Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Network: FOX
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: SIT, QB2 (startable in Superflex)
Jared Goff struggled again versus the Vikings last week, posting his lowest fantasy output of the season at 14.1 points. It’s a much more favorable matchup this week against a Bears defense that the Lions dropped 52 points on back in Week 2. However, the most recent game that we saw Goff play in cold weather was in Week 11 in Philadelphia, where he posted the worst completion percentage (37.8%) of his career. Chicago’s defense is still pretty leaky, giving Goff value as a QB2 in Week 18.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: START
David Montgomery: SIT
Jahmyr Gibbs has had a disappointing end to an overall remarkable campaign. He’s been held below 10 PPR points in two of the three weeks in the fantasy playoffs and has failed to exceed 43 rushing yards in five of his last six games. The superstar has made up for it with his elite receiving ability, and always has the upside to go nuclear. David Montgomery hasn’t seen as much work lately and is just a touchdown-dependent option.
Wide Receiver
Isaac TeSlaa: SIT
Jameson Williams: START, WR2
Amon-Ra St. Brown: START, WR1
Amon-Ra St. Brown has been dealing with some injuries, but he’s still a set-and-forget option against a vulnerable Bears secondary that he scorched for 39.2 PPR points back in Week 2, the fourth-most by a wide receiver in a game this season. Jameson Williams is an explosive option as always, but could be a little more volatile in the elements of Chicago this week, though he did go for 7-5-143 and a touchdown last season in the Windy City. Isaac TeSlaa has been seeing steady playing time and continues to only catch touchdowns but isn’t a reliable option.
Tight End
Shane Zylstra: SIT
Shane Zylstra has 18 career catches across four seasons, all with the Lions over two separate two-year stints, first from 2021-22 and again over the past two seasons. He spent most of the season on IR with a knee injury, but has been active for the last three weeks, playing 63.4% of the snaps and catching three of five targets for 20 yards. Look elsewhere if you’re desperate for a TE.
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions: SIT
The Lions’ defense is still in rough shape, and the Bears’ offense is hot.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: START
Caleb Williams threw for a season high of 330 yards last week and has two touchdown passes in each of his past four games. Williams is firing on all cylinders right now in Ben Johnson‘s offense with an exciting pair of rookies in Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland emerging as go-to targets. Complemented by a dominant rushing attack, there’s plenty to like about Williams’ outlook in Week 18 against a Lions defense that surrendered the most points and yards over a five-game span (Weeks 12-16) since the 2023 Broncos, who infamously gave up 72 points to the Dolphins.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: START. RB2
Kyle Monangai: START, RB2-3
Both D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have been solid values in fantasy this season. The good times should roll on against a soft Lions run defense that ranks dead last in rush EPA and 30th in rush success rate since Week 14.
Wide Receiver
Rome Odunze: SIT (unlikely to play)
DJ Moore: FLEX, WR3
Luther Burden III: START, Low-End WR1
With Rome Odunze (foot) unlikely to play again, Luther Burden III becomes the player you need to have in Week 18. It’s trending that way, even if Odunze were to play, as Burden looks like a future star with his flashes all season, and now his recent emergence. DJ Moore remains an option since he will continue to run plenty of routes, but he’s not a focal point in the offense.
Tight End
Colston Loveland: START
Colston Loveland is a must-start this week. He earned a season high of 10 targets and tied a season high with six catches while posting his most yards in a game since Week 9 against the Bengals.
Defense/Special Teams
Chicago Bears: SIT
The Bears’ defense is the best in the league at forcing turnovers and could get Goff in the cold weather, but is still not reliable from down to down.