Fantasy Football Championship Week: Top Boom-or-Bust Picks for Winning Your Title

The NFL’s Week 17 is fantasy football championship week for most leagues. This is the final showdown where managers need every possible point to win. Safe plays are not enough this week. You need players with massive upside, even if they come with significant risk.

These high-variance options can win you a championship or sink your lineup. According to trusted fantasy analysis, targeting favorable matchups for volatile players is a proven strategy for this crucial week.

High-Risk Quarterbacks and Running Backs

At quarterback, New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart embodies the boom-or-bust label. He is coming off a terrible performance with just 33 passing yards. However, he has shown elite upside with 20 total touchdowns this season.

His matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is highly favorable. This game could become a shootout, offering major fantasy points. But his floor remains dangerously low.

For running backs, Arizona’s Emari Demercado is a compelling dart throw. He is not the Cardinals’ primary starter. Yet, he averages an explosive 7.4 yards per carry.

He faces the Cincinnati Bengals, who allow the most fantasy points to running backs. Demercado only needs a few touches to break a long touchdown. His limited role is the clear risk.

Cleveland’s rookie Raheim Sanders is another volatile option. He is now the lead back after Quinshon Judkins’ season-ending injury. However, his workload is not fully secure with Dylan Sampson potentially returning.

He also faces the tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The opportunity is there for a volume-based boom. The matchup and backfield uncertainty create a shaky floor.

Volatile Wide Receivers and the Ultimate Wild Card

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker is a classic boom-or-bust play. He has a monster game on his resume with three touchdowns. He also has three games with under 20 receiving yards this year.

He faces the New York Giants, who allow the fifth-most points to wide receivers. The game script should force plenty of passing. Tucker could see deep targets or fade into obscurity.

The ultimate wild card is New Orleans Saints’ Taysom Hill. He is listed as a tight end but functions as a quarterback, runner, and receiver. With multiple Saints running backs injured, his role has expanded dramatically.

In Week 16, he threw a touchdown pass and had 18 touches. He is the definition of a unique fantasy asset. You are betting on the Saints creatively using him, which is never a guarantee.

Choosing these boom-or-bust fantasy football picks requires courage. They offer the ceiling needed to win a championship in Week 17. Just be prepared for a potentially bust-worthy outcome.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

Q: Should I start a boom-or-bust player over a consistent starter?

It depends on your matchup. If you are a big underdog, the high-ceiling play is smarter. If you are favored, the safer, consistent option is usually better.

Q: Is Jaxson Dart a reliable starter for the championship?

No, he is not reliable. Dart is a pure high-variance play. His rushing ability gives him a great ceiling, but his passing can be erratic.

Q: Why is Taysom Hill such a unique fantasy option?

Hill is unique because he accumulates points as a passer, runner, and receiver. He gets touches from multiple positions, making his weekly point potential very unpredictable but high.

Q: What is the biggest risk with Raheim Sanders?

The biggest risk is the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. They are one of the best at stopping the run. A tough matchup combined with potential shared carries limits his safety.

Q: Can Emari Demercado be started as a flex?

Yes, but only as a high-risk flex option. He will not get many carries. You are banking on him breaking one long run, which is possible against the Bengals’ weak run defense.