Close Calls is closing for business.
Not permanently (I hope). But after Week 18, there is no more regular season. The fantasy campaign is already over in the majority of leagues. But for some, the risk of players like Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sitting out this week's games to rest for the playoffs is worth the reward of one more week of fantasy football.
Weirdos. God love 'em.
The potential of players sitting only serves to further complicate an already complicated situation. As someone trying to wash off the stink from a disappointing Championship Week (it happens) can testify, every lineup decision made ahead of a title game is one that could be second-guessed for weeks. Months. Eternity.
Eternity is a long time.
Stars sitting out Week 18 also means fewer no-brainer lineup decisions. Lineup decisions further down the lineup are more critical than ever. The Close Calls are more important than ever.
So, let's close out 2025 (or start 2026, depending on how you look at it) with a bang.
Week 18 Close Calls
Close Call: Bryce Young, Carolina (QB14) vs. Sam Darnold, Seattle (QB15)
The Case for Young: To be clear, Young's last outing was most assuredly not his best: 54 passing yards and a pick in a blowout loss to the Seahawks. But the last time Young faced the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was a different story. He threw a pair of touchdown passes in a Panthers win.
The Case for Darnold: There isn't a game in the league with bigger stakes than Saturday's battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Darnold is coming off a down effort against the Carolina Panthers, and his first game against the Niners this year was forgettable. But that was a far different San Francisco defense, and the Seahawks will need Darnold's best to win in Santa Clara.
The Verdict: Young. Given their Week 17 duds, neither of these quarterbacks inspires a ton of confidence in your must-win game. But this week is must-win for them as well (most likely), and Young is squaring off against a Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2025.
Close Call: Audric Estimé, New Orleans (RB21) vs. TreVeyon Henderson, New England (RB23)
The Case for Estime: Already on his second team in as many seasons, Estimé had the best game of his career last week against the Tennessee Titans: 15 touches, 98 total yards, and a touchdown. With the New Orleans offense ravaged by injuries, Estimé should see at least that many touches this week as the Saints try to end the season with five straight wins.
The Case for Henderson: Um, every time he touches the football? Henderson has much to learn at the NFL level, but he should surpass 1,100 total yards this week against the Dolphins, could hit 1,000 rushing yards with a big week and has averaged 5.1 yards per carry as a rookie. It's going to be fascinating to see where he's drafted in 2026.
The Verdict: Henderson. New England's odds of capturing the AFC's top seed admittedly aren't good, and while Pats head coach Mike Vrabel has said the team is playing to win, that could change if the Denver Broncos boatrace the JV Chargers. But all it takes with Henderson is one play. One touch. One touchdown.