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Is Patrick Mahomes starting and playing this week? Should I start or sit Patrick Mahomes for fantasy football in Week 18? Read our start 'em, sit 'em picks.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has not had the fantasy year that we all imagined. Through 16 games, Mahomes ranks as the QB7 while averaging just 18.4 fantasy points per game this season. The QB7 finish in 2023 is his worst fantasy finish since 2019 when he played in 14 games and also finished as the QB7.
Mahomes is coming off another average day in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for just 245 pass yards and one touchdown.
With the Chiefs already locking up the AFC West title and locked into the #3 seed in the playoffs, will Mahomes play in Week 18? Let's dive in and find out.
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Patrick Mahomes Fantasy Football Update
Winning in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals helped the Chiefs secure their eighth straight division title. The victory also locked Kansas City into the third spot in the AFC playoffs, regardless of what happens in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With that in mind, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has decided to sit Mahomes in a meaningless Week 18 game. Reid announced on Wednesday and declared Blaine Gabbert the team's starter this Sunday.
Gabbert is in his first season with the team and has thrown three passes for 31 yards this year, all coming in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears in a blowout win. But now the veteran will try to help Kansas City finish with an 11-6 record in 2023.
Should I Start Blaine Gabbert in Week 18?
With Mahomes officially ruled out, Gabbert could be on fantasy radars on Sunday. If you play in a Week 18 fantasy football championship or daily fantasy sports (DFS), the veteran might be an option for most with several key quarterbacks sitting out this weekend.
The matchup is great for Gabbert against a Chargers' secondary that has struggled against the pass this season. They are giving up the third most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. However, the Chiefs quarterback could be without several key playmakers for most of the game on Sunday, as the team figures to rest most starters like Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Isiah Pacheco throughout the game.
That makes Gabbert a risky option, even against this Los Angeles defense. The veteran also hasn't made a start since Week 17 of the 2018 season with the Tennessee Titans. In that game, he threw for just 165 yards and one touchdown with one interception. In Week 18, there are likely better options to stream in both fantasy and DFS formats.
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