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Who should I start or sit for fantasy football in Week 18 of the 2024 season? Andrew's potential fantasy football busts and duds to avoid for Week 18 lineups.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 18 fantasy football busts, or players who may disappoint. For those fantasy leagues still chugging along into the final week of the regular season, some key players won't be on the field.
The Chiefs, Eagles, Rams, and Bills (for the most part) have stated that starters will not suit up. The Texans are playing C.J. Stroud and Co. but likely not for a whole game. And that's just the beginning of the "will they, won't they?" scenarios.
Below are my 10 fantasy football busts, or players who may disappoint, for Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. Hopefully, this will help you set winning fantasy lineups this week. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Josh Jacobs (RB, GB) vs. Chicago
In any other week, Josh Jacobs would have a case to be the top-ranked running back (although beating out Bijan Robinson against Carolina would be tough). Chicago allows the third-most rushing yards to running backs and Jacobs is the engine of the Green Bay offense.
There's always a spanner in the works in Week 18. The Packers only have seeding (sixth or seventh seed) to play for. Jacobs told the media on Thursday that he won't see a full allotment of snaps.
Josh Jacobs states the obvious on how much he'll play vs. Bears: "Just being honest, being realistic, I don't see me taking that many carries in this game. Obviously, I want to play. I'm going to push to play, and I'm playing. But I don't see myself taking 30 carries."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 2, 2025
The Packers can probably beat the Bears with Emanuel Wilson and Malik Willis and the difference between the sixth and seventh seeds is negligible. We may not see a lot of the Packers starters on Sunday. Jordan Love is also a shaky start.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, NO) at Tampa Bay
Alvin Kamara (groin) and Kendre Miller (concussion) aren't practicing, putting Clyde Edwards-Helaire in line for an increased workload for the Saints (yes, he's in New Orleans now). He out-touched Jamaal Williams last week.
Here is the attendance at the portion of Thursday’s #Saints practice that was open to the media:
Not Seen:
QB Derek Carr (Left Hand)
RB Kendre Miller (Concussion)
RB Alvin Kamara (Groin)
DE Payton Turner (Ankle)Sidework:
LB Pete Werner (Concussion)— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 2, 2025
The former Chief may have the worst matchup of the weekend. His old team (the best run defense) will rest starters. Tampa Bay, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position over the last month, must win to secure its spot in the postseason.
Sincere McCormick's 78 rushing yards is the most an opposing running back has tallied since Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye. The New Orleans offense is devoid of explosive threats. Edwards-Helaire didn't show anything in Kansas City to earn believers in his talent. Starting running back or not, there should be someone out there worth starting over CEH.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE) vs. Buffalo
Is Rhamondre Stevenson's time as a starting running back over? Granted, he did "start" last week against the Chargers but carried the ball just twice for one yard. Antonio Gibson took 12 carries.
Jerod Mayo had said before the game that Antonio Gibson would start, but Rhamondre Stevenson ultimately started.
Asked what happened, Mayo described it as a “coach’s decision.”
Asked a follow-up if there was a disconnect in communication, Mayo said “coach’s decision” again.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 28, 2024
Head coach Jerod Mayo warned of Stevenson being benched for fumbling issues. From Week 11 through 16, Stevenson fumbled three times and lost one against the Bills two weeks ago.
This backfield can't be trusted behind a shaky offensive line. Drake Maye (right hand) is limited in practice sessions and New England has no real incentive to trot out its franchise quarterback in a losing season.
Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ) vs. Miami
While Garrett Wilson racked up over 100 yards against the Dolphins a few weeks ago, the Miami secondary has been one of the toughest fantasy matchups for wide receivers this season.
Aaron Rodgers played one of the worst games of his career last week and was benched during the rout by the Buffalo Bills. All indications are that he'll play this week (in a meaningless game for the Jets). He has one thing on his mind (in what could be the final game of his career). That's throwing his 500th touchdown.
Rodgers hasn't targeted Wilson inside the 10-yard line since Week 13 (both of Wilson's red-zone targets last week were from Tyrod Taylor). He's looking to Davante Adams to further cement their legacy together as quarterback and receiver.
"Obviously, I'd love to. I got 200, I got 400, so it would be dope to get 500 as well." - Davante Adams
Wins and losses don't matter anymore and Rodgers wants his way. Don't expect Wilson to get many touchdown opportunities.
