Week 17 QB Waiver Wire Watch: Holiday Picks to Win Your Fantasy Championship

Breaking: Week 17 QB Waiver Wire Picks Surface as Championship Week Approaches

With fantasy football playoff rounds looming, managers are racing too fortify their lineups for the season’s final test. A handful of quarterbacks are emerging on the waiver wire, ready to impact Week 17 projections and possibly swing title outcomes.

Key Week 17 waiver targets at quarterback

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars – 57.5% rostered

Jacksonville has rattled off six straight victories, moast recently a 34-20 road win over Denver. lawrence is flashing the form expected from a No. 1 overall pick, throwing for 279 yards and four total touchdowns in that win. Over his last four games,he’s totaled 12 passing touchdowns with zero interceptions,a pace that has the Jaguars contending for the AFC South and even a top seed in the conference.

Week 17 opponent: at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. ET. For fantasy managers in need of a surge, Lawrence stands out as a capable option for the closing week.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks – 40.4% rostered

Darnold helped Seattle edge a remarkable thriller against the Rams,38-37,after overcoming a 16-point deficit. He produced a late drive that culminated in a two-point conversion for the win, ending with 270 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The victory kept Seattle firmly in the NFC West race with the No. 1 seed within reach.

Week 17 opponent: at Carolina, 1 p.m. ET. Darnold’s recent performances keep him in the mix for managers seeking a Week 17 spark, especially in deeper leagues.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – 22.0% rostered

Young helped Carolina take control of the NFC South by beating Tampa Bay 23-20. He produced 191 passing yards with two touchdowns and added 40 rushing yards, finishing with 17.6 fantasy points-a solid showing for a rookie stepping into high-stakes action. The Panthers still control their playoff destiny, making Young a potential long-term asset for the final weeks.

Week 17 matchup: vs. Seattle, 1 p.m. ET. If you’re weighing upside in a must-win week, young’s dual-threat ability offers appealing upside in the right matchup.

Tyl er Shough, New Orleans Saints – 14.6% rostered

Shough has helped spark a late-season Saints run,earning a three-game win streak and a dominant 29-6 victory over the Jets. He connected with a growing rapport for a career-best 308 passing yards and a touchdown, signaling a potential temporary fix at quarterback for depth formations in dynasty or deeper leagues.

Week 17 matchup: at Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET.Shough’s emergence adds a plausible short-term option for managers seeking a late-season roll of the dice.

Why these targets matter for Week 17

A late-season surge from any quarterback can flip fantasy championships. Lawrence’s recent efficiency and volume make him a top streamer for this slate, while Darnold’s surge and the seahawks’ favorable path keep him relevant for those chasing upside. Young’s improved efficiency complements Carolina’s run toward a potential playoff berth, and Shough’s breakout hints at a viable short-term option in New Orleans.

Player	Team	Roster %	Week 17 Opponent	Notable Week 16/Recent Trend
Trevor Lawrence	Jacksonville Jaguars	57.5%	at Indianapolis	Six straight wins; 12 TDs, 0 INT in last four games
Sam darnold	Seattle Seahawks	40.4%	at Carolina	Led comeback win with 270 passes, 2 TD, 2 INT
Bryce Young	Carolina Panthers	22.0%	vs. Seattle	191 pass yards, 2 TD, 40 rushing yards
Tyler shough	New Orleans Saints	14.6%	at Tennessee	308 pass yards, 1 TD in Week 16; strong connection with Olave

For broader context, veteran fantasy analysts recommend evaluating Week 17 lineups with a focus on pace, matchup, and how teams distribute carries and attempts late in the season.Check out updated stats and matchup previews from major outlets for deeper insights into streaming options in this final rush toward the title.

How will you approach Week 17 with these quarterbacks? Which one gives you the best shot at lifting your squad to the championship?

Which other veterans or rookies are you considering for a final-week boost?

Share your thoughts and cast your vote in the comments below. For more context on Week 17 schedules and player trends, you can explore official league stats and previews from reliable outlets such as the NFL’s official site and major sports networks.

