• ESPN Fantasy

Jan 3, 2025, 12:23 PM ET

The ESPN+ Cheat Sheet for Week 18 is your one-stop shop for fantasy football advice. We’ve curated all our best start/sit advice from this week, including insights from Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Liz Loza and Eric Moody. Don’t have time to read it all? That’s why cheat sheets were invented! Catch up on a week’s worth of reading in mere minutes, see which players are on the injury report, consider the betting data and then set your lineup with confidence knowing you’ve put your team in the best position to win.

Lines accurate as of latest time stamp. For the latest odds, go to ESPN BET.

Injury aggregation powered by RotoWire and does not include players on the IR unless recently added. Football Power Index by ESPN Analytics. All times Eastern.

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens -20
Lineup Lock: Saturday 4:30 p.m. ET

Over/under total: 41.5 (eighth highest)
FPI favorite: Ravens by 18.8, 89.8% to win outright

Browns injury watch: RB Pierre Strong Jr.: O; TE David Njoku: O; QB Jameis Winston: Q; RB Nick Chubb: O; RB Nyheim Hines: O

Ravens injury watch: RB Justice Hill: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: With Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. both out, D’Onta Foreman is the primary option out of the backfield, though the matchup is not good against a Baltimore defense that has allowed a league-low 3.5 yards per carry and the eighth-fewest RB fantasy points this season

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: The Browns have been one of the better defenses against the tight ends all season, and especially over the past seven weeks. During that time, the only tight end who exceeded 10 PPR fantasy points against them was Dallas Goedert, while opponents as a whole averaged 9.5 points from the position. This is concerning for both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Cincinnati Bengals -2.5 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Locks: Saturday 8 p.m.

Over/under total: 48.5 (second highest)
FPI favorite: Steelers by 1, 53.4% to win outright

Bengals injury watch: TE Drew Sample: Q; WR Charlie Jones: Q; WR Tee Higgins: Q; RB Chase Brown: Q

Steelers injury watch: none to report

Best of the Week

  • Eric Moody: Russell Wilson put up a season-high 26.8 fantasy points against the Bengals in Week 13. Now, the Steelers have a shot at the AFC North title on Saturday if the Ravens lose to the Browns in the week’s first game, but even if the Ravens take care of business, the Steelers will be motivated to win to stay ahead of the Chargers in playoff seeding, so as to avoid traveling to Baltimore in the wild card round.

  • Liz Loza: The Bengals have allowed a staggering 89% catch rate to opposing running backs. For context, Jerome Ford caught all five targets for 39 receiving yards in Week 16 and Tyjae Spears converted 6 of 7 looks for 87 receiving yards and a score in Week 15. Jaylen Warren has a 12.6% target share (RB9) and figures to flirt with another five grabs in Week 18.

  • Eric Moody: Mike Gesicki posted a career-best 10 receptions on 12 targets against the Broncos in Week 17, finishing with 18.6 fantasy points. While his role in the passing game has been inconsistent, the Bengals will lean heavily on Joe Burrow and the passing game, so Gesicki could see ample targets.

Buffalo Bills -2.5 vs. New England Patriots
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 36.5 (15th highest)
FPI favorite: Bills by 11.5, 78.1% to win outright

Bills injury watch: WR Curtis Samuel: Q

Patriots injury watch: QB Drake Maye: Q; TE Hunter Henry: Q; WR Ja’Lynn Polk: Q

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Bills have locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC, which means they have nothing to gain or lose in Week 18. As a result, Josh Allen, James Cook, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid (among others) are very likely to rest for all or most of this game.

  • Eric Moody: Drake Maye is averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game over his past 11 outings. With the Bills likely to rest starters on both sides of the ball, Maye has a chance to shine at home. Buffalo’s defense has allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game this season.

  • Eric Moody: Ray Davis had 23 touches and 18.2 fantasy points when James Cook was out in Week 6. This week, he’ll likely lead the team in touches in a great matchup against a Patriots defense that’s allowed the third-most RB rushing yards.

