Mike Fanelli | Wed, Dec 31st 2025, 7:16am EST

6 Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Start/Sit Advice (Week 18)

Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple — identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week, but who could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 18

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 18.

Bo Nix (QB – Bo Nix) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Last week, Bo Nix was productive in the Broncos’ close Christmas Day win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He had 182 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 42 rushing yards, one rushing score and 19.5 fantasy points. However, the second-year pro had 38 pass attempts, averaging 4.8 yards per throw. Furthermore, the former Oregon star had averaged 1.2 passing touchdowns and 15.9 fantasy points per game over his previous six contests, totaling 16 points or fewer in all but two. Meanwhile, Nix and the Broncos can secure the AFC’s No. 1 playoff spot with a win.

However, Nix faces an impressive Chargers pass defense. They have held quarterbacks to 12.6 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the NFL this season. Furthermore, Los Angeles has surrendered only 10.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over their past nine contests, allowing 13.8 or fewer points in all but two, including 0.4 to Jalen Hurts in Week 14. Reportedly, the Chargers will sit Justin Herbert and other critical starters on Sunday. While that is good news for Denver securing the No. 1 seed, it limits Nix’s fantasy upside.

Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Hopefully, fantasy players survived last week with Jeanty having an awful performance despite facing the New York Giants. The rookie had only 9.3 PPR fantasy points, totaling 16 rushing attempts for 60 yards (3.8 yards per attempt) and two receptions for 13 receiving yards despite facing one of the NFL’s worst run defenses. Furthermore, he has been awful for fantasy players lately. Jeanty dominated the Houston Texans in Week 16. However, the rookie averaged 2.8 yards per rushing attempt and 8.7 fantasy points per game over his previous three contests.

After failing to take advantage of an appealing matchup in Week 17, fantasy players should have no confidence starting Jeanty against the Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City has held running backs to 19.7 fantasy points per game this season, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve shut down elite running backs, including Jonathan Taylor, allowing only 58 rushing yards and 8.6 fantasy points to the superstar. More importantly, Jeanty had 21 rushing yards and 4.4 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 7, setting a career low in fantasy points (3.9).

Woody Marks (RB – HOU) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Many called Woody Marks a sleeper candidate heading into the season. The rookie has had a solid year, ranking as the RB27 and averaging 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he has been a massive bust to end the season after showing signs of a breakout. Last week, Marks had 71 rushing yards and 8.5 fantasy points in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Furthermore, he has averaged 58.5 rushing yards and 9.4 fantasy points per game over his past six contests, posting a 3.3 yards per attempt average during that stretch.

Marks faced multiple fantasy-friendly defenses during that stretch, but couldn’t take advantage of them. Unfortunately, he faces a Colts defense on Sunday that has surrendered 20.3 fantasy points per game to running backs this year, the 10th-fewest in the league. Furthermore, they’ve given up only 81.3 rushing yards and 14.8 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past five weeks, outside of a matchup against Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers. More importantly, Marks had only 7.7 fantasy points against the division rivals in Week 13.

Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Unfortunately, the Commanders’ season was derailed because of injuries. Terry McLaurin missed seven games with a quad injury, playing in only one contest from Week 4 through Week 12. Meanwhile, the veteran has been inconsistent since returning from injury, playing better at home. Last week, he had five receptions on seven targets for 63 receiving yards and 11.3 PPR fantasy points despite an excellent matchup against an awful Dallas Cowboys secondary. More importantly, Josh Johnson is likely to start on Sunday, with Marcus Mariota (hand/quadriceps) not expected to play.

Reportedly, the Eagles could rest critical starters or pull them during Sunday’s game. Philadelphia would be the NFC’s No. 2 seed with a win and a Chicago Bears loss. However, the Bears are favored over the Detroit Lions, making it seem unlikely that the Eagles will get the No. 2 seed. Yet, fantasy players should avoid starting McLaurin. Philadelphia has held wide receivers to 27.4 fantasy points per game, the eighth-fewest in the NFL. More importantly, McLaurin had only 8.3 fantasy points against the division rivals two weeks ago.

Adonai Mitchell (WR – NYJ) vs. Buffalo Bills

It’s Week 18, and most fantasy players don’t have any season-long leagues still playing this week. Therefore, I’m going to offer a little dynasty advice and suggest fantasy players trade for Adonai Mitchell. After struggling with the Indianapolis Colts, the former Texas star has shined with the Jets with a capable quarterback under center. He has struggled with Brady Cook under center, averaging 8.3 PPR fantasy points per game despite seeing 7.5 targets per contest. By comparison, Mitchell had 24.2 fantasy points in Week 13, Tyrod Taylor‘s last healthy game.

Furthermore, the second-year pro averaged 0.67 fantasy points and 2.83 yards per route run in that game despite facing a solid Atlanta Falcons pass defense. Unfortunately, Cook will start on Sunday against the Bills, making Mitchell unstartable for the season finale. Meanwhile, Buffalo has held wide receivers to 27.1 fantasy points per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL this season. More importantly, they’ve shut down opposing passing attacks lately, giving up only 82 receiving yards and 16.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past three weeks.

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT) vs. Baltimore Ravens

Darnell Washington has become a significant part of the Steelers’ offense lately. Unfortunately, the former Georgia star suffered a broken arm last week and will miss the rest of the year. Meanwhile, Freiermuth had a solid performance last week against the Cleveland Browns, totaling three receptions on five targets for 63 receiving yards and 9.3 PPR fantasy points. However, he had been a fantasy non-factor before last week’s matchup, averaging 20.7 receiving yards and 5.2 fantasy points per game over his previous seven contests, totaling more than 7.5 points only once.

Meanwhile, this Ravens and Steelers matchup is the last game of the regular season, with the winner going to the playoffs and the loser going home. Therefore, expect both defenses to play at a high level on Sunday night. More importantly, Baltimore has shut down opposing tight ends this year. They have surrendered 11 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. The Ravens have held tight ends to fewer than 50 receiving yards and 10 fantasy points in eight of their past 10 outings.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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