The Primer: Week 18 Edition (2026 Fantasy Football)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

• LAR -7.5, O/U 46.5
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Week 18 Motivation: The Cardinals are out of the playoff contention. They have been for weeks. I expect them to play their starters as usual. The Rams are locked into the No. 5 or 6 seed for the playoffs. I expect the Rams to sit their starters or pull them early from their Week 18 contest.

Cardinals Players & Weekly Rankings

Rams Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Michael Wilson
• Trey McBride

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Jacoby Brissett (QB)

• Since Week 6:
  • QB8 in fantasy points per game
  • Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks:
    • Second in passing yards per game
    • 13th in passer rating
    • 23rd in highly accurate throw rate
    • 32nd in hero throw rate
• Since Week 13, the Rams’ pass defense:
  • Tenth-most passing yards per game allowed
  • Ninth-most yards per attempt
  • Second-most passing touchdowns (tied)
• Week 18 final thought: Brissett is a rock-solid QB1 to close the regular season.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

N/A

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Michael Carter (RB)

• Last week:
  • Carter’s snap share dropped to 44.4% and his route share to 39%
  • Nine touches and 43 total yards
• Since Week 11, the Rams’ run defense:
  • Sixth-lowest rushing success rate allowed
  • Seventh-lowest rushing touchdown rate
  • 14th-fewest yards before contact per attempt allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Carter’s playing time has been all over the map over the last few weeks. He’s too volatile, and the matchup isn’t good enough to consider flexing him this week. Sit Carter.

*The Rams skill players’ playing time could get messy. The Rams could play their starters in a limited capacity this week, or they could sit them all. I’ll update this situation as we get more news, but right now it’s a team to stay away from for Week 18.*

CAR vs. TB | SEA vs. SF | TEN vs. JAC | IND vs. HOU | CLE vs. CIN | NO vs. ATL | GB vs. MIN | DAL vs. NYG | DET vs. CHI | NYJ vs. BUF | LAC vs. DEN | MIA vs. NE | ARI vs. LAR | WAS vs. PHI | KC vs. LV | BAL vs. PIT

Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• PHI -4, O/U 39
• Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Week 18 Motivation: The Eagles will be resting their starters this week. They are likely locked into the No. 3 seed. The Commanders will be playing their starters.

Commanders Players & Weekly Rankings

Eagles Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

N/A

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Tanner McKee (QB)

• In last year’s Week 18 start:
  • QB14 for the week
  • 65.9% completion rate
  • 269 passing yards (two scores)
  • 6.6 yards per attempt
• Since Week 13, Washington’s pass defense:
  • Ninth-most passing yards per game allowed
  • Fifth-most passing touchdowns (tied)
  • Ninth-highest success rate per dropback
• Week 18 final thought: McKee is a high floor QB2 with QB1 upside.

Tank Bigsby (RB)

• This season:
  • 10.6% explosive run rate
  • 28% missed tackle rate (WOW!)
  • 3.19 yards after contact per attempt
• Since Week 13, the Washington run defense:
  • The most rushing yards per game allowed
  • The highest rushing success rate allowed
  • Seventh-highest missed tackle rate
• Week 18 final thought: The workload division is up in the air for the Philly backfield this week. Bigsby could be too high on the depth chart and sit with the starters, or he could mix in with Will Shipley to lead the ground game this week and smash. Monitor the news. Bigsby is a strong flex if active with RB1 upside.

Terry McLaurin (WR)

• Last week with Josh Johnson:
  • 30.4% target share and 15.4% first-read share
  • 63 receiving yards (3.00 YPRR)
  • Zero RZ or deep targets
• Since Week 13, Philly pass defense vs. perimeter wide receivers:
  • Second-fewest receiving yards per game allowed
  • Fewest fantasy points per game allowed
• Week 18 final thought: On paper, the matchup looks horrible, but the Eagles will be playing their backup corners. McLaurin will see Kelee Ringo (57.9% catch rate and 88.0 passer rating allowed) and Jakorian Bennett (66.7% catch rate and 80.8 passer rating allowed) for most of the day. Neither corner should strike fear in your heart. McLaurin is a WR2.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Will Shipley (RB)

