Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Jacoby Brissett ARI
Jacoby Brissett finally came back down to earth in Week 16 after delivering one of the most impressive fantasy stretches of any quarterback this season. Facing Atlanta, Brissett posted his first truly disappointing outing as Arizona’s starter, throwing for just 203 yards and one touchdown. It marked only the second time all year he failed to throw multiple scores and his first game under 249 passing yards. The poor fantasy result was largely situational, as the Falcons controlled possession for 36 minutes and limited the Cardinals to just 54 offensive plays. Prior to that game, Brissett had averaged 46.3 pass dropbacks per contest and finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in nine of his first ten starts. His success has often come in catch-up situations, where heavy passing volume inflates his fantasy output. Even with last week’s stumble, Brissett remains one of the most consistent QB1 options in fantasy football this season.
Brissett’s Week 17 outlook sets up perfectly for a bounce-back performance against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed the second-most passing touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Arizona enters the matchup as a touchdown underdog, increasing the likelihood of negative game script and elevated passing volume. The Bengals’ offense should force Brissett into frequent dropbacks, which is where he does his best fantasy work. Cincinnati also ranks among the softest quarterback matchups in the league, regularly allowing 20-plus fantasy point outings. With garbage-time production firmly back on the table, Brissett profiles as a strong start in Week 17. Fantasy managers without an elite option should confidently roll him out as a high-end QB1.
Trevor Lawrence JAC
Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career at the most important time of the fantasy season. Over the past month, he has elevated both his ceiling and floor, scoring at least 19 fantasy points in five consecutive games. Lawrence erupted in Week 15 with the top quarterback performance of the season and followed it up by finishing as the QB1 again in Week 16 against a strong Denver defense. He now has multiple passing touchdowns in a career-high five straight games and has already set a new personal best with 26 passing scores on the season. His rushing production has added another layer to his fantasy value, as he has totaled 71 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns over the past two games. Since Week 9, only Josh Allen has averaged more fantasy points per game among quarterbacks. Lawrence has finished as a top-12 quarterback in seven of his last eight outings.
Lawrence remains an elite fantasy start in Week 17 against the Colts. Indianapolis has allowed the second-most passing yards per game over the last eight weeks and was just torched by Brock Purdy for five touchdowns. Lawrence already delivered a strong fantasy performance against the Colts in Week 14, scoring over 20 fantasy points with both passing and rushing contributions. With the division title and potential top seed in play, Jacksonville should remain aggressive offensively. The Colts struggle to limit explosive passing plays, and Lawrence’s rushing ability further raises his fantasy floor. He should once again see high volume and red-zone opportunities. Lawrence enters Week 17 locked in as a top-five fantasy quarterback and a must-start in all formats.
Brock Purdy SF
Brock Purdy has caught fire over the past two weeks with the 49ers offense finally at full strength. He has topped 26 fantasy points in back-to-back games, finishing as a top-four fantasy quarterback in both outings. During that stretch, Purdy has thrown for eight total touchdowns while also adding value with his legs. Since Week 9, he ranks as the QB4 in fantasy points per game, averaging over 21 points per contest. San Francisco’s offense has been nearly unstoppable when fully healthy, and Purdy has capitalized by attacking downfield and maximizing red-zone opportunities. His efficiency remains elite, and he has shown an increased willingness to scramble when plays break down. Even in tough matchups earlier this season, Purdy has consistently delivered QB1-level production. With weapons across the field, he continues to operate one of the most fantasy-friendly offenses in the league.
