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FFL: Offseason | NFL: Week 18

Lions LB Alex Anzalone (arm) could be activated for Vikings' showdown

Fri Jan 3 6:29pm ET
Field Level Media

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was listed as questionable for Sunday's NFC showdown for the Minnesota Vikings and could be activated off injury reserve this week.

Anzalone broke his left forearm in a game against the Jacksonville in Week 11 and has missed the past six games.

Anzalone, a team captain, was injured during a play in which teammate Brian Branch pushed Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. out of bounds. Anzalone's arm got tangled between the two players.

Anzalone, 30, returned to practice earlier this week. Lions coach Dan Campbell liked what he saw from Anzalone during Friday's session but also wants to be cautious.

"It's really about him getting comfortable, and so much of it is what we really like to do is get these guys worked in before you throw them into the fire," Campbell said of Anzalone. "We try to do that with as many of our guys as we can. Get them comfortable with a week of practice, then they're ready for the following week.

"So that's kind of the phase we're in. We want him, would love to have him, but we want to be smart, too. We've got a playoff game after this, so just trying to be right by him and by us."

Both the Lions and Vikings have 14-2 record entering the Sunday night clash.

Anzalone has 56 tackles -- seven for loss -- in nine games this season. He had a career-best 129 tackles in 2023 and 125 in 2022.

As expected, running back David Montgomery (knee) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (illness) will miss the contest. Joining Anzalone as questionable are running back Craig Reynolds (back) and receiver Khalif Raymond (foot).

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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 18

Player Notes
Aaron Rodgers Jan 3 10:00pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will wrap up his 2024 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Rodgers struggled mightily in his last game, throwing for just 112 yards and two interceptions in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. He will attempt to finish on a high note against a Miami defense that has been tough on opposing quarterbacks, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position this season. Rodgers said earlier in the week that Sunday's game could be his last, which gives some added luster to an otherwise uninspiring matchup. That being said, Rodgers settles in as a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Joshua Dobbs Jan 3 10:00pm ET
Joshua Dobbs

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs is set to make his only start of 2024 in a Week 18 matchup against the Cardinals in Arizona. The 29-year-old will fill in for starter Brock Purdy (right elbow), as he did for a few plays at the end of last week's loss before scoring a rushing touchdown. Dobbs made his most recent start in Week 14 of 2023 with the Minnesota Vikings, as San Francisco opted for Brandon Allen when Purdy missed Week 12 of this season at Green Bay with poor results. Dobbs made some noise in fantasy last year, averaging 15.7 Yahoo default points per game with Arizona and Minnesota. He went over 20 points five times in 13 games -- driven mostly by rushing touchdowns -- but went out with a whimper with the Vikings, failing to reach five points in his final two starts. The Cardinals are the 12th-toughest defense to opposing fantasy quarterbacks, but they've allowed five rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks -- the fifth-most in the NFL. "The Pass-tronaut" is a QB2 in Week 18, but could be a sneaky-good DFS play for those who choose to spend big at other positions.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Jan 3 10:00pm ET
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen ran for 26 yards on six carries in a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He will look to put the finishing touches on his rookie season in a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. The Dolphins have been solid against running backs this season, allowing the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Allen is unlikely to see much work behind starter Breece Hall this weekend, leaving him as a low-end RB4 option who should not be considered to start in any fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Drew Lock Jan 3 9:50pm ET
Drew Lock

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock will not be a recommended option in Week 18's divisional showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. The sixth-year pro is coming off his best game, totaling a shocking five touchdowns (one rushing) and 309 passing yards in last weekend's 45-33 win over the Indianapolis Colts. It was the second time in his career that he'd tossed four scores in a single outing, and he was 30 yards shy of matching his previous career high. Despite the stellar performance, Lock can't be trusted for fantasy purposes in this Sunday's road tilt. Before Week 17's explosion, the 28-year-old bolstered a 1:4 TD:INT ratio in his previous appearances. Even with Philly slated to rest most of their starters, the veteran lands at QB26 in RotoBaller's Week 18 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Jan 3 9:50pm ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall will put the final touches on his 2024 season in a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Hall was quiet in his last game, posting 53 all-purpose yards on 11 touches. He will look to bounce back against a Miami run defense that is allowing just the 20th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Hall settles in as an RB2 in fantasy but is probably not a high-ceiling play in DFS contests this weekend due to his recent struggles and the tough matchup on tap.

