Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Josh Allen, Austin Ekeler or Tyreek Hill. Instead, I’ll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2022 NFL season.
Fabs Top 10 quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes at Raiders (Sat.)
2. Josh Allen vs. Patriots
3. Jalen Hurts vs. Giants
4. Joe Burrow vs. Ravens
5. Justin Fields vs. Vikings
6. Trevor Lawrence vs. Titans (Sat.)
7. Dak Prescott at Commanders
8. Geno Smith vs. Rams
9. Justin Herbert at Broncos
10. Aaron Rodgers vs.Lions
Week 18 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 18 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Start of the Week
Trevor Lawrence vs. Jaguars (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Lawrence was awful for managers in fantasy championship week, scoring 4.5 points in a meaningless game. This week’s game is for all the marbles, however, as a win over the Titans means a division title and playoff berth. Tennessee has been awful against quarterbacks, too, allowing 28 touchdown passes and the fourth-most fantasy points to the position.
Start ‘Em
Justin Fields vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Fields has struggled in recent weeks, scoring a combined 28.1 fantasy points in his last two games. Still, this week’s matchup versus the Vikings makes him a viable starter. Minnesota has already clinched a playoff berth and could rest some starters on a defense that’s allowed the fifth-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Start Fields this week.
Dak Prescott at Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Cowboys have a chance to win the NFC East with a win and an Eagles loss, and they could be the NFC No. 1 seed if both the Eagles and 49ers lose. As a result, Prescott and most of the Cowboys starters should see a full complement of snaps against the Commanders. The veteran has scored 27-plus fantasy points in three of their last four games.
Geno Smith vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Seahawks can earn a playoff berth with a win over the Rams and a Packers loss, so they’ll be playing all of their starters. That’s good news for fantasy managers with Smith, who faces a Los Angeles defense that has allowed at least 16.7 points to four different quarterbacks since Week 11. That includes two players who scored more than 22 points.
More Starts
- Aaron Rodgers vs. Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
- Brock Purdy vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Mike White at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Bargains
- Geno Smith vs. Rams ($6,000)
- Brock Purdy at 49ers ($5,700)
- Mike White at Dolphins ($5,300)
Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Sit of the Week
Kirk Cousins at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Cousins put up a stink bomb last week, scoring just 7.9 fantasy points in a loss to the Packers. This week’s matchup against the Bears is a positive one, but how much will Cousins play? The Vikings have clinched the NFC North and the No. 3 seed in the conference, so Cousins and many of the team’s other starters could be limited or rested in the game.
Sit ‘Em
Justin Herbert at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Herbert is on a three-game streak of stinkers, scoring fewer than 17 fantasy points in each, including two with fewer than nine. The Chargers have wrapped up a postseason berth and could be playing to remain the No. 5 seed, but could Herbert be rested if the Ravens lose at Cincinnati? It’s possible. Plus, playing in Denver is never a positive matchup.
Jared Goff at Packers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Goff and the Lions are playing for a postseason berth, but so are their opponents, the Packers. Green Bay has been tough on enemy quarterbacks, allowing an average of just 10.4 points to the position in the last four weeks, and Goff has struggled on the road more often than not. In fact, he’s failed to score more than 14.8 points in all but one roadie.
Deshaun Watson at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Watson is coming off his best fantasy game of the season, scoring 21.9 points in a win over the Commanders. He did it with just nine completions, however, though three went for touchdowns. Regardless, the Steelers will be playing for a postseason berth and have held quarterbacks to an average of fewer than 10 fantasy points in their last four games.
More Sits
- Daniel Jones at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Tom Brady at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Carson Wentz vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Fades
- Justin Herbert at Broncos ($6,800)
- Kirk Cousins at Bears ($6,500)
- Tom Brady at Falcons ($6,400)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business to help you win a fantasy championship!