• This season (13 rushing attempts)
  • 7.7% explosive run rate
  • Zero missed tackles
  • 1.62 yards after contact per attempt
• Since Week 13, the Washington run defense:
  • The most rushing yards per game allowed
  • The highest rushing success rate allowed
  • Seventh-highest missed tackle rate
• Week 18 final thought: The workload division is up in the air for the Philly backfield this week. Shipley could be the workhorse, or he could split the work with Tank Bigsby. If Shipley gets the starting nod, he is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside. If both backs are active, he’s a decent flex play that could be an RB2.

Deebo Samuel (WR)

• Last week with Josh Johnson:
  • 13% target share (15.4% first-read share)
  • 68 receiving yards (3.24 YPRR)
  • Zero RZ or deep targets
• Since Week 13, Philly pass defense vs. slot wide receivers:
  • Fourth-fewest receiving yards per game allowed
  • Third-fewest PPR points per target allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Samuel will operate as the number two option in the passing game this week. The on-paper matchup is horrendous, but Philly will be trotting out Michael Carter (62.5% catch rate and 88.0 passer rating allowed) this week to defend the slot and not Cooper DeJean. This is a moderate upgrade in the matchup for Samuel.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Josh Johnson (QB)

• Last week:
  • QB24
  • 198 passing yards (8.6 yards per attempt)
  • Two rushing attempts (ten rushing yards)
  • 65.2% highly accurate throw rate
  • 78.3% catchable target rate (7.9 aDOT)
• Since Week 13, the Philly pass defense:
  • Fewest passing yards per game allowed
  • Fewest yards per attempt allowed
  • Second-lowest passer rating allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Johnson is a low-end QB2 this week. Philly’s pass defense isn’t a pushover, but they will be sitting a ton of their starters this week. It’s more accurately viewed as a below-average matchup than a bottom-five one for Johnson.

CAR vs. TB | SEA vs. SF | TEN vs. JAC | IND vs. HOU | CLE vs. CIN | NO vs. ATL | GB vs. MIN | DAL vs. NYG | DET vs. CHI | NYJ vs. BUF | LAC vs. DEN | MIA vs. NE | ARI vs. LAR | WAS vs. PHI | KC vs. LV | BAL vs. PIT

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders

• KC -5.5, O/U 36.5
• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Week 18 Motivation: Both of these teams are eliminated from playoff contention. I expect Kansas City and Las Vegas to play their starters as usual.

Chiefs Players & Weekly Rankings

Raiders Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Ashton Jeanty

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

N/A

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Chris Oladokun (QB)

• Last week:
  • QB25 – 7.7 fantasy points
  • 66 passing yards (3.0 yards per attempt)
  • 6.2 aDOT
  • 13.6% off-target rate
• Raiders pass defense since Week 13:
  • Sixth-highest passer rating
  • Fourth-highest CPOE
  • Highest success rate per dropback allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Oladokun is a low-end QB2 that you’re only playing out of desperation in Superflex formats.

Kareem Hunt (RB)

• Last week:
  • 57.1% snap rate
  • 7 of 16 running back rushing attempts
  • 20% route share
  • Seven touches and 38 total yards
• Raiders’ run defense since Week 13:
  • 13th-highest explosive run rate
  • Fourth-most rushing yards per game allowed
  • 13th-highest rushing success rate
• Week 18 final thought: Hunt is an RB3/4 with plenty of risk this week. The Chiefs could easily put Isiah Pacheco back in the driver’s seat of the backfield this week. I don’t want to start any Kansas City running back this week.