From RotoBaller

Robert Saleh Jan 3 9:40pm ET
Robert Saleh

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Friday that he expects to have an opportunity next week to interview for the New York Jets' full-time head-coaching job. The Jets will bring in plenty of head-coaching candidates next week after they finish off another lost season with a Week 18 tilt against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Ulbrich became the Jets' interim head coach following Robert Saleh's firing five games into the 2024 season. The team has gone 2-9 with Ulbrich at the helm, and although he will get an interview for the full-time position, nobody will be expecting him to actually win the job. Former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera interviewed with the Jets on Thursday, and former Tennessee Titans head coach was set to interview with the Jets on Friday.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Jan 3 9:40pm ET
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will draw the start on Sunday with Anthony Richardson (back) ruled out. The 39-year-old started last week for the injured Richardson, throwing for 330 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 26-of-38 passing. The performance resulted in two Colt receivers with 100-plus yards receiving in the same game for the first time all season. Sunday's matchup is almost as good as it gets, with Indy taking on Jacksonville, the second-most fantasy-friendly defense for opposing quarterbacks. The veteran QB lit them up earlier this season, throwing for 359 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on 33-of-44 passing. The Colts are four-point favorites in this one but the two teams combined for 71 points the last time around, so it may not be so fruitful in this game that has a 43.5 over/under. Nevertheless, Flacco looks more like a high-end QB2 in Week 18 rather than a low-end one.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Jan 3 9:30pm ET
Aidan O'Connell

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell won't be a viable fantasy option this Sunday when his team hosts the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. O'Connell has been decent when he's gotten the nod this year -- piecing together a 5:1 TD:INT ratio and 266.5 yards per game on a 64% completion percentage. However, he'll have his work cut out for him in Week 18. The 26-year-old will get his fifth start of the season against a Chargers squad, allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL (17.6). Additionally, LA has been a top-ten unit against fantasy quarterbacks in 2024 (17 PPG). Even on a week when some teams will be benching their starters, fantasy managers can find a better option than the Purdue product to slot into their lineups. O'Connell comes in as RotoBaller's QB22 in this week's rankings.

From RotoBaller

Will Dissly Jan 3 9:20pm ET
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly doesn't have much upside in a Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dissly will share snaps with Stone Smartt and possibly also with Hayden Hurst in a game that could see a lot of Chargers starters getting some rest. Dissly would seemingly have the highest floor of the three Bolts tight ends, but he's still in the middle of TE2 rankings at best.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Jan 3 9:20pm ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is a strong choice for Week 18 fantasy lineups when the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Dicker has been one of the league's most consistent and reliable kickers all season and should remain that way in the regular season finale. While most of the Chargers starters are in a holding pattern awaiting the results of Saturday's Bengals-Steelers game, Dicker is one Charger fantasy asset who will be a top-10 option at his position regardless of the result of any other matchup.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Jan 3 9:10pm ET
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta played better as a rookie. But after a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign, the 23-year-old has finally put together a decent season, totaling 53 catches for 663 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also found the end zone in each of his previous two contests. With the Minnesota Vikings on tap for Week 18, LaPorta will look to find the end zone for the third time in as many weeks. Granted, he's not as safe as he was last season. Still, LaPorta deserves attention in any fantasy format, especially with increased involvement potentially on the horizon due to the absence of David Montgomery (knee).

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Jan 3 9:10pm ET
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams won't be a viable fantasy option in Week 18's divisional clash against the Green Bay Packers on the road. The rookie put together his worst performance since Week 10 in last weekend's loss to the Seahawks. Williams tossed his first interception in ten outings and broke a streak of five straight games with at least one touchdown pass, totaling 122 passing yards -- his third-fewest of the year. This Sunday, he'll get a slightly stiffer test against a Packers squad, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (16.3) and the sixth-fewest points per game in the NFL (19.6). While the experience will benefit the 23-year-old, he won't be on the fantasy radar in the season's final week. The USC product ranks as RotoBaller's QB16 ahead of this weekend's slate.