  • Mike Clay: Fumbling issues led to a demotion for Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 17, and Antonio Gibson went for 63 yards on 12 touches, whereas Stevenson totaled just a single yard on his two touches. It’s unclear if Stevenson will return to lead-back duties this week, but considering the risk that he doesn’t and the fact he has been held under 13.0 fantasy points in seven straight games, he’s best left on benches against the Bills.

  • Eric Moody: While the Bills will rest some starters, Keon Coleman should play to get valuable reps before the postseason. He could even become Buffalo’s No. 1 receiver against the Patriots. Coleman has had five games this season with five-plus targets and has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of them.

New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -14
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 43.5 (fourth highest)
FPI favorite: Buccaneers by 12.3, 79.8% to win outright

Saints injury watch: TE Juwan Johnson: Q; RB Kendre Miller: Q; QB Derek Carr: Q; RB Alvin Kamara: Q

Buccaneers injury watch: WR Sterling Shepard: Q; TE Payne Durham: Q; TE Cade Otton: Q; RB Bucky Irving: Q; WR Cody Thompson: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Buccaneers are heavily motivated to win this game, as a win would clinch a playoff spot, the NFC South and, if the Rams lose, the No. 3 seed. A loss coupled with a Falcons win could eliminate them from the playoffs.

  • Liz Loza: Baker Mayfield figures to come out slinging in an attempt to win the NFC South. New Orleans’ defense has struggled to limit big aerial plays, tying the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams in allowing the fifth-most passes of 20 or more yards (53) while matching the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions for the fourth-most completions of 40 or more yards allowed (10).

  • Mike Clay: Over their past eight games, the Saints have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the 10th most to the perimeter. For the season, they now sit no lower than seventh in targets, receptions and yardage allowed to the position. This is an excellent matchup for the red-hot Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, who should be upgraded.

  • Mike Clay: Clyde Edwards-Helaire made his New Orleans debut last Sunday and soaked up five carries and four targets on 25 snaps. Kendre Miller (concussion) left the game early, though he had been in a near-even timeshare with CEH prior to his departure. If Alvin Kamara remains out, this is a situation to avoid ideally — especially against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest RB yards (and only 11 RB scores) this season. Edwards-Helaire should be viewed as a desperation flex only, if Kamara and Miller are sidelined.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts -5
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 43.5 (fourth highest)
FPI favorite: Colts by 3.3, 58.7% to win outright

Jaguars injury watch: none to report

Colts injury watch: QB Anthony Richardson: Q

Best of the Week

  • Both teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs and are expected to play their healthy starters.

  • Eric Moody: Alec Pierce had his best performance of the season against the Giants in Week 17, finishing with 24.2 fantasy points. With the Colts now eliminated from the playoffs and Anthony Richardson battling foot and back injuries, it’d be surprising to see him play. That leaves Pierce in the hands of veteran Joe Flacco, who’s not shy about attacking defenses vertically. The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most WR fantasy points this season.

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: Brenton Strange has an outstanding matchup, making him a plausible streamer this week. For the season, the Colts have afforded tight ends the most adjusted fantasy points allowed (4.1), third-most PPR fantasy points per target (2.04) and fifth-most total points per game (15.3). In the past five weeks, Hunter Henry, Adam Trautman and Chig Okonkwo have scored in double-digits against the Colts.

Washington Commanders -6 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 43.5 (fourth highest)
FPI favorite: Commanders by 5.7, 65.5% to win outright

Commanders injury watch: WR Dyami Brown: Q

Cowboys injury watch: WR CeeDee Lamb: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Commanders are locked into the playoffs and will be either the sixth or seventh seed. They will play their starters as usual this week, per Dan Quinn.

  • Mike Clay: With CeeDee Lamb sent to IR, it was Brandin Cooks who unsurprisingly took control as Dallas’ top wide receiver last week. The bad news is that Cooks turned the usage into only 52 yards (still, a season high) and he hasn’t reached 11 fantasy points in any game since Week 1. Similarly, Jalen Tolbert has scored in three straight games, but hasn’t cleared 12 fantasy points in any game since Week 5. Cooks is the best flex option of this group, but this is a situation best avoided, especially against a Washington defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest WR fantasy points over the past eight games.