Jerry Jeudy (WR, CLE) at Baltimore (Saturday)
I'll give him credit. Dorian Thompson-Robinson learned from his Week 16 mistakes and targeted Jerry Jeudy an absurd 18 times against the Dolphins in Week 17. It wasn't enough for him to keep the starting job in Week 18. Former Patriot Bailey Zappe gets the nod, although Cleveland's coaching staff added both quarterbacks will play.
Two quarterbacks mean you have zero quarterbacks. There won't be any rhythm or flow to the Cleveland offense against an improving Baltimore defense. Not only are the Browns massive underdogs, but, as of this writing, their implied point total is 10.75 points.
Cleveland is an 18-point underdog Saturday against Baltimore. How large is that number?
In their 0-16 season in 2017, the Browns never were more than a 13.5-point underdog, per @PaulHembo. https://t.co/c52ezv4gKR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2025
Cleveland is on its fourth starting quarterback, third-string running back D'Onta Foreman, and has nothing to play for. The Ravens need a win to secure an AFC North title. It's hard to trust any Browns this week.
DK Metcalf (WR, SEA) at Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams clinched the NFC West crown (and subsequently bounced Seattle out of the playoff picture) because of their defense. Since about the midway mark of the season, the secondary and pass rush stepped up so the Rams defense matched the intensity of their offense.
The Rams will sit some key players but most will be on offense (Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams). Seattle shouldn't rest anyone, but the Seahawks also have nothing to play for (other than Geno Smith seeking contract incentives).
DK Metcalf was inactive in the previous meeting with the Rams. He returned the next game and has scored fewer than 11 PPR fantasy points in five of his last seven contests. That's not a receiver to be trusted in what is ultimately a meaningless game.
Kyle Pitts (TE, ATL) vs. Carolina
Kyle Pitts returned to fantasy relevance in Week 17, snagging a 17-yard touchdown pass to force overtime. It was Pitts' best fantasy score since Week 8.
OMG KYLE PITTS TD!!!
📺: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8sE8kkub9Y— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024
Don't chase the points here. For the third straight game, Pitts played fewer than half of Atlanta's snaps.
The Panthers have also allowed 435 more rushing yards than the next-worst defense (New England). Michael Penix Jr. will make his third career start in a must-win game and the Falcons roster two capable running backs. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 200 rushing yards in the first Carolina matchup.
A dedicated rushing attack will remove limited opportunities for Atlanta's tight end.
Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL) vs. Washington
Jake Ferguson scored five times a season ago. This year, his anytime touchdown props have gone under every week.
While the Commanders have allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends this season, their defense has also surrendered the third-fewest catches and sixth-fewest yards. Ferguson has gotten many opportunities with Cooper Rush under center, catching more than three passes in two of six games.
With CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) sidelined in Week 17, Ferguson had three catches for 18 yards on five targets. He's not taking advantage of soft matchups (Cincinnati and Carolina), struggled in difficult ones (Philadelphia), and can't be trusted against Washington in the season finale.
Josh Allen (QB, BUF) at New England
It's Week 18 and the stars are out. Literally, as many aren't playing football.
Josh Allen isn't sitting, at least not initially. Casual fantasy managers will see that the NFL MVP favorite is active on Sunday against the New England Patriots and start the quarterback that carried their roster all season. Don't do it.
Allen is getting the nod to extend his consecutive starts streak. He and head coach Sean McDermott noted that it's important to him.
Josh Allen on getting the start against the Patriots to extend his consecutive starts streak which sits at 114 (counting playoffs): “It’s something that means a lot to me. Just making sure that I’m available, playing through things throughout the years.. Glad I get to start.”… pic.twitter.com/u0BZDmSGs2
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) January 1, 2025
The Bills are locked into the AFC's No. 2 seed. This matchup in New England means nothing. Allen and the rest of Buffalo's starters will treat this like a preseason game. It would be a shock if Allen plays more than a series. Find another quarterback to start (and don't play fantasy football in Week 18).
C.J. Stroud (QB, HOU) at Tennessee
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans stated quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of the team's starters will play in Sunday's clash against the Tennessee Titans despite being locked into the No. 4 seed as winners of the AFC South.
DeMeco Ryans said “that everybody has to be ready to go, and that's where we are. Everyone will be out there playing.”
Welp. No rest for the starters this week for the Texans when they take on the Titans.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 30, 2024
Houston playing its starters makes a little more sense than other clinched teams. The offense has struggled, and it can integrate newly acquired receiver Diontae Johnson into the offense with in-game reps.
However, the starting squad shouldn't be on the field for long. That includes running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Nico Collins. Avoid Houston's offensive stars.
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