Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Zay Flowers

Saturday, December 27, 2:42 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is coming off a big game in Week 16, recording four catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns on four targets against the San Francisco 49ers. The 25-year-old has been a big-play threat all season long for Indianapolis, averaging an NFL-best 20.3 yards per reception. Pierce's Week 16 performance alongside new Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is an encouraging sign after Pierce was targeted just once in Rivers' first start of 2025 in Week 15. However, as primarily a downfield threat, Pierce has a low production floor that fantasy managers need to take into account. In Week 17, Indianapolis will take on a Jacksonville Jaguars' defense that ranks 18th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,492) and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). Pierce was reasonably productive in his first matchup of the season against Jacksonville in Week 14, recording five catches for 80 yards on eight targets. All in all, Pierce profiles as a boom/bust flex option for fantasy managers in Week 17.

Friday, December 26, 10:38 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has now followed up one of his worst games in his three-year career with three weeks of 14 or more fantasy points in half-PPR formats. His lowest finish over the last few weeks has been WR15, and he came in as the WR8 last week against the New England Patriots, despite a fumble at the end of the game. The Ravens are still fighting for their playoff lives in Week 17 when they go up against the Green Bay Packers, and they'll likely have Tyler Huntley under center. The good news is that Huntley seems to target Flowers the most in his starts (10 in Week 6, nine in Week 8). In terms of the matchup, the Packers rank 18th on the season against receivers, but are 30th over the last four weeks. He's projected as the WR24 on RotoBaller's rankings, but has quite a high ceiling depending on game script.