Happy Friday everyone! Welcome back to my start/sit HUB. We are a day closer to Saturday and Sunday which means a lot of football coming your way. I hope you have had a successful and fun season and are learning a lot and will take that knowledge into next season. Most fantasy championship games are now in the books, but some leagues go to the final NFL regular season week. That and you can use any of the information to help you in DFS. Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard). You can tweet me or message me with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
Last night was Thursday night and we did not have the pleasure of an NFL game to watch. All teams are playing either on Saturday or Sunday and then comes the NFL playoffs.
The week 18 games I’m most interested in and will follow most closely are the Titans/Jaguars, the Patriots/Bills, and the Lions/Packers. Teams can taste the playoffs, so we get to see who rises to the occasion and who gets left behind.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season including playoffs with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Cam Akers – Akers is out here winning people fantasy titles after a crazy year for him and the Rams. Cam has 241 rushing yards in his last 2 games combined as well as 39 receiving yards. 3 Rushing TDs to go along with those numbers. He now has 7 TDs on the season and 6 of those have come in his last 5 games played. Seahawks will be fighting for their lives in this game and should win, but that shouldn’t stop Cam from getting a hefty workload. The Seahawks aren’t good defensing RBs as they have allowed a total of 18 RB scores this season.
Chiefs @ Raiders
Start – Jerick McKinnon – Jerick is on fire and so are the Chiefs. The RB for KC has been pivotal lately and its almost all come from his contribution in the receiving game. Jerick has been targeted 6+ times in 6 of his last 9 games played. What is amazing is that he has scored in 5 consecutive games. He has a receiving score or 2 in each of his last 5 games and also throw in a rushing TD. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Get McKinnon involved and good things will come, including TDs given his hot hand. The Raiders defense just allowed CMC to rush for 121 yards and a rushing TD, but also caught 6 of 9 targets for 72 receiving yards. Jerick should have a good day (again).
Sit – JuJu Smith-Schuster – Since week 12, JuJu has been cold, hot, and back to cold. Weeks 12 and 13 he combined for 6 receptions for 73 yards. Then weeks 14 and 15 he records a combined 19 receptions for 162 yards. Finally in his last 2 games in week 16 and 17 he had a combination of 5 receptions for 48 yards. Which JuJu will we see? Kelce has the most receiving yards while McKinnon is scoring all the receiving TDs in the past month or so. JuJu isn’t a bad play, but I can think of 30 other WRs I would rank before him in the final week.
Titans @ Jaguars
Start – Trevor Lawrence – Trevor Lawrence is making noise for Jacksonville to the point where they are win and in the playoffs this weekend against the Titans. Titans will go as far as Derrick Henry goes. Lawrence has been playing very well and proving why he was the #1 pick in his NFL draft. He has been spreading the ball around and it shows by giving targets to Engram, Zay Jones, Kirk, and Jones Jr. Evan Engram was my other choice for this game. They make a great duo and its showing. I like Jags to win this game.
Sit – Everyone but Henry – You can’t sit Derrick Henry because he is a beast and is the king for a reason. He is the only Titan I trust in this pivotal game. I liked what I saw from QB Joshua Dobbs last week but not enough to start him or anyone he throws to. No way to predict anyone but Henry having a good game.
Buccaneers @ Falcons
Start – Rachaad White – White and Fournette make up the backfield for Tampa and they get the Atlanta weak defense this Sunday. White has double digit carries in 5 of his last 7 games and with Fournette most likely resting more than playing, the ceiling will grow for White and hopefully this could be the week he gets his 4th TD of the season. The rookie out of Arizona State has been actively involved in the pass game as well.
Sit – Atlanta DST – Atlanta gets the Bucs this weekend which doesn’t mean much for either team. It will be the Falcons last game of the season and the Bucs already sealed up their playoff spot. Even if the Bucs rest a majority of their starters, I don’t think the Falcons defense will capitalize on that. I’m expecting a lot of rushes for the Bucs. Atlanta has no sacks in 3 of their last 5 games and no interceptions in each of their last 4 games.
Patriots @ Bills
Start – Stefon Diggs – After an emotional MNF experience, Buffalo will take on the Patriots in Buffalo. Diggs was one of the many visibly shaken players following Damar Hamlin’s collapse. I think Diggs is going to go off in this game and it will be for his teammate. Diggs put up 92 yards and a score last time these 2 teams matched up in week 13.
