Chargers at Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Playoff scenarios: In Jim Harbaugh’s first year as coach, the Chargers are already in the AFC field. They could move up to the No. 5 seed with a win and a Steelers loss. Otherwise, they are set as the No. 6 seed.
What we know: Harbaugh said Monday, “the plan will be to win,” but he wasn’t interested in going through hypotheticals should a Steelers win lock his team into the No. 6 spot. Las Vegas will start Alexander Mattison at running back with Ameer Abdullah out.
Key injuries: Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (foot) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) are out after not practicing this week. Edwards sat out in Week 17 as well. Abdullah (foot), who had 147 total yards in Las Vegas’ Week 17 win, is out after not practicing this week.
What could change: Since the Steelers play Saturday night, the Chargers will know if they have a chance at better seeding before Sunday’s game. If they can’t move up, it is not a stretch to imagine quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Ladd McConkey and running back J.K. Dobbins resting to have them fresh for the playo***.
Fantasy analysis: TE1 Brock Bowers and WR2 Jakobi Meyers should start in fantasy this week. Mattison is a flex option, with nearly every other Raiders RB on the injury report. Avoid the Chargers backfield if Dobbins ends up resting.
Seahawks at Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: The Rams have clinched the NFC West and are currently the No. 3 seed. A win keeps that position but a loss combined with a Buccaneers win drops L.A. to the No. 4 seed.
What we know: The Rams will rest quarterback Matthew Stafford and start Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 18. The team will also rest running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nucua, as well as several offensive linemen. In an interview with the team’s official website, McVay specifically named rookie running back Blake Corum as someone he’s looking forward to seeing in extended action. Even though they have been eliminated from playoff contention, coach Mike Macdonald said Seattle is planning to treat this like a normal game.
Key injuries: Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was placed on injured reserve last week.
What could change: Since the Rams are already planning to sit their main guys, nothing should change.
Fantasy analysis: Corum should be added where available and has the ceiling of an RB1 this week.
Dolphins at Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: The Dolphins need to win and get a Broncos loss to earn the final AFC wild card.
What we know: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says the team is approaching this week as if Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been limited all week after McDaniel said earlier in the week that his QB1’s status was “firmly in the unknown.” New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to start as he looks to become the fifth player to throw 500 career touchdown passes.
Key injuries: Tagovailoa (hip) is listed as doubtful and the team has been preparing all week as if he wouldn’t be able to play. Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is listed as questionable and was upgraded to a full practice participant Friday after logging limited sessions to start the week — he had missed the last two games. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) was placed back on injured reserve and the team signed Greg Joseph to kick in Week 18. Tight end Tyler Conklin (calf) got in a limited practice Friday is listed as questionable.
What could change: Even without Tagovailoa, this shapes up as a favorable matchup for the Dolphins’ skill position players. The Jets are already going to be without one of their best defensive players in defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and could also be without defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring), who is questionable. New York’s defense has allowed at least 25 points in six of the last seven games.
Fantasy analysis: Huntley was 22-of-26 passing last week against the Browns for 225 yards and a 115.5 passer rating. Tyreek Hill caught nine passes for 105 yards and is a fringe WR1/WR2 this week. If Waddle plays, he’s a high-ceiling flex option.
49ers at Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: There are no playoff implications with this game.
What we know: Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback for San Francisco in Week 18. QB Brock Purdy will not play after suffering a bruised elbow with nerve inflammation in the team’s Week 17 loss to the Lions. With James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) on injured reserve, the Cardinals have signed Michael Carter to the active roster and he will lead the team’s backfield in Week 18.
Key injuries: Purdy will sit out the finale for the 49ers. Conner is out after leaving the last two games early with a knee injury. 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib/wrist) is out after not practicing this week, while tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) is questionable following two straight limited sessions. Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (left knee) has been ruled out, so it will be Chad Ryland attempting field goals Sunday.
What could change: A dual QB game where Shanahan utilizes Dobbs and Allen.
Fantasy analysis: With Dobbs set to play in Purdy’s place, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are still WR2/flex options in Week 18, however risky. After Conner left the game, Carter led the backfield and had 70 yards rushing on 13 carries. He could be a sneaky RB2 in Week 18.
Sunday Night Football
Vikings at Lions, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Playoff scenarios: The winner here takes the NFC North and more importantly, the No. 1 seed in the playo***. Detroit can also secure both marks with a tie.
What we know: The two best teams in the NFC will duke it out for home field and the all important bye. The loser drops to the No. 5 seed and will have to go on the road against the Rams or NFC South division winner. Detroit won the first matchup in Week 7, 31-29, on a late field goal.
Key injuries: Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) will miss his third straight game and seems more likely to try and return in the postseason. RB Craig Reynolds (back) is listed as questionable.
What could change: Nothing from the earlier games will impact this one. This game will determine where the NFC’s road to the Super Bowl goes through.
Fantasy analysis: Jahmyr Gibbs is Jake Ciely’s RB1 this week. Gibbs had 117 yards on the ground last week, a rushing touchdown and caught four passes for 46 yards in Montgomery’s absence in Week 17. With the Vikings needing the win, Aaron Jones is Ciely’s RB6 this week.
