Tag: fantasy football week 18

Gameday inactives, injuries and weather: Week 18

Week 18 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 18 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB D’Onta Foreman (active), TE Taysom Hill (active), TE Juwan Johnson (active), WR Jakobi Meyers (active)
Afternoon games: WR Tyler Lockett (active), QB Jalen Hurts (active)
Sunday night:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Buccaneers

Inactives: CB Logan Ryan, OT Donovan Smith, WR Julio Jones, S Mike Edwards, DT Vita Vea, DL Carl Nassib and CB Carlton Davis

Lineup notes: WR Julio Jones (knee, illness) will sit out the regular-season finale. CB Carlton Davis (shoulder), S Logan Ryan (knee), OT Donovan Smith (foot) and DT Vita Vea (calf) also will not play. With nothing at stake, Tampa could opt to rest most of its key players at some point during the contest.

Falcons

Inactives: DL David Anenih, DL Jalen Dalton, CB Rashad Fenton, S Micah Abernathy, OT Elijah Wilkinson and TE Feleipe Franks

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 34 degrees, overcast (retractable-roof dome)

Texans

Inactives: QB Kyle Allen, C Jimmy Morrissey, CB Steven Nelson, DT Thomas Booker, TE O.J. Howard and WR Phillip Dorsett

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

Colts

Inactives: CB Stephon Gilmore, QB Nick Foles, S Nick Cross, C Wesley French, LB Rashod Berry, DT Chris Z. Williams and TE Kylen Granson

Lineup notes: QB Nick Foles (ribs) is out, so Sam Ehlinger will start. CB Stephon Gilmore (wrist) will miss the finale.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 37 degrees, overcast

Ravens

Inactives: CB Marcus Peters, TE Mark Andrews, CB Brandon Stephens, OG Kevin Zeitler, QB Tyler Huntley, RB J.K. Dobbins, DL Rayshad Nichols and QB Lamar Jackson

Lineup notes: QB Lamar Jackson (knee) is out once again. QB Tyler Huntley (shoulder, wrist) and CB Marcus Peters (calf) were questionable but won’t go. Baltimore is resting TE Mark Andrews, OG Kevin Zeitler and RB J.K. Dobbins.

Bengals

Inactives: OT D’Ante Smith, QB Jake Browning, CB Jalen Davis, TE Devin Asiasi, DE Jeffrey Gunter and RB Chris Evans

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 32 degrees, partly cloudy

Patriots

Inactives: CB Jalen Mills, DT Sam Roberts, S Brenden Schooler, CB Shaun Wade, TE Jonnu Smith, S Joshuah Bledsoe and RB Kevin Harris

Lineup notes: TE Jonnu Smith (concussion) was downgraded on Saturday and will not play. WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder) will give it a whirl, and WR DeVante Parker (concussion) also is good to go.

Bills

Inactives: LB Baylon Spector, S Jared Mayden, TE Tommy Sweeney, CB Christian Benford, OT Justin Murray and OL Ike Boettger

Lineup notes: QB Josh Allen (elbow, ankle) continues to play through multiple ailments.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 78 degrees, clear

Jets

Inactives: WR Irvin Charles, RB James Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, QB Mike White and TE C.J. Uzomah

Lineup notes: QB Mike White (rib) will not play, so QB Joe Flacco is making the start. OT Duane Brown has been placed on IR.

Dolphins

Inactives: TE Tanner Conner, OT Terron Armstead, CB Noah Igbinoghene, QB Tua Tagovailoa, LB Brennan Scarlett, WR Cedrick Wilson and OL Kendall Lamm

Lineup notes: QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is out. QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee, finger) is available, but Skylar Thompson draws the start. WR Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) continues to play through the shoulder injury. OT Terron Armstead (toe, pec, knee, hip) won’t go, while LB Bradley Chubb (ankle, hand) and CB Xavien Howard (knee) are playing through questionable designations.