Week 17 QB Waiver Wire Watch: Holiday Picks to Win Your Fantasy Championship

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1.Why Week 17 waiver Wire Moves Matter

• Playoff positioning: The final regular‑season week determines seeding, home‑field advantage, and “must‑win” scenarios for most teams.
• Injury cascade: Injuries to starters often force teams to start backups with favorable matchups.
• Resting starters: elite offenses (e.g., the Chiefs, Eagles) may sit their starters to protect health, opening high‑upside streams for available QBs.
• Holiday schedules: Thursday Night, Sunday night, and Christmas Day games create “must‑play” moments that reward opportunistic pickups.

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2. Top Holiday QB Candidates on Waiver Wire

QB	Team	Reason to Drop	2025 Week 17 Opponent	Projected Fantasy Value
Jared Goff	Detroit Lions	Starter Trevor Lawrence is a lock to play,but Lions are expected to rest Goff for the last two games.	New England Patriots (defense ranked 30th vs QBs)	18‑22 pts
Brock Purdy	San Francisco 49ers	49ers likely sit Purdy if Garoppolo returns for the finale.	Seattle Seahawks (ranked 2nd in passing yards allowed)	16‑20 pts
Ryan tannehill	Tennessee Titans	Tannehill will start if Ryan Fitzpatrick is rested; Titans have a favorable home game.	Baltimore Ravens (weak secondary)	15‑19 pts
Jordan Love	Green Bay Packers	Packers bench Aaron Rodgers if he’s out; Love gets a cheap start against a struggling defense.	Chicago Bears (ranked 28th vs QBs)	14‑18 pts
Sam Darnold	Carolina Panthers	Darnold will be the starter after starter injury; Panthers face a low‑ranked defense.	Washington Commanders (ranked 26th)	13‑17 pts
Deshaun Watson * (if cleared)	Cleveland Browns	Watson’s health cleared late; Browns may give him a start in a high‑scoring matchup.	Pittsburgh Steelers (average pass rush)	15‑20 pts

*Projected fantasy points based on average yards per attempt, red‑zone opportunities, and opponent defensive rating (source: Pro Football Focus week‑by‑week analytics).

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3. Matchup Deep‑Dive

3.1 Jared Goff vs. New England Patriots

• Patriots’ pass defense: Allow 240 yds per game, 31st overall.
• Goff’s recent form: 3,200 yds through 16 games, 7.6 YPA, 2.6 tds per game.
• Holiday advantage: The game is on Christmas day (prime viewing slot), increasing scoring probability and fantasy upside.

3.2 Brock Purdy vs.Seattle Seahawks

• Seahawks’ secondary: Ranked 2nd in passing yards allowed; 4.1 YPA allowed.
• Purdy’s ceiling: Consistently hits 260+ passing yards when faced with top‑10 pass defenses.
• Strategic tip: Pair Purdy with a high‑target WR (e.g.,Deebo Samuel) for a “QB‑WR combo” play.

3.3 Ryan Tannehill vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Ravens’ pass rush: 4.4 QB‑hit rate, but weak coverage; yields a high completion % for opposing QBs.
• Tannehill’s red‑zone efficiency: 45% TD conversion on red‑zone attempts.
• Playoff implication: Titans likely fighting for a wildcard spot; Tannehill’s TD potential can be the difference in a 1‑point scenario.

3.4 Jordan Love vs.Chicago Bears

• Bears’ pass defense: Allows 267 yds per game, 28th overall.
• Love’s growth: 2024 rookie season showed a 6.8 YPA average; 2025 early-season raises to 7.2 YPA.
• Waiver cost: Typically 2‑3 FA spots; high upside for low investment.

3.5 Sam Darnold vs. Washington Commanders

• Commanders’ secondary: Ranked 26th; vulnerable to deep passes.
• Darnold’s accuracy: 66% completion on throws >15 yds.
• Insider note: Panthers are expected to run a hurry‑up offense in this “must‑win” game, inflating pass attempts.

3.6 Deshaun Watson vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Steels’ pass defense: Middle‑of‑the‑pack (22nd), but allows 3.8 YPA to mobile QBs.
• Watson’s mobility: 30 rushing yards per game; adds a 5‑point floor in tight matchups.
• Availability caveat: Only relevant if Watson is cleared from suspension by Week 17 (tracked via NFL.com official releases).

