This week’s Start/Sits column is divided into three parts so I can prioritize family time while still providing you with the insights you need for the playoffs. Today, we’ll focus on the Christmas Day games and the Thursday game.

There are four types of people reading this article:

1. You’re in the championship game and looking for every edge to secure the title.

2. You’re playing for 3rd place or another prize because, let’s be real, there’s still money on the line.

3. You’re fighting to avoid last place (and the punishment that may come with it).

4. You’re a fantasy psycho who just can’t stay away from the action, no matter what.

Whatever brought you here, I’m grateful to have you. Merry Christmas, and let’s dive into the matchups that matter most this holiday season!

These Rankings Are Tailored for a 10-Person PPR League

Specific rosters, league size, and weekly matchups all play a role in lineup decisions. For example, in a 6-person PPR league, a player like Rhamondre Stevenson might not be a must-start. In a 14-person superflex league, you better believe I’m starting Cooper Rush every week.

Label Definitions

Must Starts: You should absolutely start these players.

Matchup Upgrade: Players recommended for starting but not over "must starts." These are borderline starters with favorable matchups, positive game scripts, or recent strong performances.

Grounds for Concern: Players with negative matchups, poor game scripts, or recent struggles. A Must Start player can be in this category.

Christmas Day Games

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Must Starts:

Chiefs: Travis Kelce

Steelers: George Pickens

Matchup Upgrade:

Xavier Worthy (Chiefs, WR):

Much like Rashee Rice last year, the rookie receiver on the Chiefs has turned the corner in the latter part of the season. Worthy has earned 11 targets in each of the last two games, with his target share sitting at over 27% during that time. While that’s a small sample size, even in the weeks prior, his involvement has steadily increased. From weeks 1-11, he had 6+ targets in only three games. From weeks 12-16, he’s had 6+ targets in all five games.

Additionally, the Chiefs are getting him involved in creative ways, including three rushing attempts in each of the last three games, one of which resulted in a touchdown. Kansas City is clearly trying to make him a focal point of their offense. As a reminder, the formula for fantasy success is Talent + Targets + Touches = Points. Worthy checks all three boxes.

The Steelers are a tough defense overall but are more vulnerable to outside receivers, ranking bottom five in fantasy points allowed to WRs lining up outside. Worthy is set up for success and is my start of the week for this Christmas.

Calvin Austin (Steelers, WR):

It’s no secret that Russ Wilson loves the deep ball, which is why I had George Pickens as a trade target earlier this season. Calvin Austin III is an intriguing option due to his incredibly high ADOT (average depth of target) of 13.3 yards. This makes him a boom-or-bust play but gives him plenty of big-play potential.

While some may worry that Pickens’ return might eat into Austin’s opportunities, I see it differently. Austin should shift back into the slot role, where he will face lighter coverage, especially with defenses focusing on Pickens. The Chiefs rank 18th against WRs, and their strength against the run should force Pittsburgh into more passing situations. Austin is a high-risk, high-reward option, especially in deeper leagues.

Grounds for Concern:

All RBs (Chiefs and Steelers):

The running backs on both sides are tough to trust this week.

Chiefs: Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are in a near 50/50 split since Pacheco’s return in Week 13. Pacheco has seen 47 touches to Hunt’s 41 over that span, and Hunt is the only one with a touchdown. Their respective point totals since Week 13:

Pacheco: 5.9, 8.1, 5.7, 3.5

Hunt: 3.5, 3.9, 5.9, 15.9

With either RB requiring a touchdown to hit double digits and the Steelers ranking 11th against RBs, I’d avoid them both if possible.

Steelers: Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren 

The Steelers' running back situation is challenging this week as they face the top-ranked Chiefs defense against the position. Starting with Najee Harris, his production has been disappointing lately. He has failed to surpass 50 rushing yards in back-to-back games and only saw nine touches last week, ceding two-thirds of the snaps to Jaylen Warren. A slumping running back in a tough matchup who is losing carries to his backup? No, thank you.

Jaylen Warren, on the other hand, delivered a solid performance last week, logging 12 carries for 48 yards and adding five receptions for 44 yards, resulting in 14.2 fantasy points. While this was his second-best game of the year, the issue is that 14.2 points seems to be his ceiling. Warren’s receiving ability provides more opportunities for big plays and the occasional touchdown, but against a strong Chiefs defense, expectations should be tempered.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans

Must Starts:

Ravens: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers

Texans: Joe Mixon, Nico Collins

Matchup Upgrade:

Dalton Schultz (Texans, TE):

Schultz has been quietly consistent over the last five games, earning just under a 17% target share and averaging 5.6 targets per game. With Tank Dell done for the season and Nico Collins back to full health, Schultz should see opportunities in a game where the Texans will need to keep pace with Baltimore. The Ravens have struggled against TEs this year, ranking 21st in fantasy points allowed to the position.

Schultz did well with a 5/45/1 line last week, and I expect similar numbers this week in a good matchup, making him a strong streaming option for Week 17.

Grounds for Concern:

Rashod Bateman (Ravens, WR):

Bateman is a great player to have on your roster because you can base your start/sit decision on his matchups. Against poor defenses like the Giants, he thrives (23 points). Against tougher matchups like the Steelers, he struggles (8.4 points).

This week, Bateman is a bench candidate for me. Houston ranks 23rd overall against WRs but is particularly strong against outside receivers, allowing the ninth-fewest points to that position. Bateman’s three-target performance last week doesn’t inspire confidence, even if he did salvage it with a touchdown.

Thursday Night Game

Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears

Must Starts:

Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet (if Kenneth Walker is out), D.K. Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Bears: D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen

Matchup Upgrade:

Rome Odunze (Bears, WR):

Odunze is a classic boom-or-bust player, but the matchup this week tilts toward “boom.” While Odunze’s target numbers have been encouraging, his inconsistency remains a concern. He has been limited to four or fewer catches in five of his last seven games. His high ADOT means he relies on big plays for production, and the Seahawks’ secondary is susceptible to the big play: they have allowed 18 touchdowns to WRs this season, tied for fourth-most in the league per  Pro Football Reference.

Is it hard to trust him? Yes. But, if you’re looking for a high-ceiling play, especially to avoid a last-place punishment or replace an injured starter, Odunze offers an intriguing option.

Grounds for Concern:

Kenneth Walker (Seahawks, RB):

Walker suffered another injury on Sunday, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to suit up for the upcoming game. He’s scheduled for additional imaging on his ankle, which is always a concerning sign. Against the Vikings, Walker was not bad but far from great. He only managed 31 rushing yards on eight carries. However, he made up for it in the passing game, as he has done for much of the year, hauling in eight catches for 28 yards. While these numbers aren’t spectacular, they resulted in a respectable 13.9 PPR points—enough to keep fantasy managers afloat.

Heading into this week, I’m hesitant about starting Walker if he’s not fully healthy. Playing on a short week at less than 100%, coupled with the presence of a capable backup in Zach Charbonnet, makes Walker a risky option. The matchup itself is enticing, as the Bears rank 29th against RBs. However, the uncertainty surrounding his health makes this a situation I’m going to avoid if possible.

If Walker is declared fully healthy and ready to go, I would start him with confidence, given his ability to produce in both the run and pass games. Until then, fantasy managers should ensure they have alternative options ready and monitor practice reports and updates closely.