Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III projects to be a risky flex option in a Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, Metchie saw a team-high eight targets and was able to bring in five of them for 48 yards. With Tank Dell (knee) out for the season, fantasy managers should continue to expect Metchie to operate as a starting option in the Houston passing attack. While he has only caught three or more passes in four games this season, fantasy managers should expect him to have an increased role going forward. Even though the Texans are locked into the No.4 seed in the AFC, they do not appear to be resting any players in this game against the Titans. Therefore, Metchie has a path to being a viable flex option despite facing a tougher Tennessee secondary that has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

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According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (undisclosed) was placed on the non-football injury list after being involved in an automobile accident earlier on Saturday. Stroud noted that Whitehead is not expected to return this season given the extent of the injuries. As a result fantasy managers should expect Kaevon Merriweather to see an uptick in playing time for the remainder of the season. Whitehead will finish the season with 79 tackles (49 solo), 30 assists, and three pass deflections across 12 contests. This is another tough blow to the Tampa Bay secondary that will already be without Jamel Dean (knee), Antoine Winfield (knee), and Christian Izien (pectoral) on Sunday afternoon. Fantasy managers in playoff competitions should continue to monitor the health of the Tampa Bay secondary as they could face a difficult task in the Wild Card round with a depleted secondary.

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According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (personal) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to a personal issue. Fantasy managers in playoff competitions should continue to monitor his status before the Wild Card round in case Cooper needs more time to attend to his situation. The veteran wideout has had trouble finding consistent targets in the Buffalo passing attack. Over his previous six games, Cooper has seen an average of just 4.2 targets per game and tallied a mere 38.0 yards per game. Fantasy managers should expect Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman to play in Sunday's game but not for long as this game does not have any playoff implications for the Bills. Instead, DFS players should pivot to Mack Hollins who could have an increased role in this contest.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will take on the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Smith-Schuster appeared to be the Chiefs WR1 in the wake of Rashee Rice's injury, but then he also lost time to injury. By the time he returned, Kansas City had acquired DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy had become more integrated into the offense. This week, Smith-Schuster could find himself with a more significant role, given the state of the team. The Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye, meaning they are inclined to rest their starters in anticipation of the playoffs. If the starters rest and Smith-Schuster plays, he could be an interesting PPR play due to the routes he runs. That said, the veteran receiver must rely on Carson Wentz throwing him the football. Patrick Mahomes is doubtful for this week's contest and likely will not suit up. Another obstacle Smith-Schuster will have to contend with is the Broncos, who rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. The 28-year-old is ranked WR76 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a deep flex option this week. Fantasy managers starting Smith-Schuster will have to hope for a touchdown.

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According to the team, the Carolina Panthers have activated running back Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve. While Sanders still carries a questionable tag, this transaction suggests he should be in line to return to action in the season finale. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a sprained ankle during their Week 10 contest against the New York Giants. If Sanders is able to return on Sunday afternoon, fantasy managers should expect him to take the lead role in the backfield. As a result, Rasheem Blackshear and Mike Boone will be used as change-of-pace options and may not be given enough opportunities to have productive fantasy outputs. As a result, fantasy managers should fade this backfield if possible as Sanders carries low-end flex upside in a crowded backfield.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. In the past three weeks, Hopkins has taken a backseat as Xavier Worthy has emerged as the team's WR1. The Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC, so they have nothing to play for in the regular season. Given their status atop the league, Hopkins and other starters could be rested to save them for the playoffs. That said, Hopkins does have some contract incentives to play for if he does suit up. The 32-year-old could earn $500,000 if he finds the endzone this week against the Broncos, who rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Hopkins will have to rely on Carson Wentz to feed him the ball since Patrick Mahomes is doubtful for this week's contest. The veteran receiver is ranked WR77 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week.

