Russ Neis of Eagen, Minn., managed to avoid the carnage of the Week 17 Bengals-Bills game, rolling up a Blackout-high 223.40 points. His entry for "The Fighting Mascots"included three maximum-points players and earned him a $25 Fantasy Index gift certificate. Click through to see more about our decision on scoring the Bills-Bengals game, plus Russ's winning lineup, the perfect lineup for the week, the most frequently picked players, and the overall top 25.

Week 17 was a nightmare. The Bills-Bengals game, abandoned due to the injury of Damar Hamlin, forced us to make a difficult decision. Like most of the fantasy world, we awarded zero points to all participants in the game, matching the NFL's decision to scrub all stats accrued in the few minutes before the game was abandoned. The carnage in Blackout mainly affected people who had Tee Higgins in their lineup -- more than one-third of Blackout entrants. Many other key players in the game -- Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase -- were not available for Blackout lineups.

Week 17 highest score
Russ Neis, Eagen, Minn. - "The Fighting Mascots"
(Maximum-points picks in bold)
PosNameTeamScore
QBDaniel JonesNYG37.95
QBKirk CousinsMIN17.95
RBD'Onta ForemanCAR3.50
RBJamaal WilliamsDET22.70
WRA.J. BrownPHI19.70
WRTerry McLaurinWAS5.70
WRMike EvansTB48.70
TEJuwan JohnsonNO11.20
TEMark AndrewsBAL19.00
PKGreg ZuerleinNYJ6.00
PKRobbie GouldSF13.00
STJacksonvilleJAC10.00
STKansas CityKC8.00
Total223.40
Week 17 perfect score
(Blackouts in strikethrough)
PosNameTeamScore
QBTom BradyTB42.00
QBDaniel JonesNYG37.95
RBAustin EkelerLAC32.10
RBChristian McCaffreySF31.30
RBD'Andre SwiftDET27.70
WRMike EvansTB48.70
WRDavante AdamsLV34.30
WRBrandon AiyukSF26.70
TEDalton SchultzDAL24.60
TETrey McBrideARI20.80
PKMatt PraterARI13.00
PKRobbie GouldSF13.00
STGreen BayGB22.00
STNew OrleansNO14.00
Total356.85

Tee Higgins was among the most frequently used players in Blackout -- submarining his owners' lineups, including the Crowd Wisdom score. The Crowd managed only 44.8 percent of the perfect score -- by far the lowest figure of the year. No surprise there.

Week 17 Wisdom Of Crowds score
(Maximum-points picks in bold)
PosNameTeamScore
QBJustin FieldsCHI20.95
QBJared GoffDET24.95
RBSaquon BarkleyNYG7.30
RBAustin EkelerLAC32.10
WRAmon-Ra St.BrownDET10.20
WRA.J. BrownPHI19.70
WRTee HigginsCIN0.00
TET.J. HockensonMIN12.90
TEEvan EngramJAC3.90
PKHarrison ButkerKC3.00
PKJustin TuckerBAL7.00
STKansas CityKC8.00
STN.Y GiantsNYG10.00
Total160.00

Mark Christie stretched his lead in the overall chase to 21.65 points.