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles -3
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 37.5 (14th highest)
FPI favorite: Eagles by 14.3, 83% to win outright

Giants injury watch: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton: Q; WR Malik Nabers: Q

Eagles injury watch: WR DeVonta Smith: Q; WR A.J. Brown: Q; QB Jalen Hurts: Q; QB Kenny Pickett: Q; RB Will Shipley: Q

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, which means the have nothing to gain or lose in Week 18. As a result, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith (among others) are very likely to rest for all or most of this game.

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: The Eagles’ defensive scheme has been responsible for making them the second-toughest running back matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed (minus-5.2) and PPR fantasy points per game allowed (16.5), and the toughest in points per carry allowed (0.49) this season. The Eagles remain slightly favored despite being in rest mode, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. has averaged just 10.3 fantasy points in six games since the bye.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons -8
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 47.5 (third highest)
FPI favorite: Falcons by 9.4, 73.5% to win outright

Panthers injury watch: WR Xavier Legette: Q

Falcons injury watch: TE Ross Dwelley: Q; WR KhaDarel Hodge: Q; WR Darnell Mooney: Q; WR Drake London: Q

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Falcons need a win and a Buccaneers (playing at the same time) loss to make the playoffs, so they’ll be a full go.

  • Eric Moody: Bryce Young has shown real growth since reclaiming the starting job in Week 8 and has been especially sharp since the Week 11 bye, scoring 16-plus fantasy points in four of his past six games, including 23-plus points in two of those games. The Falcons have given up the seventh-most QB fantasy points this season.

  • Mike Clay: In the Panthers’ first game of the season without Chuba Hubbard, it was Raheem Blackshear who led the backfield, with Mike Boone and Velus Jones Jr. also involved. None of the backs were productive, with Blackshear getting 20 yards on eight touches and Boone 11 yards on two touches. Carolina’s backfield should be avoided this week against an Atlanta defense that has allowed only five RB rushing scores, third fewest for the season.

  • Liz Loza: Michael Penix Jr. appears to have locked in on Drake London, targeting the star wideout a total of 21 times since assuming the starting gig two games ago. Darnell Mooney, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts each ranked second on the team in looks in Week 17, drawing five opportunities each. Carolina has struggled to contain tight ends, giving up a league-high 11 scores to the position this season. Meanwhile, the Falcons have reprioritized Pitts as an end zone threat, targeting the tight end from 10 yards out in three of his past four outings.

  • Liz Loza: Consider Jalen Coker a prime upside play this week. The Falcons have allowed 24 WRs to reach at least 10 fantasy points and have given up double-digit fantasy points to multiple wideouts in seven separate games, including Week 6 versus Carolina. Additionally, the Falcons have registered the highest catch rate allowed to WRs (70%) and the most receiving scores given up to the position (21). With Bryce Young attempting to end his sophomore campaign on a heroic note, Coker’s ceiling figures to be utilized. Flex him for the fun.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers -10
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 41.5 (eighth highest)
FPI favorite: Packers by 9.9, 74.8% to win outright

Bears injury watch: RB Travis Homer: Q; WR Rome Odunze: Q

Packers injury watch: RB Chris Brooks: Q; RB Josh Jacobs: Q; WR Christian Watson: Q; RB MarShawn Lloyd: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Packers are locked into the playoffs and will be either the sixth or seventh seed. They figure to play their starters as usual.

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: Jordan Love hasn’t been a prominent part of the Packers’ offensive attack recently, averaging only 24.7 passing attempts in seven games since the bye week, whereas starting running back Josh Jacobs has averaged 19.6 rushing attempts during that span. The past five quarterbacks to face the Bears have averaged only 16.8 points and 30.8 passing attempts.

  • Mike Clay: Caleb Williams has produced 22-plus fantasy points in five games, but has also been held to single digits seven times. His boom/bust season is likely to end with a bust against a Green Bay defense that has allowed the third-fewest QB fantasy points this season. Williams did run for a career-high 70 yards when these teams met in Week 11, but failed to score a touchdown.

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans -1.5
Locks: Sunday 1 p.m.