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 31 degrees, overcast

Vikings

Inactives: S Harrison Smith, DE James Lynch, LB Za’Darius Smith, LB Brian Asamoah, C Garrett Bradbury, CB Cameron Dantzler and DL Ross Blacklock

Lineup notes: TE Irv Smith was activated from IR but remains a backup. S Harrison Smith (knee) and C Garrett Bradbury (back) have been ruled out.

Bears

Inactives: RB Darrynton Evans, CB Kyler Gordon, S Sterling Weatherford, DT Angelo Blackson, LB Terrell Lewis, DB Jaylon Jones and QB Justin Fields

Lineup notes: QB Justin Fields (hip) has been ruled out.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Panthers

Inactives: DT Matt Ioannidis, DE Brian Burns, CB Juston Burris, WR Rashard Higgins, OT Larnel Coleman, LB Chandler Wooten and C Sam Tecklenburg

Lineup notes: CB Jaycee Horn (wrist) was placed on IR. RB D’Onta Foreman (knee) was limited Friday but will be out there. DE Brian Burns (ankle) was a DNP in Friday’s practice and is idle today.

Saints

Inactives: TE J.P. Holtz, WR Kirk Merritt, OT Ryan Ramczyk, S Marcus Maye, OG Andrus Peat, S Justin Evans, CB Paulson Adebo and DL Payton Turner

Lineup notes: TEs Taysom Hill (back) and Juwan Johnson (quadriceps) will play through questionable listings. OG Andrus Peat (ankle) and OT Ryan Ramczyk (hip) are out.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 34 degrees, mostly cloudy

Browns

Inactives: DE Isaiah Thomas, OT Jack Conklin, RB Demetric Felton, DT Ben Stille, DE Jadeveon Clowney, QB Kellen Mond and DB Thomas Graham

Lineup notes: DE Jadeveon Clowney (not injury related) and RT Jack Conklin (ankle) will not be available for the finale. CB Denzel Ward (shoulder) will play.

Steelers

Inactives: LB Malik Reed, QB Mason Rudolph, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Tae Crowder, CB Tre Norwood and OG Kendrick Green

Lineup notes: WR Diontae Johnson (hip) is good to go. S Minkah Fitzpatrick (ankle) and LB Myles Jack (groin) also will be out there, despite drawing questionable tags.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 40 degrees, clear

Cowboys

Inactives: WR Jalen Tolbert, S Markquese Bell, C Tyler Biadasz, LB Leighton Vander Esch, QB Will Grier, CB Israel Mukuamu and DT Quinton Bohanna

Lineup notes: RB Tony Pollard (thigh) will return this week.

Commanders

Inactives: DE Jonathan Allen, OG Andrew Norwell, S Kamren Curl, OT Cornelius Lucas, DL James Smith-Williams, RB Brian Robinson Jr. and QB Carson Wentz

Lineup notes: RB Antonio Gibson (knee, ankle) went on IR. RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) and DT Jonathan Allen (knee) are out. LB Jamin Davis (knee) was placed on IR, and S Kam Curl (ankle) was downgraded to out. RB Reggie Bonnafon was elevated to the active roster.

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 45 degrees, partly cloudy

Chargers

Inactives: OT Storm Norton, WR Michael Bandy, DT Tyeler Davison, CB Bryce Callahan, QB Easton Stick, RB Zander Horvath and RB Isaiah Spiller

Lineup notes: S Derwin James (concussion) will play. If the Ravens lose in the early window, LA may sit its key players.

Broncos

Inactives: DT D.J. Jones, WR Kendall Hinton, CB Damarri Mathis, QB Jarrett Guarantano, OT Calvin Anderson, DL Jonathan Kongbo and WR Montrell Washington

Lineup notes: WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) was a full-go Friday and will play. RB Marlon Mack (hamstring) was placed on IR.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 40 degrees, mostly cloudy

Giants

Inactives: CB Adoree’ Jackson, OT Andrew Thomas, LB Azeez Ojulari, DT Dexter Lawrence, CB Julian Love, DL Leonard Williams and RB Saquon Barkley

Lineup notes: LB Azeez Ojulari (ankle) and DT Leonard Williams (neck) will not be out there. RB Saquon Barkley will not play to preserve him for the playoffs, and New York could opt to rest other key players.