Sit – Rhamondre Stevenson – If you own him, you are most likely riding or dying with him this week but if you have other options, I would consider them. The Bills defense will be paying hard trying to gain the highest seed in the playoffs that they can. Stevenson rushed 10 times for 54 yards and caught 6 passes for 24 yards in the first meeting between these 2 teams this season. The Bills held the Patriots to 10 points and I’ expecting more of the same. Mac Jones is going to have to use his arm to keep this game close.
Vikings @ Bears
Start – Kirk Cousins – I really wanted to put Justin Fields in this spot and even wrote out a bunch of info to back him up and then it gets announced that he will not be playing. So, let’s switch sides and take Cousins against the Chicago defense. The last 3 games the Bears have allowed opposing QBs to score 4 rushing TDs and 5 passing TDs. Kirk may be coming off a terrible game, but it is hard to ignore the matchup and the fact that the Vikings still have a shot at a higher playoff seed. Justin Jefferson looked human last game so I think Cousins will help him get back to his out of this world normal weekly production.
Sit – Adam Thielen – In week 15 Adam scored a TD which was his 3rd in his last 4 games. The following 2 weeks leading up to this Sunday he did not score, and he only had 1 reception for 6 yards and then 1 reception for 16 yards. Thielen has been held to 3 or less receptions in 5 of his last 7 games and has not reached 75 yards in a game in the entire season. The Bears have allowed just 1 receiving TD to opposing WRs since their week 14 BYE. Thielen is a TD dependent boom or bust and after Jeffersons uncharacteristic performance last game I think he will be getting a ton of targets to bounce back.
Ravens @ Bengals
Start – Justin Tucker – A kicker?? Yes, the best kicker in the game. Tuck leads the entire NFL in field goals made and field goals attempted. He has hit 34 of 40 with a long of 58. He doesn’t miss inside the 40 and 3 of the unsuccessful kicks were blocked. Ravens and Bengals usually go wire to wire, although no Lamar Jackson this time around, so field goals could be plentiful. In their first matchup, the Ravens walked away with a 2 point win and Tucker hit 4 field goals.
Sit – Demarcus Robinson – Demarcus Robinson has 2 receptions for a total of 15 yards in his last 2 games combined. He did salvage a TD in week 16 but that’s not enough to want to start him. Ravens are still without Lamar Jackson so Huntley will continue to be the guy. Both teams have clinched playoff berths but both teams will be playing for seeding. Robinson has just 2 TDs this season and only had 1 game worth noting as he achieved 128 receiving yards against Carolina in November. Huntley will most likely target Andrews a lot and the rest is just unknown. If you take away the 128-yard performance, Robinson is averaging under 25 yards per game. Don’t overthink it.
Chargers @ Broncos
Start – Gerald Everett – Everett has between 3-5 receptions in each of his last 5 games and has 4+ receptions in 9 games this season. He gets a good matchup with the Broncos who have struggled with defending TEs. Denver allowed Travis Kelce to catch 7 of his 10 targets and gave up a TD to Blake Bell in week 17 and back in week 16 the Broncos allowed Tyler Higbee to catch 9 of his 11 targets for 94 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Everett only reached 5 receptions for 29 yards when they met earlier in the season, but this time I bet he will be ready to build off that. Proceed with caution because Ekeler, Williams, and Allen are all good plays too.
Sit – Russell Wilson – I’m sure you aren’t considering Wilson this week but if you were I’ll let you know why you shouldn’t. Wilson has been downright terrible all year throwing 13 passing TDs in more than 13 games, he has 10 INTs to go with that, and has led the Broncos to a 4-win season. Yikes! Well, it’s week 18 and they don’t have much to play for other than pride. Wilson is coming off a game where he rushed for 2 TDs and threw for 1 which is easily a top 3 game for him in terms of fantasy production this season. He played the Chargers once already this season and accounted for 188 passing yards and 1 passing TD. I think the Chargers get a win and Russell Wilson gets booed. Maybe I’m wrong but he isn’t even a top 20 QB play for me out of 32 teams.