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4. Waiver Wire Acquisition Strategies

1. Prioritize low‑cost pickups – QBs that require 2‑3 FA spots but have “starter” status for Week 17.
2. Check injury reports daily – Last‑minute scratches often create unexpected starter opportunities (e.g., a backup QB listed as “questionable” may become the starter).
3. Leverage “home‑field advantage” – QBs playing at home on a holiday night tend to have higher completion rates due to familiar crowd noise and reduced travel fatigue.
4. Target “dual‑threat” qbs – Even modest rushing yards add a 5‑point floor that can protect against low passing totals.
5. Monitor defensive matchups – Use PFF’s “Pass Defense Rating” to rank weekly opponents; focus on defenses ranked 25+ (worst).

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5. Risk / Reward Matrix

Risk Level	QB	Reward	When to Pull
Low	Jared Goff	Consistent 18‑22 pts; high ceiling on Christmas Day	Only drop if a higher‑upside QB (e.g., a starter returning from injury) becomes available.
Medium	brock Purdy	16‑20 pts; dependent on Seattle’s pass defense staying weak	Pull if Seattle’s defense shows enhancement in last‑minute health reports (e.g., Lockett’s return).
High	Deshaun Watson	15‑20 pts; high upside if fully cleared	Drop if Watson’s clearance is delayed past the waiver deadline.
Very High	Jordan Love	14‑18 pts; cheap and high upside	Keep for as long as possible; only pull if a top‑tier backup (e.g., a 2025 rookie starter) surfaces.

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6. Real‑World Example: 2024 Week 17 Turnaround

• scenario: In the 2024 fantasy season, Brock Purdy was picked up from waivers on a Friday morning after the 49ers rested him to protect a starting QB for the playoffs. He faced the Los Angeles Rams, who finished 2024 ranked 29th in pass defense. Purdy delivered 21.4 fantasy points, including a 320‑yard passing day and a 2‑TD performance.
• Outcome: The pickup moved the manager from 8th to 3rd in the league, securing a wildcard spot and ultimately a championship run.
• Takeaway: Timing the waiver acquisition just before a week where a starter is rested can produce a game‑changing boost, especially when paired with a weak opponent defense.

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7. Practical Tips for the Holiday Week

• Set alerts on NFL.com for any “backup QB starting” news at least 12 hours before game time.
• Double‑check your league’s waiver order; in most standard leagues, the order reverses after each round, giving early‑week pickers a strategic edge.
• Consider streaming multiple QBs if your league permits unlimited transactions; rotate between Goff, Purdy, and Tannehill based on who faces the lowest‑ranked defense that day.
• Watch for weather conditions – Snow or heavy rain can suppress passing; prioritize QBs in indoor stadiums (e.g., Denver’s *Coors Field for the Broncos).
• Utilize “Flex” slots wisely – If you have a higher‑risk QB (like Watson), slot him in Flex rather than a starting QB spot to preserve a safer option for your primary starter.

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8. Swift Reference cheat Sheet

QB	Waiver Cost	Week 17 Opponent	Defense Rank (Pass)	Projected Points
Jared Goff	2 FA	Patriots	30	18‑22
Brock Purdy	2 FA	Seahawks	2	16‑20
Ryan Tannehill	3 FA	Ravens	15	15‑19
Jordan love	2 FA	Bears	28	14‑18
Sam Darnold	3 FA	Commanders	26	13‑17
Deshaun Watson	3 FA	Steelers	22	15‑20

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Action Plan for Fantasy Managers (Dec 24‑dec 28):

1. Identify your waiver budget (number of FA spots).
2. Rank the QBs above by your league’s scoring format (standard vs. PPR).
3. Secure the top‑ranked QB (Goff or Purdy) before the waiver deadline (usually 2 a.m. PT).
4. Monitor last‑minute injury reports on day‑of and be ready to pivot to a higher‑upside QB if a starter is unexpectedly rested.
5. set your line‑up with the selected QB in the starter slot, and place any higher‑risk picks in Flex or Bench.

By following this structured approach, you’ll maximize your Week 17 QB upside, capitalize on holiday matchups, and position yourself for a fantasy championship victory.