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Is Joe Flacco starting and playing this week? Should I start or sit Joe Flacco for fantasy football in Week 18? Read our start 'em, sit 'em picks.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has remarkably led the Browns to a 4-1 record since becoming the starter in Week 13. Flacco is averaging over 300 passing yards per game and has thrown 13 touchdowns over those five weeks. The veteran will play in his 16th career playoff game when the Wild Card round begins.
However, the Browns cannot improve their seeding in the AFC, nor can they fall out of the five seed. This means the Browns might opt to rest starters for the Week 18 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. For fantasy managers or DFS gamers who are still competing in Week 18, his status could complicate start-or-sit decisions.
Will Flacco play against the Bengals in Week 18? What's his fantasy football outlook if he suits up? Let's dive in.
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Is Joe Flacco Playing In Week 18?
With the Cleveland Browns locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC for the postseason, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that the organization is still "working through" the possibilities and balancing the objectives in terms of resting key players in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention with their Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs
The most obvious decision involves quarterback Joe Flacco, who will turn 39 on Jan. 16. He's been such a critical piece of the team's strong finish this year that keeping him safe on the sideline this Sunday makes sense. Stefanski said "we'll see" if Jeff Driskel is an option to start if Flacco is rested in Week 18. P.J. Walker would be another option to run the Browns' offense in a meaningless game.
UPDATE: The Browns have officially announced that Flacco will not play in Week 18. Jeff Driskel will start for Cleveland on Sunday.
Joe Flacco Fantasy Football Outlook
If Flacco plays, he'll be a risky fantasy option since the Browns could decide to pull their starters at any moment. Ultimately, Flacco and all the Browns' starters should likely be avoided in DFS and traditional leagues.
The veteran could be a great value pick in NFL Playoffs fantasy leagues, but he should be ignored altogether in Week 18.
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