The Denver Broncos defense/special teams is the No. 1 unit in fantasy through 17 weeks of the season and should be viewed as a top-five play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday as they host a Chiefs team that will be resting most of their notable offensive players for the playoffs, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, and tight end Travis Kelce. While the Broncos' defense has been a little more vulnerable lately -- they've allowed 30-plus points in three of their last four games -- they lead the NFL in sacks (58) and are still allowing under 20 points per game on the year. In a must-win game to get into the playoffs themselves, Denver's D will come to play against backups and will have a high ceiling for fantasy managers still playing for a championship. They also rank sixth in takeaways on the year with 25.

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Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz hasn't missed a kick since the Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He'll take on the Chiefs again in the Week 18 regular-season finale as the Broncos look to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since the 2015 season. Since Lutz's potential game-winning kick was blocked against KC on Nov. 10, he has made all 12 of his field-goal attempts and all 22 of his extra-point opportunities for an ascending Broncos offense. Not only has the 30-year-old veteran been money for Denver by making 90.9% of his field-goal tries this year, but he's been afforded field-goal tries (tied for eighth in the league) and 41 extra-point attempts (sixth), which has led him to being the No. 7 fantasy kicker on the year in overall points. Against a Chiefs defense resting players for the playoffs, Lutz is an easy top-10 fantasy kicker for the final game of the regular season in the altitude in Denver.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is coming off a big game that saw him post season-highs in targets and catches, putting up a 6-122-1 line against the Giants. It surely helped that the Colts were playing from behind all game, but the speedy wideout surprisingly leads the Colts in receiving yards (767) despite having only 35 catches on the season, compared to Josh Downs with 62 and Michael Pittman Jr. with 63. That's because of his league-leading aDOT of 21.5 yards per target. While he likely won't see a ton of targets again this week, the 24-year-old should get his usual three to four targets of the deep variety, which should translate to at least a couple long gains. With Pierce, however, he can be "boom" like we saw last week, or he can be more "bust" as he's logged six games with one catch or fewer this season. The matchup versus the Jaguars is a good one, and he posted 134 yards with a TD on them earlier this season, but did so on just three catches. The third-year receiver projects as a volatile WR5 in Week 18.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a must-start once again against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie receiver has been special of late. He has received double-digit targets in each of the last five games, finishing the season strong and looking like a future bonafide alpha receiver. If not for a bit of a slow start and a better offensive situation around him, BTJ could have more seriously challenged for offensive rookie of the year. Mac Jones will be his quarterback for one final game, which has surprisingly been fruitful for his overall production. After backup Drew Lock and rookie receiver Malik Nabers dominated the Colts in Week 17, backup quarterback Jones and rookie BTJ could easily reach similar heights. Start BTJ with zero hesitation in Week 18.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. Gray has run behind Travis Kelce all season but still produced fantasy-relevant weeks. With Kelce listed as doubtful for this week's contest, Gray should be prepared to handle the full workload this week. The 25-year-old will take on the Broncos, who rank 18th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season. Gray had a five-game stretch from Weeks 11 to 15 where he found the endzone five times, more than Kelce scored all season. Gray's ceiling will be capped with Patrick Mahomes set to miss this week's contest. Carson Wentz will be at the helm of the Chiefs offense, making Gray a lower-tier option. Gray is ranked TE15 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a viable TE2 option this week. Fantasy managers can start Gray and hope he finds pay dirt.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones should be boosted slightly against the Indianapolis Colts this week given the number of quarterbacks expected to be out due to injury or rest. Given that the game is meaningless for both teams besides draft position, both teams will be playing for pride. That especially applies to a quarterback like Jones, who is on a bust trajectory after failing to meet his first-round expectations with the New England Patriots. This game could be a prove-it game for him to remain entrenched in a backup role or even find a starting role for a team in desperate need of a QB. The Colts allowed Drew Lock to have an otherworldly performance for the New York Giants last week, so it is possible that Jones also has a fantastic game. Jones is at least worth consideration in Week 18.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. With Isiah Pacheco marked as out and Kareem Hunt listed as doubtful for this week's contest, Perine should handle the majority of touches out of the backfield. The 29-year-old receiving back will face the Broncos, who rank 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Despite shouldering the load, Perine's ceiling will be lower with Carson Wentz under center this week. Perine is ranked RB44 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week. There is a possibility that Perine is fantasy-relevant through sheer volume on the ground and through the air, but scoring opportunities could be at a premium in this contest. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere.

