January 4, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance will make his first start of the season during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Denver Broncos. The former first-round pick is starting in place of Justin Herbert (coach's decision) as the Chargers look to keep their No. 1 quarterback healthy for the upcoming playoff stretch. Turning to Lance puts Los Angeles as a 14-point underdog, and they could still finish anywhere between the No. 5 and No. 7 seed in the AFC. The young quarterback has flashed upside in the past, and perhaps the Chargers still hope that he can live up to his first-round draft stock. However, the odds are stacked against him this week. For starters, the Broncos have an elite defense anchored by Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto. Denver has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards and eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Furthermore, Lance is playing behind an offensive line that PFF ranked second-worst heading into Week 18. Every Chargers offensive lineman finished with a PFF grade below 70 last week. This is not the right time to start Lance in fantasy football. Managers should avoid him in all leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen remains a high-upside fantasy option for Week 18 against the New York Jets, but he also has a lower floor than usual. Because the Bills have clinched a playoff spot and want to stay healthy for the playoffs, we wouldn't be surprised to see Allen play only a portion of Sunday's divisional battle on the road. Buffalo could still jump from the No. 7 seed to either No. 6 or No. 5, so Allen will start and have a chance to get the Bills a substantial lead early in the game. However, if he achieves that, we could see the team shift from Allen to Mitch Trubisky in order to keep the superstar quarterback healthy. Allen's health has been a particularly notable topic lately, as he has dealt with a nagging foot injury for several weeks. Despite concerns about Allen getting some rest, he still has high-end QB1 upside. Even if he misses part of the game, he can still put together a top fantasy performance. Just last week, we saw Patriots quarterback Drake Maye rack up five passing touchdowns against the Jets, despite playing fewer than three quarters. Allen could be in line for a similarly dominant performance against a New York defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Additionally, the Jets are one game away from becoming the first team in NFL history to record zero interceptions in a season. Allen has tremendous upside, but managers should only start him with the understanding that he could play less than half of the game.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (coach's decision) will not play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Collins isn't injured, but Houston is resting him in order to ensure that he stays healthy for the playoff run. The 26-year-old finishes his fifth regular season with 71 catches, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns. So far, he ranks as the overall WR7 in full-PPR leagues, which is the highest mark of his career. His absence on Sunday should create more opportunities for rookie receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Holding Collins out is an interesting move for the Texans, who could finish in any of the three Wild Card seeds and also still have a chance to clinch the No. 3 seed as the AFC South champion. Even without Collins, though, Houston is projected to defeat Indianapolis. DraftKings currently has the Texans favored by 10.5 points on the road.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Jonathan Alexander

