Just like the last day of school, players across the NFL are eager for a vacation. The only question is whether we're talking about winter or summer break. For the former, those are players with eyes on the prize, hoping to hoist a Lombardi in just over a month from now. For the latter, those teams are eyeing a better draft pick in April, while the players start checking out their favorite resorts and tropical weather.
No matter what anyone says, there's a lot on the line in Week 18 -- from playoff spots to incentives and job opportunities, everyone has something to play for. That's where the fantasy and betting community can take advantage, especially when there's clear motivation for certain individuals to deliver one more solid regular season performance. After this, we'll bid farewell to RedZone's Scott Hanson as he enters almost nine months of hibernation.
We'll also bid farewell to the fantasy teams that either made us money or broke our hearts. Most importantly, we'll say good bye to 18 of the 32 teams as the sport enters the home stretch.
Below, we'll detail what the outlook is for every team heading into Week 18 and which players won't be joining us when the games kick off.
Who isn't playing in Week 18?
With so many moving parts heading into the Week 18 action, here's a look at the notable players that won't suit up for each team or whether there's any reason for rest in the regular season finale.
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Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' playoff hopes ended before the season even kicked off, but there's been no indication that the team will rest any starters in the hopes of securing a better draft pick.
Atlanta Falcons
Despite the NFL world leaving the Falcons for dead a long time ago, Atlanta has a chance to clinch the division no one wants to win. Although there's a slim chance of it happening, the Falcons need to beat the Saints and hope the Saints lose to the Panthers. With that in mind, expect all the regulars to play, even though we don't have clarity on the QB situation yet.
Baltimore Ravens
HC John Harbaugh announced Wednesday that Lamar Jackson will sit out this week, but he hasn't detailed what other players will join him in a game that means nothing for Baltimore with the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up. Expect most starters and key offensive players to play sparingly, if at all.
- Lamar Jackson
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are all systems go for a must-win game against the Dolphins in Miami. A win gives them the No. 2 seed in the AFC, while a loss can knock them out of the playoff picture entirely if other results don't go their way.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina has already gift-wrapped the No. 1 pick in April's draft to the Bears and otherwise has nothing to play for with an interim coaching staff and a team that's set to be overhauled. Still, there's been no indication any key starters will "rest."
Chicago Bears
It appears that HC Matt Eberflus has done enough to keep his job for another year, but the Bears are still in roster evaluation mode as they wrap up the season. QB Justin Fields is trying to show that Chicago doesn't need to draft his replacement and they'll attempt to spoil the Packers' season, knocking them out of a playoff spot with a win.
Cincinnati Bengals
The 2023-24 season hasn't gone the Bengals way, but that doesn't mean they're mailing it in against the Browns. HC Zac Taylor expressed multiple times that they will try to win the game, which suggests that we'll see the usual cast of characters.
Cleveland Browns
HC Kevin Stefanski said he believes his team earned the ability to rest players heading into the playoffs and will start QB Jeff Driskel in place of Joe Flacco. Other starters will be resting, though Stefanski didn't release those names. We'll assume players like Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Jerome Ford, and Myles Garrett will eventually join this list.
- Joe Flacco
Dallas Cowboys
Rest is not on the menu for the Cowboys this weekend, who were gifted the chance to win the NFC East after an improbable Cardinals' win over the Eagles last week. A win clinches the division and the No. 2 seed, paving the way for Dallas to utilize its home dominance for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Denver Broncos
After benching Russell Wilson, the Broncos haven't said whether other players will be sidelined with their season coming to a close on Sunday. QB Jarrett Stidham once again gets the nod.
Detroit Lions
A still fired-up HC Dan Campbell announced earlier in the week that the Lions will be playing their starters this week. They don't have anything on the line outside of perhaps moving up a spot in the NFC standings, but Campbell's old-school style team isn't waving the white flag in Week 18.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay's playoff hopes rest on the team winning against the Bears on Sunday. They won't be resting starters and hope to even get a few back from injury after seeing WRs Jayden Reed (chest) and Christian Watson (hamstring) return to practice on Wednesday.
Houston Texans
Saturday night represents the first of what the Texans hope will be multiple playoff games. Barring something unforeseen, everyone who's healthy will play. EDGE Will Anderson (ankle) and WR Noah Brown (back) are names to watch on the injury report.
Indianapolis Colts
The Texans' opponents on Saturday night reside in Indianapolis, another city that won't see their team resting starters in Week 18. C Ryan Kelly (ankle) and G Quenton Nelson (ankle) are names to monitor on the injury report as two key pieces on the Colts' offensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville's easiest path to securing a playoff spot is by beating the Titans on Sunday. Otherwise, it will be left scoreboard watching and at the mercy of other teams. They won't be resting anyone and will hope to get QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder, finger) along with WRs Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) and Christian Kirk (core) back on the field.
