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Start/Sit (Week 18)

December 31, 2025

Quarterbacks

START

Brock Purdy vs Seahawks

In the three weeks after the 49ers bye, Purdy is averaging 298 passing yards and over 3 passing touchdowns per game. He also rushed for two touchdowns last week, so he has upside there as well. This week he faces the Seahawks in a matchup where the winner will earn the Number One seed in the NFC playoffs. Last time he faced the Seahawks was in Week 1 and he had 277 yards and 2 touchdowns. Expect similar numbers with the roll this offense is on right now.

Tyler Shough at Falcons

The new betting favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year is on a tear in the last three weeks with a LOW of 272 yards. The Saints have won four in a row and would love to end their season on a high note and increase that streak to five. This week Shough will match up against a Falcons defense that ranks in the middle of the league against the pass. Alvin Kamara may miss his sixth straight game so the offense will run through Shough.

Bryce Young at Bucs

After quite the lackluster performance last week against the Seahawks BY finds himself in what is basically a winner takes the NFC South game this week against the Bucs. Just two weeks ago BY threw for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Bucs and their defense has not gotten any better. The Panthers are hungry to taste the playoffs and will rely on Young’s arm to take them there.

SIT

Malik Willis or Jordan Love at Vikings

Whichever QB ends up starting for the Packers will be facing a Vikings defense that has been on a roll while the Packers have nothing to play for. They are locked into the seventh seed and will be looking to get healthier for the playoffs. A lot of starters will sit this one out leaving the QB without weapons against an aggressive Vikings D.

Bo Nix vs Chargers

The Chargers have already announced that they will be sitting multiple starters this week against the Broncos. While the Broncos do need to win this game to secure the number one seed in the AFC, it should be an easy day for Bo Nix and company. Anything more than a modest fantasy output should not be expected.

Lamar Jackson at Steelers

Jackson is continuing to heal from a back injury, so he is currently TBD to play this week. But if he is cleared, not much should be expected from him on the ground. The Ravens will rely heavily on Derrick Henry to carry them to an AFC North title. In his last game against Pittsburgh, Lamar only threw for 219 yards and one touchdown but also threw an interception.

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Running Backs

START

Jaylen Warren vs Ravens

A home matchup for the division awaits the Steelers who just suffered a disappointing defeat to the Browns. The good news for fantasy managers is that Pittsburgh will be doing everything they can to win this one, including riding the hot run game. Warren didn’t have the best output in their last matchup, but he turned three receptions into a trip to the endzone which made the start worth it.

TreVeyon Henderson vs Dolphins

The Patriots can secure the 1 seed in the AFC with a win over Miami and if the Broncos somehow lose to Trey Lance and the Chargers. Henderson didn’t put up the huge numbers last week but considering he was returning from a concussion, we’ll take the outcome. Miami is far from a competitive team and points should be available to rushing attack of New England. Stevenson has been playing incredible the last few weeks but on far less opportunity than Henderson. TreVeyon is their guy and we should see quite a bit of him come game day.

RJ Harvey vs Chargers

Denver gets their opportunity to secure the 1 seed with a win over Los Angeles. The Chargers gave up over 100 yards to the Texans and I’d put Harvey as a much better talent (no disrespect) than Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan. RJ has found the endzone six times in the last five weeks and is essentially a lock despite a tough Chargers defense up next.

SIT

Josh Jacobs at Vikings

It’s obvious that Jacobs is far more hurt than the Packers have let on. To their credit, there were reports that Jacobs was on crutches early last week when he didn’t practice and still tried to go. Though he was able to practice in limited fashion this week, the dud result was the same. It seemed like a smash spot where Green Bay would lean on the run with Jordan Love not playing. Instead, the opposite played out and they leaned on Malik Willis. It’s a combo of Jacobs being much more injured than we know, and the Packers leaning on the pass game. With the playoffs already clinched, there is no reason for them to give him much run this week.

Aaron Jones vs Packers

It’s hard to tell anyone to bench a starter on a week where most solid options will be sitting or playing in limited fashion. If you’re rolling with him in the flex, I can totally see the need to do so. I’m just offering a caution that the 31 year old back has struggled despite receiving a majority of the workload the last few weeks. In theory, he should be good for 10 points. The Packers just got absolutely humiliated by Derrick Henry and I’d imagine there will be a bit of a focus to eliminate that Vikings rushing attack given the lack of respect for the passing game.

Kenneth Walker at 49ers

Walker continues to live in the shadow of Zach Charbonnet who had a 100 yard, 2 touchdown performance. They received a similar workload but Walker was the one that struggled to find production. The last time the Seahawks matched up against San Fran (week 1), he turned 10 carries into only 20 yards. Granted, this is a different 49ers defense they’re seeing now, but they’re still playing dang good football. If you’re still in it, don’t trust him again please. 