January 4, 2026

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is expected to handle increased volume with Wan'Dale Robinson (ribs) and Theo Johnson (illness) both sidelined against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. Robinson is headed for his first absence of the season, and Johnson has only been inactive one other time. Therefore, we haven't yet seen what Slayton can do as Jaxson Dart's No. 1 target. However, we have seen glimpses of his upside. He caught a touchdown pass in Week 13, handled 10 targets in Week 15, and has played at least 87% of the snaps in two of his last three games. The bigger role comes at a perfect time for Slayton and his managers, as the Cowboys have surrendered the league's most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Managers should feel comfortable deploying Slayton as a strong WR2 option in fantasy football as he handles a bigger workload and gets a very enticing matchup.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. has emerged as a playmaking threat lately, and he could step into a significantly larger role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots. Wease has three catches, 95 yards, and one touchdown over his last two games, showcasing upside as a big-play option in Miami's offense. This week, he'll likely handle increased volume with Darren Waller (groin) on IR and Jaylen Waddle (ribs) sidelined. At worst, we expect Wease to operate as the Dolphins' No. 3 receiver, but he could ascend higher than Malik Washington or Cedrick Wilson Jr., too. The rookie has played at least 27% of the snaps in each of his last two games, so we know that the Miami coaching staff is looking to get him involved. His big-play upside makes him somewhat of a boom-or-bust option. He could easily get into WR3/flex territory, but he also has a low floor. Managers should only consider starting Wease in deep leagues with at least 14 teams. He has more appeal in DFS formats and prop bets.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper could handle a much larger workload than usual during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Washington Commanders. Head coach Nick Sirianni indicated that he will rest several starters on Sunday, and although he didn't specifically list which players will be resting, it's fair to speculate that wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown could be among the group. If so, Cooper would likely step into the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Jahan Dotson. Cooper hasn't ascended higher than third on the depth chart this season, so we don't know exactly what his role would look like if he earns the start opposite Dotson. With that being said, he has flashed potential lately. He caught two passes for 29 yards on a 30% snap share in Week 15, and he caught one pass for four yards on a career-high 31% snap share just last Sunday. There's a strong chance that the 24-year-old rookie plays more than half of the snaps if Brown and Smith are sidelined, and that could give him low-end WR3/flex appeal in very deep leagues. Once the Eagles announce which starters are resting, managers could consider adding Cooper to be a desperation WR3/flex play in fantasy leagues with at least 14 teams.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson will take on increased responsibilities in the backfield on Sunday. Wilson figures to take over as the lead back with Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) unlikely to play. The Packers have little incentive to play Jacobs with their postseason seeding already decided. Wilson should take over a majority of the carries for the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Wilson has posted strong stat lines when he gets over 10 carries in a game. Fantasy managers should expect him to continue to have success, assuming Jacobs remains on the sideline. There's RB2 upside here with Wilson probably getting double-digit carries in this game.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright will likely move into the lead-back role for the upcoming Week 18 matchup versus the New England Patriots. The Dolphins have decided to play it safe and ruled out De'Von Achane (shoulder) for the regular-season finale. His absence should mean an extended look for Wright and Ollie Gordon II during Sunday's game. Wright has shown he's capable of making plays when he's given increased touches in the backfield. The 22-year-old rushed for 107 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 14. The Pats have a much better defense, but Wright should still get a ton of chances. Fantasy managers with championship games in Week 18 needing a FLEX spot, or looking for a cheaper option in DFS contests, might want to consider Wright with an increased workload.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason is set to be the lead back for the Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Mason is set for an increased workload with the Vikings ruling out Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) for the regular-season finale. When Jones missed time early in the season, Mason rushed for over 50 yards in each of those games with three total touchdowns. The Packers are unlikely to play their starters on defense, as their postseason seeding is already determined. Mason is primed for a strong performance, so fantasy managers should strongly consider him for DFS contests or in leagues still playing for a fantasy championship. He offers borderline RB1 value without Jones in the mix and comes in as RotoBaller's RB10 in the latest rankings for Week 18.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. is expected to have an expanded role in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints will be without Chris Olave (illness) and Mason Tipton (groin) for the regular-season finale. The absence of those players should push Austin into the No. 1 wideout role in this offense. With all the injuries to the Saints' wideouts, Dante Pettis should also see an increase in target share on Sunday. Austin made himself known to the league when he hauled in four receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown in Week 17's win over the Tennessee Titans. Austin was able to do that with Olave healthy for that game, which means he should be able to produce more without him this weekend. Fantasy managers with something on the line this week can use Austin as a FLEX play, or in DFS contests, might want to target Austin as he's priced at only $3,400 on DraftKings.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee will start under center for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Washington Commanders. The Eagles have opted to rest starter Jalen Hurts with the team already locked into the second or third seed in the postseason. The assumption is that the Eagles will rest most of their starters, given their little incentive to win. On paper, this is a plus-matchup for McKee against a struggling Commanders secondary, which ranks at the bottom of the league against the pass. With Philly likely pulling their starters, it's going to be tough for McKee to have much success. Outside Superflex or 2QB leagues, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help as McKee is unlikely to light up the box score in Week 18.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer should continue to operate in a high-volume role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders recently placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Mayer into the starting role for the final two games of the year. Last weekend, he exploded as the top target in Geno Smith's offense, catching nine of 10 targets for 89 yards. In total, throughout the three games that Bowers has missed and Mayer has played this year, the latter tight end has 15 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown. A quarterback change is expected in Week 18, though, as Kenny Pickett steps in for the injured Smith (ankle). Pickett struggled to the tune of 64 yards and one turnover in his lone start this year, but he should still be able to support a fantasy-relevant role for Mayer on Sunday. At worst, Mayer will operate as a security blanket in case Pickett struggles to throw the ball deep or needs to get the ball out quickly. As it stands, he ranks as the overall TE8 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 18.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Retired quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to field interest as a head coaching candidate during the upcoming NFL hiring cycle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Rivers retired from playing in the NFL for a second time last week, it appears he could return to the league very soon in a coaching capacity. Rapoport writes that "the current belief is Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more." As it stands, only the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have head coaching vacancies. However, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons could all have openings after the regular season wraps up. Rivers, who went 58-for-92 passing with 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions from Week 15 through Week 17, already has experience in coaching. He spent time coaching at the high school level between his two NFL stints. Of course, there's a big difference between taking interviews and actually being offered a head coaching job, so it's far from guaranteed that we see Rivers back on NFL sidelines next season. Nevertheless, it sounds like there's real interest from pro teams.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

January 4, 2026

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a stinger on the team's final offensive play during Saturday's Week 18 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Purdy took a hit while throwing an incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter. He remained down on the field and received medical attention for a brief period of time, but he was able to stand up and walk off the field under his own power. After the loss, Shanahan said that Purdy was okay and could have gone back into the game if San Francisco got the ball back. This bodes well for Purdy's status heading into Wild Card Weekend. Barring a setback, we expect him to suit up. The 49ers' first-round opponent will be decided when games go final on Sunday in Week 18. San Francisco will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) is not expected to play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Waddle had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity. His absence will worsen the chances of the Dolphins, who are incredibly short-staffed, pulling off an upset against the AFC East-leading Patriots. Not only is Waddle sidelined, but Miami also remains without De'Von Achane (shoulder), Tua Tagovailoa (coach's decision), Darren Waller (groin, IR), and Tyreek Hill (knee, IR). This offense might limp to the finish line during the final week of the season. Look for Malik Washington to step up as Quinn Ewers' top target against a Patriots defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards to opposing wide receivers in 2025.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter