Week 18 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Final Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions to Consider
The final week of the NFL regular season will take place over the next two days. Many teams have already secured their playoff positions, while many more have already been eliminated and have little gain in Week 18.
For fantasy football managers, that's a potential problem.
Most season-long fantasy leagues have already concluded. However, some larger leagues are still ongoing, along with daily fantasy sports (DFS) games. For those competing in fantasy this weekend, knowing which teams will play their starters will be a huge part of the puzzle.
Navigating difficult matchups will be another challenge. Here, you'll find a look at some of the toughest matchups of Week 18, along with some start-sit advice based on recent performances, projected roles and point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
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Things haven't gone well for the New York Giants this season. However, a couple of rookies have emerged as quality fantasy options. First-round wide receiver Malik Nabers was expected to be an instant star, but fifth-round running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been a bit more of a surprise.
Sunday's game between the Giants and Philadelphia Eagles is meaningless for both teams, as Philly is locked into the NFC's No. 2 seed. While New York will probably look to end the season on a high note, the Eagles plan to rest several key starters.
While the Philly defense has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, Tracy is unlikely to face a full complement of defensive starters.
"What an opportunity for some of the guys who are going to be playing that maybe don't get as many reps," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
That's one reason to trust Tracy. Another is his PPR floor. Tracy, who is coming off a game with two catches and 73 scrimmage yards, is regularly used in the passing game. If the Eagles had something to play for, we'd recommend sitting Tracy, but he should have solid flex value in Week 18.
Sit: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has topped 1,000 rushing yards and 1,200 scrimmage yards this season. However, we'd recommend finding an alternative for Week 18.
For one, there's no guarantee that Pollard will play or see a heavy workload. He was dealing with an ankle injury last week and ultimately sat with an illness. He remained limited in practices this week.
Additionally, the Houston Texans don't appear likely to rest starters. Houston is locked into the No. 4 seed but wants to maintain momentum ahead of the postseason.
"I want to see our guys go out and just gain that confidence just from doing ball the right way," head coach DeMeco Ryans said, per Jeremy Brener of SI.com.
The Texans have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Assuming they do indeed play to win and play their starters, they'll provide a very difficult matchup for a less-than-100-percent running back.
While Pollard did top 100 rushing yards the last time he faced Houston, he didn't reach 50 scrimmage yards in either of his last two games.
Start: Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
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The Denver Broncos only need a win on Sunday to reach the postseason as a wild-card team. They'll have a chance to get it against a Kansas City Chiefs team likely to rest its most important players.
Kansas City has already locked up the AFC's No. 1 seed. While resting starters can lead to shaky opening performances in the postseason—which is why teams like Houston don't plan to do it—the Chiefs will have to navigate an opening-round bye anyway. Their goal will most likely be to get out of Week 18 with as many healthy players as possible.
That bodes well for Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. Denver's top receiver is likely to see a high-volume workload anyway, but he's a much safer option if Kansas City isn't playing to win.
The Chiefs have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season.
Sutton had six catches on nine targets for 70 yards and a touchdown the last time he faced Kansas City. With many Chiefs starters likely to sit—coach Andy Reid has already announced that Carson Wentz will start in place of Patrick Mahomes—Sutton could be in store for an even bigger day.
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Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn't quite lived up to expectations. The fourth overall pick out of Ohio State has caught 57 passes for 822 yards and seven touchdowns. While that's solid production, many expected Harrison to be an instant fantasy league-winner.
Consistency has been one of Harrison's biggest issues. He's coming off of a six-catch, 92-yard performance but caught just six passes for 71 yards in his previous two games combined.
It's impossible to trust Harrison in Week 18, even though neither the Cardinals nor the San Francisco 49ers have anything to gain.
Both teams have been eliminated and will be playing purely for pride on Sunday. While San Francisco may sit some injured players, healthy starters will likely play. The 49ers have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, and Harrison didn't exactly shine the last time these two teams met.
When Harrison faced San Francisco in Week 5, he caught a mere two passes for 36 yards.
*Fantasy scoring information via FantasyPros.
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