Overview
- Major outlets publishing on Dec. 24–25 align on benching Travis Kelce with Patrick Mahomes out and Chris Oladokun set to start for Kansas City.
- Trevor Lawrence is broadly recommended as a must-start thanks to a multi-week surge and a favorable matchup against Indianapolis.
- Justin Herbert is commonly advised to sit against Houston, which has allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
- DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension removes a key option and lowers projections for Pittsburgh’s passing game in Week 17.
- Quarterback uncertainty is widespread, with season-ending injuries to Mahomes and Daniel Jones, Washington shutting down Jayden Daniels, and iffy statuses for Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love shaping contingency plans.