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Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders has been the hottest kicker in all football throughout the second half of the season. He has made 25 straight field goals and is the fifth-ranked kicker in fantasy football. Sanders and the Dolphins will travel to East Rutherford to take on the New York Jets in Week 18. With Tyler Huntley likely the starter, it's not farfetched that Miami could settle for a few field goals this week. The Jets struggle giving up fantasy points to kickers, ranking 31st in fantasy points per game, on top of allowing a 90% field goal percentage. If you're a fantasy manager in need of a kicker for your fantasy championship, he could be a very viable option.

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Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman will be an extremely volatile option for fantasy managers on Sunday in the team's Week 18 regular-season finale versus the division-rival New England Patriots. The Bills are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the postseason, so their starters might only play one offensive series before calling it a day. That could include Coleman, who has been a big part of Buffalo's passing attack in his first year in the NFL when he's been healthy. Because of the possibility that the 21-year-old wideout barely sees the field this weekend, fantasy managers shouldn't be relying on him this weekend. In his first season in the NFL over 12 games played, Coleman has impressed with 27 catches on 47 targets for 525 yards and four touchdowns, although it's amounted to just 7.5 half-PPR points per game, which puts him as the WR60.

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Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson could have a much bigger role in the backfield on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New England Patriots with the team expected to pull their starters early on. The Bills are locked into the No 2 seed in the AFC for the playoffs already, so they are expected to treat this game like a preseason contest. It means that the 27-year-old Johnson could have his biggest workload of the season. However, rookie Ray Davis should also have a bigger workload and could lead the Bills backfield. At the very least, though, Johnson is trending up as an RB3/flex sleeper in DFS contests against a New England defense that has surrendered the fourth-most half-PPR points per game to RBs this year. Despite being Buffalo's No. 3 back in 2024, Johnson has been efficient with 5.1 yards per carry on his 39 rushing attempts through 16 games.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele is set for an expanded role on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The Chiefs will be resting many of their regulars this weekend after already locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the playoffs. Isiah Pacheco (rib) has already been ruled out, while Kareem Hunt is doubtful to play. It means that Steele, an undrafted free agent, could make the start in the final regular-season game. However, he's surely to share touches with Samaje Perine at the very least and will be facing a top-five defense as the Broncos look to punch their own playoff ticket with a win. The increased role will boost the 22-year-old's fantasy value in Week 18, although Steele has averaged only 3.3 yards per carry on his 48 rushing attempts in his first 16 NFL games. Despite increased opportunity, the upside remains limited for Steele in a bad matchup.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley will seemingly get the start for the second straight game in Week 18, with Tua Tagovailoa (hip) being listed as doubtful for Sunday's game. Huntley had an excellent game against the Cleveland Browns last week, completing 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards and one passing touchdown to go along with 52 rushing yards on seven attempts and a rushing touchdown. Miami will travel in Week 18 to take on the New York Jets in a game where it is projected to be around 35 degrees at kickoff. Despite Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Tyreek Hill (wrist) looking like they will play, one good game is not enough to trust Huntley for fantasy owners still fighting for a championship. He is best left on the bench unless there are limited options available.

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Despite the Washington Commanders offense excelling this year under impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder hasn't made much noise, even with Noah Brown (kidney) recently suffering a season-ending injury. That probably won't change in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys and their beat up defense. The 31-year-old saw a season-high five targets in last week's overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, but Crowder caught only three passes for 25 yards. The 31-year-old is averaging a career-low 8.0 yards per catch and has only nine receptions on 13 targets for 72 yards and two touchdowns in the five games he's played this year. The Cowboys defense has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points per game to wideouts this season, but Crowder's minimal role on offense makes him avoidable in fantasy yet again in Week 18.

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It will be hard to trust Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown in fantasy lineups in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Denver Broncos, mainly because of the fact that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is being rested for the playoffs. Additionally, Hollywood will be facing a top-five defense on the road in a hostile environment while working with backup QB Carson Wentz. Brown will be playing in just his third game of the year after recovering from a shoulder injury that he suffered in the preseason that required surgery. In his two games played, Hollywood has nine catches on 15 targets for 91 yards and no touchdowns. With the Chiefs having nothing to play for with the top seed in the AFC already locked up, Brown could also be at risk of not playing the entire game. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a flex play.