Eagles

Inactives: OT Lane Johnson, CB Avonte Maddox, DE Josh Sweat, RB Trey Sermon and QB Ian Book

Lineup notes: RT Lane Johnson (groin) will not play. QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) will make his return to action. RB Miles Sanders (knee) managed a full session in Friday and will play. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson and DE Robert Quinn were activated from the Reserve/Injured list.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 47 degrees, 62% chance of light rain, S 10 mph

Rams

Inactives: CB Shaun Jolly, DL Aaron Donald, LB Travin Howard, QB John Wolford, WR Ben Skowronek and C Brian Allen

Lineup notes: DT Aaron Donald (ankle) and WR Ben Skowronek (calf) remain out.

Seahawks

Inactives: CB Artie Burns, WR Penny Hart, OG Phil Haynes, LB Vi Jones, DE Joshua Onujiogu, DB Ryan Neal and DT Isaiah Mack

Lineup notes: RB Travis Homer (ankle) and LB Jordyn Brooks (knee) were placed on IR. WR Tyler Lockett (shin) overcame his questionable tag. RB DeeJay Dallas (ankle), RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle, illness) and TE Noah Fant (knee) will play.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 58 degrees, mostly cloudy

Cardinals

Inactives: RB James Conner, OG Lecitus Smith, WR Robbie Anderson, QB Colt McCoy, CB Marco Wilson, CB Antonio Hamilton, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DL Zach Allen and LB Zaven Collins

Lineup notes: WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee), QB Colt McCoy (concussion), RB James Conner (knee, shin), WR Robby Anderson (back) and LB Zaven Collins (calf) are all out. WR Marquise Brown (wrist) will play.

49ers

Inactives: OG Aaron Banks, DT Kevin Givens, CB Ambry Thomas, DE Drake Z. Jackson, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, LB Dre Greenlaw and TE Ross Dwelley

Lineup notes: LB Dre Greenlaw (back) will not play. QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) didn’t practice all week and is out. On the bright side, WR Deebo Samuel (quadriceps) mustered a full session in Friday and will return. RB Elijah Mitchell also is set to come back to action after being activated from IR. DE Nick Bosa (hamstring) should be out there, but could be on a snap count. RB Christian McCaffrey (knee) completed a full session in Friday and will play. QB Brock Purdy (oblique, rib) practiced all week and is fine. DT Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) and DT Javon Kinlaw (illness, knee) are questionable.

Sunday Night Football

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (8:20 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 24 degrees, mostly cloudy

Lions

Inactives: OG Kayode Awosika, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Jeff Okudah, RB Jermar Jefferson, DE Austin Bryant, DL Michael Brockers and OG Ross Pierschbacher

Lineup notes: CB Jeff Okudah (elbow)iis inactive.

Packers

Inactives: DT Jonathan Ford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, WR Bo Melton, OT Caleb Jones and OT Rasheed Walker

Lineup notes: QB Aaron Rodgers (thumb, knee) will continue playing through multiple injuries.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 18

Check out these starts and sits for fantasy football in Week 18.

Though most fantasy football championships have already been concluded, there’s a faction of leagues holding the crucial, final matchup in Week 18.

Though that’s not recommended considering the implications of fantasy studs sitting out the final week of the regular season, we’re still here to help with those lineup decisions.

You also can check out our start and sit bench list for Week 17:

Fantasy football sleepers to play in Week 18

Here are some fantasy football sleepers for Week 18.

While the majority of fantasy football leagues have concluded, there are still some leagues that partake in a Week 18 championship, and we’re still here to help those who need it.

