Fantasy Football Week 18: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em
And just like that, we have reached the last week of the regular season.
The good news is the amount of teams still in playoff contention means most of your star players will be active this week. The bad news is there are still teams that will be resting their starters.
The only impactful injury that came out of Week 17 was DeVonta Smith, who left Lincoln Financial Field with a boot. He hasn’t practiced yet this week, but I’d expect he’ll play in the season finale.
With the potential of a couple holes in your starting lineup due to players resting for the playoffs, let’s look at the best remaining of the bunch (plus incentives) and figure out how you can win your fantasy championship.
Ian’s Record: 75-61
Start ’em
Geno Smith (QB, Seahawks) at Cardinals
In what could turn into a shootout between Smith and Kyler Murray, I’m thinking Smith will bring it with what’s at stake for not just Seattle, but for him as well.
With a Seattle win and a Packers loss (vs. CHI), the Seahawks would find themselves back in the playoffs. Not only that, but Smith would cash himself an extra two million dollars if the Seahawks punched their playoff ticket for the second consecutive year. Expect him to go all out.
Devin Singletary (RB, Texans) at Colts
It’s very simple for the Texans this week, as a win over the Colts would land them a playoff spot. The only scary part of this plan is the mirrored simplicity of a loss, which would land them on their couches for the postseason.
If you’re Devin Singletary, however, all you need is 74 scrimmage yards to earn an extra $125,000. Pair that with Indianapolis’s bottom five rush defense, and you should definitely consider starting him.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Titans) vs. Jaguars
While there isn’t much motivation on Tennessee’s end of things since they’re out of playoff contention, Hopkins has a few incentives he has a good chance of hitting in this game.
He currently has 68 catches for 1,011 yards, and will earn an extra million if he reaches 1,050 yards and $250k if he reaches 75 catches. He also could bank an additional $500,000 if he reaches 75% of snaps played on the year, so expect him to be on the field a lot and to catch a lot of passes.
Sam LaPorta (TE, Lions) vs. Vikings
Following their loss to Dallas after a very controversial call, Detroit’s chances at the two-seed are very slim. But not zero. The good news is this means their starters will remain active in hopes of securing a win. The bad news is they need the Cowboys to lose to the Commanders, and the Eagles to lose to the Giants.
All that noise aside, LaPorta is 216 yards away from beating the all-time record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end. He probably won’t get it, but you might as well try, right?
Sit ’em
Mason Rudolph (QB, Steelers) at Ravens
While Baltimore will be one of the teams sitting their key starters, that doesn’t mean their defense won’t still be able to terrorize opposing QBs like they have all year.
Rudolph lit it up Christmas Eve Eve against the Bengals, then handed the ball off 40 times to his running backs. Pittsburgh will probably win this game, but it’ll happen on the ground.
49ers RBs vs. Rams
In what should be a snoozefest with both teams resting their starters, I wouldn’t recommend playing anybody on either roster because both matchups stink.
You’re looking at two defenses in the top five in terms of surrendering fantasy points to opposing RBs. It’ll likely be run-heavy with Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold starting, but no.
Drake London (WR, Falcons) at Saints
With how he’s been treated for the past month, there is no way you should be considering starting London in the last week of your fantasy championship. Especially considering the current QB disaster in Atlanta.
Back at home, fresh off a surprisingly strong performance against Tampa, the NFC South up for grabs, I’d stay away from Atlanta skill players as New Orleans will likely go all out.
Tyler Conklin (TE, Jets) at Patriots
In what should also be a snoozefest since both teams are out of playoff contention, it’s tough to really gauge whether or not you should start anybody from the Jets or the Patriots.
However, New England has been nasty to opposing TEs all season, so I don’t see how or why that would change with just a week to go.
BYES: NONE
THANKS FOR HAVING ME FOR ANOTHER YEAR!
