Many fantasy football championships in seasonal leagues have been decided before January, but for those playing past Week 17, the start-sit lineup advice you need is still available. Whether you're playing in a final or trying out DFS in Week 18, it's important to know which teams are bound to rest key offensive skill players.
Starting at the top, the Ravens and 49ers have already clinched the respective No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC playoffs. While Baltimore is mulling over sitting Lamar Jackson and some of his key weapons vs. the Steelers, San Francisco already has decided to rest a banged-up Christian McCaffrey (calf) vs. the Rams.
The Chiefs, No. 3 in the AFC, have little motivation to risk regulars vs. the Chargers. The Browns, No. 5 in the AFC, also plan to be judicious with first-string action. In the NFC, the No. 5 Eagles are hurting and are giving some consideration to resting key players, as there's a slim chance they will win the East over the Cowboys. The No. 6 Rams also should be careful about who they play opposite the 49ers.
As for the other 26 teams, either playoff-bound or also-ran, there's some positioning and pride on the line with good reason to play healthy players.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again one last time for the 2023 regular season with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 18 "Decider."
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Fantasy Football Week 18 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at WAS)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at MIA)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at NYG)
- Justin Fields, Bears (at GB)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- C.J. Stroud, Texans (at IND)
- Jordan Love, Packers (vs. CHI)
Stronger starts
8. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at ARI). Smith will cash in extra big-time if he can lead Seattle back to the playoffs, and the matchup is sweet in a potential shootout with Murray.
9. Tyrod Taylor, Giants (vs. PHI). He delivered as a nice passing and running streamer last week, and the savvy leader can put up more good combined stats in garbage time vs. the Eagles.
10. Derek Carr, Saints (vs. ATL). Carr has been solid in the past several games locked into his targets, and the Falcons offer another chance for him to shine at home.
11. Gardner Minshew, Colts (vs. HOU). He'll be a volume-based play opposite C.J. Stroud in what amounts to a playoff game.
12. Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. JAX). He will need to put the ball up often filling in for Will Levis (foot), and there are enough weapons for him to go for 250 yards and two TDs, plus some rushing padding.
13. Jake Browning, Bengals (vs. CLE). The Browns' defense isn't as good on the road, and now they will be resting key players. Browning can take advantage with his weapons.
14. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at TEN). Lawrence (shoulder) should return here with much more on the line and grind through a solid game, but he could be curbed a little by the running game and defense.
15. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN). The Lions are looking for a strong overall tuneup at home, and part of that is Goff getting on the efficient track before the playoffs in a fine spot.
DFS picks
Geno Smith, Seahawks (at ARI, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel). He's at a pretty good price point to cash in on some valuable volume.
Tyrod Taylor, Giants (vs. PHI, $5,300 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel). Taylor was an absolute steal last week, but he comes in well worth again it to save in even cash games.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. BUF). It's really hard to go there in a tough matchup at home with some injuries around him.
17. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at CAR). The Bucs will win the division with a heavy dose of running and big-play defense.
18. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. TB). He's tempting on the other side after the last home performance, but it's also hard to shake last week's shutout.
19. Nick Mullens, Vikings (at DET). He should be the starter again, but Kevin O'Connell has become fickle and the Lions' defense will be motivated to clean up at home.
20. Mason Rudolph, Steelers (at BAL). He lit it up against the Bengals but facilitated the running game more vs. the Seahawks, so no.
21. Jarrett Stidham, Broncos (at LV). The revenge-game narrative works both ways, and it will work against him.
22. Sam Howell, Commanders (vs. DAL). They really want to bench him one last time, but they can't. That's not good against the Cowboys.
23. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (at NO). Let's see if Taylor Heinicke (ankle) guts it out, but let's just plan to stay away regardless.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. HOU)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at ARI)
- James Conner, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at WAS)
- James Cook, Bills (at MIA)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at TEN)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. MIN)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at NYG)
- Zamir White, Raiders (vs. DEN)
- Devin Singletary, Texans (at IND)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. JAX)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. CHI)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at NE)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NO)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. KC)
- David Montgomery, Lions (vs. MIN)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. BUF)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. TB)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. PHI)
Stronger starts
23. Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (at LV). They are in full evaluation mode, so with the recent re-ramping up of his usage, he will see near-feature touches in a great matchup.
24. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. BUF). He needs to be involved as a difference-maker to break through with his speed and quickness in a tough spot.
25. Khalil Herbert and 26. Roschon Johnson, Bears (at GB). They finally have the right mix with the two youngsters minus D'Onta Foreman, and they can run overall well on the Packers.
27. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. DAL). He'll be fed often with a good chance to be responsible for one of their few scores.
28. Najee Harris, Steelers (at BAL). He's rolling and the resting of Ravens can help him in what would have been a tough spot.
29. Jerome Ford and 30. Pierre Strong Jr., Browns (at CIN). Watch for Ford resting along with Kareem Hunt, which would open the door for a very "Strong" rushing attack on the weak up-front Bengals
DFS Picks
Zamir White (vs. DEN, $6,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). White has looked great to the point it would be silly for the team to bring back Josh Jacobs (quad). He will stamp his starting status by bowling over the Broncos.
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at WAS, $6,500 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Pollard has had a disappointing fantasy season for sure, but he has a good history of production vs. the Commanders and they struggle most with his type of speed back.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
31. Elljah Mitchell and 32. Jordan Mason, 49ers (vs. LAR). They have an unknown replacement split, and the matchup stinks.
33. Ty Chandler, Vikings (at DET). See how the Lions erased Tony Pollard in Week 17.
34. Ronnie Rivers, Rams (at SF). He should lead the backfield with little or no Kyren Williams, but you can't trust him seeing all the key touches.
35. Justice Hill, and 36. Melvin Gordon, Ravens (vs. PIT). It's another messy split in not the most inspiring spot.
37. Javonte Williams, Broncos (at LV). Sean Payton likes him as much as he likes Russell Wilson at this point.
38. Jamaal Williams, Saints (vs. ATL). He might need to be the guy over Alvin Kamara (ankle), but remember when he did nothing with that role early in the season?
39. La'Mical Perine, Chiefs (at LAC). He is bound to get the most backfield touches with K.C. resting key players, but no.
40. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. JAX). Just wait until next season.
41. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at BAL). He'll go back to not going off at the same time as Najee Harris.
42. Antonio Gibson, Commanders (vs. DAL). The return of Brian Robinson Jr. has taken away most of his key value.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at WAS)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. BUF)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at NYG)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at ARI)
- D.J. Moore, Bears (at GB)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. ATL)
- Nico Collins, Texans (at IND)
- Michael Pittman Jr,, Colts (vs. HOU)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. DEN)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. JAX)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at TEN)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at NYG)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at MIA)
- Jayden Reed, Packers (vs. CHI)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at ARI)
- George Pickens, Steelers (at BAL)
- Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (at WAS)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. TB)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at LV)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CLE)
Stronger starts
27. Greg Dortch, Cardinals (vs. SEA). He's feeling good now as the default top wideout for Kyler Murray, and the Seahawks' secondary is struggling.
28. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at DET). He could really use Nick Mullens' return to be unlocked away from Justin Jefferson.
29. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at BAL). George Pickens going off with Mason Rudolph has made things better for him, and he gets a resting Ravens defense.
30. Garrett Wilson, Jets (at NE). The Patriots can try to take him away but likely will focus more on Breece Hall.
31. Darius Slayton, Giants (at PHI). He's feeling it with Tyrod Taylor as he keeps proving he needs to be respected more as their holdover key wideout.
32. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens (vs. PIT). There are a ton of incentives in his contract, and he should be targeted a ton with other key receivers resting.
33. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. DAL). He hit a century against them the last time and should be busy on shorter routes vs. the pass rush.
DFS picks
Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET, $8,500 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel). It's been a brutal season for JJ, but he should want to end by exploding for one of his classic big-target and yardage games.
DJ Moore, Bears (at GB, $7,000 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel). The Packers' secondary is shaky, and Moore should cap his first season with Chicago in style with a red-hot Justin Fields.
Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. PHI, $4,000 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel). Seriously, why isn't this guy treated like their No. 1 and why the heck is he priced like a backup instead of his big playmaking value from the past two weeks?
Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
34. Drake London, Falcons (at NO). He's on the road, and the Saints' secondary is coming off a surprisingly strong performance in Tampa.
35. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (vs. ATL). The Falcons are stingy to wide receivers all-around.
36. Demario Douglas, Patriots (vs. NYJ). The matchup stinks in the slot vs. Michael Carter II.
37. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. DEN). Meyers cannot be trusted with Aidan O'Connell, especially when Davante Adams is hot.
38. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. CHI). He draws the tricky coverage outside away from Jayden Reed.
39. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. MIN). He took advantage of a bad single-coverage defense to make a big play in Dallas, but not here.
40. Gabe Davis, Bills (at MIA). The Dolphins' cvoerage will make sure the big plays are contained after last week's disaster.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
Stronger starts
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. SEA)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. MIN)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at WAS)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at NYG)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (at TEN)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CHI)
- Dalton Schultz, Texans (at IND)
Stronger starts
8. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs, KC). They are running out of available targets, so he and Alex Erickson need to see key looks.
9. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at NO). Pitts takes advantage of a suddenly much weaker Saints tight end coverage.
10. Darren Waller, Giants (at PHI). He is back looking good, and Tyrod Taylor will keep him unlocked with Darius Slayton.
11. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. ATL). He has produced of late when physically healthy, and Carr needs him in this spot vs. good corners.
12. Cole Kmet, Bears (at GB). He tricked his owners with nothing last week, so be careful if they don't want to risk him much again.
13. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at MIA). He woke up again in the offense out of necessity, and the Dolphins are beatable enough for this wideout hybrid.
DFS pick
Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CHI, $3,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel). He has been consistent with no Luke Musgrave (kidney) and is priced too low given this potential smash spot and how much Jordan Love trusts him in big games.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
14. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at BAL). He did OK with Mason Rudolph playing off the wideouts, but the Ravens are good here no matter who they rest.
15. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. JAX). The matchup says "yes," but the weird usage still says "no."
16. Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. ATL). Hill resurfaced with a TD catch last week, but he can easily disappear again.
17. Tyler Conklin, Jets (at NE). The Patriots have been nasty on tight ends all season.
18. Logan Thomas, Commanders (vs. DAL). Samuel will be the main short-area guy.
19. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at CAR). Not here, as the Panthers keep covering the position well.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Jets (at NE)
- Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Jaguars (at TEN)
- Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Raiders (vs. DEN)
7. Chiefs (at LAC). They will be resting offensive guys, but there's some motivation for a strong defensive tuneup.
8. Saints (vs. ATL). They had a key rebound game for Dennis Allen last week and keep it up at home vs. a shaky QB situation.
9. Eagles (at NYG). The Giants can still be sloppy with key sacks and turnovers from Tyrod Taylor.
10. Browns (at CIN). They still have enough playmakers when resting to have some Brownies-on-Browning crime.
11. 49ers (vs. LAR). Their defense, even without a few regulars, can produce well vs. a resting Rams offense.
12. Lions (vs. MIN). The Lions want to get well defensively before the playoffs so look for some key sacks and takeaways regardless of QB.
DFS pick
Raiders (vs. DEN, $3,300 DraftKings, $3,700 FanDuel). Maxx Crosby and the defense will respond one more key time for Antonio Pierce after cooling off big-time in Indy.
Fantasy Football Week 18 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Ravens (vs. PIT). Not when resting vs. a red-hot rival offense.
14. Steelers (vs. BAL). Not even vs. a resting team because of Tyler Huntley.
15. Packers (vs. CHI). The Bears are playing too well offensively, and the Vikings' outing was an exception to their dysfunction.
16. Broncos (at LV). Not on the road against a good running team.
17. Bills (at MIA). It's tempting based on the Dolphins' woes, but playing Buffalo also could backfire big-time.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.