Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans is slated to remain his team's top target in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but he comes with an asterisk. Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers, though the Michigan product logged 92 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. The elephant in the room is how long Houston will play its starters. The Texans have committed to playing their regulars, but they're already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by beating Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans surely will be looking ahead to Wild Card Weekend at some point, which DFS players have to consider when evaluating Collins' Week 18 value.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled defensively over the past three weeks and will hope to get back on track in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Bengals have been scoring plenty of points, Pittsburgh managed to have a productive fantasy showing against them in Week 13. Additionally, the Steelers will have starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. back in the lineup after missing last week's contest due to a knee injury. Pittsburgh has proven that it can generate turnovers and sacks at a high level against any opponent, making its DST worthy of fantasy consideration this week, but safer options in more favorable matchups may be available in some formats.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has a decent matchup in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but the opponent is only part of the picture for Houston this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal takes on the 21st-ranked defense against fantasy running backs, but the real question surrounds Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston already has clinched the AFC South, but cannot improve its seeding on Sunday no matter what happens. Ryans committed to playing starters, but for how long? Mixon certainly has a matchup worth exploring, but the risk that he could be on the sidelines for a decent portion of the game has to be baked into his fantasy value for Week 18.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is now being considered doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints after it was reported earlier on Friday that he would be a game-time decision. Otton has already missed the last two games with a knee injury and is now likely to miss a third straight as the team looks to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Saints. Both Payne Durham (quadriceps) and rookie Devin Culp (ribs) were listed on the Week 18 injury report as well, but both have been cleared to play this weekend after practicing in full on Friday. With Otton unlikely to play, expect both Durham and Culp to share the tight end duties for the Bucs in a must-win game at home. For fantasy purposes, managers should be able to find better TE options.

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The Houston Texans defense/special teams is a worthwhile option in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, albeit with a qualifier. The Texans plan to start their regulars, but Houston is already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs regardless of what happens Sunday. For its part, Tennessee plans to play both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph at quarterback, per Titans head coach Brian Callahan. The pair has thrown a combined 21 interceptions this season and Houston sacked Levis eight times in the first meeting earlier this season, so the matchup is there for Houston. It's certainly possible the Texans pull their starters at some point, but with the Titans in range of a top-three pick in the NFL Draft and set to juggle quarterbacks, the Texans are a solid play.

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Though Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been a top-tier fantasy option this season, he should be avoided in a dodgy Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran has an OK matchup against a Titans team that ranks right in the middle against fantasy kickers, but he comes with risk due to Houston's playoff positioning. The Texans already have locked down the AFC South and the No. 4 seed, so Sunday's results have no effect on them. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to start the team's regulars, but with much bigger fish to fry next week and nothing to gain Sunday, he certainly will be thinking ahead. As a result, Fairbairn's DFS value in Week 18 has to be tied to the likelihood he will be attached to a second-string offense at some point in the game.

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a fringe TE2 in a dicey Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Even without the surrounding circumstances, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy tight ends that held the former Dallas Cowboy to two catches and 20 receiving yards in the first meeting. Beyond that, any of Houston's offensive regulars are a dangerous bet due to the upcoming playoffs: The Texans are set in stone as the No. 4 seed and cannot move, so they have nothing to gain against Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to play starters, but he also must be thinking about the Wild Card round next week. That means Schultz and the rest of the Houston regulars could find themselves on the sidelines at some point, diminishing their weekly value.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods should not be considered a playable option in an unappealing Week 18 matchup against Tennessee. First, the veteran played only 38% of Houston's snaps in the first full game without fellow receiver Tank Dell (knee), and now Houston plans to debut recently added receiver Diontae Johnson in this one. Additionally, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers and Houston cannot change its playoff seeding, so there is a solid possibility Houston begins thinking ahead to its Wild Card game in the middle of Week 18. Woods wasn't a great play anyway, but DFS players should look elsewhere given the circumstances.

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The Chicago Bears ruled out running back Travis Homer (hamstring) for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. It doesn't come as much of a surprise since Homer has been sidelined with his hamstring injury since Week 15. When healthy, the 26-year-old was buried on Chicago's RB depth chart this year in a bad offense behind both D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. That limited role afforded him just six rushing attempts for 23 yards while also catching three passes for 11 yards. Homer mainly contributed on special teams for Chicago in his second year with the team. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 out of Miami didn't see a single carry and failed to catch his only target in 16 games with the Bears in 2023. Homer will become an unrestricted free agent in March and will look for a bigger role elsewhere.

