For those who are playing into Week 18, there are some things you need to know. Some teams are resting their starters, like the Chiefs, Eagles, and Rams. Others may be the Bills and Texans playing limited play on the field. There are other situations that you need to keep your eyes on. If the Ravens win in the early Saturday game, the Steelers could rest some of their players. The same could be said with the Chargers, who will wait to see what the Steelers do. If the Steelers win, then the Chargers will rest more players.
QBs
There will be plenty of quarterbacks who will not be playing in Week 18—players like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, and Josh Allen. Joe Flacco is a big winner as he will get the final start of the regular season, being ranked in the top 10. He has a great matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a poor secondary. This could easily be Flacco’s last chance to start an NFL game in his career.
There are a lot of backup quarterbacks starting in Week 18. I wouldn’t trust many of them, but there could be a few that work well in SuperFlex leagues. We could see Carson Wentz having a big Week 18, even if he is playing against the Broncos starters. I’d look to avoid whoever is playing quarterback for the Eagles, 49ers, and Browns.
RBs
Week 18 will not have a few elite running backs in Saquon Barkley and Kyren Williams. Don’t worry. There are some backups worth taking a chance on. Carson Steele will likely see a big workload as most of the Chiefs backfield will sit. As years passed, the Chiefs gave a backup running back a high number of touches in the last week of the season.
There are three other sleeper running backs: Kenneth Gainwell, Michael Carter, and Blake Corum. Gainwell has a great matchup against the Giants, who have a poor run defense, but they could also work in Will Shipley. Carter filled in for James Conner last week and finished with 70 rushing yards. Carter should see a big workload against the 49ers, who are hurt on defense. Blake Corum will get extended time and should be able to practice against a weak Seattle run defense.
Be cautious of De’Von Achane with Tua Tagovailoa on the sidelines. Achane hasn’t been well with Tagovailoa on the field. James Cook and Joe Mixon could not play a full game, making them risky in lineups in Week 18.
WRs
If you hope to have your stud receivers in Week 18, you should be happy for Week 18. Puka Nacua and AJ Brown may be the few elite receivers not playing this week. Of course, Cooper Kupp and DeVonta Smith will not either.
Expect rookies Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers to be in lineups this week as they have WR1 upside. Jauan Jennings will get Josh Dobbs as quarterback, which could benefit him. Dobbs has a high 1st Tgt %, and many should go towards Jennings.
Some receivers looking for a big this week are the Colts receivers with Joe Flacco. Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce had strong outings last week and got another great matchup against the Jaguars.
Some receivers have incentives this week in Courtland Sutton and Mike Evans. Both have great matchups and will likely get a great chance to shine this week. Both need over 75 receiving yards, so expect them to reach that number in Week 18.
TEs
Most of your TEs will be starting this week except for Travis Kelce due to rest and David Njoku due to injury. Not many sleeper tight ends are worth taking a shot at. Noah Gray getting a full workload could give some sleeper appeal. Brenton Strange and Will Dissly won’t have a favorable matchup this week.