Top 25 overall after the Week 17 games
RkLastPtsTeamOwnerHometown
1.1.3408.65RenegadesMark ChristieFairport, NY
2.3.3387.00CrushersJames ZabloudilPlainfield, IL
3.2.3385.70Steve K.Steve KlitznerMiami, FL
4.4.3366.75#EvilGeniusKen EdwardsSalinas, CA
5.5.3350.85Ralph C.Ralph CunninghamOwasso, OK
6.8.3341.90Bob R.Bob ReckMukwonago, WI
7.7.3332.35Travis P.Travis PerryCoeburn, VA
8.11.3328.05Mike T.Mike TaylorMeridian, ID
9.6.3326.80Henne to ManninghamMichael GarvesLa Crosse, WI
10.10.3326.30Bellview BashersTreavor PhippsSalem, IN
11.12.3321.0018 rocksBrad DenglerMorton, WA
12.9.3318.50Steven H.Steven HeckerPowell, OH
13.13.3315.40CRAIG MACHINECraig SmithHumble, TX
14.16.3307.55DT BOMBERSDennis ThomasRoyal Oaks, CA
15.14.3302.35SA MaddogsMicahel EspinosaHelotes, TX
16.18.3298.90SHAMROCKSRobert CassidyFlorence, OR
17.19.3298.65FIUSER0824Victor KitzesBlack Diamond, WA
18.20.3296.25Steven T.Steven TorresNipomo, CA
19.17.3286.95Manifest DensityMike McIlraithLivingston, TX
20.32.3285.00Scott KScott KaliskaWinnipeg, MB
21.23.3282.80Joe KappDavid WeissmillerMount Carroll, IL
22.22.3281.65For Who? For What?Steve KnightWest Chester, PA
23.15.3272.85Last CallSteve BrunBeavercreek, OH
24.21.3272.55Paulie's PlayhousePaul GrubbTimnath, CO
25.30.3267.60DeutschlandEXPRESSPaul DeutschSioux Falls, SD
Weekly scoring leaders, 2022 season
WeekNameHometownTeamPointsPerfect scorePct Perfect
17Russ NeisEagen, Minn.The Fighting Mascots223.40356.8562.6%
16Joe CliffordCumberland, R.I.The Crushers251.50351.1071.6%
15Rob ElmlingerCincinnati, OhioRelm219.30345.5063.5%
14Jack SilvermanMendota Heights, Minn.Douches249.15329.4575.6%
13Michael EspinosaHelotes, TexasSA Maddogs236.30322.9073.2%
12Fred WrightNew Palestine, Ind.Newpal255.15314.9581.0%
11Marc DeStefanoKing Of Prussia, Pa.Marc D.235.85331.8071.1%
10Ed BurkeClifton Heights, Pa.Ed From Philly237.00322.7573.4%
9David WeissmillerMount Carroll, Ill.Joe Kapp269.05355.2575.7%
8Robert CassidyFlorence, OreSHAMROCKS297.00345.2086.0%
7John YertKirtland, OhioYRTY198.25305.4564.9%
6Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.Bob A.216.90297.2573.0%
5Scott BehielAngels Camp, Calif.ScottBLucky227.15322.8570.4%
4Robert CassidyFlorence, OreSHAMROCKS265.40340.9077.9%
3Jason SchuetzFort Collins, Colo.Jason S.220.00294.4074.7%
2Chris HertzbergAustin, TexasAustin Oh-Fers282.65389.2572.6%
1John WulfWilliamsville, N.Y.Wulfpack229.25292.6578.3%

Though less impactful than Tee Higgins, several more Buffalo and Cincinnati players were zeroed out on Week 17 entries, including Tyler Bass, Evan McPherson, Dawson Knox, Gabe Davis, Joe Mixon, the Buffalo D/ST, Hayden Hurst, the Cincinnati D/ST and Devin Singletary.