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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams just isn't being involved enough to be an exciting fantasy option heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. In a Broncos backfield that has become a committee approach that also involves Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime, Williams will almost certainly need to find the end zone against a Chiefs defense resting key starters for the playoffs in order to reward fantasy managers as a flex play. Williams didn't see a single rushing attempt for the first time all year in last week's overtime loss to the Bengals and caught only two passes. He hasn't had double-digit carries since way back in Week 9 and has averaged a mere 3.6 yards per carry and 30.3 rushing yards per game in 16 contests this year. In a committee backfield with limited opportunities, there's little upside from Williams.

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After averaging over five catches per contest after Week 11, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has had four consecutive weeks with exactly three receptions. Be that as it may, Week 18 brings a matchup versus the Jaguars, the same team the 23-year-old posted nine catches on 12 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown back in Week 5. That game featured Joe Flacco under center too, so Downs will look to replicate that success and end the season on a high note. Jacksonville has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but the second-most to running backs, so the Colts may lean toward the ground game in this one instead. As a result, view Downs as a low-end WR3 with perhaps some upside in PPR formats if he and Flacco can get rolling again against the Jags.

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Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime gets a Week 18 matchup against a Kansas City Chiefs team that will be resting key starters on defense for the playoffs as the Broncos look to punch their ticket to the postseason on Sunday at home. The rookie does have nine carries in consecutive weeks, but he hasn't played more than 30% of the offensive snaps since Week 10 in a Broncos backfield that has become a frustrating committee for fantasy purposes that also involves Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams. The 21-year-old has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and 23.30 rushing yards per game in his first 12 NFL games for Denver. The Broncos' ground game could get things going against a Chiefs defense that will be vulnerable in the season finale, but fantasy managers shouldn't consider Estime as much more than a low-upside, touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in Week 18.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. set season-highs in receptions and targets last week with Joe Flacco back at the helm, catching nine of 10 passes for 109 yards and a score. With a week full of practice, the 27-year-old should not be limited in any way again this week, taking on a Jaguars defense that ranks eighth-worst in allowing production to wide receivers. Jacksonville has been even worse against the run, so the Colts may be more inclined to ride Jonathan Taylor's hot hand, although, with both teams out of playoff contention, we could see a few more backups get some playing time in this one. Additionally, with an expected total on the low side (43.5), the teams probably won't combine for 71 points as they did when they played each other earlier this season. In that contest, the former second-round draft pick had five catches for 37 yards and a TD. As it stands, view Pittman Jr. as a WR3 with some upside if the game remains competitive throughout.

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The Dallas Cowboys defense is coming off of a brutal Week 17 outing in which they surrendered 41 points to the Philadelphia Eagles without quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) under center. Week 18 will not be any easier, as the Washington Commanders plan to play all of their starters to shoot for the six-seed rather than the seven-seed in the playoffs. The unit played well in Week 12's matchup against Washington, recording four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions, but there are many better options this week. Look elsewhere for your Week 18 fantasy defense.

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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has had a disappointing season thus far, as he has failed to record a single touchdown. The 25-year-old has caught 57 passes for 482 yards and despite CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) missing last week's game, he was not the top option in the passing game. Given the lack of weapons in Dallas' offense this week Ferguson can be started in Week 18 but again has a low floor, especially given that quarterback Trey Lance is expected to see significant snaps.

