Most fantasy leagues have folded their tents for the year, but there are some die-hards out there still play. With that in mind, some waiver-wire ideas heading into Week 17:
Arizona: Logan Thomas probably will start at quarterback, but unlikely he’ll do much this week, even against a San Francisco defense that’s just coasting right now. People like to chuckle that the NFC South winner will have a losing record, but said team almost certainly will beat the injury-riddled Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs.
Atlanta: Steven Jackson left the Saints game with a quad injury, but they’re hopeful he’ll play against Carolina, greatly reducing the chances of Devonta Freeman making much of an impact.
Baltimore: Cleveland ranks last in run defense, so the Ravens could emphasize the ground game heavily this week. Justin Forsett should put up really big numbers, and there might even be a good second running back. Bernard Pierce is the logical fit for that role; maybe he punched in a 1-yard touchdown. But Fitzgerald Toussaint (signed recently) is a better receiver and actually played more than Pierce against the Texans.
Carolina: DeAngelo Williams (broken hand) has missed the last three games, but he’s practicing today, so he’ll likely play on Sunday. They were fitting him for a cast last week. Jonathan Stewart should be their main back.
Chicago: Bears are going back to Jay Cutler at quarterback. Our hunch, though, is that Chicago will lose quietly on Sunday in Minneapolis.
Cleveland: Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer are both hurt, so the Browns likely will start Tyler Thigpen this week (just signed today). The only other quarterback on the roster is free agent rookie Connor Shaw. Ugh. They tried to sign Rex Grossman (to be their starter) on Monday, and he turned them down.
Dallas: The Cowboys have almost nothing to play for. They’re going to be the No. 3 seed, opening at home against the loser of the Packers-Lions game. They’ll only move up if Packers-Lions tie or both Seattle and Arizona lose. But Jason Garrett says Cowboys will play their regulars and try to win. He might change his mind if DeMarco Murray’s hand is still hurting on Sunday.
Indianapolis: Tennessee is terrible against the run, so look for better than usual production from Dan Herron and Trent Richardson. Colts are locked in as No. 4 seed, but Chuck Pagano says regulars will play. T.Y. Hilton is practicing today, so looks like he’ll be active.
Miami: Lamar Miller needs 79 yards to reach 1,000 for the season.
Minnesota: Teddy Bridgewater has thrown touchdowns in nine straight games, while Chicago has been really putrid against the pass recently.
New England: Julian Edelman (concussion) and LeGarrette Blount (shoulder) missed last week, but Bill Belichick’s strong history is to play his regulars in Week 17, even when the game has no meaning. Edelman and Blount almost certainly will play (and Blount should be huge against this run defense).
New Orleans: Pierre Thomas left the Atlanta game with a rib injury. Assuming he sits out, they’ll plug Travaris Cadet into that role, and he should be a productive pass-catching third-down back. Thomas-Cadet average a combined 44 receiving yards per game this year. PPR potential.
N.Y. Jets: Percy Harvin left the last game and didn’t return. He’ll probably sit out.
San Diego: Ryan Mathews (ankle) hasn’t practice at all the last two weeks. He’ll probably sit out again, making Branden Oliver the starting tailback against a Kansas City defense that’s been really poor against the run for much of the season. Keenan Allen (collarbone) definitely won’t play, and Dontrelle Inman was a nice fill-in last week, with 7 catches for 79 yards.
San Francisco: Carlos Hyde is banged up enough that it would be a major surprise if he’s active. Michael Crabtree is also hurting; played only briefly against San Diego. They looked at their young receivers in that game: Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton. No real waiver value, though.
Seattle: Jermaine Kearse left the Arizona game with a hamstring injury. They’ll stick Paul Richardson in that spot, and he’s been coming on some in recent weeks.
Tennessee: Dexter McCluster is out, so Leon Washington will be their third-down back. Washington was effective at Jacksonville, catching 7 passes (including a touchdown). Charlie Whitehurst starts at quarterback, and while he blows, he’s not really much different than Jake Locker and Zach Mettenberger.
—Ian Allan