Michael Mayer (TE)

• Last week:
  • TE4
  • 33.3% target share
  • 89 receiving yards (3.07 YPRR)
  • 45.5% first-read share (one red zone target)
• Since Week 11, Kansas City vs. tight ends:
  • 13th-fewest yards per target
  • 17th in fantasy points per game allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Mayer is a TE2 that could be peppered with targets this week and finish as a TE1, overcoming bad quarterback play and a tough matchup.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Travis Kelce (TE)

• Over the last two games:
  • TE55 and TE17 in weekly scoring (PPR)
  • 21.7% target share (leads the team)
  • 21 receiving yards per game (0.98 YPRR)
  • 20.7% first-read share
• Since Week 11, the Raiders vs. tight ends:
  • 11th-fewest yards per target and fantasy points per game allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Kelce could see enough volume this week to be a TE1, but he’s best viewed as a TE2 and a sit candidate.

*Pete Carroll has stated that Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell will both play this week. It makes both of them unplayable in fantasy this week. This offense is a mess. Ashton Jeanty and Michael Mayer are the only Raiders in play for fantasy for Week 18.*

CAR vs. TB | SEA vs. SF | TEN vs. JAC | IND vs. HOU | CLE vs. CIN | NO vs. ATL | GB vs. MIN | DAL vs. NYG | DET vs. CHI | NYJ vs. BUF | LAC vs. DEN | MIA vs. NE | ARI vs. LAR | WAS vs. PHI | KC vs. LV | BAL vs. PIT

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• BAL -3.5, O/U 41.5
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Week 18 Motivation: Whoever wins this game will make the playoffs and win the AFC North. The loser will be sitting at home for the NFL playoffs. Both teams will go all out for the win this week.

Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings

Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Lamar Jackson
• Derrick Henry
• Jaylen Warren
• Kenneth Gainwell
• Zay Flowers

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)

• Last week (operated as the “DK Metcalf” of the offense):
  • 83.3% route share
  • 23.1% target share and 39.9% air-yard share
  • 21 receiving yards (0.60 YPRR)
  • 30.4% first-read share
  • Three RZ targets and two deep targets
• Since Week 13, the Baltimore Ravens vs. perimeter wide receivers:
  • The most receiving yards per game
  • The fourth-most fantasy points per game
• Week 18 final thought: Valdes-Scantling is a volume-driven flex play/WR3 that could easily be a WR2 this week if he sees heavy usage again.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Aaron Rodgers (QB)

• QB26 in fantasy points per game
• Among 45 qualifying quarterbacks
  • 23rd in passing yards per game
  • 28th in yards per attempt
  • 2nd-lowest aDOT
  • Highest % of passing yards from YAC (64.5%)
• Since Week 13, the Ravens’ pass defense:
  • The most passing yards per game
  • Eighth-highest yards per attempt
  • 18th in passer rating
• Week 18 final thought: Rodgers is a boring QB2 this week.

Keaton Mitchell (RB)

• Since Week 14:
  • 8.5 touches and 48.3 total yards per game
  • 9.4% explosive run rate
  • 19% missed tackle rate
• Since Week 13, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense:
  • 15th-most rushing yards per game
  • 17th in explosive run rate
  • Sixth-most yards before contact per attempt
• Week 18 final thought: Mitchell is a deep league flex with some upside if Baltimore runs away with this game.

Mark Andrews (TE)

• Andrews hasn’t had more than 8.7 PPR points since Week 11.
• Since Week 12
  • 15.5% target share and 17.6% first-read share
  • 22 receiving yards per game (1.18 YPRR)
  • Five RZ targets and one deep target
• Since Week 11, the Steelers vs. tight ends:
  • 13th-most yards per target allowed
  • Sixth-most fantasy points per game allowed
• Week 18 final thought: Andrews is a TE2 that could easily be a TE1 this week.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

N/A

CAR vs. TB | SEA vs. SF | TEN vs. JAC | IND vs. HOU | CLE vs. CIN | NO vs. ATL | GB vs. MIN | DAL vs. NYG | DET vs. CHI | NYJ vs. BUF | LAC vs. DEN | MIA vs. NE | ARI vs. LAR | WAS vs. PHI | KC vs. LV | BAL vs. PIT

Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn

*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, FTN, rbsdm.com, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*