And, even though the vast majority of fantasy managers are no longer competing, we can use these sleepers for prop betting and DFS plays.

We will be using The Huddle’s weekly PPR projections and rankings as a reference to find some potential boom games this week.

Here’s a look at some sleepers to play in fantasy football for Week 18:

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 189

Week 18 fantasy football news, daily lineup tips, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you Week 18 DFS pay-ups, stay-aways and value plays. So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Fantasy Football: 10 utilization stats to know from Week 17

Here are the top fantasy football utilization stats you need to know from Week 17 ahead of the NFL’s regular-season finale this week. 

Here are the top fantasy football utilization stats you need to know from Week 17 ahead of the NFL’s regular-season finale this week.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets for Week 18 of fantasy football.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football start/bench list: Week 18

Check out where your roster options fit into our Week 18 start/bench tiers.

Player analysis and projections can be found in our Start/Bench Tool customized to your myHuddle league scoring and rosters. All player listings by groups are in no particular order.

Key: Upgrade / Downgrade / COVID-19 list

QUARTERBACKS WIDE RECEIVERS
BEST BETS Opp BEST BETS Opp
M. Stafford SF Cooper Kupp SF
Justin Herbert @LVR Diontae Johnson @BAL
GREAT STARTS Opp Brandin Cooks TEN
Kyler Murray SEA DK Metcalf @ARI
Patrick Mahomes @DEN GREAT STARTS Opp
Josh Allen NYJ Stefon Diggs NYJ
Tom Brady CAR Hunter Renfrow LAC
SOLID STARTERS Opp Christian Kirk SEA
Taysom Hill @ATL Tyreek Hill @DEN
Tyler Huntley PIT Mike Evans CAR
Davis Mills TEN J. Jefferson CHI
Derek Carr LAC Darnell Mooney @MIN
Kirk Cousins CHI SOLID STARTERS Opp
B. Roethlisberger @BAL Cyril Grayson CAR
Russell Wilson @ARI Mike Williams @LVR
Aaron Rodgers @DET L. Treadwell IND
Jalen Hurts DAL Jakobi Meyers @MIA
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp M. Pittman Jr. @JAC
Dak Prescott @PHI M. Callaway @ATL
Trey Lance @LAR Jaylen Waddle NE
Mac Jones @MIA A. St. Brown GB
Justin Fields @MIN A.J. Brown @HOU
Sam Darnold @TB Deebo Samuel @LAR
Carson Wentz @JAC DeVonta Smith DAL
Tim Boyle GB D.J. Moore @TB
Matt Ryan NO Braxton Berrios @BUF
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Zay Jones LAC
Ryan Tannehill @HOU Tyler Lockett @ARI
Zach Wilson @BUF Davante Adams @DET
Drew Lock KC O. Beckham Jr. SF
Taylor Heinicke @NYG Keenan Allen @LVR
Trevor Lawrence IND FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
Jimmy Garoppolo @LAR Jerry Jeudy KC
Brandon Allen @CLE Ja’Marr Chase @CLE
Case Keenum CIN Brandon Aiyuk @LAR
Jared Goff GB Tee Higgins @CLE
Lamar Jackson PIT Van Jefferson SF
Jake Fromm WAS R. Gage Jr. NO
Tua Tagovailoa NE Terry McLaurin @NYG
RUNNING BACKS Cedrick Wilson @PHI
BEST BETS Opp Tyler Boyd @CLE
Jonathan Taylor @JAC Josh Reynolds GB
Nick Chubb CIN Marquise Brown PIT
