Week 18 of the fantasy football season has a great slate of games, with some strong playoff contenders going head-to-head. Hopefully, your carefully curated roster is in good shape after the devastating slew of injuries that have affected the NFL. You’re in the right place if you’re in a challenging situation with your start/sit questions.
Week 18 Fantasy Football Start ’ems
We’ve dug through the latest roster percentages to identify fantasy football players who you must either start or sit. Our two start options are currently starting in around 40% or fewer leagues, whereas our two sit players are at about 70% or more.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s not shocking to see Pacheco’s starting rate drop over the last month. Pacheco hasn’t been bad, instead being consistently efficient and being the top rusher for the Chiefs’ offense. But it’s hard when Pacheco had zero touchdowns scored in a three-week stretch against Denver, Houston, and Seattle before he found the end zone last week.
With Pacheco ceding most receiving production and scores to Jerick McKinnon over that time, it’s important to not lose focus on Pacheco’s own value. Last week was the first time since Week 9 he didn’t have at least 13 carries. In those games, he’s averaged at least 4.14 yards per carry in all but one game.
MORE: Week 18 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Recommendations
Facing the Raiders this week bodes well for a Chiefs team that needs to win to lock the No. 1 seed in. The Raiders have the fourth-worst run defense in the NFL, getting gashed for touchdowns and total yards. This is a great opportunity for Pacheco to push for his second 100-yard game of the season and a score.
I wouldn’t recommend forcing Pacheco into your lineup over a star, but he’s a strong flex option.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Even as the 49ers are down to third-string rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, Aiyuk continues to be a fantasy stud for his managers. He endured a bit of a decline initially, producing 7.1 points and 2.9 points in Week 13 and Week 15, respectively, but has since bounced back. He exploded for a season-high nine receptions and 101 yards in Las Vegas last week and scored a touchdown.
Now WR17 on the season in PPR leagues, Ayiuk has been one of the most consistent playmakers in the NFL. He has eight games with double-digit scores and only three games I’d consider true busts. Not only is he finding chemistry with Purdy at the right time for the team, but he’s trending upward into a must-start player for Week 18.
You can consider taking the higher on Ayiuk’s receiving categories on Underdog Fantasy because the Cardinals are weak against the pass. Our PFN expert PPR fantasy rankings for Week 18 have Aiyuk as the WR15 against the Cardinals, making him a viable Flex play.
Arizona’s secondary has been closer to average throughout the season, but their advantageous schedule has been a bigger reason for posting solid performances over the last month than anything else. The 49ers scored at will in their previous matchup, hanging 38 points and a ridiculously efficient set of stat lines. This bodes well for Aiyuk, who caught two passes for two touchdowns in Week 11.
Week 18 Fantasy Football Sit ’ems
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
I’ve been a strong advocate of starting Elliott all season long, and he remains a good option for rosters that don’t have a star second back or flex option. But if you have some depth, I’d sit Elliott in Week 18. The Cowboys are still in the race to win the No. 1 seed but won’t have too much to worry about against a Sam Howell-led Washington Commanders team.
With the Eagles likely to beat the Giants and Cowboys likely able to beat Washington with a rookie quarterback, Elliott is among the top guys who it makes sense to sit after the first half. The veteran has at least 15 carries in every game since Week 11 and in all but three games this season. He needs to be fresh for the postseason for this offense to be fully functional.
MORE: Week 18 Fantasy WR Start/Sit Recommendations
If we knew the Cowboys would go full-effort for four quarters, then Elliott would be an obvious start. Last week was the first game since Week 5 where he didn’t finish with double-digit fantasy points. He’s scored a touchdown in nine straight games.
You don’t normally bench someone like that but getting one-half of Elliott also isn’t wise to bank on to produce.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Stevenson was one of my big hits this season, but he’s fallen apart unexpectedly as the season has come to a close. Some of that is beyond his control as the Patriots’ offense has deteriorated under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. We also couldn’t project that he’d go from 10 straight weeks with double-digit scores to 6.1 or less in points in three of his last four games.
Becoming a second thought in the passing game in that span has been a shocking change for the unit. Stevenson was one of the best-receiving producers amongst backs until he totaled only eight receptions since Week 14. His value has since tanked.
Facing a fired-up, emotional Buffalo defense this week isn’t promising. The Bills held Stevenson to 54 rushing yards in their last matchup. If Stevenson isn’t involved as a receiver this week, he won’t be someone who helps you win your league.