It’s the week many fantasy mavens have been waiting for all season, and one that fantasy failures will watch from afar. It’s Fantasy Football Championship Week.

(Well, not for everyone. The Loop’s season ended Sunday with a sad bronze medal loss because our opponent’s kicker was credited with 19 freaking points … but we digress.)

Week 17 would be a wonderful exercise for those lucky enough to be blessed by this season’s most valuable players, and led by the NFL’s top two MVP candidates.

You couldn’t go wrong at quarterback this week with either Buffalo’s Josh Allen or Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. They’ve combined for 63 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing TDs.

If league rules and draft budgets didn’t apply, here are other starters we would most want to find under our tree for our Christmas Week 17 Dream Team.

Saquon Barkley (Eagles RB): He’s on pace to challenge Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 rushing yards, so the Eagles will give him plenty of opportunities against a Dallas rush defense that is among the league’s five worst.

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles hurdles Jarrian Jones #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Derrick Henry (Ravens RB): The King has fallen off some from his 2,000-yard pace, but he’s likely to see a lot of red zone duty in what shapes up as an offensive shootout on Christmas against Houston.

Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on Oct. 13, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Kyren Williams (Rams): What’s not to like about a runner who has 30 touchdowns in his past 27 games? And since it’s a must-win game for L.A. against an Arizona defense that is playing out the string, he should add a couple more.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 26: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown while Josh Woods #10 of the Arizona Cardinals defends during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals WR): As great as the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson is, he’s not the NFL’s No. 1 receiver this year. Chase leads all with 16 touchdowns and 1,510 yards, figures he’ll pad against Denver’s overrated defense Saturday.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) pushes Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) away from the officials after Chase was angry about a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Bengals, 26-25. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Justin Jefferson (Vikings WR): While the Packers will present a testing matchup for the Griddy Guy, you still could do much worse than start a fellow with five TD catches and 349 yards over the past three weeks.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears in the first quarter of a NFL football game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Brock Bowers (Raiders TE): He’s the best rookie tight end since hall of famer Mike Ditka, going against one of the league’s worst pass defenses in New Orleans. With 101 catches for 1,067 yards, he’ll be breaking more records in the Superdome.

Jordan Poyer #21 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

It’s been two months since Steelers RB Najee Harris has topped 75 yards, and he won’t against the Chiefs’ No. 3 rush defense. … QB uncertainty will be to the detriment of Eagles wideouts A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. … Buffalo will freeze up Jets receivers Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson, especialy with Aaron Rodgers “uncertain.” … Chargers QB Justin Herbert won’t set the world on fire in New England. … Neither will Packers QB Jordan Love in Minnesota.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 22: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs will roll through what’s left of 49ers’ defense. … Carolina RB Chuba Hubbard will be able to run on Tampa Bay’s defense … Rams WR Puka Nacua is due for another big game against Arizona. … Same goes for Washington WR Terry McLaurin vs. Atlanta. … Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow is quietly having a monster season and will shred Denver to keep Bengals’ faint playoff hopes alive …. Chicago’s defense has mostly quit, so Seattle QB Geno Smith will have a big game.

Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against T.J. Edwards #53 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Injury watch

The big absence could be Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, who left Sunday’s game in Washington with a concussion and could prove to be Tush-Push-free against Dallas. … Others whose status is in question this week include Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, Steelers WR George Pickens and New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers defends at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

Our championship week sleeper is a fellow whose career appeared to be in a deep coma just a couple of months ago. But Carolina quarterback Bryce Young could be a league winner for some folks. The former Heisman Trophy winner has six touchdown passes and three TD runs over the past month, averaging nearly 230 passing yards per game. And he’s facing a Tampa Bay defense that made Dallas’ Cooper Rush look like a Pro Bowler on Sunday night.

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers evades a sack during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 24, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)

The early picks

Chiefs at Steelers (+2½):
Pick: Chiefs by 3

Ravens at Texans (+5½):
Pick: Ravens by 7

Seahawks at Bears (+3½):
Pick: Seahawks by 4

Chargers at Patriots (+5½):
Pick: Chargers by 3

Broncos at Bengals (-3½):
Pick: Bengals by 7

Cardinals at Rams (-5½):
Pick: Rams by 7

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts to pass interference in the end zone against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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