the final edition of the Weekly, and coaches are still hedging on who will and won't play. But here are a few possible pickups, division by division.
AFC East:
Patriots need to win to ensure a bye, while the Dolphins will try to play spoiler. The interesting waiver pickups, I think, will come from Jets-Bills. Buffalo is locked in as the No. 5 seed, probably playing at Houston next week, and I don't think we'll see much if any of Josh Allen, Devin Singletary or John Brown. Not sure if they'll put Frank Gore on the field in this meaningless game either. Maybe T.J. Yeldon? Will have a better idea later in the week, perhaps.
AFC North:
People will no doubt lock in on Gus Edwards from Baltimore, but don't overlook Justice Hill (pictured). I think the two could split time fairly evenly, with Edwards getting more carries and Hill more involved as a receiver. If the Ravens are at all concerned that Mark Ingram won't be fully healthy from his calf strain for the playoffs, they won't want to risk getting Edwards hurt in this game. I think he'll start, but it wouldn't be shocking if Hill got a similar amount of work. No great waiver pickups leap out at me from Bengals-Browns; I think both teams will run it a ton, but Chubb-Hunt-Mixon are all on rosters.
AFC South:
Houston is likely to rest players. AJ McCarron should start at quarterback for Deshaun Watson, and I'm not sure they'll put either Carlos Hyde or Duke Johnson on the field. Other running backs on the roster are Buddy Howell, who got 2 carries when the team was blown out at Baltimore, and special teamer and journeyman Taiwan Jones. Uh, maybe Howell. I think the main wideouts will be DeAndre Carter and Keke Coutee.
AFC West:
Kansas City has a chance at bye, if the Patriots lose to Miami. Unlikely, but not impossible, so I think regular starters will start. But if Andy Reid gets word New England is up 17-0 at halftime, I think he'll get Mahomes and Hill and Kelce off the field as soon as possible. Darwin Thompson might play the most at running back in this one.
NFC East:
Dallas and Philadelphia need to play to win (Dallas has to hope Philly loses at the Giants), but no one will be resting anyone.
NFC North:
Minnesota will be a wildcard team. I think they'll rest starters, but playing Chicago, no one should be counting on huge numbers. Running backs will probably be Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah. Wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota played Kirk Cousins to get some of the unpleasant aroma of last night's disaster out of the air.
Green Bay needs to play its regular starters, looking to secure a bye and possible No. 1 seed in the NFC.
NFC South:
Like Green Bay, New Orleans has seeding and bye concerns at stake; they're playing starters. I do think Latavius Murray will get an expanded workload in what should be a blowout win, so on the off-chance he's available anywhere, grab him toot sweet.
NFC West:
Starters are playing for Seattle and San Francisco, obviously. Rams have nothing to play for and could use more of Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson than Todd Gurley, so those are some potential pickups.
If you see any obvious pickups I've failed to mention, please let me know below.