Alvin Kamara @ATL T.Y. Hilton @JAC
D. Singletary NYJ Cole Beasley NYJ
GREAT STARTS Opp Amari Cooper @PHI
D’Onta Foreman @HOU B. Perriman CAR
Chase Edmonds SEA Chase Claypool @BAL
Austin Ekeler @LVR Robby Anderson @TB
SOLID STARTERS Opp Kendrick Bourne @MIA
Rashaad Penny @ARI D. Peoples-Jones CIN
Samaje Perine @CLE Tyler Johnson CAR
D. Montgomery @MIN K.J. Osborn CHI
Damien Harris @MIA Jarvis Landry CIN
D’Andre Swift GB Allen Lazard @DET
Darrel Williams @DEN DeVante Parker NE
Josh Jacobs LAC Allen Robinson @MIN
Jaret Patterson @NYG A.J. Green SEA
Najee Harris @BAL Marvin Jones IND
Dalvin Cook CHI Jalen Guyton @LVR
AJ Dillon @DET CeeDee Lamb @PHI
Saquon Barkley WAS Gabriel Davis NYJ
Javonte Williams KC SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Sony Michel SF N. Westbrook-Ikhine @HOU
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Rashod Bateman PIT
Ezekiel Elliott @PHI Nico Collins TEN
Chuba Hubbard @TB Josh Palmer @LVR
M. Gordon III KC C. Sutton KC
Aaron Jones @DET M. Valdes-Scantling @DET
Dare Ogunbowale IND Antoine Wesley SEA
C. Patterson NO Quez Watkins DAL
Elijah Mitchell @LAR Kadarius Toney WAS
Le’Veon Bell CAR Jalen Reagor DAL
R. Stevenson @MIA Tim Patrick KC
Devonta Freeman PIT Tre’Quan Smith @ATL
Jamaal Williams GB Mecole Hardman @DEN
D. Hilliard @HOU Chris Conley TEN
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Kenny Golladay WAS
Myles Gaskin NE Keelan Cole @BUF
Mark Ingram @ATL Adam Humphries @NYG
Tevin Coleman @BUF Julio Jones @HOU
Jordan Howard DAL L. Shenault Jr. IND
Joe Mixon @CLE O. Zaccheaus NO
Kareem Hunt CIN DEFENSIVE TEAMS
James Conner SEA BEST BETS Opp
Boston Scott DAL Chiefs @DEN
Ronald Jones CAR GREAT STARTS Opp
Antonio Gibson @NYG Bills NYJ
C. Edwards-Helaire @DEN Football Team @NYG
Ke’Shawn Vaughn CAR SOLID STARTERS Opp
Michael Carter @BUF Buccaneers CAR
Ty Johnson @BUF Cowboys @PHI
Rex Burkhead TEN Rams SF
A. Mattison CHI Browns CIN
Austin Walter @BUF Packers @DET
Ameer Abdullah @TB Patriots @MIA
Devontae Booker WAS Colts @JAC
K. Gainwell DAL FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
Mike Davis NO Vikings CHI
Tony Pollard @PHI Steelers @BAL
Duke Johnson NE Eagles DAL
TIGHT ENDS Dolphins NE
BEST BETS Opp Texans TEN
Dalton Schultz @PHI Cardinals SEA
GREAT STARTS Opp Titans @HOU
Zach Ertz SEA Falcons NO
Travis Kelce @DEN Bengals @CLE
SOLID STARTERS Opp Bears @MIN
Hunter Henry @MIA Saints @ATL
Cole Kmet @MIN 49ers @LAR
Mark Andrews PIT Ravens PIT
Rob Gronkowski CAR Chargers @LVR
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Pat Freiermuth @BAL Jets @BUF
Tyler Conklin CHI Lions GB
George Kittle @LAR Raiders LAC
Gerald Everett @ARI Jaguars IND
Tyler Higbee SF Panthers @TB
Brevin Jordan TEN Seahawks @ARI
Jared Cook @LVR Broncos KC
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp Giants WAS
Evan Engram WAS
John Bates @NYG
C.J. Uzomah @CLE
Austin Hooper CIN
Mike Gesicki NE
Dawson Knox NYJ
Dallas Goedert DAL
Darren Waller LAC
Kyle Pitts NO

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 18

Trending in the right and wrong directions to close out the 2021 season.

