Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 18: Top Matchup Plays and Sleepers for Final Games

The poor defenses in the NFC East will be exploited once again in Week 18.

The two NFC East matchups are the perfect games to find fantasy football sleepers from because there should be many opportunities for pass catchers to thrive.

Tyrod Taylor and the New York Giants could feast on the porous Philadelphia Eagles defense that was gashed by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17.

New York earned 292 total yards versus the Eagles in Week 16, and it will likely do more damage with Taylor back as the permanent starter.

The Dallas Cowboys also have an offensive feast set in front of them on Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

Washington should have zero motivation to win that way it can lock up the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Sunday will likely be Ron Rivera's last game as head coach and that could affect the performance of the Washington players.

There are other exploitable matchups across the Week 18 slate, but the ones in the NFC East stand out the most because of how awful Philadelphia and Washington have been on defense.

Tyrod Taylor, Wan'Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The Giants offense has some of the best available fantasy football sleepers.

New York is facing a Philadelphia defense that allowed over 300 total yards in five of its last seven games. The Cardinals just put up 449 total yards on that unit in Week 17.

Taylor threw for 319 yards and a touchdown in his return as starter last week against the Los Angeles Rams' much tougher defense.

Wan'Dale Robinson earned six receptions on nine targets from Taylor. He also scored on a 24-yard run.

Robinson's speed could wreak havoc on a Philadelphia secondary that has had plenty of issues without Darius Slay in recent weeks.

Robinson is the better waiver-wire addition over Darius Slayton because of his increased target load with Taylor in at quarterback.

Daniel Bellinger matched Darren Waller's output from the Giants tight end spot in the last two weeks.

Bellinger had 43 receiving yards against the Eagles and caught all four of his targets for 39 yards versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Waller is the more popular fantasy football player, but Bellinger could be one of the sleepers who are key to picking up a Week 18 championship victory.

Brandin Cooks

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: Brandin Cooks #3 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Brandin Cooks is the perfect No. 2 wide receiver to roster in Week 18.

The Dallas offense posted 45 points and 431 total yards in its first meeting with the Commanders in Week 12.

Washington is not expected to put up much of a fight with the inside track to the No. 2 overall pick and Rivera likely coaching in his final game.

Sunday's NFC East matchup should be more about the Cowboys confirming their spot atop the division than anything.

CeeDee Lamb will still get the most targets from Dak Prescott, but Cooks should pop up on a handful of occasions for big gains.

Cooks had five catches for 60 yards on eight targets against the Detroit Lions last week and he had 72 yards and a score in Dallas' first meeting with Washington.

Johnny Mundt

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 24: Minnesota Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt (86) runs with the ball after the catch as Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) goes to wrap him up during the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions on December 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings and their quarterback carousel may be hard for any fantasy football player to trust right now.

However, Johnny Mundt is the perfect sleeper who could help you win a championship in Week 18.

Mundt earned more targets and receptions than Josh Oliver in Week 17 in Minnesota's first game without T.J. Hockenson.

The Vikings have to go back to Nick Mullens, who provided a spark in the second half and threw a touchdown pass to Mundt against the Green Bay Packers

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell declined to name a Week 18 starter against the Detroit Lions on Monday, but he did tell reporters he chose a starter, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

If Mullens is the starter, Mundt is worth a serious look as a starting tight end in fantasy lineups.

Mundt caught four of his seven targets for 39 yards and his red-zone presence will be valuable to fantasy players looking for the smallest of differences in a week with a lot of moving parts.