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Week 18 FanDuel Picks

By Kevin English 3:37pm EST 1/6/23

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QBs

Joe Burrow, Bengals ($8,200) vs. Ravens

Burrow sits T-2nd among QBs in our ceiling projections, behind only Josh Allen. So he’s well suited for tournaments.

Overall, though, he looks like a high-floor option against a Ravens squad that plays the run better than the pass. Burrow also enters this one with 26+ fantasy points in 3 of his past 4.

Kirk Cousins, Vikings ($7,700) at Bears

Cousins bombed last week at Green Bay. But the matchup improves significantly Sunday against Chicago. More on them down below — but the Bears have allowed the 4th most fantasy PPG over the past 5 weeks.

Minnesota will likely go all out in this one, too, as they play for a shot at the #2 seed. They’re out of the running for the top seed.

UPDATE: Word out of Minnesota is that the Vikings could now rest some starters in-game. That makes Cousins (and Justin Jefferson) strictly tournament plays.

RBs

Najee Harris, Steelers ($7,200) vs. Browns

The Steelers need to win (and get help) to make the postseason. So there’s no concern over Harris’ role, which has looked excellent of late. He’s hit 49 opportunities over his last 2 outings.

Now comes a Browns defense that’ll likely be without DL Jadeveon Clowney. Cleveland sits mid-pack in fantasy points allowed over the past 5 weeks.

Miles Sanders, Eagles ($6,700) vs. Giants

Sanders makes me slightly nervous. He remains on the injury report (as of Friday) with a knee, although it has been an issue he’s played through lately.

My question: How much will he be needed in what should be an easy win? New York will rest key starters with their playoff seeding locked up, so the matchup is tempting. Getting Jalen Hurts back only helps improve scoring chances. And if Philly looks to limit Hurts' rushing, that should boost Sanders’ goal line work.

I’d just caution against the expectation that Sanders plays all 4 quarters.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons ($6,500) vs. Bucs

This rookie’s price has crept up in recent weeks…but it’s for good reason.

He enters with 55 carries and 2 scores over his past 3. Now he gets a Bucs team that should rest key starters. We already know that stud DT Vita Vea will be out.

Note the line here, which as of Friday afternoon has Atlanta at -4.5. In short -- game script should be favorable for Allgeier.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers ($6,100) at Saints

This one comes down to the status of D’Onta Foreman, who’s a game-time call for Sunday with a knee. If he sits, I like Hubbard’s chances of hitting 15+ touches in a neutral matchup.

*The Washington backfield will be without Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson. That’ll leave RB duties to Jonathan Williams ($5,000) and Jaret Patterson ($4,500), but a matchup with Dallas isn’t ideal. Both guys are simple punt plays — and low-upside ones at that.

WRs

Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($9,000) at Chicago

The Bears have been decimated by injuries in the secondary. It’s no surprise that they sit 25th in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grades.

Meanwhile, Jefferson is certainly motivated after getting shut down by the Packers. He’s also 194 yards shy of setting the single-season record held by Calvin Johnson. Is it a long-shot? Sure. But Jefferson has hit that mark twice in 2022…

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($8,200) at Commanders

Here are Lamb’s last 3 outings:

7-126

10-120-2

11-100

He also posted 6-97-1 against Washington back in Week 4.

Dallas could pull starters late, as their ability to grab the #2 seed depends on Philly’s outcome vs. the Giants. But I do expect another busy day of work from Lamb.

D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks ($7,200) at Rams

Seattle needs to win to have a chance at the postseason. So, when it comes to the motviation factor here — check.

How about the matchup? Jalen Ramsey is healthy for L.A., but he’s underwhelmed this year. Ramsey’s 74.2 PFF coverage grade isn’t just far from elite — it’s the lowest mark of his Rams career. Metcalf, recall, tallied 8-127-1 against this team in Week 13.

Rashid Shaheed, Saints ($5,800) vs. Panthers

Shaheed has led the Saints in receiving in 4 straight games. That stretch includes 3 games of 75+ yards.

The surprise UDFA has big-time speed and playmaking ability, which makes him more of a tournament option for me. I’m also considering a reasonably priced Chris Olave ($6,700), especially with Carolina’s secondary thinned out.

Russell Gage, Bucs ($5,700) at Falcons

With Tampa Bay’s seeding locked up, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should play few snaps (if any). Julio Jones is questionable, but why would the Bucs push him in a meaningless game?

Sure, Gage might catch passes from Blaine Gabbert or Kyle Trask. But the matchup is right here, and for the price, Gage doesn’t need a huge outing.

TEs

Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($6,200) vs. Giants

Philly’s implied for 28.5 points — tops on the main slate. While Goedert might not play all 4 quarters — an Eagles blowout is firmly in play — I like his TD chances with Jalen Hurts returning.

The Giants will rest starters in this one. But even a healthy version of this squad sits bottom-10 in catches and yards allowed to TEs. Overall, they sit 24th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position.

I’m OK paying the premium on Geodert, as there’s no Travis Kelce on this slate. If you can’t get to this price point, though, Pat Freiermuth and David Njoku pop as the most cost-effective options.

DSTs

Dolphins ($3,500) vs. Jets

Vikings ($3,700) at Bears