Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Malik Willis

Saturday, December 27, 4:04 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has finished outside of the top ten at his position just twice in 2025. The heart of San Francisco's offense, McCaffrey leads the team in targets per game, is averaging 125.9 scrimmage yards per game, and has scored a touchdown in all but four of the 49ers' games this season. CMC's role in the passing game regressed in recent weeks until his 6-29-2 line on eight targets in Week 16. His target share may remain elevated in Week 17, as tight end George Kittle (ankle) is a game-time decision and Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is questionable. McCaffrey has a welcome matchup against the Bears in Week 17. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing yards before contact per attempt this year. As always, McCaffrey is in contention for an RB1 finish and should be locked into lineups for the final weekend of the fantasy football season.

Friday, December 26, 6:44 PM

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (shoulder, illness) is in line to start under center for the Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Starting quarterback Jordan Love (concussion, shoulder) has been ruled out after getting concussed during last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. Willis came in as relief and completed nine of 11 passing attempts for 121 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 10 times for an additional 44 yards on the ground. Willis suffered a shoulder injury in the process. He's currently questionable for this game, but he'll make the start for the Packers if he's cleared to play. Otherwise, Clayton Tune might come off the practice squad and start if Willis is also ruled out. Willis is enough of a dual threat to be viewed as an option in superflex formats. Fantasy managers in standard 12-team formats should be able to find a more trustworthy streaming option at QB.