Percentage of Week 17 lineups that included the player
PctScoreNamePosTeam
69.5%10.20Amon-Ra St.BrownWRDET
52.1%12.90T.J. HockensonTEMIN
48.3%3.90Evan EngramTEJAC
46.2%8.00Kansas CitySTKC
44.1%20.95Justin FieldsQBCHI
41.1%7.30Saquon BarkleyRBNYG
36.9%3.00Harrison ButkerPKKC
35.6%32.10Austin EkelerRBLAC
35.2%10.00N.Y GiantsSTNYG
35.2%19.70A.J. BrownWRPHI
33.9%0.00Tee HigginsWRCIN
33.9%24.95Jared GoffQBDET
30.1%9.00PhiladelphiaSTPHI
29.2%11.80Keenan AllenWRLAC
28.8%7.00Justin TuckerPKBAL
25.4%8.00Trevor LawrenceQBJAC
25.0%6.40Dalvin CookRBMIN
24.2%7.50Dallas GoedertTEPHI
20.8%18.80Justin HerbertQBLAC
20.8%23.00Chris GodwinWRTB
20.3%18.15Aaron RodgersQBGB
19.5%10.00JacksonvilleSTJAC
18.6%8.00Younghoe KooPKATL
18.6%8.20Jaylen WaddleWRMIA
18.6%17.95Kirk CousinsQBMIN
18.2%14.00James ConnerRBARI
17.4%9.00Brett MaherPKDAL
17.0%23.00Travis EtienneRBJAC
14.0%2.00BaltimoreSTBAL
13.6%12.00New EnglandSTNE
13.6%19.00Mark AndrewsTEBAL
13.1%0.00Tyler BassPKBUF
13.1%17.70Gardner MinshewQBPHI
11.4%6.60Pat FreiermuthTEPIT
10.6%10.70Cole KmetTECHI
10.6%20.50DeVonta SmithWRPHI
10.2%11.00Michael BadgleyPKDET
9.8%4.80Garrett WilsonWRNYJ
9.3%7.00Riley PattersonPKJAC
8.9%13.00Robbie GouldPKSF
8.9%7.00Cameron DickerPKLAC
8.9%24.60Dalton SchultzTEDAL
8.5%8.00Graham GanoPKNYG
7.2%16.50Tyler AllgeierRBATL
7.2%1.30DK MetcalfWRSEA
7.2%14.30Cam AkersRBLAR
6.8%8.70Brian RobinsonRBWAS
6.8%0.00Evan McPhersonPKCIN
6.4%0.00Dawson KnoxTEBUF
5.9%34.30Davante AdamsWRLV
5.9%9.70Ezekiel ElliottRBDAL
5.1%2.00AtlantaSTATL
4.7%2.10Christian WatsonWRGB
4.7%5.00L.A. ChargersSTLAC
4.2%4.10Tyler HigbeeTELAR
4.2%10.80Jerry JeudyWRDEN
3.8%8.00Tampa BaySTTB
3.8%10.90Allen LazardWRGB
3.8%13.80Taysom HillTENO
3.8%42.00Tom BradyQBTB
3.4%26.70Brandon AiyukWRSF
3.4%9.70Drake LondonWRATL
3.4%5.00Greg JosephPKMIN
3.4%3.00N.Y. JetsSTNYJ
3.4%0.00Gabe DavisWRBUF
3.4%3.00PittsburghSTPIT
2.5%12.00Mike WhiteQBNYJ
2.5%11.00Jason MyersPKSEA
2.5%0.00DeAndre HopkinsWRARI
2.5%3.50D'Onta ForemanRBCAR
2.1%16.40Mike WilliamsWRLAC
2.1%4.00Ryan SuccopPKTB
2.1%10.00Daniel CarlsonPKLV
2.1%5.00WashingtonSTWAS
2.1%6.00Eddy PineiroPKCAR
2.1%48.70Mike EvansWRTB
2.1%12.60Nick ChubbRBCLE
2.1%0.00Joe MixonRBCIN
2.1%5.00Nick FolkPKNE
2.1%22.60Jerick McKinnonRBKC
2.1%5.40Zay JonesWRJAC
1.7%27.70D'Andre SwiftRBDET
1.7%5.60David MontgomeryRBCHI
1.7%37.95Daniel JonesQBNYG
1.7%0.00BuffaloSTBUF
1.7%0.00Hayden HurstTECIN
1.7%4.00Jake ElliottPKPHI
1.7%15.20Kenneth WalkerRBSEA
1.7%13.30Aaron JonesRBGB
1.7%19.50Josh JacobsRBLV
1.7%4.10Christian KirkWRJAC
1.7%5.70Terry McLaurinWRWAS
1.7%11.20Juwan JohnsonTENO
1.7%11.00Mason CrosbyPKGB
1.7%11.00DetroitSTDET
1.3%10.10AJ DillonRBGB
1.3%5.00Romeo DoubsWRGB
1.3%4.90George PickensWRPIT
1.3%12.65Teddy BridgewaterQBMIA
1.3%6.40Zonovan KnightRBNYJ
1.3%13.00Matt PraterPKARI
1.3%18.95Geno SmithQBSEA
1.3%3.00Jason SandersPKMIA
1.3%23.70DJ MooreWRCAR
0.9%10.00SeattleSTSEA
0.9%10.50Gerald EverettTELAC
0.9%8.40Courtland SuttonWRDEN
0.9%22.00Green BaySTGB
0.9%4.90Jelani WoodsTEIND
0.9%0.00Derrick HenryRBTEN
0.9%6.10Miles SandersRBPHI
0.9%6.00Brandon McManusPKDEN
0.9%9.30J.K. DobbinsRBBAL
0.9%4.10JuJu Smith-SchusterWRKC
0.9%5.00CarolinaSTCAR
0.9%8.70Leonard FournetteRBTB
0.9%12.10Marquise BrownWRARI
0.9%16.20Darren WallerTELV
0.9%0.00CincinnatiSTCIN
0.9%25.50Amari CooperWRCLE
0.9%7.10Rhamondre StevensonRBNE
0.9%6.70Jahan DotsonWRWAS
0.9%3.00MiamiSTMIA
0.9%6.00Greg ZuerleinPKNYJ
0.4%14.20Robert TonyanTEGB
0.4%1.00MinnesotaSTMIN
0.4%10.00Chris BoswellPKPIT
0.4%29.80Russell WilsonQBDEN
0.4%12.90Isiah PachecoRBKC
0.4%12.90Tyler HuntleyQBBAL
0.4%0.00Devin SingletaryRBBUF
0.4%3.40Darius SlaytonWRNYG
0.4%21.90Brock PurdyQBSF
0.4%6.90Michael GallupWRDAL
0.4%7.40Baker MayfieldQBLAR
0.4%16.90Jakobi MeyersWRNE
0.4%20.30Najee HarrisRBPIT
0.4%14.00Tyler ConklinTENYJ
0.4%7.40Zack MossRBIND
0.4%9.35Desmond RidderQBATL
0.4%5.50Diontae JohnsonWRPIT
0.4%22.70Jamaal WilliamsRBDET
0.4%0.00L.A. RamsSTLAR
0.4%4.00Matt GayPKLAR
0.4%9.00ClevelandSTCLE
0.4%20.80Trey McBrideTEARI
0.4%12.60Kenny PickettQBPIT
0.4%4.00Joey SlyePKWAS
0.4%3.00ArizonaSTARI
0.4%13.85Carson WentzQBWAS