According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes suffered this ankle injury during their Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes has yet to miss time due to the injury but is expected to take a seat on Sunday with the Chiefs already locked into the top seed in the conference. As a result, Carson Wentz is expected to get the starting nod. This ankle injury has not seemed to bother Mahomes as he has averaged a strong 27.8 PPR points per game over the past two weeks. During this span he has scored five total touchdowns. Wentz should be viewed as a risky QB2 facing the Denver Broncos who need a victory to clinch a playoff spot. Wentz will be without Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and is also expected to not have Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce who are both listed as doubtful.UPDATE: Per A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes will not play in Week 18.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is an excellent play in Sunday night's meeting with their division-rival Detroit Lions. The former first-round pick has been a revelation in 2024, working his way to 4,153 yards and 35 passing scores -; obliterating his previous career bests. Those numbers are good enough for fourth and fifth amongst league leaders, respectively, while his 68.1% completion percentage is a hair better than Lamar Jackson's 67.9. Darnold has undoubtedly played himself into another year of starting and will get a chance to put the cherry on top of his sensational season on Sunday Night Football against a vulnerable Detroit Lions pass defense. The Lions have allowed their opponents the second-most passing yards per game (250.4) and have afforded fantasy QBs 20.1 fantasy points per contest -; the eighth-highest in the league. The 27-year-old comes in at RotoBaller's QB5 ahead of this weekend's slate.

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According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos. Running back Kareem Hunt (coaching) is also listed as doubtful for this weekend. Pacheco has been unable to practice all week with a rib injury he suffered during their Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco missed time earlier this season with a fractured fibula but should be expected to operate as the top running back when healthy. While he was sidelined, Kareem Hunt took over the starting role. With the Chiefs already having sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to ensure both of their top running backs are fully healthy for the postseason. As a result, fantasy managers should expect rookie Carson Steele to receive a heavy workload in this game alongside Samaje Perine. Steele should be viewed as a viable RB2 option this weekend and a great value play in DFS.

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is a fringe QB2 in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans due to the unusual circumstances of the matchup. The Titans are an average defense against fantasy quarterbacks, but the real mystery is how long the sophomore quarterback will play. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has committed to playing starters, but with Houston already set as the AFC's No. 4 seed no matter what happens Sunday, the Texans don't have any incentive to go all-out against the Titans with Wild Card Weekend looming. As a result, Stroud's value in leagues that play Week 18 or DFS formats must be tied to the possibility he is pulled from the game at some point.

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According to Ben Baby of ESPN, Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton will not travel to Pittsburgh with the team due to a coach's decision. The rookie has had struggles finding playing time during his rookie campaign and will now not even be with the team during their must-win game on Saturday evening. This is a telling sign and could suggest the he is beginning to fall out of favor with the coaching staff. He has not logged at least ten offensive snaps in each of his past five games. Throughout the season, Burton has only caught four of his 14 targets for 107 yards. Fantasy managers should expect Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (ankle) and Andrei Iosivas to lead the passing attack once again in the regular season finale.

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Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans is slated to remain his team's top target in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but he comes with an asterisk. Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers, though the Michigan product logged 92 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. The elephant in the room is how long Houston will play its starters. The Texans have committed to playing their regulars, but they're already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by beating Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans surely will be looking ahead to Wild Card Weekend at some point, which DFS players have to consider when evaluating Collins' Week 18 value.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled defensively over the past three weeks and will hope to get back on track in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Bengals have been scoring plenty of points, Pittsburgh managed to have a productive fantasy showing against them in Week 13. Additionally, the Steelers will have starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. back in the lineup after missing last week's contest due to a knee injury. Pittsburgh has proven that it can generate turnovers and sacks at a high level against any opponent, making its DST worthy of fantasy consideration this week, but safer options in more favorable matchups may be available in some formats.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has a decent matchup in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but the opponent is only part of the picture for Houston this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal takes on the 21st-ranked defense against fantasy running backs, but the real question surrounds Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston already has clinched the AFC South, but cannot improve its seeding on Sunday no matter what happens. Ryans committed to playing starters, but for how long? Mixon certainly has a matchup worth exploring, but the risk that he could be on the sidelines for a decent portion of the game has to be baked into his fantasy value for Week 18.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is now being considered doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints after it was reported earlier on Friday that he would be a game-time decision. Otton has already missed the last two games with a knee injury and is now likely to miss a third straight as the team looks to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Saints. Both Payne Durham (quadriceps) and rookie Devin Culp (ribs) were listed on the Week 18 injury report as well, but both have been cleared to play this weekend after practicing in full on Friday. With Otton unlikely to play, expect both Durham and Culp to share the tight end duties for the Bucs in a must-win game at home. For fantasy purposes, managers should be able to find better TE options.

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The Houston Texans defense/special teams is a worthwhile option in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, albeit with a qualifier. The Texans plan to start their regulars, but Houston is already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs regardless of what happens Sunday. For its part, Tennessee plans to play both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph at quarterback, per Titans head coach Brian Callahan. The pair has thrown a combined 21 interceptions this season and Houston sacked Levis eight times in the first meeting earlier this season, so the matchup is there for Houston. It's certainly possible the Texans pull their starters at some point, but with the Titans in range of a top-three pick in the NFL Draft and set to juggle quarterbacks, the Texans are a solid play.

