Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison is on track to lead the backfield in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. While Mattison had taken a backseat to Ameer Abdullah (foot) lately, Abdullah has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest, leaving Mattison in line to draw the start. The Raiders' only other healthy running backs are rookies Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, who have combined for just four touches throughout the entire 2024 season. We can't rule out Las Vegas giving some extra touches to Laube and Collier so that they can get more film on the rookies, but we still anticipate Mattison getting the bulk of the opportunities out of the backfield. He's facing off against a Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, but the seventh-most receptions. Mattison, who is averaging 2.5 catches and 0.4 touchdowns per game, ranks as a low-end RB2 option in fantasy football as he essentially gets the backfield to himself this week.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has one more chance to cement himself as a key part of the team's passing attack during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. The wide receiver position will be a key area of discussion in Las Vegas this offseason, and Tucker has an opportunity to make a case for himself on film and in the stat sheet this weekend. He has routinely played north of 90 percent of the offensive snaps lately, and he commanded an impressive eight targets last weekend against the New Orleans Saints. However, he caught just two of those eight targets, adding 24 yards and one touchdown along the way. This week, Tucker faces a Los Angeles defense that has ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season. They're slightly better against slot receivers, and fortunately for Tucker, he's played just one-fifth of his snaps from the slot this season. Tucker ranks as a WR4 heading into Sunday's regular-season finale.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers continues to be an appealing fantasy option, ranking in the WR2 range ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Meyers is coming off yet another high-volume performance, catching five of his nine targets for 51 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. He and Brock Bowers continue to be Aidan O'Connell's favorite targets in the passing game. The Chargers rank near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season, and they're slightly better against slot receivers than those who play on the perimeter. For context, Meyers has played 30.7 percent of his snaps from the slot, which is the 28th-highest mark in the NFL. Los Angeles' respectable secondary could find itself shorthanded if the Chargers choose to rest some of their starters, but so far, there's no indication that that will happen. Expect the Bolts to play their top defenders, leaving Meyers as a mid-to-low WR2 option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a mid-tier WR2 for Week 18 when the Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. Harrison Jr. is looking to end his rookie season on a high note after an inconsistent but still productive year. He entered the NFL with very high expectations, which are naturally hard to meet, yet he has still posted over 800 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Harrison Jr. is coming off perhaps one of his best performances, catching six passes for 96 yards against the Rams on Saturday night. Getting quarterback Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr. to build some momentum heading into the offseason will be something the Cardinals will look to do in their regular season finale. Expect Harrison Jr. to be involved early and often in the Cardinals' passing attack.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride are a must-start TE1 when the Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. McBride crossed two big milestones last week: breaking 1,000 yards and scoring his first receiving touchdown of the season. However, the game ended on a tough note, with the final pass bouncing off McBride's helmet, resulting in a Los Angeles Rams interception that officially ended the Cardinals' playoff hopes. McBride has had a sensational season and has provided fantasy managers with one of the biggest positional advantages in fantasy football. He is a no-doubt starter in what should be the final week of one of the best tight end seasons in Arizona Cardinals history.

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The New Orleans Saints D/ST has flirted with fantasy relevance all season but the unit's inconsistencies have offered poor returns. The team had 12 turnovers in their first six games but only four since. After logging eleven sacks in their first three games, they needed another seven to match that amount. Removing their eight-sack performance against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Week 15, the Saints have averaged just over 1.58 sacks per game in the 12 other games played since Week 3. In Week 18, the Saints face a Buccaneers squad that ranks fourth in scoring with 29.7 points per game. New Orleans gave up 45 to Tampa when the teams met in Week 6. Winning turnovers salvaged that performance from a fantasy perspective but the Saints should still be avoided against a lively Bucs offense that will be locked in as they try to win their way into the playoffs.

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In a season where injuries have decimated the New Orleans Saints offense, tight end Foster Moreau finds himself as the team's unlikely leader in receiving touchdowns with five. Moreau has found the end zone twice in the last three weeks, most recently in Week 17 on an impressive 30-yard heave from rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler will be under center again on Sunday and could lean on Moreau again to pick up the slack left by a depleted offense. Chris Olave (concussion) practiced in full all week but is listed as questionable for the season finale against Tampa Bay, as is fellow tight end Juwan Johnson (knee). Moreau had two catches for 54 yards when the Saints last faced the Buccaneers back in Week 6. Moreau should be good for a chunk gain or two against a Tampa defense that has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends this season and could push his way into the TE2 conversation with another touchdown.

