Though most fantasy football championships have already been concluded, there’s a faction of leagues holding the crucial, final matchup in Week 18.
Though that’s not recommended considering the implications of fantasy studs sitting out the final week of the regular season, we’re still here to help with those lineup decisions.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: Expect Stroud to sling the rock against the Colts’ zone-heavy defense. Though Week 2 was a long time ago, Stroud threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns during that matchup against the Colts.
Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: This is purely matchup-based as the Lions have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last five weeks. Mullens threw for 411 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions against Detroit in Week 16.
Sit ‘Em
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills: Even in a game as big as this one, Tagovailoa has been far too streaky against good defenses. The Bills have allowed just 12.2 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five weeks.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans: Lawrence has been dealing with injuries all season long, and the Titans have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the last five weeks.
Running Back
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Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos: With Josh Jacobs (quad) out for the finale, the Raiders will once again lean on White, who has averaged 95 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks.
San Francisco 49ers RBs vs Los Angeles Rams: Both Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell are solid plays against the Rams, who are sitting key starters considering they have a playoff spot locked up.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars: In what is likely Henry’s last hoorah with the Titans, expect him to go out on a high note against Jacksonville, who has allowed the sixth-most PPR points per game to the position over the last five weeks.
Sit ‘Em
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: The Lions held Chandler to just 18 rushing yards the last time these two teams played, and they’ve allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to running backs over the last five weeks.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Though Hubbard has seen the majority of work in the backfield over the second half of the season, the Bucs are fighting for a playoff spot, and they’ve been strong against the run, allowing the seventh-fewest PPR points per game to the position since Week 13.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders: The Broncos are still trotting out the three-man backfield, and Williams hasn’t shown to have a difference-making ceiling all season. Also, the Raiders have allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to the position over the last five weeks.
Wide Receiver
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Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers: Though the Rams are likely sitting most of their starters, Robinson should still see enough work to be relevant. Even with Carson Wentz under center, Robinson could have a decent game against 49ers backups.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders: With the Cowboys fighting for the top spot in the division, Cooks is a solid boom play against a Commanders defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The last time Thielen played Tampa Bay, he posted only 25 yards on three receptions. However, he’s averaged 7.0 targets per game and a solid 62.3 yards per game over his last four since then.
Sit ‘Em
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints: The Saints have allowed the 11th-most PPR points per game to the position over the last five weeks, but London has just one game with more than four receptions over his last five contests.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans: The Colts and Texans are fighting for a playoff spot and while the matchup isn’t all that deterring, Downs hasn’t shown the ceiling he once had earlier in the season. The Texans are 19th against wideouts this season.
Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: The playoffs are approaching so Davis might pop off to remind us what he usually does in the postseason. But he’s simply too volatile to trust this week for those needing a win in Week 18. The Dolphins have allowed the 10th-fewest receptions to wideouts over the last five weeks.
Tight End
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Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants: As the Eagles fight for the top spot in the division, Goedert is in a great place taking on a Giants defensive unit that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to the tight end position over the last five weeks.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: Kincaid bounced back nicely last week and with a crucial divisional battle coming for the top spot in the AFC East, he should be heavily involved in the passing attack during the finale. Miami has been solid against tight ends, but Kincaid is still a fine start.
Sit ‘Em
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints: Pitts turned in another mostly disappointing season and now will finish his campaign with a matchup against a Saints defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to tight ends over the last five weeks.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders: The Commanders have allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends over the last five weeks, and it’s likely the Cowboys utilize their wide receivers given it’s a favorable matchup for that unit.