From RotoBaller

Mecole Hardman Jan 3 9:10pm ET
Mecole Hardman

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was limited in practice all week but has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The Chiefs opened Hardman's 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but they will wait to officially activate him. The Chiefs have already secured the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so the earliest Hardman could return from IR would be for the Divisional Round of the postseason. The 26-year-old will have ample time to get closer to 100 percent by then, but even if he comes off IR and is active in the playoffs, he's likely to have a small role behind starters DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown and others. In 12 games before his injury, Hardman had only 12 receptions on 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Stone Smartt Jan 3 9:10pm ET
Stone Smartt

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt is a non-zero floor option without much upside in a Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Smartt and Will Dissly will likely once again split time, with Hayden Hurst possibly mixing in at the position as well. Smartt might have the most upside of the three Chargers tight ends, but he's still a mid-range TE2 at best.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Jan 3 9:10pm ET
Tim Patrick

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick has had a decent season, especially for a wideout who missed so much time due to injuries over the years. He's appeared in 15 contests during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 31 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns. Without question, Patrick was more productive while a member of the Denver Broncos. He also hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy option, with that trend expected to continue when the Lions meet the Vikings in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Jan 3 9:00pm ET
Spencer Rattler

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has struggled at times, but they've been playing better lately. Last week, the Bucs defense recorded five sacks and allowed only 14 points in the win over the Carolina Panthers. This team will get another favorable matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18. The Saints are banged up right now and will start backup quarterback Spencer Rattler once again. Rattler has been unable to find much success with only three touchdowns and five interceptions this season. The 24-year-old doesn't appear to be the long term solution in New Orleans, but he'll get one more start in the regular season finale. Fantasy managers seeking a defense for a championship game or DFS contest should take a look at the Bucs for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Kalif Raymond Jan 3 9:00pm ET
Kalif Raymond

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) is listed as questionable to play on Sunday night in a huge divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Raymond is currently still on Injured Reserve, so the Lions would need to activate him by the deadline on Saturday in order to have him active on Sunday night. The 30-year-old was able to practice in full all week, though, and he could be back for Detroit for the first time since injuring his foot in Week 12. Raymond is mostly an asset to Detroit on special teams as a returner, so if he comes off IR and is active against Minnesota, he'll be one to avoid for fantasy lineups in a depth role behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick. In his fourth year with the Lions, Raymond has only 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets through 11 contests.

From RotoBaller

George Karlaftis Jan 3 9:00pm ET
George Karlaftis

The Kansas City Chiefs will be resting most of their key players on both sides of the ball for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Broncos. The Chiefs have listed defensive lineman Chris Jones (calf), cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee), linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive end George Karlaftis, safety Justin Reid and linebacker Drue Tranquill all as doubtful to play this weekend. Cornerback Jaylen Watson (ankle) has been ruled out. Jones missed the team's Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Wednesday and didn't practice at all this week. The 30-year-old interior pass-rusher is the most notable of KC's defenders on this list. He should be ready to go with the Chiefs having a first-round bye in the postseason as the AFC's top seed. With players resting while facing a Broncos team in a must-win situation, fantasy managers should avoid KC's defensive unit.

From RotoBaller

Chase McLaughlin Jan 3 8:50pm ET
Chase McLaughlin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin was extremely busy during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. McLaughlin made eight kicks during that game, including six extra points. McLaughlin has been one of the better kicking options this season with only four misses heading into Week 18. He figures to continue having success in a plus-matchup against the New Orleans Saints. McLaughlin registered seven kicks during their last meeting. The 28-year-old is likely to remain busy given how the Bucs offense has been playing lately.

From RotoBaller

Trey Lance Jan 3 8:50pm ET
Trey Lance

According to sources, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance is expected to play his first significant snaps of the season in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Washington Commanders. Earlier on Friday, owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan that the team won't reveal who they will start in Week 18 until Sunday, which is further evidence that Lance could make the start over Cooper Rush to close out a disappointing season. From 2022 through 17 weeks this season, Lance has attempted just 20 passes in game action. Rush has been the starting QB for Dallas since Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9, but it looks like Lance is going to see some run in Week 18. He won't have top wideout CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) to work with and could come in as relief for Rush on Sunday, so the 24-year-old will be a high risk for a potentially low reward in fantasy.

From RotoBaller