RADIO
There's a reason why most fantasy football leagues end in Week 17 in the second-to-last week of the regular season. By the time the last week of the regular season rolls around (in Week 18 now), many NFL teams have already either locked up a playoff spot or been eliminated from postseason contention. In turn, starters across the league play only for a few offensive series or are held out entirely.
It makes it even more difficult to set fantasy lineups in DFS and season-long action. Let's take the Green Bay Packers for instance. They've locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they essentially have nothing to play for on Sunday against the Lions.
Is Aaron Rodgers playing in Week 18 against Detroit? And if he does start, is Rodgers worth starting in fantasy? Let's take a closer look at how the Packers plan to handle their regular season finale.
Is Aaron Rodgers Playing This Week Against the Lions?
Despite a report earlier this week that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he wants to play in Week 18 against the Lions, it remains to be seen if he'll actually suit up in a meaningless game.
An interesting side note, though, is the fact that Rodgers put in a limited practice on Thursday for the first time since the end of October. The MVP front-runner suffered a broken pinkie toe in mid-November and mostly missed practices all week before playing on Sundays.
For what it's worth, Packers wide receiver Davante Adams said this week that he doesn't expect to play the entire game this Sunday. If Rodgers and the rest of Green Bay's starters don't play in Week 18, they'll have two full weeks off before they get back onto the field in the playoffs.
Staying sharp is always a concern due to an extended layoff like that, but Rodgers has already proven since November that he doesn't need to practice in order to dominate opponents every Sunday. If Rodgers does play this weekend, it's unlikely to be for a full game, let alone a full quarter. The Packers will likely choose rest for Rodgers over additional reps.
Should I Start Aaron Rodgers In Week 18 If He Plays?
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is an extremely risky fantasy play in Week 18 against the Lions. As discussed above, if the Packers do choose to start him on Sunday in a meaningless game, it's highly likely that he plays a full game. Green Bay has already locked up a first-round bye in the playoffs as the NFC's top seed.
Even if Rodgers doesn't play at all in the regular season finale, it would be an upset if he doesn't win another MVP award. He currently leads the league with a 111.1 QB rating and 67.8 QBR while completing 68.6% of his 513 pass attempts for 3,977 yards, 35 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has a ridiculous QB rating of over 120 when he's given a clean pocket in which to throw.
In his last six games, Rodgers has thrown for 1,791 yards on 218 attempts for 18 touchdowns and no interceptions. It might be tempting to start Rodgers in fantasy against the lowly Lions even if he doesn't play a full game, but it's not a smart move.
As much as Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is playing his decision on whether to play the starters close to his chest this weekend, it makes too much sense to rest Rodgers' toe an extra week while also getting a chance to evaluate 2020 first-rounder Jordan Love, who has played in parts of just five NFL games (one start) in the last two years.
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