We were late arriving to the New Year's Eve party. My wife, annoyed yet accepting of this odd career, thought we had finally escaped football for the evening when I got off work around 10:30, an hour before.

She should have known better.

I hadn't cracked open a beer before one of my friends throwing the party – let's call him "Joe" – whisked me away to his room. He was in the middle of a two week championship, and was stuck with Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Chad Ochocinco on his team.

Who was safe to play? What random players could he pick up off waivers to play for a title?

Questions like these are being asked all over the country. We don't recommend playing in Week 17 because of situations like Joe's, but it happens. We'll skip the lecture and try to help you out with a quick primer on what teams may rest, play, and all the rankings that go with it.

AFC

1. Colts: We told you last week they would sit starters, and they did. Don't expect Manning to make it close to halftime this time. I wouldn't trust anyone – Donald Brown isn't a terrible option, but why take the risk?

2. Chargers: San Diego has nothing to play for. We don't have history to lean on with Norv Turner's decision, but the odds are that Rivers, Tomlinson and Jackson come out early. Even if they last longer than the Colts.

3. Patriots: I think they will play to win, but it's a total guess. Here's why. There is a significant risk in playing your Pats.

4. Bengals: They seem very likely to rest starters, the only question is how much. Early results may make a difference here, but don't bother waiting until Sunday night to find out.

Rest of AFC: Should be playing to win.

NFC

1. Saints: Sean Payton says the Saints will play to win. I trusted him, then it was announced Drew Brees was sitting out. Stay away if possible.

2. Vikings: Playing to win at 1PM to secure a bye.

Eagles/Cowboys: Playing to win the NFC East

Packers/Cardinals: Here's where it gets tricky. If Minnesota loses at 1ET, the Cardinals will do everything they can to beat the Packers. Play your guys. If Minnesota beats the Giants, the Cardinals will likely rest Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald before long. This will make life very difficult for owners of these players.

My advice is to expect not to use them. If you can find other 4PM options and the Vikings are losing early, then perhaps you can insert Fitz and company at the last minute. But a close ended to the early game could make that very difficult.

As for the Packers, I'm not totally sure what to think. But the odds are that they will rest their key players at some point, based on Mike McCarthy's history. So I'd sit your Packers if possible.

Got all that? Great. Now check out Silva's awesome matchup column and Levitan's Snapdraft plays.

Week 17 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Matt Schaub	vs. NE	-
2	Ben Roethlisberger	at MIA	-
3	Tony Romo	vs. PHI	-
4	Donovan McNabb	at DAL	-
5	Brett Favre	vs. NYG	-
6	Jay Cutler	at DET	-
7	Eli Manning	at MIN	-
8	Matt Ryan	at TB	-
9	Tom Brady	at HOU	-
10	Vince Young	at SEA	-
11	Joe Flacco	at OAK	-
12	Alex Smith	at STL	-
13	Kyle Orton	vs. KC	-
14	Matt Moore	vs. NO	-
15	Jason Campbell	at SD	-
16	David Garrard	at CLE	-
17	Chad Henne	vs. PIT	-
18	Matt Hasselbeck	vs. TEN	-
19	Philip Rivers	vs. WAS	-
20	Kurt Warner	vs. GB	-
21	Aaron Rodgers	at ARZ	-
22	Peyton Manning	at BUF	-
23	Matt Cassel	at DEN	-
24	Josh Freeman	vs. ATL	-
25	Mark Brunell	at CAR	-
26	Mark Sanchez	vs. CIN	-
27	Carson Palmer	at NYJ	-
28	Ryan Fitzpatrick	vs. IND	-
29	Charlie Frye	vs. BAL	-
30	Daunte Culpepper	vs. CHI	-
31	Derek Anderson	vs. JAC	-
32	Keith Null	vs. SF	-
33	Curtis Painter	at BUF	-