January 3, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow dominated in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, completing 24 of 31 pass attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old has been excellent over his last two outings, throwing for 614 yards and six scores without committing a turnover. However, Burrow has a difficult matchup in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland enters the week ranked second among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (2,984) and third in sacks (51). In Burrow's first matchup of the season against the Browns, back in Week 1, he completed just 14 of 23 pass attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown, and was sacked three times. Burrow is averaging over 275 passing yards per game and has thrown 12 touchdown passes over his last five contests, so he remains a high-upside quarterback. However, he profiles more as a mid-tier fantasy QB1 in Week 18 against Cleveland than a must-start player at the position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Across 16 games this season, Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton has recorded 73 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets. The 30-year-old has re-emerged as his team's clear WR1 in recent weeks, earning 42 targets across four games in the month of December. Sutton had a down game in Week 17, recording just four catches for 40 yards. However, he had logged 323 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs across his last four games heading into the week. In Week 18, Denver will take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have been a very tough pass defense so far this season, ranking fifth in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,173). However, Los Angeles may be resting key pieces on defense in Week 18, such as safety Derwin James and defensive end Khalil Mack, in preparation for the playoffs. Sutton should see plenty of targets and profiles as a high-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy enters Week 18 on an absolute heater. Over his last three games, the 26-year-old has thrown for 893 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, Purdy will face a difficult matchup in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle enters the week ranked first among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1) and ninth in passing touchdowns allowed (20). Making matters even tougher, Purdy could be without star left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring), whose status for Week 18 is unclear due to a hamstring injury. Still, the 49ers offense is firing on all cylinders, as the team is averaging 42.3 points per game over its last three contests. Purdy will also get back star tight end
George Kittle, who missed Week 17 due to an ankle injury. Fantasy managers should have some reason to be concerned about the matchup for Purdy in Week 18. However, given how well he has played lately, Purdy remains a solid fantasy QB1 against Seattle.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. has been one of the more disappointing players in fantasy football in 2025, recording 45 catches for 658 yards and two touchdowns on 86 targets across 13 games. The 23-year-old remains a key piece of his team's offense, as he's earned at least six targets in three out of his last four games. However, Thomas Jr. has struggled to turn his opportunities into consistent production, recording just six catches for 57 yards over the last two weeks. In Week 18, Thomas Jr. will get a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Entering the week, Tennessee ranks 25th among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (3,950) and tied for 21st in passing touchdowns allowed (27). Perhaps most importantly for Thomas Jr. and his role as a downfield receiver, Tennessee has allowed 54 pass plays of 20 or more yards across 16 games in 2025. Given the big-play opportunity and the favorable matchup overall, Thomas Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. has battled injury and inefficiency for much of the 2025 season. However, the 29-year-old had a breakout performance in Week 17, recording seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the Miami Dolphins. Godwin Jr. also led all Buccaneers wide receivers in snap share, playing 79% of his team's offensive snaps. In Week 18, Tampa Bay will face the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has been a solid pass defense so far this season, ranking 11th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,454) and ninth in passing touchdowns allowed (19). Still, Godwin Jr. should have his chances to produce. Over his last four games played, Godwin Jr. is averaging just under seven targets per contest. Given the likely target opportunity and his encouraging performance last week, Godwin Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Audric Estime delivered the best game of his career in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, handling 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch (one target) for four yards. The Saints leaned more into the second-year back in Week 17 after giving tight end
Taysom Hill 16 touches in the final home game of the season in Week 16. Estime broke off a 32-yard touchdown to essentially ice the game for the Saints, and he figures to be a key part of the offense in the season finale against the Falcons, with multiple starters ruled out, including
Alvin Kamara (knee). The Falcons rank in the middle of the pack in PPR points per game allowed to running backs this season, but they concede the seventh-most yards per carry (4.6). Estime should be in line for around 15 touches, making him a viable flex option in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries that sidelined him for two games in Week 17 and recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) on Injured Reserve, Sampson should have a chance to lead his team's backfield once again in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has been one of the NFL's worst rush defenses in 2025, ranking 30th in the league in yards per carry allowed (5.2) and 32nd in runs of 20 or more yards allowed (19). Sampson will likely split touches with Browns backs
Raheim Sanders and
Trayveon Williams in Week 18, which limits his ceiling. However, Sampson has recorded 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across his last four games, which provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a low-end flex option in Week 18 against Cincinnati.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington has enjoyed a breakout season in his third year in the league, catching 53 of 87 targets for 760 yards and four touchdowns. The 23-year-old wideout has produced his two best performances of the season in the last two weeks, posting a 6-145-1 line on 10 targets in Week 16 against the vaunted Broncos defense before following it up with eight catches for 115 yards on 10 targets last week in Indianapolis. His 260 yards during that span are third in the league, only trailing
Chris Olave (267) and
Puka Nacua (272). While the Jaguars have multiple pass-catchers capable of producing big games, Washington has established a solid floor and should be in line for another productive game in the regular-season finale against a Titans defense that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points per game to wide receivers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) is considered unlikely to play in the regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Adams has been out since tweaking his hamstring in Week 15's win over the Lions and was able to return to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. However, the Rams are expected to hold the 33-year-old out one more week to ensure he is good to go for the playoffs. The six-time Pro Bowler has had a terrific first season in Los Angeles, recording 60 receptions (114 targets) for 789 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns.