Purdy’s Week 17 matchup against the Bears keeps him firmly in the QB1 conversation. Chicago has allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns this season and struggles to limit fantasy production on a per-dropback basis. Quarterbacks facing the Bears have consistently produced strong fantasy results, including recent outings of 20-plus fantasy points. Even if George Kittle is limited or inactive, Purdy still has multiple weapons capable of sustaining offensive efficiency. The game environment suggests potential for elevated scoring, which further boosts Purdy’s outlook. Nothing about this matchup warrants hesitation. Purdy should be started confidently as a top-six quarterback in Week 17 with top-five upside in fantasy football.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Justin Herbert LAC
Justin Herbert finally delivered a ceiling game in Week 16, exploding for 34.2 fantasy points against Dallas. That performance snapped a five-game stretch in which he scored 16.8 fantasy points or fewer, making it his first true QB1 finish since Week 9. It was also the first time Herbert eclipsed 300 passing yards since Week 7, reminding fantasy managers of his upside when everything breaks right. On the season, Herbert ranks 11th in fantasy points per game and continues to grade well in efficiency metrics, ranking top six in passing touchdowns and accurate throw rate. Despite those positives, consistency has been a major issue, as Herbert has finished outside the top 15 weekly quarterbacks in five of his last six games. Last week’s blowup performance stands out as an exception rather than a trend. Much of his production volatility has stemmed from offensive line issues and difficult matchups.
Week 17 presents one of Herbert’s toughest challenges of the season against Houston. The Texans allow the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and rank first in total yards allowed per game. Since Week 12, Houston has generated pressure at an elite rate without blitzing, which spells trouble for a Chargers offensive line that has struggled in pass protection. Only five quarterbacks have reached 20 fantasy points against Houston all season. Herbert also struggled mightily against this defense in last year’s playoffs, throwing four interceptions while constantly under pressure. This matchup represents a sharp contrast from last week’s soft Dallas defense. Herbert is best viewed as a sit in standard leagues and should only be used in Superflex or two-quarterback formats in Week 17.
Baker Mayfield TB
Baker Mayfield’s fantasy production has steadily declined over the second half of the season. Over his last six games, he has thrown just one touchdown pass in five contests while failing to reach 200 passing yards in each of those outings. During that span, he has posted a concerning 7-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has averaged just 13.7 fantasy points per game, ranking as the QB27 since Week 7. Even with his receiving corps healthy, the offense has failed to regain efficiency through the air. Mayfield’s rushing contributions have helped marginally, but they have not been enough to offset his lack of passing volume and scoring. Tampa Bay has leaned more heavily on the run game, further capping Mayfield’s fantasy upside. With fantasy championships on the line, his recent trend is difficult to ignore.
Mayfield’s Week 17 matchup against Miami may look appealing on paper, but there are reasons for caution. The Dolphins have allowed solid fantasy performances to quarterbacks recently, including strong outings by Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers. However, the Bucs offense has struggled in favorable matchups over the last few weeks. Mayfield’s inconsistency makes him unreliable, in a week where reliability is everything when setting your lineups. Fantasy managers should consider pivoting to waiver wire players like Tyler Shough instead of Mayfield this week. Despite some bounce-back appeal, Mayfield profiles as a low-end QB2 and a sit in one-quarterback leagues for Week 17.
CJ Stroud HOU
C.J. Stroud has been inconsistent over the past month, making him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups. He followed a strong Week 15 performance against Arizona with a disappointing Week 16 outing versus Las Vegas, throwing for just 187 yards and one touchdown. That marked the third time this season Stroud was held under 200 passing yards. Over his last four games, he has had only one performance above 14.6 fantasy points. On the season, Stroud ranks 21st in fantasy points per game and has just three QB1 finishes. His efficiency metrics have also dipped, ranking outside the top 25 in yards per attempt and accurate throw rate. While Houston has continued to win games, much of that success has been driven by defense and a conservative offensive approach rather than explosive passing.
Stroud’s Week 17 matchup against the Chargers further limits his fantasy appeal. Los Angeles ranks third in fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and has surrendered just four 20-point fantasy performances all season. Since Week 12, the Chargers have allowed the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns and the third-lowest passer rating. Houston is unlikely to push the tempo offensively, which reduces Stroud’s volume and scoring opportunities. While he remains a viable option in Superflex or two-quarterback leagues, the ceiling is limited. Fantasy managers in standard formats should look elsewhere, as Stroud profiles as a low-end QB2 in a difficult matchup.