The 2021 season has been one of the most frustrating in the history of fantasy football. COVID-19 had an impact last season in terms of forcing games to be shifted from one week to another and messing with lineups, but the NFL made it clear prior to the start of this season that, while there could be flexibility within a week to switch games (Tuesday Night Football was a thing again this year), if you had an outbreak, it would be on the individual organizations to play. This time around, the show must go on.

The balance of power shifted completely as outbreaks hit teams. Quarterbacks who had never started before made starts. Entire position rooms went down – it’s hard to win you start your third left tackle or fifth defensive end or cornerback.

Hopefully, by the beginning of the 2022 season, this global nightmare will finally be behind us, but a lot of fantasy owners have seen their seasons come to an abrupt end due to COVID. For those who weren’t able to dodge the loss of key players at key time, just know you weren’t alone.

Here is the Week 18 Fantasy Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Mitchell isn’t a surprise riser – he’s posted five 100-yard rushing games – but in his last four games has become a workhorse like no other back in the league. In those four games, he has 97 carries for 399 yards and has scored three touchdowns. If the 49ers get into the playoffs, which is a distinct possibility, if they’re able to control the ground game like they have with Mitchell, the 49ers will be a hard out in the postseason.

TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

There is always discussion about who will fill out the Tight End Mount Rushmore along with Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Darren Waller – the accepted Big 3. Andrews has always been in consideration to be the fourth guy, but he has really stepped it up, especially in the last month. He has 99 catches for 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns, including five 100-yard games, but in the last month he may have cemented his spot. In his last four games, he has caught 35 passes for 465 yards and three touchdowns – planting his Mount Rushmore flag for next season.

WR Cyril Grayson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A guy who didn’t play college football, he only has 10 receptions, but has gained 212 yards, including a 62-yard catch and touchdown receptions of 33 and 50 yards. With Chris Godwin out due to injury and Antonio Brown gone altogether, somebody has to step up, and Grayson may well be that speed option by default. Tom Brady has a history of turning receivers into fantasy darlings, and Grayson could be the next in a long line of them.

RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Ekeler is a guy who is in fantasy lineups almost every week because he’s a poor man’s Alvin Kamara – or at least he was. He has just one 100-yard rushing game and hasn’t hit 70 receiving yards in a game, but it’s the body of work that matters here. He has scored 18 touchdowns (11 rushing, seven receiving), has a touchdown in each of his last six games and, over that six-game span, he has scored nine TDs. If you had Ekeler and didn’t win a fantasy championship, it wasn’t his fault. He gave you what you needed to be successful.

WR Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans

Cooks has become a very poor man’s Davante Adams. Everyone knows the ball is coming his way, but he didn’t have Aaron Rodgers throwing it to him. He has 130 targets (next highest on the Texans is 53). He has 87 receptions (next highest is 30). He has 1,011 yards (next highest is 379). He has six TD receptions (next highest is three). When most would give up on him, over his last three games, he has 22 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns – stepping up for those who showed faith.

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Fantasy Football Fallers

QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

His fantasy contribution as a rusher is negligible. What you get from him is passing yards and garbage-time touchdowns. That hasn’t happened this year, and it has gotten worse as time has gone by. The Falcons didn’t get in the QB run at the start of the draft and were willing to ride it out with Ryan – known for 300-yard games is losses. In his last eight games, he not only doesn’t have a single 300-yard passing game, Ryan has been under 200 in five of them, hasn’t thrown more than one touchdown in any game, and has no touchdown passes in four contests. Those are the kind of stat lines you get from COVID replacements, not a guy who is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate.

RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

He has been on this list before, but it has been because the expectations of a player of Elliott’s stature are pronounced. Unlike other running back disappointments, he has played in every game and never got benched in fantasy lineups. Scoring 12 touchdowns is great, but it has come with a price for a top-five pick. He has caught 46 passes, but they have gone for just 284 yards. He has 25 or fewer receiving yards in 13 games. What makes it an issue is that, in his last 10 games, his high for rushing yards is 52. Still in the heavy-lifting portion of his contract, this hasn’t been acceptable for some time. His stock for next year has a floor for the first time.

