Essential start ’em, sit ’em advice for Fantasy Football Week 18 matchups and DFS strategies

Why do most seasonal fantasy football leagues wrap up their seasons in Week 17, the penultimate week of the NFL regular season? It’s all about the uncertainty that Week 18 brings. With playoff positioning on the line for only a handful of teams, many of the league’s top contenders, like the Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, and Texans, find themselves with little to play for. This can lead to unpredictable outcomes, making it a risky week for fantasy managers.

In addition to the playoff picture, there are other factors at play. Non-playoff teams may be playing for pride, but they also face the dilemma of whether to risk injured players for the sake of a meaningless game. Weather conditions can also complicate matters, as it’s tough to gauge the motivation of every team and player. So, how do you navigate this tricky landscape? Let’s dive into our Week 18 start ’em/sit ’em guide, rankings, and DFS picks to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineup.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Regular starts

1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CLE)
2. Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. PIT)
3. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. NO)
4. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN)
5. Sam Darnold, Vikings (at DET)
6. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (at DAL)

Stronger starts

7. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. CHI): Love is poised for a strong performance at home against a struggling defense. This is a golden opportunity to improve seeding.

8. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at LV): After a hot game against New England, Herbert will be looking to avoid a tough matchup against the Ravens in the playoffs.

9. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. KC): With the Chiefs resting key defensive players, Nix has a chance to shine and help the Broncos secure a playoff spot.

10. Russell Wilson, Steelers (at CIN): Expect Wilson to air it out against Burrow’s high-scoring offense.

(DFS pick) 11. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (vs. CAR): The rookie has been impressive and will look to exploit the Panthers’ weak pass defense.

12. Bryce Young, Panthers (at ATL): Young has shown growth this season and will look to carry that momentum into 2025.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

13. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SF): Murray has struggled with his passing game and is hard to trust in this matchup.

14. Aaron Rodgers, Jets (at MIA): While he might be chasing his 500th TD, his performance has been inconsistent.

15. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at LAR): The Rams’ defense is still playing hard, making this a tough outing for Smith.

16. Caleb Williams, Bears (at GB): Williams is a sleeper for next season but may not finish strong this year.

17. Joe Flacco, Colts (vs. JAX): Flacco looked washed up in New York, and this matchup might not be enough to revive him.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Regular starts

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. MIN)
2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. CAR)
3. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. JAX)
4. Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. CHI)
5. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at NO)
6. Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. CLE)
7. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. PIT)
8. JK Dobbins, Chargers (at LV)
9. De’Von Achane, Dolphins (at NYJ)
10. Breece Hall, Jets (vs. MIA)
11. D’Andre Swift, Bears (at GB)
12. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at LAR)
13. Rico Dowdle, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
14. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at DAL)
15. Aaron Jones, Vikings (at DET)
16. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (at PHI)
17. Isaac Guerendo, 49ers (at ARI)
18. Najee Harris, Steelers (at CIN)

Stronger starts

19. Tank Bigsby, Jaguars (at IND): Bigsby is ready to make an impact against the Colts.

20. Ray Davis, Bills (at NE): With James Cook resting, Davis can shine as a rookie supersub.

21. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. NO): White should finish strong as he gets more touches.

22. Blake Corum, Rams (vs. SEA): Corum can exploit a weakened Seahawks run defense.

23. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at CIN): Expect Warren to be a key contributor alongside Harris.

(DFS pick) 24. Antonio Gibson, Patriots (vs. BUF): The Bills’ defense has struggled against versatile backs.

(DFS pick) 25. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles (vs. NYG): With Saquon likely resting, Gainwell could see a significant workload.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

26. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at NYG): With little to gain, Barkley may not play enough to make an impact.