Over/under total: 36.5 (15th highest)
FPI favorite: Texans by 1.1, 52.1% to win outright

Texans injury watch: none to report

Titans injury watch: WR Colton Dowell: O; TE Chig Okonkwo: Q; WR Tyler Boyd: Q; RB Tony Pollard: Q; RB Tyjae Spears: D

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC, which means they have nothing to gain or lose in Week 18. As a result, C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon, Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz (among others) are all very likely to rest for all or most of this game.

  • Eric Moody: Tony Pollard missed Week 17 due to an ankle injury and the flu, but he could return for the finale, especially with contract incentives within reach. Tyjae Spears, meanwhile, is likely to miss Week 18 after being diagnosed with a concussion last week. That leaves Julius Chestnut to potentially step into a key role in the Titans backfield against the Texans. Pollard’s availability will dictate just how significant that role becomes.

  • Eric Moody: The connection between Chig Okonkwo and QB Mason Rudolph is undeniable. Over the past three games, Okonkwo has seen double-digit targets twice and has scored 11-plus fantasy points in all three games. Expect him to remain a key part of the Titans offense against the Texans in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals -4.5
Locks: Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Over/under total: 42.5 (seventh highest)
FPI favorite: 49ers by 1.9, 55.7% to win outright

49ers injury watch: WR Ricky Pearsall: Q; QB Brock Purdy: D; WR Deebo Samuel Sr.: Q; TE George Kittle: Q

Cardinals injury watch: RB James Conner: O; RB Trey Benson: O

Best of the Week

  • Both teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs and are expected to play their healthy starters.

  • Eric Moody: James Conner and Trey Benson have both been placed on IR, and Michael Carter has been a solid fill-in, posting double-digit fantasy points in both of the past two games. He’ll be the lead Arizona back in this game.

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: Isaac Guerendo has been plenty productive as Christian McCaffrey‘s most recent fill-in, averaging 17.4 PPR fantasy points and 16.7 touches in the 49ers’ past three games. The Cardinals have struggled defending the run recently, as the past four starting running backs to face them have averaged 24.1 PPR fantasy points.

  • Mike Clay: The 49ers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers over their past eight games, including the third fewest to the perimeter and fewest to the slot. When these teams met in Week 5, Arizona totaled 195 yards and one TD through the air. Marvin Harrison Jr. was limited to 36 yards on seven targets and Michael Wilson led the team with 78 yards on six targets. Downgrade the Arizona WR room.

  • Mike Clay: The Cardinals have quietly become one of the league’s top teams at slowing receivers. Arizona has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position over the past eight weeks, including the second fewest to the perimeter. When these teams met in Week 5, Brandon Aiyuk had a big game, but Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel Sr. were shut down. Expectations for the Niners’ passing game should be reduced a bit.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos -10.5
Locks: Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Over/under total: 40.5 (11th highest)
FPI favorite: Broncos by 0.8, 51.8% to win outright

Chiefs injury watch: QB Patrick Mahomes: Q; RB Isiah Pacheco: Q

Broncos injury watch: none to report

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, so Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and DeAndre Hopkins (among others) are very likely to rest for at least a chunk of this game. Kansas City is locked into a bye, so the starters might play a half or so, but a full game seems like a long shot. The Broncos, meanwhile, would clinch a playoff spot with a win and will be going all out.

  • Eric Moody: Marvin Mims Jr. finished with a season-high eight targets and 30.2 fantasy points in Week 17. He’s been consistent, with at least four targets in five straight games and two 100-yard receiving performances, and at least one rushing attempt in each of his past seven games. That makes him an intriguing option in a win-and-get-in scenario against a Chiefs team with nothing to play for.

Los Angeles Chargers -4 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Locks: Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Over/under total: 41.5 (eighth highest)
FPI favorite: Chargers by 2.1, 55.8% to win outright

Chargers injury watch: WR Ladd McConkey: Q; WR Joshua Palmer: Q; RB Gus Edwards: Q

Raiders injury watch: RB Ameer Abdullah: Q

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth, but their seeding remains up in the air. If the Steelers win Saturday, the Chargers will be locked into the No. 6 seed and likely will rest players. If the Steelers lose, the Chargers can jump up to the No. 5 seed with a win and will be motivated to beat Las Vegas. Monitor this situation before locking in lineups.