Kansas City Chiefs
HC Andy Reid confirmed that Patrick Mahomes will get the week off as the team rests starters ahead of their first-round matchup next week. Reid didn't indicate what other players would also be held out of action saying during a press conference, “And then we’ll rotate the other guys in as we go.” Don't expect to see much of Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and even Rashee Rice.
- Patrick Mahomes
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are playing for pride and this point, and they sure have plenty of it for interim HC Antonio Pierce. Expect Vegas to trot their healthy regulars out there as they work to convince owner Mark Davis that their coach should stick around on a permanent basis.
Los Angeles Chargers
Injuries have already derailed the Chargers season, leaving them to trot out a roster that looks like the one that would've played if the starters rested. As they get set to embark on a critical offseason, they'll be impatiently waiting for the clock to hit zero.
Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay deserves a trophy for being one of the most upfront and honest coaches this week, giving us a nice list of players who won't play right off the bat. Carson Wentz will start at QB and the Rams will allow some other players, like rookie WR Puka Nacua, to play just long enough to hit incentive bonuses or set records.
- Matthew Stafford
- Kyren Williams
- Cooper Kupp
- Aaron Donald
- Ernest Jones IV
Miami Dolphins
There is no shortage of injuries in Miami, but the Dolphins aren't going to be resting anyone with the AFC East on the line. OT Terron Armstead (knee, back, ankle), WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle), and RBs Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and De'Von Achane (toes, ribs) are names to watch on the offensive side of the ball for Mike McDaniel's team.
Minnesota Vikings
Albeit slim, the Vikings still have a chance to secure a playoff spot in Week 18, so it's unlikely they'll rest any starters. Nick Mullens will get the start at QB once again, meaning there will be no shortage of exciting moments on Sunday.
New England Patriots
The only interesting thing remaining about this Patriots season is what will happen with HC Bill Belichick. Especially if this is his final game in New England, don't expect any key players to rest against the Jets.
New Orleans Saints
Somehow, someway, the Saints are fighting for a playoff spot this week, meaning rest is not an option. We'll need a Buccaneers win to save us from the Derek Carr experience in the playoffs, but Alvin Kamara (ankle) is the big name to watch on the injury reports.
New York Giants
Despite being out of the playoff race for most of the season, it doesn't seem like Brian Daboll will keep anyone out of the lineup on Sunday. Tyrod Taylor will start in the finale, along with all the other usual suspects. That said, Saquon Barkley isn't a lock to play a full game, making him an interesting boom-or-bust pick in DFS contests.
New York Jets
Only 60 minutes separate the Jets from an offseason that is much-needed after this disaster of a season. Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol and will not play this week, effectively ending his Jets' career. Trevor Siemian will once again get the nod in New England with everyone else likely suiting up, as well.
Philadelphia Eagles
Despite still having a chance to win the NFC East, the Eagles appear to be operating under the assumption that the division is lost after being unable to beat the Cardinals last week. HC Nick Sirianni hasn't ruled out that Philly could rest their starters against the Giants. With the move being considered, even if the Eagles end up letting some key players suit up, we can assume Philly will waive the white flag and let the backups finish out the final game as long as Dallas is taking care of business against Washington.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need a win to reach the postseason, so everyone who's healthy will play. Mason Rudolph is set to get the start at QB despite Kenny Pickett (ankle) being active.
San Francisco 49ers
HC Kyle Shanahan indicated that QB Brock Purdy is the only healthy player who's definitely being held out of Sunday's action. Still, do not expect to see much of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, among other regulars. Christian McCaffrey was already ruled out with a calf injury.
- Christian McCaffrey
- Brock Purdy
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are another team hoping to sneak into the playoffs, meaning resting starters is off the table. RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) appears to be the only key player who has surfaced on the injury report heading into Sunday's contest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday's task is an easy one for the Bucs -- win and in. All they have to do is beat the worst team in the league to get there. Easy, right? Unlike many people in Florida this time of year, rest and relaxation are not on the menu for anyone on Tampa's roster. On the bright side, there are no true injury concerns on the roster either, as positive practice updates continue to indicate a team that's going to be at or nearly at full strength in Week 18.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee's season will come to a close on Sunday, but HC Mike Vrabel went on a now-viral rant earlier in the week explaining how much he hates losing. With that in mind, trust that the Titans will be going all-out to ruin the Jaguars' playoff chances.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders' playoff hopes ended a long time ago, leaving them to just finish out the last 60 minutes of their season. QB Sam Howell will start once again.