Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 18: Top Matchup Plays and Sleepers for Final Games
Many fantasy football leagues crowned champions at the conclusion of Week 17 of the NFL season. It's standard for Week 18 to not be incorporated into the fantasy schedule, considering various teams will likely be resting key players ahead of the playoffs.
But there are some leagues that will use the final week of the NFL regular season to determine a champion. Plus, daily fantasy formats make it possible for others to get involved in the Week 18 action, should they want to do so.
For those reasons, the upcoming week still has some relevance from a fantasy standpoint.
Here's an early look at potential start/sit decisions for the Week 18 slate, which will feature all 32 NFL teams in action in divisional contests.
Start 'Em: Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been utilizing both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren out of their backfield in recent weeks. Because of that, it has been difficult to trust either running back in a fantasy lineup during that time.
However, Harris remains the probable No. 1 RB in Pittsburgh, and the 26-year-old should have a strong finish to the regular season. On Saturday, the Steelers are set to host the Cincinnati Bengals, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to running backs over the past four weeks (per NFL.com).
Pittsburgh will have motivation to win its regular-season finale, as it can improve its playoff seeding (and may still even have a chance to capture the AFC North title).
Harris hasn't scored a touchdown over the past three weeks, but that drought could soon end. He'll have a good opportunity to carry over the momentum from his 13-carry, 74-yard performance vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.
Sit 'Em: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara has missed the New Orleans Saints' past two games due to a groin injury. But the 29-year-old could return for Week 18, as interim head coach Darren Rizzi told reporters on Monday that Kamara still wants to get onto the field for the regular-season finale, even though the result won't matter for the Saints.
If Kamara suits up, he still shouldn't be inserted into fantasy lineups. He scored only one touchdown over his eight previous games, and he hasn't recorded a rushing score since Week 6.
The Saints' rushing attack doesn't have a favorable matchup this week, either. They're taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to RBs over the past four weeks (per NFL.com).
While fantasy managers could be tempted to turn to Kamara because of his track record, they should stay away in Week 18. It's also possible he won't have a full workload even if he does play.
Start 'Em: Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are heading to the playoffs after notching impressive home victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons the past two weeks. A big reason for those wins was the play of wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, who has stepped up as a top target for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Zaccheaus scored a pair of touchdowns in Week 16, then got into the end zone again in Week 17. The 27-year-old had 13 catches for 155 yards over that span, coming through for a banged up Washington receiving corps that is without Dyami Brown (hamstring) and Noah Brown (kidney).
In Week 18, the Commanders will need to try to secure the NFC's No. 6 seed in their regular-season finale vs. the struggling Dallas Cowboys. It's a favorable matchup for Zaccheaus, as the Cowboys have given up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers over the past four weeks (per NFL.com).
So if you're looking for a sleeper receiver to turn to in Week 18, Zaccheaus should be a solid play. He could even get into the end zone for a third consecutive week.
Sit 'Em: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
There have been ups and downs for Marvin Harrison Jr. during his rookie season for the Arizona Cardinals. For fantasy managers who drafted the 22-year-old early, it's likely been viewed as a disappointment.
Harrison had a better showing in Week 17, when he recorded six catches for 96 yards vs. the Los Angeles Rams. But the Ohio State product again failed to get into the end zone, as he hasn't scored a touchdown over his past four games.
It seems unlikely that Harrison will end his TD drought in Week 18. The Cardinals close out their season against the San Francisco 49ers, who have been tough on opposing wide receivers for much of the year.
Fantasy managers should have better WR options than Harrison this week, so find one of them to play instead.