You came to the right place for all of your fantasy football start/sit needs. Week 18 has a critical matchup between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots that will also affect your fantasy championships. While our hearts are with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, we expect this to be an emotional game between these two franchises.
Two key playmakers to watch this week between the Bills and Patriots are running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris. Let’s dive into whether you should start Stevenson and Harris against Buffalo.
Should You Start Rhamondre Stevenson vs. the Patriots?
It’s hard to be upset with the RB9 in PPR leagues, but the last month has been a tough one for Stevenson and his fantasy managers. His 172-yard and one-touchdown performance against Las Vegas notwithstanding, Stevenson has totaled only 80 rushing yards and nine receiving yards in the last month. His touchdown against the Raiders was his first rushing score since Week 7.
Being banged up against Arizona was understandable, and Cincinnati’s suffocating defense has shut everyone down recently. But getting only 10 touches against Miami last week was shocking when he was showing effectiveness in his opportunities.
The Patriots have to do a better job of feeding their offensive star. After averaging 6.5 receptions from Week 7 through Week 13, Stevenson has totaled only eight over the last month. It’s not hard to see why this offense is struggling, as their identity is all over the place.
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The drop in receiving production is especially harmful to fantasy managers. Stevenson was once a fantasy concern because Harris was stealing his touchdowns, but now neither back has been a red-zone threat. The Patriots’ offense plays as if a former defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator are running it.
The matchup against Buffalo isn’t ideal. Though we don’t know how the Bills will play in this emotional return to the field just days after Hamlin’s tragedy, they’ve been very good against running backs. If they can play as we’ve seen all year, they’re only somewhat susceptible to backs rushing on them and scoring on the ground.
I think it’s likely Stevenson’s previous matchup against Buffalo, in which he finished with 16 touches for only 78 yards, is where his production tops out this week. While that’ll get Stevenson to his first 1,000-yard rushing season, it’s a mediocre ceiling for someone who could be your RB2 or Flex play.
Stevenson isn’t a strong start this week, so if you have other options, consider them over him.
Should You Start Damien Harris vs. the Bills?
It’s been a tough season for Harris, who is in a contract season and is heading toward a loaded free agent class. He started the year strong, scoring three times in the first month of action. But injuries and the offense’s struggles have bled down to Harris.
With only 93 carries for 415 yards and those same three touchdowns on the year, Harris is barely fantasy relevant. He’d need a touchdown to help his managers this week. It’s possible Harris breaks the goal line, as he received nine rushes and three receptions while playing 48% of snaps last week.
Harris has more value as an RB1B than an RB2 in this offense. However, having strong faith in him is a tough sell. Since Week 4, he’s had one game of more than 37 rushing yards. Though this is a must-win battle for New England, you’d have to be pretty desperate or in a very deep league to have Harris in consideration to start.
There are worse options for the week, but you’ll be hoping Harris gets some valuable red-zone looks against one of the NFL’s best defenses in order to make the decision to start him worthwhile.