27. Joe Mixon, Texans (at TEN): Mixon has cooled off, making him a risky start this week.

28. Ameer Abdullah, Raiders (vs. LAC): After a brief resurgence, Abdullah faces a tough matchup.

29. Michael Carter, Cardinals (vs. SF): Carter is unlikely to make a significant impact in this game.

30. D’Onta Foreman, Browns (at BAL): The Ravens are a tough matchup, making Foreman a risky play.

31. Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (vs. KC): With key players resting, McLaughlin may not see enough action.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Regular starts

1. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. DET)
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN)
3. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. PIT)
4. (DFS pick) Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. NO)
5. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. PIT)
6. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at IND)
7. George Pickens, Steelers (at CIN)
8. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at DAL)
9. Drake London, Falcons (vs. CAR)
10. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at DET)
11. Malike Nabers, Giants (at PHI)
12. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. MIN)
13. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. KC)
14. Nico Collins, Texans (at TEN)
15. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at NYJ)
16. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at LV)
17. Davante Adams, Jets (vs. MIA)
18. Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. MIA)
19. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at LAR)
20. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. CLE)
21. D.J. Moore, Bears (at GB)
22. DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at LAR)
23. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at ARI)
24. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (at ARI)
25. Calvin Ridley, Titans (vs. HOU)

Stronger starts

(DFS pick) 26. Adam Thielen, Panthers (at ATL): Thielen can exploit the Falcons’ secondary.

27. Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers (vs. NO): McMillan is emerging as a key target for Mayfield.

28. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. SF): Harrison is poised for a breakout game.

29. Keenan Allen, Bears (at GB): Allen can take advantage of the Packers’ vulnerabilities.

30. Jayden Reed, Packers (vs. CHI): Reed is a solid option against the Bears’ defense.

(DFS pick) 31. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. JAX): Pittman can capitalize on Flacco’s arm strength.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

32. Darnell Mooney, Falcons (vs. CAR): Mooney’s connection with Penix may not materialize this week.

33. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (at BAL): Jeudy faces a challenging matchup against a strong defense.

34. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. LAC): This matchup doesn’t bode well for Meyers.

35. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. CHI): Doubs had targets last week, but don’t chase that performance.

36. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. JAX): Downs may take a backseat to Pittman and Pierce.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Regular starts

1. Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. LAC)
2. George Kittle, 49ers (at ARI)
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CLE)
4. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. MIN)
5. Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. SF)
6. Jonnu Smith, Dolphins (at NYJ)
7. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DET)

Stronger starts

8. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at CIN): Freiermuth should be a key target for Wilson in this matchup.

9. (DFS pick) Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. CAR): Pitts is finding his rhythm and could have a big game.

10. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CHI): Kraft could see increased targets in this matchup.

11. Zach Ertz, Commanders (at DAL): Ertz is heating up and should be a reliable option.

12. Will Dissly, Chargers (at LV): Dissly can make an impact now that he’s healthy.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

13. Chig Okonkwo, Titans (vs. HOU): Okonkwo has been inconsistent and faces a tough matchup.

14. Noah Gray, Chiefs (at DEN): Gray’s role may be limited with the Chiefs resting key players.

15. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. BUF): Henry has struggled in recent weeks.

16. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. WAS): Ferguson misses Dak and is not a reliable option.

17. Mike Gesicki, Bengals (vs. PIT): Don’t chase Gesicki’s brief relevance.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams

Stronger starts

1. Baltimore Ravens (vs. CLE)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NO)
3. Green Bay Packers (vs. CHI)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (at LV)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)
6. Miami Dolphins (at NYJ)
7. New York Jets (vs. MIA)
8. Buffalo Bills (at NE)
9. (DFS pick) Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU)
10. Houston Texans (at TEN)
11. Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)
12. Washington Commanders (at DAL)

Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): The Steelers are not a reliable option against Burrow.

14. Denver Broncos (vs. KC): The Chiefs can still move the ball effectively.

15. Seattle Seahawks (at LAR): The Rams’ run-heavy approach makes it tough for the Seahawks.

16. Indianapolis Colts (vs. JAX): The Colts have struggled all season.

17. Arizona Cardinals (vs. SF): Even without Brock Purdy, the Cardinals don’t inspire confidence.

18. Minnesota Vikings (at DET): Avoid playing defenses against the Lions when they’re clicking.

As we wrap up the season, remember that Week 18 can be a rollercoaster ride for fantasy managers. Stay sharp, make smart decisions, and let’s finish strong as we look ahead to 2025!