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Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker has mainly been a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper fantasy leagues in his first season in the NFL. He heads into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons with only 25 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets over 10 games played. That has been good enough to make him the WR74 in average half-PPR points per game (6.6), so it's safe to say he wasn't rostered in most standard-sized fantasy leagues in 2024. However, the 23-year-old could make some noise as a WR4/flex sleeper in the final game of the regular season this weekend against a Falcons defense that has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points per game to opposing wideouts this year. Although the undrafted rookie had only 35 yards in last weeks loss to the Bucs, he finished second on the team in receiving behind veteran Adam Thielen.

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Cincinnati Bengals kicker Cade York will be a borderline starting kicking option for fantasy managers with the Bengals trying to keep their faint playoff hopes alive with a win on Saturday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The 23-year-old missed a 33-yarder in overtime last Saturday in the eventual victory over the Denver Broncos, his second straight week with a missed field goal. Since taking over for Evan McPherson (groin), York has made five of his seven field-goal opportunities while going 13-for-14 on extra points for the Bengals. McPherson is eligible to return from Injured Reserve this weekend, but it will be York kicking in his fifth straight game. He's certainly not the most reliable fantasy kicker, but given Cincy's high-scoring offense, he's at least in play as a streamer in what should be one of the most competitive games of the week.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane will be looking to bounce back as a strong RB1 for fantasy managers in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Jets in a must-win game for Miami. Achane put up a dud for fantasy managers with a 10-carry, 25-yard performance in the win over the Cleveland Browns last week, adding two catches for 13 yards. While that was a frustrating performance for those in championship matchups, the 23-year-old has been a top-10 fantasy RB this year and needs to remain locked into starting lineups this weekend, even with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) looking likely to miss a second straight game. Achane has seen double-digit carries in all but two games this year and should see as much work as he can handle against the Jets in a game Miami must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has been an inconsistent fantasy asset this season, and should continue that way in Week 18. He could be in line for more involvement in the passing game this week given the game doesn't matter and the Colts pass defense was gashed last week by Drew Lock and the Giants offense. That likely means more touchdowns and more success through the air than normal for Mac Jones, who may be fighting for a starting job with another team next season. With that being said, Strange has had some stinkers as of late, and hasn't done much besides an 11 catch, 73 yard performance against the New York Jets. Unless he can find the endzone, Strange is an extreme boom-or-bust tight end in Week 18.

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Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little should have at least a decent outing in the final week of the season against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie kicker has had a solid season overall and will look to finish his first season strong. Along with many other players on the team, this game is more about auditioning for next season for Little. After a big offensive outburst for the New York Giants last week against the Colts, the Jaguars offense could be in for a similar outing in what is a similarly built offense currently. That could mean plenty of kicking opportunities for Little, who has proven he has the leg and accuracy to be a solid kicker long-term and in fantasy. Little has surprising upside compared to previous weeks in Week 18.

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby has decent upside against the Indianapolis Colts in the final week of the season. The New York Giants offense was great last week against the Colts, so the Jaguars could be in line for a good offensive game as well. Bigsby would likely be the recipient of a touchdown if that were the case. Also, given the game doesn't mean anything for either team besides draft position, the young back could be in line for extra work as an audition for next season. Bigsby came on strong this season with some big games, both with and without Travis Etienne Jr. in the lineup. The two will likely be battling it out for starter next season, and that competition could start this week. Given that extra motivation, Bigsby seems like a solid flex start with some upside in Week 18.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Butker knocked through his only field goal attempt in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs kicker also nailed two extra-point attempts in that contest. Butker will now face the Broncos in Denver. Given the strength of the Broncos defense and the lack of Patrick Mahomes in the offense, Butker could be asked to shoulder more of the scoring load. Butker is ranked as the 20th-best kicker this week, putting him outside of start-worthy range for most leagues. The Chiefs offense could be inept without several key starters, making Butker a risky play this week.

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