Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 8th, at 4:25 PM EST
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Betting Odds: LAR+6, 41.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Sit)
The Rams crashed back to earth last week after their lopsided Week 16, 51-14 win over Denver. The Chargers handled LA 31-10, and Baker Mayfield completed 11 of 19 attempts for 132 scoreless yards in the effort; with a lost fumble as well. Mayfield will surely use this week to continue to audition for a gig somewhere in the league next season, but that doesn’t mean he’s an option for your Week 18 championship.
Running Back
Cam Akers (Start, RB2)
Cam Akers has come on recently, posting back-to-back games with over 100 rushing yards in the last two weeks. It was certainly a rocky start to the 2022 season for Akers, who wanted out of LA but wasn’t granted the exit. He’s certainly done the most with his touches after taking over the Rams backfield and is set to face a Seattle defense that has given up the second most fantasy points to RBs this season. Consider Akers a viable RB2 this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Van Jefferson (Sit), Tutu Atwell (Sit), Tyler Higbee (Start if you must, TE2)
Three’s a crowd, and two are auto-sits. Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell, largely in part due to mediocre QB play, have not been able to do much with their uptick in snaps, despite the likes of Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson II, and, more recently, Ben Skowronek out of action for some time now. Tyler Higbee either; he hasn’t been the same since Matthew Stafford went down. For what it’s worth, Higbee did have a strong showing in both Week 15 and 16 but was a Week 17 dud. The Seahawks have given up the most fantasy points to tight ends this season, and it’s worth noting Higbee is 13 receiving yards away from a $500k bonus, so look for Mayfield to get him that mark early on.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Geno Smith (Start, QB1)
Geno Smith didn’t need to do too much last week against the Jets in order to win, but he certainly contributed. He completed 18 of 29 attempts for just 183 yards but did toss two touchdowns. He enters Week 18 one touchdown shy of 30 for the year, but more importantly, a win away from a potential playoff berth in what has been such an unexpected season for Smith & the Seahawks. Ultimately, the Seahawks must win but do need some help around the league. In any case, you can continue to lean on Smith this week.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III (Start, RB2), DeeJay Dallas (Sit)
Ankle be damned. Kenneth Walker III has had a nagging ankle issue in recent weeks, but it hasn’t stopped him from crossing the century mark on the ground in back-to-back games. Last week, he thrashed the Jets with ease, turning 23 carries into 133 yards. As of Wednesday, he was dealing with an illness, but there aren’t any signs that he is doing to miss this must-win game. DeeJay Dallas got involved as well in the beatdown of New York, turning seven carries into 43 yards, but he also caught three of four targets for 55 yards; which goes a decent way in PPR leagues. Personally, I would be hard-pressed to start someone like Dallas in a championship game, but because it is Week 18, you could do worse if you were desperate.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
DK Metcalf (Start, WR1), Tyler Lockett (Start, WR3), Noah Fant (Sit)
DK Metcalf will be happy to get away from Sauce Gardner, as the rookie held him to just one catch on five targets for three yards last week. Tyler Lockett, who is dealing with a leg injury he suffered in Week 17 – though he did return to the game – also had a down week, catching both of his targets for just 15 yards. Both receivers will be key in the effort to snag a playoff spot and are set to face a Rams defense allowing the 10th most fantasy point to receivers this year. Noah Fant hasn’t been much of a factor this year, though he did score in Week 15 and Week 16. Backup TEs Colby Parkinson and Tyler Mabry each caught a touchdown against the Jets last week, but aren’t fantasy viable whatsoever.