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Though Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been a top-tier fantasy option this season, he should be avoided in a dodgy Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran has an OK matchup against a Titans team that ranks right in the middle against fantasy kickers, but he comes with risk due to Houston's playoff positioning. The Texans already have locked down the AFC South and the No. 4 seed, so Sunday's results have no effect on them. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to start the team's regulars, but with much bigger fish to fry next week and nothing to gain Sunday, he certainly will be thinking ahead. As a result, Fairbairn's DFS value in Week 18 has to be tied to the likelihood he will be attached to a second-string offense at some point in the game.

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a fringe TE2 in a dicey Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Even without the surrounding circumstances, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy tight ends that held the former Dallas Cowboy to two catches and 20 receiving yards in the first meeting. Beyond that, any of Houston's offensive regulars are a dangerous bet due to the upcoming playoffs: The Texans are set in stone as the No. 4 seed and cannot move, so they have nothing to gain against Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to play starters, but he also must be thinking about the Wild Card round next week. That means Schultz and the rest of the Houston regulars could find themselves on the sidelines at some point, diminishing their weekly value.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods should not be considered a playable option in an unappealing Week 18 matchup against Tennessee. First, the veteran played only 38% of Houston's snaps in the first full game without fellow receiver Tank Dell (knee), and now Houston plans to debut recently added receiver Diontae Johnson in this one. Additionally, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers and Houston cannot change its playoff seeding, so there is a solid possibility Houston begins thinking ahead to its Wild Card game in the middle of Week 18. Woods wasn't a great play anyway, but DFS players should look elsewhere given the circumstances.

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The Chicago Bears ruled out running back Travis Homer (hamstring) for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. It doesn't come as much of a surprise since Homer has been sidelined with his hamstring injury since Week 15. When healthy, the 26-year-old was buried on Chicago's RB depth chart this year in a bad offense behind both D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. That limited role afforded him just six rushing attempts for 23 yards while also catching three passes for 11 yards. Homer mainly contributed on special teams for Chicago in his second year with the team. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 out of Miami didn't see a single carry and failed to catch his only target in 16 games with the Bears in 2023. Homer will become an unrestricted free agent in March and will look for a bigger role elsewhere.

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was not asked to do much in Week 17 and will hope to be more involved in a Week 18 bout with the Cincinnati Bengals. Just a few weeks ago, Boswell drilled five extra points and three field goals in a win against Cincinnati in which the Steelers put up 44 points. The Bengals have surrendered over 26 points per contest this season, so it's no surprise this divisional contest has a healthy projected point total of 48.5. Boswell offers plenty of upside on Saturday and should remain in fantasy lineups that still have something to play for.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning rookie Spencer Rattler will make his sixth start of the year to wrap things up for the Saints. Carr suffered a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants and wasn't able to return to the field this year. The 33-year-old finishes up a disappointing second season in the Big Easy in which he battled multiple injuries yet again. In a career-low 10 games played in 2024, Carr also had career-lows in passing yards (2,145) and touchdowns (15) while throwing five interceptions. Given the Saints' salary cap situation heading into the future, it's likely they'll approach a contract restructure for Carr to return in 2025, where he could compete for the starting job with Rattler.

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New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful to play as well, which means Clyde Edwards-Helaire could lead the Saints' backfield against the Bucs this weekend, with veteran Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims also pitching in. The 22-year-old Miller dealt with more injuries in his sophomore season in the NFL after playing in only eight games as a rookie in 2023. The former TCU product played in just eight games in 2024 and had 39 rushing attempts for 148 yards and one touchdown, adding five catches for 33 yards. Miller's standing in the organization has likely soured after two injury-filled years to begin his career.

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The Los Angeles Rams will rest running back Kyren Williams for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks at Sofi Stadium on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. The Rams are prioritizing rest for their best players this weekend despite the fact that they could slip to the No. 4 seed in the NFC for the playoffs if they lose to Seattle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints. With Williams sitting the final game of the regular season out, rookie Blake Corum should get all the backfield touches he can handle on Sunday with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo running the offense. The Rams' offense is unlikely to be as efficient without their top weapons, but for the volume alone, Corum has easy RB2 upside. Williams finishes his third season in the NFL with a career-best 1,299 rushing yards and a career-high 14 TDs on 316 carries over 16 starts.

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is listed as doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara hasn't practiced or played since suffering an adductor injury in Week 15 and he's unlikely to see the field to close out the 2024 season this weekend. Head coach Darren Rizzi said Kamara will go through a workout on Saturday morning, at which point he'll likely be officially ruled out for Week 18. The lone incentive for the 29-year-old to play on Sunday is the fact that he's 50 yards from the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his NFL career. Still, it's unlikely he'll have a shot to reach that milestone. With Kendre Miller (concussion) already ruled out, it's looking like the Saints' backfield will be led by Clyde-Edwards Helaire, who made his team and season debut in Week 17.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (illness) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The rookie wideout missed the first two days of practice before getting in a full session on Friday. Odunze appears to be over the illness and will suit up for the regular season finale. The 22-year-old finished with one reception for 15 yards during last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Odunze hasn't been a productive fantasy option over the last few games. That being said, Odunze might have flex value, but probably won't offer much more for fantasy managers playing their championship games in Week 18.

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