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Fantasy managers playing in Week 18 championships are going to have to make some tough lineup decisions this week. With several teams choosing to sit key players in the final week of the season, some stars might not be available to start this weekend.
In this article, we'll determine if Breece Hall, Bucky Irving, and Joe Mixon are strong starts this weekend. All three players have shined at some point this fantasy season and have the upside to finish the year strong.
So, should fantasy managers start Hall, Irving, and Mixon in Week 18? Let's dive in and find out.
Should I Start Breece Hall for Fantasy Football?
Hall has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy this season. He has scored under 14.5 PPR fantasy points in seven of the past eight games and has played under 50% of the team's offensive snaps in two of the past three weeks. As a result, the Jets running back will be more of an RB2 option in Week 18 against the Dolphins.
Aaron Rodgers and Breece Hall chat at Jets practice pic.twitter.com/JtgKSlFuDy
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) January 2, 2025
With nothing to play for in Week 18, the Jets could continue to limit Hall's touches on Sunday. Since suffering his knee injury, the third-year running back has averaged only 13.25 touches per game over the last four contests. On top of that, he has a tougher matchup against a Dolphins defense that hasn't allowed a 65-plus yard rusher since Week 5.
Should I Start Bucky Irving for Fantasy Football?
Irving has been on a tear in fantasy lately, scoring over 18 PPR fantasy points in four of the past six games. He has also averaged 21.2 touches per game in his last five full games. Therefore, the rookie will be a must-start RB1 option in Week 18 against a Saints defense that has struggled to stop the run this season.
Waiver Wire Add of the Year: BUCKY IRVING 🏆
The PPR RB9 from Weeks 6 - 17 😤 pic.twitter.com/wioXLU8c6M
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) January 2, 2025
New Orleans has given up the sixth-most fantasy points and sixth-most rush yards to opposing running backs this season. That's certainly great news for the rookie running back, considering he has rushed for 100 yards in three of his last four games. So, make sure to get him in your fantasy lineups this weekend.
Should I Start Joe Mixon for Fantasy Football?
It remains to be seen how much Mixon actually plays in Week 18. With the Texans playing for nothing in the final week of the season, the team will likely not play its veteran running back for most of the game. Although head coach DeMeco Ryans said the starters will play on Sunday, he also didn't confirm if the starters will play the entire game or only a little bit.
DeMeco Ryans said “that everybody has to be ready to go, and that's where we are. Everyone will be out there playing.”
Welp. No rest for the starters this week for the Texans when they take on the Titans.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 30, 2024
As a result, fantasy managers should likely stay away from Mixon in Week 18 against the Titans. It would be a shock to see the Texans give their 28-year-old running back a ton of opportunities in this game with the playoffs next week. Houston has already won the AFC South title while being locked into the fourth seed in the playoffs.
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