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New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 17, hitting his lone extra point and a 34-yard field goal try. On the season he is 30-for-32 for extra point attempts and has converted 23 of his 27 field goal attempts. All of those misses have come from 40 yards out or further. Grupe won't be kicking in the comfort of a dome in Week 18 but he will have good weather conditions when the Saints travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. That said, Grupe should probably be avoided for fantasy purposes. Since their Week 12 bye, the Saints have averaged just 11.4 points per game. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be at the helm again in the season finale. The Saints have had a hard time sustaining drives since he took over for Derek Carr (hand), which means there is less of a chance for Grupe to get on the field. Grupe has a good leg and can be of service when called upon but the Saints' woes on offense should steer fantasy managers elsewhere in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler will get one more go under center in the regular season finale. Regular starter Derek Carr (hand) did not practice this week and will be held out of the team's final game. Last week, Rattler looked incredible for the first half, going 11-for-13 with a touchdown and his only incompletions coming on a drop and a throwaway. His second half was disastrous, though, featuring nine completions on 23 attempts, two interceptions, and three sacks. New Orleans is faced with another opportunity to get their fifth-round pick some live-game experience and can be expected to give him a long leash once again. Fantasy managers should avoid the erratic rookie in Week 18, even against the QB-friendly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thanks to an abundance of injuries, the Saints have almost no recognizable names left on offense, leaving Rattler with remarkably little help.

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Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be active on Sunday according to interim head coach Darren Rizzi. With Kendre Miller (concussion) out and Alvin Kamara (groin) doubtful, Edward-Helaire should factor into the run game alongside Jamaal Williams as he did in Week 17. Last week, CEH led the team in rushing attempts with five after Miller was forced out of the game in the second quarter due to his head injury. In comments to the media on Friday, Rizzi complimented Edwards-Helaire's ability to learn the offense so quickly and said that he was impressed with his work ethic and determination. With CEH having joined New Orleans only two weeks ago and Williams being largely ineffective as a rusher this season, it is hard to say who will emerge as the primary back in Week 18's matchup against the Buccaneers. Jordan Mims may also mix in, making all three backs easy fades in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams should see an uptick in usage in Week 18, with Kendre Miller (concussion) out and Alvin Kamara (groin) doubtful. That may not translate to fantasy value, though, as Williams has done little in the sporadic opportunities he has seen. In 13 games this season, Williams has 40 carries for 149 yards and one touchdown. Even after Miller's exit in the second quarter last week, Williams was outsnapped and outgained by the recently signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire, though his snap share was the highest he had seen since Week 8. Williams may be utilized more as a pass-catcher with Chris Olave (concussion) listed as questionable and the remaining wide receiver ranks thin on talent. Even though injuries have cleared a path up the depth chart for him, Williams will still be vying for touches with CEH and Jordan Mims, making him easy to avoid in fantasy leagues that are still active in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