  • Eric Moody: Ameer Abdullah had his first career 100-yard rushing game in Week 17 against the Saints, and has double-digit touches and 17-plus fantasy points in each of the past three weeks. He should see plenty of touches in Week 18 against the Chargers.

Miami Dolphins -1 vs. New York Jets
Locks: Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Over/under total: 38.5 (12th highest)
FPI favorite: Dolphins by 1.4, 53.7% to win outright

Dolphins injury watch: QB Tua Tagovailoa: Q; WR Jaylen Waddle: Q

Jets injury watch: TE Tyler Conklin: Q; QB Jordan Travis: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Dolphins need a win and help to make the playoffs. They’ll be fully motivated.

  • Liz Loza: Tyreek Hill‘s matchup at the New York Jets is precarious, but he did manage his best fantasy showing of 2024 versus New York (28.0 points) back in Week 14. Five WRs have cleared 20 fantasy points (including three this month) when facing the Jets. Managers are best advised to brace for WR2 numbers, but there is hope for a WR1 fantasy showing from Hill in what is a high-stakes scenario for the Fins on Sunday.

  • Mike Clay: After an impressive midseason surge, Garrett Wilson‘s production has dipped over the past month and a half, failing to clear 18.4 points in any of his past seven games. The good news is that he’s still seeing a decent number of targets (7.9 per game during the span) and has found the end zone in two of his past three. Wilson might draw Jalen Ramsey shadow coverage this week, but that was the case back in Week 14 and he went for 114 yards on 10 targets. He remains a solid starting option.

Seattle Seahawks -6.5 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Locks: Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Over/under total: 38.5 (12th highest)
FPI favorite: Rams by 2.5, 56.6% to win outright

Seahawks injury watch: RB Kenneth Walker III: O

Rams injury watch: WR Jordan Whittington: Q

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The Rams clinched a playoff berth and will be either the No. 3 or 4 seed in the NFC. If the Buccaneers defeat the Saints during the early Sunday slate, the Rams will need to win in order to clinch the No. 3 seed. If the Buccaneers lose, the Rams will be locked into the No. 3 seed and can rest key players. Sean McVay indicated he will likely rest players regardless, so the likes of Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford shouldn’t be near lineups.

  • Eric Moody: Expect Blake Corum to see an expanded role, as Los Angeles rests Williams.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions -2.5
Locks: Sunday 8:20 p.m.

Over/under total: 55.5 (Highest)
FPI favorite: Lions by 5.5, 64.7% to win outright

Vikings injury watch: RB Aaron Jones: Q

Lions injury watch: RB David Montgomery: O

Best of the Week

  • Mike Clay: The winner of this game earns the top seed in the NFC and the highly coveted bye. The loser drops to the No. 5 seed in the NFC and will play a road game in the wild-card round. Both teams will be going all out.

  • Tristan H. Cockcroft: Sam Darnold, who has at least 21 fantasy points in five of his past seven games, is in as good a spot as almost any quarterback. The opposing Lions have collapsed against quarterbacks recently, particularly since losing cornerback Carlton Davis III to a fractured jaw in Week 15. The past three starters to face them averaged 31.4 fantasy points.

  • Mike Clay: Jameson Williams is in the midst of a full-on breakout, having posted the two highest fantasy point totals of his career in his past two games. That included 150 yards and one TD on six touches in Week 16, as well as a 75-yard, 2-TD effort on seven touches this past Monday night. He’s a “lineup lock” against a Vikings defense that has allowed the most catches, second-most yards and most fantasy points to WRs this season.

  • Mike Clay: Minnesota has allowed the most fantasy points to receivers this season, including the fifth most to the perimeter and second most to the slot. The Vikings aren’t bad against receivers in general, but they’ve faced the most WR routes, second-most WR targets, and fourth-most WR end zone targets. That’s what tends to happen when you’re ahead on the scoreboard on a league-high 57% of your offensive snaps. When these teams met in Week 7, Williams was shut down (minus-4 yards on his lone target), but St. Brown came up big (8-112-1) and Kalif Raymond also found the end zone. Upgrade the Detroit pass offense.