5 matchups to watch (week 17)

Featuring Wan'Dale Robinson, Adonai Mitchell, and more.

December 25, 2025

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Yooo!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Hope you’re enjoying some time with family and this Christmas slate is treating you well in your championships, DFS lineups, and bets.

Last night, I asked you, “Will Shedeur start the most games at QB for Browns next season?” 64.3% of you said No.

Best subscriber comment: (Yes) “They need to see what that fool can do. He has potential and gives funny post-game interviews.”

Our take: This is a coin flip to me. I feel like they’ll give Deshaun Watson a chance to play, just given how much money they have committed to him. But I also don’t think he’s the answer. So I’ll lean Watson with very little confidence in this guess.

Alright, now let’s dive into 5 matchups to watch in week 17.

Giddy up.

WR - Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)

  • Wan'Dale Robinson has solidified his WR1 role with Jaxson Dart, securing over 30% of targets in two of Dart's three games. He predominantly operates from the slot, with 52.1% of his routes coming from the inside, and boasts an impressive 71% catchable target rate.

  • The Raiders present a favorable matchup for Robinson, ranking ninth in PPR points per game allowed to wide receivers. Four different wide receivers have achieved double-digit results against them in the last month, suggesting potential opportunity for Robinson.

  • The primary concern for Robinson is the Giants' offensive slowdown, with pass attempts dropping from 29.1 per game (Weeks 4-10) to 24.3 since Week 13, and total plays decreasing from 64.4 to 56.0. However, the article suggests this might be game-plan specific, leaving room for Robinson to be a viable WR2 in PPR leagues for Week 17.

WR - Adonai Mitchell (NYJ)

  • Mitchell plays in a run-heavy Jets offense that ranks last in neutral script pass rate at 42 percent. He averages 14.6 expected fantasy points per game since Week 10, suggesting WR2-type usage in the offense.

  • Mitchell shows strength against man coverage, leading his team with a 38 percent target rate and producing 1.91 yards per route run. He also leads the Jets in yards per route run (1.83) against zone coverage, earning targets on 23 percent of his routes.

  • In Week 17, Mitchell faces the Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who allows relatively few fantasy points per route run. The article suggests Mitchell has a range of outcomes that could include a touchdown based on his usage, but also warns that single-digit fantasy points might be the most probable outcome.

RB - Emanuel Wilson (GB)

  • Emanuel Wilson has emerged as a key player in the Packers' backfield, particularly with Josh Jacobs dealing with a nagging knee injury. In Week 16, Wilson led Green Bay's backfield in snaps (32), attempts (14), and rushing yards (82), showcasing his growing importance to the team's offensive strategy.

  • Wilson has a proven track record of performance, with a standout game in Week 12 when he accumulated 125 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs on 30 touches when Jacobs was out. He's also been more efficient, averaging 5.9 yards per carry compared to Jacobs' 3.0 in recent games.

  • With a potentially limited Josh Jacobs and a matchup against Baltimore's defense (10th-most friendly to RB scoring), Wilson could be a strong Week 17 option. His increased involvement and potential for a lead role make him an intriguing waiver wire pickup for fantasy managers in championship week.

TE - Hunter Henry (NE)

  • Hunter Henry has been a consistently solid tight end option, finishing as a top-14 tight end in four of his five games since Week 10, demonstrating a reliable fantasy performance throughout the season.

  • Henry faces a favorable matchup against the New York Jets defense in Week 17, which presents a promising opportunity for fantasy managers looking for a dependable tight end start.

  • His performance has been particularly strong, with the exception of a challenging Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills, who are known for shutting down tight ends effectively.

TE - Oronde Gadsden (LAC)

  • Oronde Gadsden II has experienced a significant drop in offensive involvement since the Chargers' Week 12 bye, with his role being less prominent than initially anticipated. The expert notes that Gadsden was previously mistaken as a potential fill-in for Quentin Johnston during injury weeks, but his versatility was somewhat overestimated.

  • Despite his recent disappearance from the Chargers' offensive game plan, Gadsden is highlighted as a potential sleeper this week due to a favorable matchup against the Texans. The analysis specifically points out that the Texans' defense has a vulnerability at the tight end position, which could create an opportunity for Gadsden.

  • The expert suggests that while Gadsden's recent performance has been underwhelming, the specific matchup this week presents a potential bounce-back opportunity for the tight end, making him an interesting consideration for fantasy managers looking for a late-season sleeper pick

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That’s all for tonight!

See ya pizza,

Joe

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