Ty Chandler Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Week 18 Fantasy Football Lineup Picks

BALLER MOVE: Consider in 12+ team leagues

POSITIONAL VALUE: RB2

ANALYSIS: Ty Chandler has successfully fended off a now-healthy Alexander Mattison in the Minnesota backfield. The pair have flip-flopped roles in recent weeks, with the former picking up the bulk of the touches, and the latter seeing spot work.

The second-year back took advantage of his solo act. In Week 15, with Mattison inactive, Chandler dashed for 132 yards and a touchdown, while adding three catches for 25 yards. The buzz surrounding the 25-year-old had never been higher. This was the running back of the (at least immediate) future in Minnesota.

Since then, however, it's been far from fun. The former fifth-round pick totaled 57 rushing yards on 18 attempts over the last two games. It's hard to blame Chandler for his production against Green Bay. He averaged four yards per carry and caught three passes for 24 yards while starting quarterback Jaren Hall struggled to complete a pass and buried his team in a 20-point hole. By the time Nick Mullens entered the game and the offense was competent, Chandler was game-scripted out.

Chandler can be blamed for his performance against Detroit. In what was a competitive game, he was given eight carries for 17 yards. The Lions' run defense has been at or near the top of the league for the majority of the season. They're the only defense that hasn't surrendered 1,000 rushing yards to opposing running backs. In the last seven games, no running back has topped 51 yards (Alvin Kamara). Several of those starters (Javonte Williams, Khalil Herbert, Chandler) were held to 35 yards or fewer. It's a brutal matchup for running backs.

Don't bank on a receiving touchdown to salvage a day, either. The Lions haven't let a running back score a single touchdown through the air through 16 games. With several starters around the league resting, fantasy managers playing in Week 18 may not be able to avoid Chandler. But if they have that liberty, plug in another option at the RB2 position.

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