Week 18 of the NFL season can be a wild one, which can lead to some fun DFS lineups. There’s a full slate of 14 games to choose from, and ideally you’ll be targeting players that are on team’s with something to play for or are set for heavy usage. NFL daily fantasy odds are via FanDuel.
QB: Jared Goff vs. MIN ($7,500)
He only had one touchdown, but Jared Goff threw 40 passes (completing 75% for 257 yards) at Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. Now hosting the Vikings at home, the pinpoint quarterback has major upside for a Lions team that sounds like it’s going to go hard in a Week 18 filled with uncertainty. Goff has thrown two-plus touchdowns in each of his past three home outings, including a five-touchdown performance his last home game in December.
RB: Rachaad White @ CAR ($7,700)
Rachaad White lost a fumble last week and was not alone on a Buccaneers offense that struggled as a group in a loss to the Saints. With the NFC South on the line versus the two-win Panthers that’s easier to beat on the ground than through the air, look for White to get a heavy workload in a bounce-back effort from his worst fantasy point total since mid-October.
RB: Ezekiel Elliott vs. NYJ ($6,700)
All the way back in September, Ezekiel Elliott put up 17 touches for 86 yards in a win over the Jets as a complement to Rhamondre Stevenson. Now leading the backfield and with fantasy point totals of 11.2, 23.5, 7.1, 16.5, and 11.0 over the past five games as the starter, Zeke offers a solid combination of floor and upside if he can find the end zone on Sunday.
WR: A.J. Brown @ NYG ($8,200)
A.J. Brown, who spoke to the media yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks, had just one second-half target in last week’s loss to the Cardinals. With DeVonta Smith (ankle) banged up, it would be shocking if the Eagles do not feature Brown early and often versus the Giants. AJB hasn’t scored since late November, so that must change as Philly looks to build momentum heading into the playoffs.
WR: Stefon Diggs @ MIA ($7,600)
With recent talk about Stefon Diggs’ playing time, you can bet that he’ll play a good number of snaps and will get targets for what might be an elimination game for Buffalo on Sunday night. While the Dolphins have a healthy Jalen Ramsey now, Diggs’ best outing of 2023 came in the first matchup with Miami (six receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns).
WR: Gabe Davis @ MIA ($6,400)
Gabe Davis also scored in the first matchup with the Dolphins, and Game 272 could be a week for the Diggs-Davis combination to do serious damage against a defense they’ve had success against in the past. Cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) is set to miss Week 18, which could help Davis have more room to operate down the field.
TE: Darren Waller vs. PHI ($5,600)
There were some opportunities for a bigger game in the Christmas matchup with the Eagles a couple of weeks ago when Darren Waller had two catches for 32 yards, but the connection shown with veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor over the past six quarters has been promising. Philadelphia has given up 34 passing scores this year, and Waller is among the best picks to find the end zone for the Giants this week.
FLEX: Jaxon Smith-Njigba @ ARI ($5,700)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a season-low two targets last week in a loss to the Steelers, but he did catch a touchdown. The rookie receiver should be more involved in a plus matchup with the Cardinals, and Smith-Njigba had the best game of his rookie campaign against Arizona in the first matchup (four receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown).
D/ST: Patriots vs. NYJ ($4,500)
The Patriots special teams has found the end zone in each of the past two games, and it could be the defense’s turn to get in on the action facing a Jets team giving up the most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units this season. The game is in Foxboro and could potentially be Bill Belichick’s last go as New England’s head coach.
Remaining salary: $100
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Other recommended Week 18 options
QB: Josh Allen @ MIA ($9,500)
RB: Kenneth Walker III @ ARI ($7,000)
RB: Zamir White vs. DEN ($6,500)
WR: Justin Jefferson @ DET ($9,000)
WR: Christian Watson vs. CHI ($6,500)
TE: Dalton Kincaid @ MIA ($5,700)