Konata Mumpfield and
Xavier Smith should continue to see increased opportunities behind
Puka Nacua in Week 18 with Adams sidelined.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jeremy Fowler
January 3, 2026
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) is up in the air to play in Saturday's divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Williams missed every day in practice this week, and they will see how he feels in pre-game warmups. The star tackle should be good to go for the playoffs, but he is on the outside looking in to suit up for the regular-season finale. The 12-time Pro Bowler tweaked his hamstring during last week's win over the Chicago Bears, and it will be tough for him to play with no practice on a short week. Backup tackle Austin Pleasants is in line to make his first career start on Saturday, with the top seed in the NFC on the line.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jeremy Fowler
January 3, 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Week 18's matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but head coach Raheem Morris is optimistic about his chances to suit up. London has delivered his two worst games of the season over the past two weeks, catching just one of two targets for four yards last week against the Rams and three of eight targets for 27 yards in Week 16 versus the Cardinals after returning from a PCL sprain. The star wideout will look to get back on track and close out the season on a high note against the Saints, though that could be tougher as New Orleans has allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season. London missed Atlanta's Week 12 meeting with New Orleans, but he totalled 14 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets in two games against them last year. He is ranked as RotoBaller's WR13 for the season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back
Jaydon Blue could play his most snaps in a game this season in Week 18's regular-season finale against the New York Giants, with both
Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and
Malik Davis (calf, eye) ruled out. The fifth-round rookie has only been active for four games this season, with his most recent appearance coming back in Week 8 in the loss to the Denver Broncos. He has recorded 22 carries for 65 yards to go with one catch (one target) for five yards. Blue eventually lost his backup role to Davis after Week 8, but he could be set up for a big day on the ground on Sunday against the 30th-ranked Giants run defense. The Cowboys will likely use fullback
Hunter Luepke more with Williams and Davis out, but Blue has big upside as a flex option for the final game of the regular season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Despite losing 13 of their last 14 games, the general sense is that Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will return in 2026, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Gannon spoke this past week and said that he felt "good" about his job status. The 42-year-old head coach will likely receive another year and the opportunity to select a new quarterback to lead the team, with the general expectation being that Arizona will move on from
Kyler Murray in the offseason. Gannon hasn't achieved a winning record in his three seasons as head coach in Arizona, owning a 15-35 record. He was hired after the Eagles' 2023 Super Bowl run, where he spent two seasons as their defensive coordinator. However, Gannon's defenses in Arizona have been at the bottom of the league since being hired, ranking 32nd in success rate over the past three seasons combined. If Gannon stays, there may be changes coming to the staff after another disappointing year.
--Kyle McCarthySource: NFL.com
January 3, 2026
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy will return to the Vikings next season as expected, but he won't be guaranteed to be the starter, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. McCarthy had a disappointing sophomore season after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. He was dropped into a highly favorable situation with an excellent play-calling head coach in Kevin O'Connell and an elite wide receiver duo in
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison. However, the 2024 first-round pick was one of the least efficient quarterbacks in the league, ranking last out of 36 quarterbacks (minimum 275 plays) in EPA/play (-0.134), with the highest interception rate (5.5%) and the third-highest sack percentage (10.93%). It doesn't help McCarthy's case that he was also unavailable for seven games this season because of ankle, head, and hand injuries. Minnesota was hoping for proof this season that their first-round investment is the long-term answer, but they now plan to explore established QB options via trade or free agency to compete with McCarthy.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
January 3, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are leaning towards moving on from two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski at the end of the season, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. The Browns are expected to retain general manager Andrew Berry and have done some background work on potential head-coaching candidates. Stefanski has coached the Browns to a 4-12 record after finishing 3-14 last season, and all signs point to the team choosing a new direction heading into 2026. Cleveland's offense has ranked in the bottom five in both points and yards per game in each of the last two seasons, though the quarterback play is a significant reason for that. The Browns reportedly had internal discussions about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, but he ultimately announced that he's staying at Notre Dame. Stefanski holds a 41-46 record (including playoffs) since being hired in 2020 and looks likely to be the eighth Cleveland head coach to be fired since 2010.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
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