QB Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts

Fantasy football doesn’t care if you win or lose. Guys like Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford have become fantasy gods by having a brutal defense that provides fluffed numbers late in games (the Roethlisberger Effect). Wentz has a reputation for being capable of posting solid numbers. In his first nine games, he threw two or more touchdowns in seven of them and found his way into a lot of fantasy lineups. In his last seven games, he has one or no TDs and has thrown for 180 or fewer yards in five of them. Those who bought in during the first half of the season have been forced to rethink their position. While his team has been successful, he has stunk out loud from the fantasy perspective.

WR D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers

When the season started, it seemed like a lot of the same with Moore. Through his first four games, Moore caught 30 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. That was when things were good. In 12 games, he has caught 56 passes for 672 yards and one touchdown. As bad as things have been, even those averages are above his last three games – 14 catches for 132 yards and no touchdowns. Moore was brought onto fantasy rosters with the knowledge that he was going to have issues at quarterback. But, he has had that before and thrived. This time around? Not so much.

QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence came in with the can’t-miss franchise tag of a “can’t miss” prospect – the best since Andrew Luck, many postulated. In his first game, he threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns and the expectations suddenly went off the hook. In the 15 games since, he has thrown just seven touchdowns (with 14 interceptions) and has thrown for fewer than 230 yards in 11 of them. In his last 11 games, he has accounted for just four touchdowns. It’s not his fault that the Jaguars are extremely limited talent-wise, but four touchdowns in 11 games is something you expect from a marginal tight end, not the No. 1 overall pick.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

The best one-week rentals to wrap up the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

One-week plays

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: In what could be Big Ben’s final NFL game, it’s fitting it will come vs. the Ravens in what usually is a knock-down, drag-out fight. Baltimore is just too beaten up on the back end to compete with any ferocity, and Roethlisberger should close it out on a strong note. He has four very capable weapons in Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth, and versatile rookie running back in Najee Harris to help keep what is left of the Ravens defense in check. Big Ben through for 236-2-0 in the Week 13 meeting and is poised to get closer to 300 and three.

Availability: 73%
FAAB: $9-10

RB Le’Veon Bell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: An ankle injury has Ronald Jones possibly sitting out, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn is dealing with ailing ribs, making Bell in line to draw a start. Carolina allowed five scores on the ground to the position in the most recent five games, and Alvin Kamara caught a TD vs. them last weekend. There’s no doubt Bell isn’t what he used to be on the field, but we have a quality opportunity for a dirt-cheap TD and a handful of catches.

Availability: 96%
FAAB: $34-36

WR Cyril Grayson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: Another Buc thrust into increased playing time due to injury, among other predictable outcomes, Grayson has been explosive each and every time he has been granted a chance to show it. In Week 8 vs. the New Orleans Saints, he housed his only target on a 50-yarder. In the past two games, Grayson has turned 11 targets into nine catches, 162 yards and a score. Now that’s what you call efficient! Tom Brady will play in this one, and the bizarre ending to Antonio Brown’s career in Tampa (and probably anywhere else) opens the door for Grayson to see at least a half-dozen targets vs. a Carolina secondary that’s banged up and permitted the ninth-most PPR points per game in the month leading up to Week 17.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $8-10

WR Deonte Harris, New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons: This one is all about the matchup and the chance for a huge play. The Falcons have given up 18 WR scores in 16 games, and this matchup was 25 percent better than league average entering the contest. Sure, they did a great job against Buffalo, but the elements weren’t conducive to passing the ball with success. Twenty-two wideouts have posted 10-plus PPR points against this defense, and Harris is among them when he corralled six of eight looks for 52 yards in Week 9. Kenny Stills and Marquez Callaway each scored in that one, which offers hope. A rusty Harris returned from a three-week layoff in Week 17, going for only 2-23-0. Going back to his last game before the absence, Harris displayed the precise reason anyone should consider playing him with a 4-96-1 line.

