The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 18
On Thursday’s episode of The Fantasy Footballers, Mike and Jason brought you their starts of the week for the final week of the regular season (Andy will be back Friday). This episode is a must-listen if you’re still playing in Week 18 (Week 18 — feels weird to type). A summary of Jason and Mike’s selections is listed below. If you haven’t listened to or watched the podcast yet, you can find it here. Also, give JoinTheFoot.com a visit as it delivers a ton of extra resources exclusively for #FootClan members.
Jason’s Picks
QB: Russell Wilson @ ARI
Unlimited! For the last two months, Jason has been saying that until he saw something from Wilson that made him believe the Seattle quarterback was back, he would not start him. Jason saw something last week with Chef Wilson cooking with a four-touchdown performance. Wilson faces a Cardinals team that allowed him to light them up for 388 yards, three scores, and 84 rushing yards. The Seahawks’ QB is playing for pride at this point, plus what it can do for his trade value.
RB: D’Onta Foreman @ HOU
Foreman has scored a touchdown or gone for over 100 yards for five games in a row. The Titans are running the ball with the highest rate in the NFL, a whopping 47-percent of the time. Foreman faces Houston, a team giving up the most rushing yards and the most 10+ yard runs in the league. This week, the running back is a smash play as the Titans are in a must-win situation. Foreman is known for his large chunks of yardage, so his game should be great this week.
WR: Michael Pittman @ JAX
Get your bags packed; it’s time to find a home in Pitty City. Pittman is one of the essential pieces in this Colts’ offense. This game is a must-win game for Indianapolis. Pittman has failed to score since Week 9, so it is time for positive touchdown regression against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed the seventh-most wide receiver fantasy points in the league. They are also allowing the highest expected points added per pass attempt in the NFL. Pittman is an excellent play this week.
TE: Zach Ertz vs. SEA
Jason points out he is touting Zach Ertz in 2022. Who would have thought? Ertz has been a necessary weapon for the Cardinals with DeAndre Hopkins missing time. Ertz’s target share over the last three weeks had been 22.9, 33.3, and 24.3, leading the team over that period. The Seahawks are giving up the seventh-most tight end fantasy points and highest target success rate to the TE position in the NFL, making Ertz an irresistible selection.
Mike’s Picks
QB: Taysom Hill vs. ATL
Atlanta. Enough said. Okay, but Mike has more to make the Hill pick a tempting selection. The Saints have the possibility of making it to the playoff, so they need to win this game. Hill returned from the COVID list last week and was QB13. Despite the pedestrian numbers in the passing yards department (222) and touchdowns (1), Hill still had a good fantasy game. His rushing game is the great equalizer, and Hill should find himself in a position to add to that game. Last season, Hill started against Atlanta twice, ending those weeks as QB4 and QB8. The Falcons currently allow the seventh-most rushing yards in the league, making Hill an excellent streamer for the week.
RB: Devin Singletary vs. NYJ
Singletary has had a touchdown in three consecutive weeks, showing that opportunities are starting to spike. Over the last three weeks, the Bills running back has averaged 19 carries a game. This week is a tasty matchup as Buffalo faces the Jets. Mike suggests the NYJ’s defense is arguably the worst fantasy rushing defense of all time. To lock up the AFC East, the Bills have to win. The Bills are 17-point home favorites at the episode’s recording, and Singletary’s play is part of the reason why.
WR: Darnell Mooney @ MIN
Jay Griz is all about this pick. Mooney needs just 71 receiving yards to tally a 1,000-yard season. All season long, the Ballers have picked on Minnesota’s secondary. Why should that stop in Week 18? The Vikings defense allows the most wide receiver fantasy points this season, and according to Football Outsiders, ranks 30th in pass DVOA. Full-Moon for Week 18.
TE: Dalton Schultz vs. PHI
Mike’s ready to set an appointment with Dr. Schultz. Michael Gallup went down last week (during a TD) with a torn ACL, so you know it’s time for the Doctor to step in. The Cowboys’ tight end is on fire, ending the last three weeks as TE5, TE2, and TE10. Dallas’ offense needs him to be a successful unit, and he has seen 8, 9, and 10 targets over those three weeks. This week, the matchup against Philadelphia is a mouth-watering one as the Eagles are a team conceding the most fantasy points to opposing TEs. The Doctor is in.