Playoff scenarios: In Jim Harbaugh’s first year as coach, the Chargers are already in the AFC field. They could move up to the No. 5 seed with a win and a Steelers loss. Otherwise, they are set as the No. 6 seed.
What we know: Harbaugh said Monday, “the plan will be to win,” but he wasn’t interested in going through hypotheticals should a Steelers win lock his team into the No. 6 spot. Las Vegas will start Alexander Mattison at running back with Ameer Abdullah out.
Key injuries: Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (foot) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) are out after not practicing this week. Edwards sat out in Week 17 as well. Abdullah (foot), who had 147 total yards in Las Vegas’ Week 17 win, is out after not practicing this week.
What could change: Since the Steelers play Saturday night, the Chargers will know if they have a chance at better seeding before Sunday’s game. If they can’t move up, it is not a stretch to imagine quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Ladd McConkey and running back J.K. Dobbins resting to have them fresh for the playo***.
Fantasy analysis: TE1 Brock Bowers and WR2 Jakobi Meyers should start in fantasy this week. Mattison is a flex option, with nearly every other Raiders RB on the injury report. Avoid the Chargers backfield if Dobbins ends up resting.
Seahawks at Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: The Rams have clinched the NFC West and are currently the No. 3 seed. A win keeps that position but a loss combined with a Buccaneers win drops L.A. to the No. 4 seed.
What we know: The Rams will rest quarterback Matthew Stafford and start Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 18. The team will also rest running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nucua, as well as several offensive linemen. In an interview with the team’s official website, McVay specifically named rookie running back Blake Corum as someone he’s looking forward to seeing in extended action. Even though they have been eliminated from playoff contention, coach Mike Macdonald said Seattle is planning to treat this like a normal game.
Key injuries: Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was placed on injured reserve last week.
What could change: Since the Rams are already planning to sit their main guys, nothing should change.
Fantasy analysis: Corum should be added where available and has the ceiling of an RB1 this week.
Dolphins at Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: The Dolphins need to win and get a Broncos loss to earn the final AFC wild card.
What we know: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says the team is approaching this week as if Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been limited all week after McDaniel said earlier in the week that his QB1’s status was “firmly in the unknown.” New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to start as he looks to become the fifth player to throw 500 career touchdown passes.
Key injuries: Tagovailoa (hip) is listed as doubtful and the team has been preparing all week as if he wouldn’t be able to play. Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is listed as questionable and was upgraded to a full practice participant Friday after logging limited sessions to start the week — he had missed the last two games. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) was placed back on injured reserve and the team signed Greg Joseph to kick in Week 18. Tight end Tyler Conklin (calf) got in a limited practice Friday is listed as questionable.
What could change: Even without Tagovailoa, this shapes up as a favorable matchup for the Dolphins’ skill position players. The Jets are already going to be without one of their best defensive players in defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and could also be without defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring), who is questionable. New York’s defense has allowed at least 25 points in six of the last seven games.
Fantasy analysis: Huntley was 22-of-26 passing last week against the Browns for 225 yards and a 115.5 passer rating. Tyreek Hill caught nine passes for 105 yards and is a fringe WR1/WR2 this week. If Waddle plays, he’s a high-ceiling flex option.
49ers at Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Playoff scenarios: There are no playoff implications with this game.
What we know: Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback for San Francisco in Week 18. QB Brock Purdy will not play after suffering a bruised elbow with nerve inflammation in the team’s Week 17 loss to the Lions. With James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) on injured reserve, the Cardinals have signed Michael Carter to the active roster and he will lead the team’s backfield in Week 18.
Key injuries: Purdy will sit out the finale for the 49ers. Conner is out after leaving the last two games early with a knee injury. 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib/wrist) is out after not practicing this week, while tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) is questionable following two straight limited sessions. Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (left knee) has been ruled out, so it will be Chad Ryland attempting field goals Sunday.
What could change: A dual QB game where Shanahan utilizes Dobbs and Allen.
Fantasy analysis: With Dobbs set to play in Purdy’s place, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are still WR2/flex options in Week 18, however risky. After Conner left the game, Carter led the backfield and had 70 yards rushing on 13 carries. He could be a sneaky RB2 in Week 18.
Sunday Night Football
Vikings at Lions, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Playoff scenarios: The winner here takes the NFC North and more importantly, the No. 1 seed in the playo***. Detroit can also secure both marks with a tie.
What we know: The two best teams in the NFC will duke it out for home field and the all important bye. The loser drops to the No. 5 seed and will have to go on the road against the Rams or NFC South division winner. Detroit won the first matchup in Week 7, 31-29, on a late field goal.
Key injuries: Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) will miss his third straight game and seems more likely to try and return in the postseason. RB Craig Reynolds (back) is listed as questionable.
What could change: Nothing from the earlier games will impact this one. This game will determine where the NFC’s road to the Super Bowl goes through.
Fantasy analysis: Jahmyr Gibbs is Jake Ciely’s RB1 this week. Gibbs had 117 yards on the ground last week, a rushing touchdown and caught four passes for 46 yards in Montgomery’s absence in Week 17. With the Vikings needing the win, Aaron Jones is Ciely’s RB6 this week.