Lions @ Packers
Start – Aaron Rodgers – Going with Rodgers here even though his stats have been average on his winning streak. He is still able to sneak into the playoffs and it might come down to Rodgers slinging it like the back-to-back MVP used to do weekly. He had 42 passing attempts when Green Bay PLAYED Detroit earlier this season which is still his season high going into week 18. That 15-9 win for Detroit was a very odd game. Detroit’s TD scorers were James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra. Also, Rodgers rushed for 40 yards in that game which was the game high for the Packers. Rodgers hasn’t rushed that many yards since late in the 2019 season. I like the Packers to prevail, and Rodgers will need some magic to get by the Lions who can almost taste the playoffs.
Sit – DJ Chark – This spot I’m picking Chark and hoping I don’t regret it. Chark is extremely boom or bust. He hasn’t been targeted over 7 times this season and 6 is the most receptions for him in any game. He has 3 games with 94+ yards in his last 5 games and has 2 TDs in his last 6 games. So, he can certainly boom, but he can also bust. He has played in 10 games this season and he has 2 or fewer catches in 5 of those games. DJ wasn’t able to play the Packers the last time they squared off, but he should be good to go this time and will attempt to take some coverage off of St. Brown. Goff and Rodgers should put on a great show.
Texans @ Colts
Start – Zack Moss – Moss has been playing well on a team that is lost and hurting. He has gotten the majority of RB duties without Jonathan Taylor playing, and he has been successful. Although Moss isn’t active in the pass game and hasn’t scored any TDs yet this season, he has a dream matchup with Houston’s terrible run defense, and he is averaging 73 rushing yards per game in the last 3 weeks. Give me a hefty dose of Moss and maybe he finally gets into that end zone. The Texans just gave up 3 rushing TDs to 3 different RBs in week 17.
Sit – Everyone else – Moss is the only player I have any faith in on each team in week 18. You could fight for Brandin Cooks, but he has been subpar and has been missing time. Could also make a case for Pittman Jr but I’m not touching anyone in this game that has 2 teams with 6 combined wins all season.
Jets @ Dolphins
Start – Tyler Conklin – Conklin is coming off of a 80-yard performance catching all 6 of his targets. In all but 2 games Tyler has caught 50% or better of his targets each week. He takes on the Dolphins this week who have allowed 10 TE scores this season. Miami has allowed 3 TE TDs in the last 3 games. Conklin has a chance if the Jets can get the offense going in a game they know won’t get them in the payoffs as they have already been eliminated. They could play spoiler for Miami who is a division rival.
Sit – Raheem Mostert – I don’t really enjoy either Miami RB in this game going against the Jets defense in an important game that will determine their team makes the playoffs. No Tua behind center so I don’t know how the offense will look out there for 4 quarters. If I am Miami, I would take advantage of my dynamic duo Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to get the offense clicking. Jeff Wilson Jr has out carried Raheem 2 weeks in a row now. Mostert has the dual threat edge to the 2 of them, but if I had to pick a RB here it would be Wilson.
Panthers @ Saints
Start – Rashid Shaheed – Shaheed has turned out to be a reliable target for the Andy Dalton and the Saints offense. The Eagles somehow made Dalton look like peek Tob Brady last weekend and Rashid was a contributor. He now has 75+ receiving yards in 3 of his last 4 games. On the entire season he has caught 25 of his 30 targets giving him over 80% of targets caught. So, if you throw it to him there is a pretty great chance that he will catch it. Both teams are done after this week so why not go hard to end the year on a good note.
Sit – Carolina DST – Taking the Panthers DST to sit this week because they haven’t been great lately. Since their week 13 BYE they are giving up an average of 25 points per game. They have no INTs in 4 of their last 5 games and will need to shut down Kamara and Hill/Dalton. At this point the loser will get a better draft pick so who knows how this will turn out.
Giants @ Eagles
Start – Boston Scott – Return of the Giant killer. I had Scott in my start spot when the Eagles played the Giants a few weeks back and Scott ended up in the end zone. Scott has played the giants 7 times and has scored in every one of those games totaling 9 TDs. This week the Eagles need to win to clinch that #1 NFC playoff seed and it shouldn’t be too difficult being favored by 14 and knowing there is a good chance the giants sit their starters due to the games lack of importance for them. I think the Eagles will jump to a big lead and t could get Scott more involved if the game gets out of hand. He owns the Giants, and everyone knows it yet he still manages to get his. Most likely he will be TD dependent but given his history with them it feels inevitable.