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Wide Receivers

START

Wan’dale Robinson vs Cowboys

Wan’dale has found some serious chemistry with Jaxon Dart since week 9. Wan’dale is averaging 9.5 targets per game. The Giants are going up against the worst passing defense in the league who just happen to cut their #1 Corner, Trevon Diggs. Wan’dale should be poised to put up a large yardage total in a game that doesn’t mean much for either franchise.

Tetairoa McMillan at Buccaneers

Tetairoa had a bummer of a week 17, only racking up 5 yards on 1 catch. He is poised for a bounce back game because he was allegedly battling an illness during the week 17 game against the Seahawks. The Panthers and Buccaneers enter week 18 with a critical winner take all matchup. Bryce Young is going to look his way often while trying to keep up with the Buccaneers offense. Just two weeks ago Tetairoa had 73 yards and a touchdown against the same defense.

Jakobi Meyers vs Titans

The Jaguars will be pushing for a win as they try to lock up the AFC South. The Titans have a very weak passing defense, ranking in the bottom 5 of the league. Since the Jaguars traded for Myers, they have gone 5-1. They will look to keep him busy (averaging over 8 targets a game in the past 4 games) as they try to lock up the division.

SIT

Drake London vs Saints

Drake London looks like he is trying to shake off the rust from his injury while trying to learn how to play with a new quarterback. Kirk Cousins took over the starting quarterback position for the Falcons in week 12. Since week 12, London has missed four games due to injury and has caught only four of ten targets. He has played plenty of snaps (98% against the Rams) so maybe he just needs extra time to acclimate to Cousins as his QB. I don’t think it will be this week against a Saints Defense that has been stingy the second half of the season.

AJ Brown Vs Commanders

The Eagles have not decided to sit their starters yet, but even if AJ does play, I don’t see it likely that he will have to carry a large load in this game. The Commanders are starting Josh Johnson again this week, so the Eagles likely won’t have to put up too many points to grab the easy win this week. AJ hit the century mark in receiving yards last week, so they likely won’t be forcing the ball to him to hit his milestone.

Ladd McConkey at Broncos

The Chargers will be resting Justin Herbert going into week 18. Key offensive contributors will likely receive a light load of gametime against the Broncos this week as well. The Broncos need a win to try to secure the #1 seed in the AFC. It is easy to say the landscape leading into this game doesn’t look good, not to mention that Ladd hasn’t caught more than 43 yards since week 10.

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Tight Ends

START

Hunter Henry vs Dolphins

Henry remains a viable Week 18 start thanks to his role rather than Matchup. While the Dolphins’ defense is aggressive on the outside, they’ve allowed TE’s to find soft spots underneath, especially in the red-zone. Henry continues to be one of the most trusted targets near the goal line, and in a game where New England may need to sustain drives rather than on big plays, his volume and TD upside make him a solid start.

Dalton Schultz vs Colts

Schultz is peaking at the right time, and Week 18 lines up nicely. The Colts have been vulnerable to Tight Ends all season, Particularly those who can exploit zone coverage and soft underneath defenders. Schultz’s chemistry with his QB has been improving weekly, and his usage in high leverage situations gives him a solid floor. In a game with potential playoff implications, Schultz should see meaningful targets, making him a confident start.

George Kittle or Jake Tonges vs Seahawks

Kittle draws a favorable matchup against Seattle, a defense that has struggled to contain TE’s who can win after the catch. The Seahawks often allow chunk plays over the middle, which plays directly into Kittle’s strengths, In a meaningful Week 18 matchup. Kittle’s usage, physicality, and red-zone role make him a high-end start. If Kittle were to sit, Tonges would step into a role with potential Touchdown opportunity, keeping his spot fantasy-relevant.

SIT

Michael Mayer vs Chiefs

Mayer’s Week 18 matchup against Kansas City is another reason he belongs on the bench. The Chiefs are disciplined defensively and do an excellent job limiting TE production, particularly against younger players still developing consistency. Mayer’s target share has been volatile, and with the chiefs likely forcing his offense to throw outside, his path to fantasy relevance is narrow. He’s a sit in a tough matchup.

Brenton Strange vs Titans

Strange has shown promise but remains a risky play heading into Week 18. The Titans are disciplined against TE’s and limit big plays over the middle, forcing offenses to win on the outside. Strange’s snap share and red-zone usage haven’t been reliable enough to justify a start, especially where it certainly matters.

Colby Parkinson vs Cardinals

Parkinson’s size gives him a theoretical upside, but the Cardinals have been surprisingly effective against TE’s, particularly in the red-zone. Parkinson’s involvement is highly game-script dependent, and he often disappears when the offense spreads targets around. Without consistent volume or designed looks, he’s too risky to trust in Week 18 lineups.

Keith, Author

Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.