Fantasy Football Week 17 Recap: 15 Things You Need To Know
Week 17 is the end of the road for most fantasy leagues. This is the time that leagues are won and lost. Those competing for championships likely had anxious moments this Sunday watching their team’s performance. Several milestones were reached for the season, including Tyrone Tracy breaking a 40-yard rush in the first quarter to top 1,000 scrimmage yards for the season. The final recap of the season is more of a celebration of those who helped get us here, as well as bringing home a championship. Let’s go over the action one more time.
Top Players
Adam Thielen hauled in two touchdowns in the first half in Tampa on Sunday. The Panthers hung in early before fading in the second half. Thielen finished the game with five catches for 110 yards. It was his fifth consecutive game with at least five receptions.
Baker Mayfield capped his memorable fantasy season by throwing for 359 yards and tying a career-high with five touchdowns. Only Joe Burrow has more passing yards and touchdown passes this season than Mayfield.
Trade 3 first round picks for Baker Mayfield
— Throck (@JThrock45_) December 29, 2024
Mike Evans had another day to remember in Week 17. He caught eight passes for 97 yards, visiting the end zone twice. The man has been absolutely on fire over the past six weeks. He has had at least 68 yards in each game and five touchdowns over the span. This is the sixth time he has reached double-digit touchdowns in a season.
Jonathan Taylor was a fantasy playoff all-star. He has run like a man possessed over the past two games. This week, he carried 32 times amassing 125 and two tuddies. He tacked on 11 yards on two catches. Taylor has 354 total yards and five touchdowns over the two-week span.
Brock Bowers broke multiple records on Sunday. First, he broke Mike Ditka’s record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. Then, he surpassed Puka Nacua to set the record for receptions by a rookie. He caught all seven of his targets for 77 yards in New Orleans.
Saquon Barkley became the ninth player to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing in a season. In a division-clinching win, he ran 31 times for 167 yards. He added two yards on a pair of receptions. This was the first season Barkley had played for a division winner.
Saquon on being an NFC East Champ for the first time in his career:
“I’m happy. It’s my first hat and t-shirt game. I didn’t even know that was a thing.”
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) December 29, 2024
Jalen McMillan caught five passes for 51 yards and two receiving touchdowns. The rookie became a championship-winning piece, catching 19 passes for 242 yards and six touchdowns over his last four games.
Malik Nabers scored on a 59-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter for his second score of the day. In all, Nabers caught seven passes and took them for 171 yards and two receiving scores. Nabers leads all rookie wide receivers in receptions this season.
DeVonta Smith saved the best for last. He did not even need Jalen Hurts under center to set his season high in fantasy scoring. Smith made six grabs for 120 yards and two trips to the end zone. He caught a touchdown pass from two different backup quarterbacks, as Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee both saw action against Dallas.
Brian Thomas continued a stellar rookie campaign on Sunday. He leads all rookies in both yards and receiving touchdowns. On Sunday, he added to those totals, catching seven passes for 91 yards and a score.
Bucky Irving topped 1,000 yards rushing in his rookie season. He raced for 113 on 20 carries against the Panthers. Irving also did damage in the passing game, earning 77 yards on four catches.
Sam Darnold set a new career best in passing yards leading the Vikings to a ninth consecutive victory. He had 377 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Darnold had five different receivers with at least four catches. Minnesota will face Detroit for the division in Week 18.
Bijan Robinson should be present on a number of championship-winning squads. He is another who saved some of his best work for the fantasy playoffs. This was the second straight week he crossed the goal line twice. He posted a nearly identical line as last week, rushing for 90 yards and adding eight through the air.
Jayden Daniels sure is fun to watch. The young quarterback did it all in a playoff-clinching win for Washington. He threw for 227 yards and three passing touchdowns. On the ground, Daniels found 127 more yards on 16 carries. He became the first rookie in NFL history to throw three touchdowns and run for more than 125 yards in a game.
Rookie of the Year! Jayden Daniels!
I love how he has turned DC up!
Drop? Players
Jerome Ford exited the Cleveland Browns’ loss in the second quarter. He sustained an ankle injury and went to the locker room for further evaluation. Ford did not return to the game.