Availability: 86%
FAAB: $6-8

WR Laquon Treadwell, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts: Purely for PPR gamers looking to plug a flex spot, Treadwell has been among the most consistent possession guys of late. He has at least five targets, four catches, and 54 yards in six straight games, producing at least 9.4 PPR points in each of those contests — nothing spectacular, but he’s effectively guaranteeing a rock-solid floor each week. While the Colts have given up an average of only 11 receptions to the position in the last four contests, 19 performances of 10-plus points have been had on the year. Treadwell wasn’t a factor in the first meeting as he was buried on the bench.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $5-6

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WR Zay Jones, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers: The former Buffalo Bill has posted 11-plus PPR points in three straight games and four of the last six. He has stepped up with Darren Waller (knee, COVID) out, and Derek Carr trusts him. Jones snared 120 yards worth of action on eight grabs vs. Indy last week but wasn’t a factor in the Week 4 trip to LA as much was different for the Raiders at that stage of the season. The Chargers have given up six double-digit PPR performances in the last five outings, and four scores came in that window of operation. The Bolts have yielded a hearty 13.3 yards per catch since Week 12. Finally, it will be all hands on deck for the Raiders as the winner is into the postseason, and we all know LA’s offense can put up points with the best of ’em.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $5-6

TE Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts: Make sure Arnold is removed from the COVID reserve prior to adding him, but he has a solid opportunity should he return to the field. The Jaguars were without TE James O’Shaughnessy (hip) in Week 17, and with the Jaguars on to their RB4 facing a poor matchup, increased passing volume is inevitable. The Colts are, however, a brilliant matchup tight ends. The position has registered the second-most catches and sixth-most yards vs. this defense, and only two teams have permitted more points per game in PPR on the year.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $1-2

PK Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns: Ja’Marr Chase isn’t the only promising rookie on this team … McPherson wasn’t asked to do much in the Week 9 41-16 beatdown by Cleveland, something we just don’t see happening again. If anything, it really could go in the other direction. Over the last seven games, McPherson has booted 10-plus points worth in standard fantasy scoring five times. He has attempted two or more field goals, connecting on 11 of 12, in the last four games. In the event Cincy sits offensive stars, it actually works in his favor as there will be more reliance on taking what you can get on the scoreboard.

Availability: 71%
FAAB: $2-3

PK Brett Maher, New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons: Maher wasn’t the kicker for the Week 9 battle, but Brian Johnson made both field goal kicks and his only extra point. The Falcons actually have done a fine job of limiting kickers all year as only three have gone into double-digit fantasy territory. These teams know each other well and profile as a fairly even matchup in the regular-season finale. Maher should be good for two or three treys and at least an extra point.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

Indianapolis Colts D/ST at Jacksonville Jaguars: In competitive leagues, Indy is overwhelmingly owned. However, this group could be on the wire in more casual settings as postseason teams may have been inclined to play matchups off the wire. It doesn’t get too much better than this one given all that has gone wrong for the Jaguars, and Indianapolis will pull out all the stops to secure a postseason berth.

Availability: 38%
FAAB: $5-6

Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at Las Vegas Raiders: The run-it-back game comes three months after the first meeting, and many things have changed on both sides, especially for the galvanized Raiders. That said, Derek Carr continues to turn over the ball too much for a serious contender, and it appears to be a long shot Darren Waller (knee, COVID) will be ready. The upcoming Sunday Night Football tilt features a “win and get in” scenario for both teams. The Chargers are just in better position talent-wise and are healthier than during the embarrassing whoopin’ put on them by Houston a few weeks back. Carr was sacked four times and threw a pick in the Week 4 game, and he has tossed a pick in all but three games this year, including five in the last four outings. His offense has failed to score more than 23 points in five straight weeks.

Availability: 46%
FAAB: $3-4