Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. CeeDee Lamb at Washington Commanders
2. Tyreek Hill vs. Buffalo Bills
3. Justin Jefferson at Detroit Lions
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Minnesota Vikings
5. Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Houston Texans (Sat.)
6. A.J. Brown vs. New York Giants
7. Nico Collins at Indianapolis Colts (Sat.)
8. Puka Nacua at San Francisco 49ers
9. Mike Evans at Carolina Panthers
10. Davante Adams vs. Denver Broncos
Week 18 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 18 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
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Nico Collins at Colts (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Collins is coming off a solid stat line, scoring 15.7 points in a win over the Titans. He should find continued success this week as well, as he faces a plus matchup against the Colts. Their defense has allowed the ninth-most points to perimeter receivers this season, and Collins beat them for 27.6 points in a matchup earlier in the season. He’s a solid option.
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Start ’Em
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Texans (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Pittman Jr. returned to action last week and posted his worst stat line since Week 4, scoring 9.6 points. I’d keep faith in him, however, as he faces a plus matchup against Houston. Their defense has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers in the last four weeks, so Gardner Minshew will look to Pittman often in the contest.
Garrett Wilson at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Listed as a sit ’em last week, Wilson scored just 9.9 points in a loss to the Browns. He has a much better matchup this week though, as he’ll face a Patriots defense that can be generous to wideouts. In fact, their defense has given up the 11th-most points to perimeter receivers on the season. Wilson should be in starting lineups as a potential No. 2 option or flex.
Calvin Ridley at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Ridley, a sit ’em last week, scored just 7.9 points in a win over the Panthers. He has now been held to single digits in four of his last five games, so he’s by no means a must start. Still, Ridley does have a nice matchup against a Titans defense that’s allowed the fourth-most points to the perimeter this season. Ridley also beat them for 31.1 points back in Week 11.
More Starts
George Pickens at Ravens (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Chris Godwin at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Garrett Wilson at Patriots ($5,900)
Brandin Cooks at Commanders ($5,200)
Darius Slayton vs. Eagles ($4,000)
Week 18 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
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Terry McLaurin vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): McLaurin, listed as a start ’em last week, put up a nice stat line in a loss to the 49ers. I’d beware the veteran this week though, as he faces a Cowboys defense that’s held him to single digits in four of their last five meetings. That includes a Week 12 game earlier this season in which McLaurin was held to 50 yards, no touchdowns and a mere nine fantasy points.
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Sit ’Em
Drake London at Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS): London has struggled to produce in the last few weeks, scoring single digits in three straight games and four of his last five overall. He could post another less-than-stellar total this week, too, as London faces a Saints defense that’s given up just four touchdowns and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers. At best, London is a risk-reward flex.
Tyler Lockett at Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Lockett has been unreliable for most of the season, scoring single digits in four of his last six games. He was also held to single digits in a game against this week’s opponent, the Cardinals, earlier in the season. Arizona has also toughened up against receivers lately, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks of action.
Gabe Davis at Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Davis is fantasy football’s version of Russian Roulette, as he’s been all or nothing in the stat sheets. It’s been more often the latter, as he’s been held to single digits in six of his last eight games. That includes four games where he didn’t score a single point. So while he did beat the Dolphins for 15.1 points back in Week 4, Davis remains a major risk in fantasy.
