Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at  The Game Day and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com.
As you finalize your lineups for fantasy football Super Bowl week, don't let the pressure of being on the verge of winning it all lead to overthinking of start/decisions. The week leading up to the league championship game can be like NFL Super Bowl media day in your mind. Tons of questions will be asked internally as if there is a highly attended press conference taking place in your head. Â
It is natural, but often not constructive, to second-guess your most pressing lineup questions over and over. Ultimately, stick to the players who brought you this far, and make the best-informed decisions possible. Once the games kick off, you have done everything possible to put the lineup in position for winning and must remember that you just can't control anything that happens after that point. If the process to build a lineup is a sound one, it's up to the players to do the rest when the games begin. Â
I attempt to put you in the best position for a fantasy Super Bowl victory with my rundown of key lineup picks, going deeper in some instances to help you decide which players can complement top starters with quality performances. Analysis is based on Points Per Reception (PPR) formats.
Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 17
START
James CookÂ
The Patriots have the No. 2 rushing defense in the NFL, so you might have some concern about starting the Buffalo RB in a fantasy football Super Bowl week. Cook, however, can use his versatility to deliver quality fantasy production in Week 17. The Patriots have allowed the most receptions and second-most receiving yards to RBs over the past four weeks. In his first meeting with New England this season, Cook had 102 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD. Cook has two TD catches in his last three games and two five-plus reception games in his last four. Continue to ride with Cook in your fantasy championship game. Â
START
D'Andre SwiftÂ
Swift rushed for 92 yards on 20 carries in Week 16 against the Giants, his highest rushing yardage total since delivering a pair of 100-yard outings in September. This week, he has another good matchup, as the Eagles take on the Cardinals. Arizona has allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs in 2023, and the Eagles have the best run-blocking grade for any offensive line on Pro Football Focus this week. Swift also rushed for a TD last week, and the Cardinals have allowed 14 rushing TDs to RBs this season, tied for third-most in the NFL. The Philadelphia RB will provide a good statistical floor in Week 17. Â
START
Ty ChandlerÂ
Chandler has taken control of the starting RB job for the Vikings, who must win against the Packers to keep playoff hopes alive for another week. Minnesota is still looking to stabilize its QB situation late in the season, so leaning more on the running game can help achieve the desired offensive balance. Green Bay's defense has allowed 64 points in its last two games, so the Vikings offense should move the ball well enough to put Chandler in position to rush for a TD in a third straight game. The Packers rank 27th in rushing yards allowed to RBs. Chandler can be started as an RB2 or flex option in Week 17. Â
START
Javonte WilliamsÂ
Denver is expected to start Jarred Stidham at QB in Week 17. He has made only two previous career starts, so establishing a quality ground game will likely be a goal for the Broncos to ease some pressure on Stidham. The Chargers rank 25th in rushing yards allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. Denver has the fifth-best run blocking grade on PFF for Week 17. In Week 14, Williams totaled 91 scrimmage yards and rushed for a TD vs. Los Angeles. If you have to stream an RB starter in Week 17, consider Williams because of the matchup, and he can provide a respectable fantasy return. Â
More Recommended RB Options For Fantasy Football Week 17: The Colts have allowed the most rushing yards to RBs over the past four weeks, so keep a watch on player news reports to see which RB will start for the Raiders. … The Eagles rank 23rd in FFPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. James Conner should see adequate volume for ample production. … Gus Edwards has rushed for TDs in each of his last two games and can be started as an RB3/flex. … The Jets have allowed an NFL-high six rushing TDs over the past four weeks. Jerome Ford is a top 30 RB for this week and Kareem Hunt is a deeper streaming option.Â
The Ravens have allowed just four rushing TDs, the second-lowest number in the NFL. Even though the matchup seems to be daunting for Raheem Mostert, you should still have confidence in him for Week 17. The Miami RB leads the NFL with 21 scrimmage TDs and he has found the end zone in five consecutive games. The defense does not always win the matchup and Miami's offense is the most potent unit in the NFL, so stick with the player that has helped to take you this far and keep Mostert active. Â
We can go back to 2011 in Seahawks history to demonstrate that your best fantasy RBs can overcome perceived high matchup adversity. In 2011, the 49ers had set an NFL record by not allowing a rushing TD in their first 14 games. On Christmas Eve, in a fantasy Super Bowl week, Marshawn Lynch rushed for the first TD of the season against the Niners, breaking the San Francisco streak and positioning the Seahawks Legend as a fantasy championship hero.
Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 17
START
Rashee RiceÂ
The rookie has emerged as a clear top target for Patrick Mahomes, and he should be locked into fantasy football lineups for Week 17. Kansas City has lost three of its past four games and will be highly motivated to get a needed win at home against Cincinnati. Rice has caught six-plus passes in each of his last five games and he has a TD reception in two of his last three. The Bengals have allowed the second-most receiving yards to WRs over the past four weeks. Â
START
Tyler LockettÂ
The fantasy league championship matchup is your own personal must-win game this week, and the Seahawks also have a game of great significance against the Steelers at home. Lockett is going to be a key performer for the Seahawks as they aim to maintain control of their playoff destiny. He has been targeted a total of 20 times in the past two games, and in Week 16, Lockett caught eight balls and surpassed the 80-yard receiving mark for the second time in three weeks. In Week 17, he has a top 15 WR/CB matchup grade against the Pittsburgh CBs on PFF. Â
When entering your fantasy Super Bowl lineup, it is essential to identify players who can give you a good statistical floor. Lockett should deliver on some important downs and in key moments for the Seahawks this week, and in the process, he will provide you with quality fantasy totals. The Steelers rank 26th in receiving yards allowed to WRs this season. Start Lockett for sure as a fantasy WR3/flex when it counts most. Â
START
Rashid ShaheedÂ
If you are looking for an upside performer for fantasy championship week, Shaheed fits the bill. Last week, he caught five of nine targets for 70 yards and a TD. Tampa Bay has allowed the most receiving yards to WRs this season. New Orleans will battle hard in a divisional game against Tampa Bay, and Shaheed is the team's top deep threat to consider because of his matchup. Â
START
Demarcus RobinsonÂ
This is a lineup pick for fantasy players who need a plug-in type at a final WR or flex spot. Robinson has caught TD passes in four consecutive games, and he is operating as an effective third WR for the Rams. In his last game against the Saints, Robinson had season highs in receptions (six) and yards (82). He draws a top 5 WR/CB matchup grade for Week 17 on PFF against the Giants secondary. New York ranks 27th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs. Â
More Recommended WR Options For Fantasy Football Week 17: Expect Cooper Kupp to flash his better form against the Giants. … The Titans rank 26th in FFPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks. Nico Collins should be started as a top-level WR2 and Noah Brown deserves WR3 consideration. The Texans rank 23rdth in FFPG allowed to WRs during the same span. DeAndre Hopkins can provide good numbers against his former team. … Zay Flowers is a must-start fantasy WR3 against Miami. He has two games of 10-plus targets and a TD reception in his last three.
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends – Fantasy Football Week 17
START
Matthew StaffordÂ
The Rams QB has passed for 14 TDs in his past five games, with one interception. During that span, he has averaged 22.0 Fantasy Points Per Game. Look for another solid fantasy performance with the promise for upside against the Giants' 20th-ranked pass defense. Â
More Recommended QB Options For Fantasy Football Week 17: The Bengals have allowed the most passing yards to QBs over the past four weeks. Mahomes is a good bet to come through with a strong performance. … Brock Purdy will bounce back against Washington, which has allowed the most FFPG to QBs. He is a top 5 fantasy QB for this week. … The Eagles have allowed the second-most FFPG to QBs. Kyler Murray is a top 10 QB play. … The Packers have the best pass-blocking grade for an offensive line on PFF for Week 17. Consider Jordan Love as a streamer if one is needed.Â
START
Trey McBrideÂ
The Arizona TE has been one of the two most productive players at his position in fantasy football since Week 8. He is tied for the most FFPG at TE during that span (15.8). McBride is the clear top target for Murray late in the season and Philadelphia's pass defense ranks 27th in the NFL. I have McBride ranked as my No. 1 TE for fantasy championship week. Â
More Recommended TE Options For Fantasy Football Week 17: The Lions have allowed the most receiving yards to TEs over the past four weeks. Jake Ferguson can deliver a quality fantasy performance in Week 17. … Green Bay's Tucker Kraft has registered double-figure PPR points in his last three games. Â
Defensive Starting Options for Week 17: One week-plays for the final game of the fantasy playoffs include Chicago (vs. Atlanta), Indianapolis (vs Las Vegas), and the Seahawks (vs. Pittsburgh). The Steelers rank 27th in pass blocking grade on PFF for Week 17 and the Seahawks are coming off a six-sack performance at Tennessee. Â
For more fantasy football insights from Scott Engel, visitThe Game Dayfor additional analysis.
Seahawks practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 27, 2023.