There’s no doubt fantasy football seems trivial in the wake of what happened to Damar Hamlin on Monday night. It was difficult to even write this article as my brain is preoccupied with wanting to know he’s okay. For better or worse, the NFL will play games this week. Let’s take a look at our WR Start ’em Sit ’em Week 18 plays. Before setting your lineups, check out our full Week 18 wide receiver rankings.
Week 18 Fantasy Football WR Start ’ems
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (vs. DET)
The challenge of Week 18 is finding players that aren’t obvious starts or sits that have good matchups and a reason to try. Christian Watson checks all the boxes.
Watson was limited to a 60% snap share last week. It was his lowest since becoming a starter in Week 10. However, the reason it was low was that the Green Bay Packers were being careful with Watson’s hip injury.
MORE: Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 18
By all accounts, Watson came out of the game no worse for wear. With another week to recover, he should be a full go against a Detroit Lions defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. 72.6% of receiving yards allowed by the Lions go to wide receivers.
Watson is in a smash spot with Aaron Rodgers playing well and the Packers in a win-and-in scenario.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)
If you started Zay Jones in either of the past two weeks, it didn’t go so well. He caught four passes for 38 yards over those two games combined. While you may be scared off, and rightfully so, there’s reason to buy back into Jones this week.
The Tennessee Titans have the ultimate pass-funnel defense. You can’t run on them, but they allow the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
When these teams last met in Week 14, Jones caught eight of 12 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. I think he can do it again in a game Trevor Lawrence should be able to dominate.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are as motivated as possible, as their game against the Titans will determine the AFC South winner. Jones should bounce back in a big way this week.
Week 18 Fantasy Football WR Sit ’ems
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)
I know. I know. It’s like beating a dead horse with all the Michael Pittman Jr. fading. It’s ironic, given that he was my number-one target in fantasy drafts this summer.
The Indianapolis Colts are playing out the final game of a lost season. Guys like Pittman with secure roles have no real motivation to give it 100%.
Sam Ehlinger is starting at quarterback. While he did throw a touchdown to Pittman last week, we’ve already seen Ehlinger start two games, and they weren’t pretty. Pittman caught 10 passes for 75 yards over those two games.
Pittman did torch the Houston Texans back in Week 1 to the tune of 9-121-1. However, that was literally as long ago as possible. This Texans defense has been much better against the pass. They allow the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and just 0.3 touchdowns per game.
At best, Ehlinger will throw one touchdown. If it doesn’t go to Pittman like it did last week, we’re looking at low WR3 numbers, at best.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL)
The best way to play fantasy football in Week 18 is on Underdog Fantasy. Seasonal leagues should conclude in Week 17 for reasons like this.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said he intends to play his starters. To be perfectly frank, I don’t believe him. Maybe they will start the game, but I can’t imagine he’s going to put his players at risk for the full 60 minutes in a game that quite literally does not matter.
MORE: Fantasy RB Start ’em Sit ’em Week 18
The Bucs clinched the NFC South and are locked into the No. 4 seed. There’s nothing to be gained by playing guys like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Regardless of what the pregame narrative is, there’s a very real chance Evans and Godwin either don’t play at all or only play a few series. That’s just a risk you cannot afford to take.
Outside of near certainty that the Bucs are playing this game as normal, typical Bucs starters are too risky to start in Week 18.