Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Network: FOX
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: START, QB1
Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals haven’t been playing for anything other than next year for quite a while. Brissett is expected to play a full game against the Rams and could see L.A.’s second-stringers in the second half of the game. He’s been one of the most consistent options this season and an easy start in Week 18.
Running Back
Michael Carter: START, RB2
Emari Demercado: SIT
Michael Carter was one of the biggest disappointments of fantasy championship weekend, failing to score even seven points against the Bengals and their status as the top matchup for running backs. But there’s few Week 18 options who have as safe of an expected workload as Carter, and if the Rams sit their starters early, he could face little resistance in the second half of the game.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Xavier Weaver
Michael Wilson: START, WR1
Is Jacoby Brissett starting? – No – Don’t start Michael Wilson.
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Yes
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Is Marvin Harrison Jr starting? – Yes – Start Michael Wilson.
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No
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MICHAEL WILSON WR1 SZN
Tight End
Trey McBride: START, TE1
THE TE1 this season and likely a pick in the top three rounds in 2026. The easiest auto-start this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona Cardinals: SIT
Not even against the Rams’ backups.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: SIT, QB2 (startable in Superflex)
The hesitation to start Matthew Stafford in 1QB leagues is obviously not due to his talent, just how much he’ll see the field. At the time of writing, it was expected for the Rams’ starters to play. But Los Angeles is locked into either the fifth or sixth seed, so there’s a high probability the starters are pulled early. The Rams are an explosive enough offense to put up plenty of points prior to the second half of the game, but it’s a situation I’d prefer to avoid.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: SIT
Blake Corum: SIT
Ronnie Rivers: SIT
Both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are dealing with ankle issues, with Williams practicing in a limited fashion and Corum not at all at the time of writing. Even if one or both are active, I foresee just a few drives for each, but not enough to make them fantasy viable for Week 18.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams
Puka Nacua: START, WR2
Xavier Smith: SIT
Expect Davante Adams to be inactive once again as he tries to get healthy enough to play in the postseason. As of now it looks like Puka Nacua will suit up in some form or fashion, but as I mentioned in Stafford’s blurb, expect the starters to be pulled early. Puka can put up WR2 numbers in a half, but any Ram is a risk this week.
Tight End
Colby Parkinson: SIT
Colby Parkinson likes to score double-digit fantasy points every week when he’s on people’s benches, just not when we all tout him as a top-five option. He could be a fine option if he plays the majority of the game, but we don’t know what to expect.
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Rams: START
The Rams are top 10 in sacks and top five in turnovers forced, but could succumb to some second-half garbage time if they sit their starters early. But they’re still a viable D/ST start.