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was not asked to do much in Week 17 and will hope to be more involved in a Week 18 bout with the Cincinnati Bengals. Just a few weeks ago, Boswell drilled five extra points and three field goals in a win against Cincinnati in which the Steelers put up 44 points. The Bengals have surrendered over 26 points per contest this season, so it's no surprise this divisional contest has a healthy projected point total of 48.5. Boswell offers plenty of upside on Saturday and should remain in fantasy lineups that still have something to play for.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning rookie Spencer Rattler will make his sixth start of the year to wrap things up for the Saints. Carr suffered a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants and wasn't able to return to the field this year. The 33-year-old finishes up a disappointing second season in the Big Easy in which he battled multiple injuries yet again. In a career-low 10 games played in 2024, Carr also had career-lows in passing yards (2,145) and touchdowns (15) while throwing five interceptions. Given the Saints' salary cap situation heading into the future, it's likely they'll approach a contract restructure for Carr to return in 2025, where he could compete for the starting job with Rattler.

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New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful to play as well, which means Clyde Edwards-Helaire could lead the Saints' backfield against the Bucs this weekend, with veteran Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims also pitching in. The 22-year-old Miller dealt with more injuries in his sophomore season in the NFL after playing in only eight games as a rookie in 2023. The former TCU product played in just eight games in 2024 and had 39 rushing attempts for 148 yards and one touchdown, adding five catches for 33 yards. Miller's standing in the organization has likely soured after two injury-filled years to begin his career.

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The Los Angeles Rams will rest running back Kyren Williams for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks at Sofi Stadium on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. The Rams are prioritizing rest for their best players this weekend despite the fact that they could slip to the No. 4 seed in the NFC for the playoffs if they lose to Seattle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints. With Williams sitting the final game of the regular season out, rookie Blake Corum should get all the backfield touches he can handle on Sunday with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo running the offense. The Rams' offense is unlikely to be as efficient without their top weapons, but for the volume alone, Corum has easy RB2 upside. Williams finishes his third season in the NFL with a career-best 1,299 rushing yards and a career-high 14 TDs on 316 carries over 16 starts.

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is listed as doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara hasn't practiced or played since suffering an adductor injury in Week 15 and he's unlikely to see the field to close out the 2024 season this weekend. Head coach Darren Rizzi said Kamara will go through a workout on Saturday morning, at which point he'll likely be officially ruled out for Week 18. The lone incentive for the 29-year-old to play on Sunday is the fact that he's 50 yards from the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his NFL career. Still, it's unlikely he'll have a shot to reach that milestone. With Kendre Miller (concussion) already ruled out, it's looking like the Saints' backfield will be led by Clyde-Edwards Helaire, who made his team and season debut in Week 17.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (illness) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The rookie wideout missed the first two days of practice before getting in a full session on Friday. Odunze appears to be over the illness and will suit up for the regular season finale. The 22-year-old finished with one reception for 15 yards during last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Odunze hasn't been a productive fantasy option over the last few games. That being said, Odunze might have flex value, but probably won't offer much more for fantasy managers playing their championship games in Week 18.

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The Los Angeles Rams will rest quarterback Matthew Stafford in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Sean McVay. Even though the Rams can fall from the No. 3 seed to the No. 4 seed in the NFL postseason picture with a loss to Seattle coupled with a win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the Rams are prioritizing rest for key players on both sides of the ball. LA will also sit star receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp and starting running back Kyren Williams. With Stafford getting the week off, backup Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first start for the Rams at home at Sofi Stadium against the visiting Seahawks. Stafford finishes his fourth season with the Rams with 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his 16 starts.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Rams will sit wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday at home against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Sean McVay. Even though the Rams could drop to the No. 4 seed in the NFC postseason picture with a loss coupled by a win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the Rams are prioritizing rest for their key players on both sides of the ball. Without Nacua and Kupp on the field this weekend in the season finale, the Rams will likely be rolling with Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and rookie Jordan Whittington in starting three-wide sets with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo running the offense. Fantasy managers should obviously temper expectations for the Rams' offense without their best players, but Robinson could be a sneaky sleeper play in DFS lineups.

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth will be looking to end an up-and-down regular season on a positive note against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Freiermuth was heavily involved in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, logging a season-high seven receptions, but his best fantasy showing of the year came against this same Bengals team back in Week 13. The fourth-year pro hauled in six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown against his division rival, who has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the NFL. Furthermore, Freiermuth has performed notably well against Cincinnati throughout his career, scoring double-digit half-PPR fantasy points in five of seven matchups. Fantasy managers with something to play for on Saturday can deploy Freiermuth as a top-12 option in most formats.

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New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye (hand) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said that Maye would start on Sunday. Now, Maye is in danger of missing the regular season finale due to a right hand injury. If he sits, Joe Milton III would be in line to start this weekend. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is also on the roster, but the Pats are likely to go with Milton over him. The former sixth-rounder is an intriguing prospect, but Milton isn't someone worth streaming especially against the Bills defense.

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (foot) is listed as doubtful for the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Abdullah has been absent in practice this week after apparently picking up a foot injury during last week's win over the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old rushed 20 times for 115 yards and hauled in three of his four targets for 32 yards during last week's game. The absence of Abdullah would probably mean that Alexander Mattison would serve as the lead back on Sunday. Mattison has been held to 36 rushing yards or less in each of his last six games. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option for Week 18.

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