It is fantasy football championship week, and the question of “who should I start in Week 18” will be on the minds of several fantasy managers with injuries and players being rested ahead of the NFL playoffs. Using matchup data, let’s identify which players might be options to consider in your lineup this week. This data can also help managers looking to try and capitalize on the Week 18 chaos in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball leagues.
For the purpose of this article, all data discussed is using half-PPR and four-point per passing touchdown scoring unless otherwise stated.
Who Should I Start in Fantasy Football This Week?
Picking options at the QB position this week is interesting, with a number of teams considering resting starters. With the best matchup at the position in the last four weeks, Kirk Cousins is intriguing, with the Minnesota Vikings needing to win if they want a shot at the two seed. However, it’s uncertain how much of a priority the two seed is for the Vikings this week, so Cousins could end up playing just the first half.
Davis Mills has continued to play around 80% of the offensive snaps for the Houston Texans in the past three weeks. He has not been a hugely trustworthy option, but in Superflex or deep 1QB leagues, the matchup with the Colts is at least interesting.
MORE: Fantasy QB Streamers and Rankings Week 18
Another player with a good matchup that is hard to trust is Andy Dalton. Dalton has been an inconsistent fantasy producer, and outside of desperate circumstances, he’s a tough option to trust.
We got an indication early on Friday that the Giants will rest players, so we likely won’t see Daniel Jones. It’s tough to trust Tyrod Taylor, especially if he will have a shell of an offense around him.
The news that Joe Flacco is starting against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 makes him a really intriguing option. Flacco is a gunslinger-type QB that is likely playing for a contract somewhere next year.
At RB, Zack Moss‘ matchup with the Texans is enticing. Moss is playing for his NFL future and has been the Colts’ main back since Jonathan Taylor went down.
With James Conner potentially trending toward not playing, Corey Clement and Keontay Ingram could be deep-league options in a matchup against the 49ers that has been fruitful for RBs in the past four weeks.
The Chargers’ situation is a little tricky. If the Ravens win, we could still see plenty of Austin Ekeler this week. On the other hand, if Baltimore loses, then Joshua Kelley could prove to be a league-winner if Ekeler ends up missing the game for rest.
We expect Dalvin Cook to play a reasonable role this week, but if you need to shoot for the moon, Alexander Mattison is an intriguing deeper-league option if Minnesota chooses to rest players.
Assuming Kenneth Walker III plays on Sunday, he has a juicy matchup against the Rams. He is one of a handful of top-tier RBs we are expecting to play close to a full complement of snaps this week.
In terms of WR options, the Saints have nothing to play for this week, but they also have no incentive to tank with the Eagles having their first-round pick. Therefore, we could still see plenty of rookie Chris Olave, while game-breaking option Rashid Shaheed is an intriguing boom-bust option.
In Washington, it would be a shock if we saw much of Terry McLaurin, and maybe even Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson will be limited. Finding value in that passing offense in Sam Howell‘s first game is tricky this week.
How the Texans use Brandin Cooks is also interesting this week. They should consider limiting him so as not to hurt his value as a trade chip. But if Cook plays, this could be a big week. If we find out he’ll be limited, Chris Moore is enticing.
Depending on the QB situation in Baltimore, Demarcus Robinson is a nice option to consider this week.
In the NFC South clash between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I still expect to see plenty of the Falcons starters. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers should sit a number of theirs, meaning Drake London could be in for a big day against a second-string group.
MORE: Fantasy TE Streamers and Rankings Week 18
When it comes to the tight end position, Evan Engram is the start of the week. The other top five matchups are tricky, with uncertainty over how much Gerald Everett, Travis Kelce, and even Cade Otton will play. If you’re looking to hit a home run at the position, Donald Parham Jr., Mike Gesicki, and Noah Gray could all be deep-league options with the potential for a big game.
Top Fantasy Football Matchups in Week 18
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing QBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Bears (26.69 PPG) | vs. Vikings
2. Colts (24.69 PPG) | vs. Texans
3. Panthers (24.50 PPG) | at Saints
4. Eagles (21.69 PPG) | vs. Giants
5. Dolphins (21.22 PPG) | vs. Jets
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Texans (34.73 PPG) | at Colts
2. Cardinals (32.45 PPG) | at 49ers
3. Broncos (31.88 PPG) | vs. Chargers
4. Bears (30.03 PPG) | vs. Vikings
5. Rams (29.05 PPG) | at Seahawks
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Panthers (44.03 PPG) | at Saints
2. Cowboys (41.70 PPG) | at Commanders
3. Colts (40.13 PPG) | vs. Texans
4. Bengals (39.47 PPG) | vs. Ravens
5. Buccaneers (34.73 PPG) | at Falcons
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing TEs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Titans (19.83 PPG) | at Jaguars
2. Broncos (18.88 PPG) | vs. Chargers
3. Falcons (18.73 PPG) | vs. Buccaneers
4. Jets (17.03 PPG) | at Dolphins
5. Chiefs (15.00 PPG) | at Raiders