Sit – Giants DST – The Giants like I said above are most likely going to be resting a lot of starters either immediately or soon into the game. The Eagles must win to secure their playoff run and Jalen Hurts is expected to play. The offense should get back on track and people will soon realize Hurts is more valuable than they thought. Minshew proved that not anyone can make the offense fly like Hurts has. I expect a lot of Philadelphia points and very little resistance from the Giants defense. Not worth the risk here.
Browns @ Steelers
Start – Najee Harris – Najee is coming off his most rushing yards of the season. He ran for 111 yards on 22 carries. He also caught a couple passes that led to 12 yards and a TD. The 2nd year RB has now scored through the air or on the ground in 5 of the Steelers last 7 games. Harris gets a good matchup with Cleveland this weekend who he already faced way back in week 2 when he ran for 56 yards and a rushing TD. Browns handed Pittsburgh a loss then but I’m thinking the gesture will be reversed this time around with the Steelers searching for a way into the playoffs.
Sit – DeShaun Watson – Watson faced Washington last week and finally had a multi-score game throwing 3 TDs. He only threw 18 times and completed 50% of those attempts. Watson has under 200 passing yards in 4 of his 5 games since returning to playing in the NFL. The Browns are out of the playoff race and the Steelers defense are hyped up and will be looking to send Watson home with a loss. TJ Watt and company are on a hot streak not allowing any team to surpass 17 points against them since week 11. Watson better prepare them legs to run often in a game where he is sure to be pressured more often than not.
Cardinals @ 49ers
Start – George Kittle – the 49ers as a whole are licking their lips looking at this matchup. Arizona has lost 12 games this season including a loss to the 49ers in week 11 by a score of 38-10. Kittle went off for 84 receiving yards and 2 scores. The rule is and has been for a while, START YOUR TEs AGAINST ARIZONA. Hasn’t changed. Lock up Kittle and get those fantasy points. If that isn’t enough for you, he has scored 5 receiving TDs in his last 3 games and 9 on the season which is 2nd most in the NFL for TEs this season and is 2nd most to only Travis Kelce.
Sit – ARIZONA DST – Yet another DST to sit this week. The 49ers are poised to put themselves into cruise control in this game. San Francisco is a win and an Eagles loss away from the top overall seed in the NFC payoff picture. They just have to win, and it won’t be massively difficult facing the Cardinals who have been on the wrong side of many final scores this season. The game is in SF, and we already saw how dominant they were the first time these teams met. I will have no part of Arizona this week.
Rams @ Seahawks
Start – Cam Akers – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Noah Fant – Fant has 2 catches in each of his last 2 games. They combine to tally 52 yards and a TD. He also scored in week 15 to go along with his 32 yards. TEs are hard to come by and be able to trust and that’s the problem here. Geno Smith is having a terrific year, but I don’t trust him and Fant to connect regularly. Especially knowing he has Walker at RB and Metcalf at WR. Tyler Lockett too but he is fighting an injury and is day to day. Colby Parkinson is in his 3rd year with Seattle and has become a target for Geno lately. Colby is coming off his best game and that takes away from Fant.
Cowboys @ Commanders
Start – Dak Prescott – Dak has thrown pretty well since returning from injury back in week 7. Since his return he has multiple TD passes in all but 2 games! He also has thrown for 250+ passing yards in 8 of his last 9 games played. The Cowboys still have a chance of that #1 overall seed and that NFC East title depending on what the Eagles/49ers do this weekend. I don’t think Dak will need to throw a ton to win but that hasn’t really stopped him. If he can stick to TDs and slow down on those INTs, he should be a great play in week 18.
Sit – Brian Robinson – Robinson has been consistent in gaining rushing yards. He has 86+ rushing yards in 4 of his last 7 games and at least 57 rushing yards in all 7 of those games. He hasn’t had the pleasure of playing Dallas yet in his rookie season who is a top defense defending RBs. The Cowboys have only allowed 3 scores against them via RBs since their week 9 BYE. In fact, they have only allowed 6 RB rushing TDs the entire season and none via reception. I wouldn’t expect a lot from Robinson.