Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 18 Include Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Bijan Robinson, Tyreek Hill, more

The final week of the NFL season is upon us. As such, fantasy football is set to end before the NFL enters the postseason. It has been a long grind all season that we fantasy football players would not trade for anything.

Most championships were played in Week 17. However, many championship matchups are still set to begin in Week 18. With many NFL teams left with a significant amount to play for, this week should bring plenty of fantasy football fun.

The Vikings-Lions matchup on Sunday Night Football is the cream of the crop. That game should feature serious fantasy fireworks as both teams are vying for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. With so much still ahead, let's dive in and see who has the best and worst matchups in Week 18.

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Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 8th

With quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes unlikely to play a full game this weekend, you will need to turn to other options. Goff should be one of them.

The last time the Lions played Minnesota, both teams combined for 60 points. Goff threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings have been an absolute pass-funnel team all season. Goff should have plenty of success at home in what projects to be a seriously high-scoring affair.

"Jared Goff" chants broke out in Santa Clara 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/qzTzfkDfUd

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 31, 2024

Sam Darnold - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 25th

Let's take the other side of this matchup as well. Darnold has been on fire lately. He is coming off a 377-yard and three-touchdown performance against an excellent Green Bay Packers secondary. It is scary to think what he might be able to do against a banged-up Lions defense this week.

This game is going to be a track meet. Both quarterbacks are likely going to have no problem throwing all over the yard on Sunday. Start Darnold with serious confidence this week.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: SF
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 6th

While the 49ers have not had the best season in 2024, their defense has remained solid. Murray has been terribly inconsistent this season. He is a risky play in a negative matchup.

Neither team has anything to play for. However, the 49ers are a proud franchise that does not take losing lightly. These players are going to put their best foot forward before the offseason kicks off. You should look elsewhere for your championship lineup.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

Robinson has continued to deliver for fantasy managers this season. If you have him, he is likely a large reason why you won your semifinal matchup in Week 17. He has scored at least 20.10 PPR fantasy points in four of his past five games.

The last time these two teams played, Robinson ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns. It was his breakout game of the 2024 fantasy football season. The Falcons are playing for their playoff lives this weekend, so insert Robinson into your lineup with supreme confidence.

Drake London & Bijan Robinson are the first Falcons’ WR/RB duo to both go for 1,000+ yards since Devonta Freeman & Julio Jones in 2016 pic.twitter.com/XWeeimxInw

— Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) December 30, 2024

Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: NO
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 28th

Desperate teams often deliver huge numbers. With the Buccaneers in dire need of a win to clinch a playoff berth, Irving is in a great position to succeed in Week 18. Couple that with the fact that Irving is coming off one of his best games of the year, and the sky is the limit.

Irving is receiving massive volume despite only playing roughly 55% of the snaps each week. He is hyper-efficient both on the ground and through the air. He should be no match for one of the worst defenses against opposing running backs when the Bucs host the Saints this weekend.

Most All-Purpose yards by Rookies in 2024 ⤵️

1) Bucky Irving: 1,606 - TB
2) Brian Thomas Jr.: 1,227 - JAX
3) Brock Bowers: 1,157 - LV
4) Malik Nabers: 1,142 - NYG
5) Tyrone Tracy: 1,118 - NYG
6) Ladd McConkey: 1,082 - LAC

— ᴄᴏᴅʏ ᴄᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴛɪᴇʀ (@CodyCarpentier) December 30, 2024

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants
Opponent: at PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 2nd

Tracy has been a waiver wire wonder this season. However, this is not a good matchup for the rookie. The Eagles are holding opposing running back rooms to 14.4 PPR fantasy points each week. Even with the Eagles likely to rest some of their starters, this is not an ideal situation for Tracy.

The Giants are coming off a huge win in Week 17. They may ride some of that momentum into Week 18, but all good things must come to an end. Expect Tracy to remain in single-digit fantasy point territory unless he finds the end zone.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Amon-Ra St. Brown - Detroit Lions
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd

All hail the Sun God, who is ready to deliver fantasy championships. While he has not been quite as consistent as he was in 2023, St. Brown is still the WR3 on the season and finds himself in perhaps his best matchup of the year.

The Vikings should struggle to contain St. Brown all day in this game. He should see massive volume as the Lions try to propel themselves to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The winner of this game will do just that. St. Brown is in a great position to succeed.

Tyreek Hill - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: at NYJ
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 7th

Let's run it back with Hill this week. Even with quarterback Tyler Huntley in the lineup for an injured Tua Tagovailoa in Week 17, Hill was excellent. Huntley targeted Hill repeatedly. Hill caught all nine targets for 105 yards. The WR has now put together a string of respectable fantasy outings.

The Jets defense looks to be toast at this point in the season. It does not look like anyone wants to play for that team right now. Whether Tagovailoa is back, or we get another week of Huntley, Hill should be a high-end WR2.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Tee Higgins - Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: at PIT
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 13th

Higgins had a stellar outing in Week 17 when he scored three touchdowns against the Broncos. However, he is entering an AFC North divisional matchup in Week 18. The Bengals will hit the road to play a desperate Steelers team.

Expect the Steelers to put their best foot forward to stop the unbelievable Bengals passing attack. There is no stopping fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. However, the Steelers may have success stopping Higgins. Do not expect him to put up the numbers he did in Week 17.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love

Noah Fant - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: at LAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 27th

Tight end is going to be a tricky position this week. With several injuries at the position and players such as Travis Kelce likely to rest this week, you may be looking at a waiver wire pickup.

Fant has not had much of a ceiling this year. However, he has quietly put together a few solid outings in a row. Fant has earned at least five targets in three straight games. He will face a Los Angeles Rams defense in Week 18 that is susceptible to the tight-end position. He may be a savior at the tight-end position for at least a few points in your championship matchup.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at DAL
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 9th

While the Cowboys have not been the best defensive team this season, they have been solid against opposing tight ends in fantasy. Ertz has been excellent as a security blanket for quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, this feels like a get-right game for wide receiver Terry McLaurin and the Commanders running game.

Ertz may not merit being benched this week but just do not expect the output we got in Week 17 against the Falcons.

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