NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks for Week 17

The last two weeks have featured the healthiest San Francisco offense in quite some time. Unsurprisingly, we've seen Purdy explode, topping 26 fantasy points in each game and finishing as a top-four fantasy quarterback in each week. He totaled eight scoring strikes in those two contests. Now he gets the Bears, who have allowed the fifth-most touchdown passes this season. Plus, Philip Rivers and the Colts were just able to put up points on the 49ers' defense. There is a chance this is a high-scoring game, which is a recipe for fantasy success. The red-hot Purdy, who has even been running more as of late, remains in play this week.

Lawrence is playing the finest football of his career. After exploding in Week 15 for the best fantasy performance by a quarterback this season, he finished as the top-scoring QB for a second straight week, this time against the tough Denver defense. The ceiling has clearly reached a level we have never seen before, and he's topped 19 in four straight, showing that the floor is rising, as well. He has multiple passing touchdowns in a career-high five straight games and already has set a new career best with 26 TD passes on the season. Now he gets the Colts, who have allowed the second-most passing yards this season. Brock Purdy just lit them up. Expect Lawrence to stay hot with the division title (and perhaps even the No. 1 seed) in sight.

After enjoying the best fantasy game any quarterback has experienced against the Texans in 2025, Brissett flopped last week in a favorable matchup against the Falcons. It was his first down performance since he became the starter. If you were able to survive that, you should stick with Brissett this week. He topped 18 fantasy points and finished as a top-12 fantasy QB in all of his other starts this season. Plus, he gets the Bengals, who have allowed the second-most touchdown passes and fifth-most fantasy PPG to QBs this season. And Cincinnati's offense should be able to put up points against Arizona's D, meaning Brissett could be in catch-up mode. That is when he does his best fantasy work. 

The Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs, but Dak is going to help fantasy managers win championships. While the floor is very safe, Prescott has not reached 20 fantasy points in any of his last three games. That should change this week against the Commanders, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game this season. They also have given up the third-most passing touchdowns in 2025. Each of the last three QBs to face them topped 19 fantasy points. Prescott got them for three touchdowns and 23.26 fantasy points in their first matchup. He is a must-start this week.

Last week, we were reminded that Herbert brings a high ceiling. But his huge day came against Dallas' defense, which has been one of the very best matchups for QBs all season long. Prior to that game, Herbert was held to fewer than 15 fantasy points in five straight. The Chargers have offensive line issues, and Houston is the wrong team to have those against. The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to QBs this season. They're top six in passing yards and touchdowns allowed this season. They have already shut down Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, who have similar play styles to that of the Bolts quarterback. Herbert already brings a low floor -- pairing that with the O-line issues and the matchup, I would look to get away.

I originally was torn on what to do with Baker, given that the matchup is not the toughest at first glance. Mayfield, though, has not been playing well for a good stretch now. In five of the past six games, he has thrown just one touchdown pass while failing to reach 200 yards, posting a 7:6 TD-to-INT ratio in that span. Even with his receiving corps fully healthy, the results have not improved. Even with him running more, the fantasy results have lacked. Now he gets the Dolphins, who can be run on. That might make the Bucs, whose backs are against the wall, less likely to throw. If you made it this far, you likely have a better option.

Young came through with a solid 17.6-point performance for those who streamed him last week. He certainly has been playing his best ball as of late, and the floor has been rising. Still, he always brings a wide range of outcomes and has authored numerous week-losing fantasy performances this season. Now he faces Seattle's defense, which has allowed the ninth-fewest touchdown passes in 2025. What worries me even more is that the Seahawks generate pressure at a high rate. We have seen them make life tough on many QBs this season. There are better streaming options out there. Ideally, you can get away in superflex leagues, as well.

If this were Fantasy Live, Goff would be more of a "beware" in this spot. The Lions quarterback has reached a new level of fantasy production ever since Dan Campbell took over play-calling in Week 10. In that span, he has averaged 20.4 fantasy PPG -- and he's been particularly hot as of late. He also enjoyed success in the first Vikings matchup back in Week 9, but that was the last time any QB bested Minnesota's D. Since Week 10, the Vikings have allowed one passing touchdown and yielded the third-fewest passing yards, ranking among the three stingiest defenses when it comes to completion percentage and yards per attempt. Over the last month, they've allowed a league-low 3.9 fantasy PPG to quarterbacks. The QB position has thinned out due to injuries, so I get that some might have to play Goff regardless of matchup. If you have another option you like, though, I would take it.