After opening the week with a limited session, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) practiced in full for a second consecutive day and has no designation going into the team's Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 30-year-old was sidelined in Week 16 due to a combination of a back issue and illness that interrupted his rehab. In Week 17, he was active though a massive hit in the fourth quarter took him out of the game early. Even though he will be active, it will be hard to rely on MVS for fantasy purposes. His success earlier this season was tied to touchdowns and big gains on deep passes. In his three biggest games he racked up 232 yards and four touchdowns but did so on just ten targets. Spencer Rattler will be under center again for the season finale and while he has shown decent arm strength as a spot starter, his accuracy (or lack thereof) will not do MVS any favors. His potential would be further dampened by the return of Chris Olave (concussion) who is listed as questionable. Valdes-Scantling was a bright spot for a few weeks in 2024 but he should not be in a starting lineup in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable on the team's final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the slough of injuries that sapped the Saints of depth at wide receiver and running back, Johnson has mustered a lackluster 44-468-3 line through 16 games. Week 17 brought about a change for the better as he led the team in receptions, targets, and yards, catching six of 10 passes sent his way for 66 yards. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful and Chris Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable, which leaves room for Johnson to have another productive day, especially with Spencer Rattler under center once again. Johnson is in the best position on the hard-luck Saints to return fantasy value in Week 18, though anyone starting him must be in a pretty desperate situation to do so.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III has seen his role fade recently, catching just a single pass in two of the last three contests, but could be in line for an uptick in productivity if Darnell Mooney (shoulder) were to miss Sunday's contest after being limited Thursday and not practicing on Friday. Despite the recent slump, McCloud III has had a career year, setting highs in receptions (58) and yards (620), and on Sunday he'll take on a Panthers defense that is middle-of-the-pack in limiting fantasy production to opposing wide receivers, but just last week allowed five touchdown receptions, four of which went to WRs (one went to a TE). The 28-year-old is probably a WR5 at best if Mooney plays, but if not, he could see a bump all the way to a borderline WR3/4 or Flex option if Mooney misses the game.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London will look to finish strong on Sunday after a 100-yard game last week put him over 1,000 yards receiving for the season. The 23-year-old has seen 21 targets and logged 12 receptions over the last two weeks with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center. Although he hasn't caught a touchdown from the lefty QB, he had a near-miss last week and the 6-foot-4 wideout hasn't seen a drop off in production with the rookie throwing him the ball. The USC product was limited in practice earlier this week but is expected to play; Darnell Mooney (shoulder), however, looks like he's on the wrong side of questionable after a limited session Thursday and a DNP on Friday, which would further solidify London's role as No. 1 receiver in a must-win game. The third-year pro sets up nicely in a matchup versus the Panthers who he logged a 6-74-1 line against in Week 6, but with the Falcons likely to lean on the run game, London looks more like a high-end WR2.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers defense/special teams unit will close out the 2024 campaign against the Cardinals in Arizona. To the surprise of nobody the 49ers did fantasy managers no favors in Week 17, sacking Detroit's Jared Goff twice but forcing no turnovers and allowing 40 offensive points. San Francisco has it easier in Week 18, facing a Cardinals offense that is nearly exactly average in points per game. They've performed similarly in turnovers lost while being eighth-stingiest in sacks allowed. San Francisco's starting defense is mostly healthy, with nickel Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder) out, linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) doubtful, and safety Ji'Ayir Brown (ankle) questionable. Arizona's offense has a tackle and a wideout listed as questionable, but more importantly, both of their top running back options -- James Conner and Trey Benson -- are on Injured Reserve. The 49ers are RotoBaller's 11th-ranked option in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody will spend the final game of his turbulent 2024 season in Arizona to face the Cardinals. The former third-round pick has had a rough couple of weeks. In Week 18 against Detroit, Moody missed field goals from 51 and 58 yards, while missing one extra point out of five chances. In Week 17 against Miami, Moody missed from 41 yards after hitting from 21 yards while connecting on both extra-point attempts. Moody had accuracy issues on the road even before that, which makes Sunday an important chance to demonstrate competence ahead of the 2025 campaign. Arizona has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to kickers this season. Moody -- tenuously clinging to his job -- is RotoBaller's 15th-ranked kicker in Week 18.

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Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet hasn't been a reliable fantasy option throughout the 2024-25 campaign. He finished last year by catching a career-high 73 passes for 719 yards while amassing six touchdowns. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old has struggled this season, totaling 45 grabs for 471 yards and four touchdowns. To be fair, the Bears offense hasn't been the best. However, Kmet can't be trusted in Week 18 versus the Packers, so fantasy managers can keep him out of the lineup. The same can be said for those considering his services for DFS contests.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had the best season of his career in 2023-24, amassing career-highs in receptions (96), yards (1,364), and touchdowns (eight). However, his production has decreased significantly during his second year in the Windy City. With the Bears capping off a miserable season on Sunday against the Packers, Moore will be looking for his first trip to the end zone since the Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. Without question, fantasy managers can't keep him out of the starting lineup in Week 18. Still, Moore hasn't been as reliable this year, so he remains a risky fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers backup tight end Eric Saubert could make his fourth start of the season in Week 18 at the Arizona Cardinals. Starter George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is listed as questionable. To date in 2024, Saubert has caught seven of nine targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. Saubert's fantasy ceiling was established in Week 2 of 2022 when he caught one of two targets for a 22-yard touchdown as a member of the Denver Broncos. The eighth-year pro has been a career fantasy nonfactor, though in Week 16 at Miami -- with Kittle on the field -- he caught his third-career touchdown. Arizona has allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points per game to tight ends. If Kittle plays, Saubert is unplayable. He's barely more than that if Kittle sits, other than as a bargain-bin DFS shot-in-the-dark.

From RotoBaller