The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 18

Yes, we are still here, even though only 10% of people play in Week 18. If you are one of the teams in the championship this week, please spend the offseason shaming your commissioner into adjusting your league to a Week 17 championship, and if you are a commissioner, shame on you! There is no reason to put yourself or your league through this week’s difficulty. The good news is that The Fantasy Footballers are still here to help you navigate a week where many elite fantasy players might have helped you get this far in your tournament. During Thursday’s episode, Andy, Mike, and Jason laid out their Starts of the Week for Week 18. To watch the full episode on YouTube, follow the link below. 

If you need more information and help comparing the nasty players you might be left with, you can access fantasyfootballers.com or the mobile apps the Ballers offer and utilize premium tools like the Start/Sit tool. 

Finally, let’s break down The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 18 for the last time this year. 

Andy’s Starts of the Week

QB – Jared Goff vs. MIN

It’s the highest over/under since 2020, one of the few games that genuinely matters this week, and two incredible teams. If you are in your championship and have any players in this game, you need to play them. Goff has been fantastic over the last month with a 17-game pace of 6,018 yards, 60 touchdowns, and a 72% completion rate. Earlier in the year, he was the QB10 against Minnesota. Get the Dome-inator in your lineup this week. 

RB – Blake Corum vs. SEA and Isaac Guerendo @ ARI

Corum will get a good amount of run in this meaningless game for the Rams as the team tries to see what the rookie has against an absolute defense. McVay said this week that he’s “excited about watching Blake Corum get a heavy workload.” If you are missing out on a Saquon or a Kyren, Corum is a good pivot option. Guerendo has been impressive lately, and if he is on waivers or if you have him on your roster, then it is a good week to get him in that starting lineup. Arizona ranks 26th vs. fantasy RBs over the last six weeks, and Guerendo was a top-12 back already the previous week. These lesser-known players could be key contributors in winning you a championship. 

WR – Jordan Addison @ DET

Detroit vs. Minnesota is the game of the week, and Addison has been on fire since Week 9. In that span, he has averaged eight targets, 72 yards, and 0.9 TDs per game, which has led to him being the WR5 in that span, averaging 16.0 points per game. Addison also faces a heavily depleted Detroit secondary that ranks 27th against fantasy WRs and 31st in passing yards per game allowed. You need to get him in your starting lineup if you have him. 

TE – Noah Gray @ DEN

It is backups week in the NFL, so if you need a TE this week, Noah Gray is a great option. He will be playing with backup quarterback Carson Wentz, but even still, Gray has been performing well. Since Week 11, he’s the TE9 in total fantasy points and fantasy points per game. It is a good week to utilize a backup who could have an even bigger workload. 

Jason’s Starts of the Week

QB – Baker Mayfield vs. NO

The Buccaneers are in a win-and-get-in game, and that is excellent news for all the Mayfield managers. They are 13.5-point favorites at home, facing Spencer Rattler. Mayfield has also been very vocal about his desire to keep Mike Evans‘s 1000-yard streak going, so he will be willing to throw the ball up to him. Baker has 4,279 yards, 39 touchdowns, and a 72% completion rate. Drew Brees is the only other player to hit that level over a season. Keep rolling Laser Mayfield. 

RB – JK Dobbins @ LV

Dobbins returned last week to a 53% snap count of 19 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown. In this game, the Chargers are five-point road favorites. This game could be crucial if the Steelers lose because a Chargers win would move them into the fifth seed. In Week 1, Dobbins was the RB1 against the Raiders with 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. He is trustworthy this week as you try to bring home the gold. 

WR – Drake London vs. CAR

It is a must-win game for Atlanta as they try to pray for a Buccaneers loss to get into the playoffs. In the two Penix starts, London has been targeted on 38% of his routes and is seeing 38% of the team’s first-read targets. He is the WR10 on the season, averaging nine targets and 68 yards per game. London faces Carolina’s 31st-ranked defense in EPA per pass attempt on the season. Look for London to continue being as dependable as they come for your lineup this week. 

TE – Pat Freiermuth vs. CIN

The Muth is ready to get Luth in Week 18. He was the TE5 vs. Cincinnati earlier this year with seven targets, six catches, 68 yards, and a touchdown. The Bengals have been a team to target at TE all season, as they rank 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to the TE and tied for the most TE receptions allowed. The Muth is a solid option this week with some high upside. 

Mike’s Starts of the Week

QB – Bryce Young @ ATL

Since Carolina’s Week 11 bye, Bryce Young has been the QB9 in fantasy points, averaging 18 per game. He is also running way more than you might realize because, in that six-game span, he averages 5.6 rushing fantasy points per game, which is sixth among QBs. This game is the week’s second-highest over/under at 48 points. Atlanta needs to win this game, but their defense ranks 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs and 30th in completion percentage allowed. It is time to stop doubting Bryce Young. 

RB – Jaylen Warren vs. CIN

Even Jason might approve of this start since Warren has been over the 10-fantasy point line the last two weeks. He saw 17 opportunities in both games, the most he has ever seen in back-to-back games. In the previous six weeks, Cincinnati has been 32nd against fantasy RBs. You can find some valuable touches from Warren in a week with plenty of RBs sitting out. 

WR – Jameson Williams vs. MIN

Jaymo had two touchdowns on Monday night, helping clarify how he has evolved in 2024 into more than just a go-route guy. Detroit faces a Minnesota defense that ranks 32nd in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. This is mainly because you cannot run the ball against Minnesota, and their opponents are throwing it 64% of the time; look for Detroit to air it out in this game, which should mean good things for Williams. 

TE – Will Dissly @ LV

Dissly came back from injury last week, and if you are desperate for a TE, he is not a bad option. He has been well-used when he has played, and this week is a good matchup. The Raiders rank 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs. Big Montana could give you a solid performance. 

from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/Zf64R7U