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Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is coming off of a rough outing in which he made his lone extra point attempt but missed his lone field goal attempt in a blowout loss to Philadelphia. The 29-year-old kicker will look to bounce back in the season's finale against the Washington Commanders, although the Dallas offense looks inept with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf. Aubrey missed two field goals in the previous matchup against Washington and it appears that Dallas may be rotating quarterbacks this week, making it a questionable offensive situation. However, Aubrey is one of the most consistent kickers in the league. He can be started but beware that he has a wide range of outcomes in Week 18.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (finger) fully practiced all week, avoiding an injury designation prior to Week 18's matchup with the Washington Commanders. Tolbert slots in alongside Brandin Cooks to form the starting receiver group in the season's finale after scoring the team's lone touchdown a week ago. The third-year receiver has now caught a touchdown in four of the last six games and caught two passes for 22 yards and a score in the previous game against Washington. He can be started as a deep-league flex option but beware that he has a low floor given the uncertainty at quarterback with Trey Lance potentially due for significant snaps.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith remains an appealing fantasy option ahead of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Jets. There are many moving parts ahead of the Dolphins' regular-season finale, including the injury statuses of key offensive weapons such as Tua Tagovailoa (hip), Jaylen Waddle (knee), and Tyreek Hill (wrist, illness). As it stands, Tagovailoa is expected to be sidelined, leaving Tyler Huntley as the Dolphins' starting quarterback for the second week in a row. Smith saw a significantly reduced target share with Huntley under center last week, catching three of four targets for 26 yards. He had his lowest target total, reception total, yardage total, and snap share since Week 10. However, he managed to snag a touchdown pass in the win, salvaging his fantasy performance and giving him seven consecutive games with double-digit fantasy points (PPR). He ranks as the overall TE4 this season, and while the insertion of Huntley under center does lower Smith's ceiling and floor, we still view the 29-year-old tight end as a top-eight fantasy option at his position heading into Week 18.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/return specialist KaVontae Turpin should again be involved on offense in Week 18's matchup against the Washington Commanders. Turpin saw four targets and two carries in last week's blowout loss and without CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), the team lacks playmakers. Mike McCarthy will be looking for ways to get the ball into the hands of the speedy special teamer. While opportunities don't always translate into fantasy points, Turpin should see more opportunity than usual and is a deep-league flex option in the season's final game.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee is set to make his first official NFL start in Week 18 as the team hosts the New York Giants. With both Jalen Hurts (concussion/rest) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) sidelined due to injuries, McKee will lead the offense in what could be a low-pressure environment, given the Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. McKee flashed potential in limited action last week, stepping in for the injured Pickett and completing three of four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns. However, with mostly all of Philadelphia's offensive weapons expected to rest, McKee will have to make the most of a supporting cast consisting primarily of backups. While the Giants defense hasn't been particularly dominant, McKee's success will depend on his ability to adapt quickly and minimize mistakes. He remains a deep-league dart throw in Week 18.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle will look to top off his surprising breakout season in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders with a splash. The 26-year-old has rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last five games and now faces a solid matchup against Washington's 20th-ranked run defense. He will look to solidify his finish as an RB2 on the season. Dowdle is in RB1 territory heading into the season's finale and should be started in any leagues that run into Week 18.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra faces the New York Giants in Week 18 and his role will likely be limited but unknown to what extent. With Dallas Goedert (knee) having his 21-day practice window opening this week, there's a chance he plays and sees a few snaps to shake off rust before the playoffs. Additionally, backup C.J. Uzomah (abdominal) was placed on IR, so that now adds E.J. Jenkins to the mix, who could very well see significant playing time. Calcaterra has stepped in admirably during Goedert's absence but has yet to carve out a reliable role in the offense. While the Giants' defense has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, the uncertainty surrounding Calcaterra's workload makes him a risky fantasy option in Week 18.

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