What You Need to Know from Week 17

Dallas at Washington

• Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson left the game with injuries and may not be available for Week 18. Malik Davis went over 100 yards rushing and should be a good Week 18 flex.
• Chris Rodriguez Jr. was inactive due to an illness. Jacory Croskey-Merritt busted a 70+ yard TD and added a second score to come through a surprise Christmas present under the fantasy tree, but the backfield should return to a committee approach in Week 18.

Detroit at Minnesota

• Jared Goff was harassed all day behind a piecemeal offensive line, committing five turnovers. The Lions' postseason hopes are over. It's unclear if they will rest Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has been playing through an injury, in Week 18. We'll be monitoring their comments and practice reports.
• Aaron Jones Sr. was the clear #1 back with Jordan Mason out and scored the only touchdown of the day for Minnesota. He'll be a viable RB2/Flex in Week 18.

Kansas City at Denver

• The Chiefs' offense did not generate enough yards or touchdown opportunities to create any fantasy relevance. It's not advisable to play any Chiefs in Week 18, even though they are facing the worst team in the league in Las Vegas.
• Denver's offense was conservative in a game that was closer than it should have been. They still need to beat the Chargers to secure the #1 seed, but Los Angeles has already announced that Justin Herbert will not play in Week 18, and other starters who are less than 100% will also rest. Bo Nix, RJ Harvey, and Courtland Sutton are good Week 18 plays because of the Broncos' motivation, but they might not light up the scoreboard.

Houston at LA Chargers

• Woody Marks returned from injury and led the Texans' backfield. He'll be a viable Week 18 RB2/Flex with the Texans still vying for the AFC South title. 
• C.J. Stroud played better, throwing two touchdowns, both long plays to rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. He's a viable QB1 for Week 18 against the Colts.
• Quentin Johnston was the #1 target for Justin Herbert in a tough matchup. It is difficult to sort out the pecking order of the Chargers passcatchers, and some or all of them could sit for Week 18. But Johnston should be increasing in value in playoff fantasy drafts with his late surge.

Baltimore at Green Bay

• Derrick Henry was a force of nature with four touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards. He'll be the centerpiece of the Ravens' game plan against the Steelers in Week 18 in the AFC North championship game. 
• Tyler Huntley was safe with the ball, and he threw a touchdown to Zay Flowers, in addition to racking up 60 yards as a runner. Huntley will be a viable fantasy QB1 for Week 18 if Lamar Jackson is out. We'll be monitoring this situation right up until game time on Sunday night.
• Malik Willis was nearly perfect as a passer and added two touchdowns as a runner in a command performance that should increase his value in the 2026 free agent market. He should be signed to start somewhere and has a lot of speculative value in 2QB/Superflex and 1QB leagues alike.
• The Packers are locked into the #7 seed and should rest starters for Week 18 in anticipation of a Wild Card game at Chicago or Philadelphia in two weeks. Willis and Emanuel Wilson could be viable Week 18 plays with Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs almost certainly sitting, although the team could deem Wilson essential enough to also get a rest. With Clayton Tune signed, they may choose to rest Willis, too.

Tampa Bay at Miami

• Baker Mayfield posted a strong fantasy game, but was flustered and off at times, and lost in a game that could have ended the Bucs' postseason hopes if the Panthers had beaten the Seahawks. Mayfield is worth considering in Week 18 against Carolina, but the Panthers defense contained him and the Bucs' passing game in the first matchup.
• Bucky Irving caught five passes, but ceded more early down work to Rachaad White and ended up being a dud against a Dolphins defense that had been shredded by running backs in recent weeks. He's still an RB2/Flex for Week 18 because the Bucs are motivated, but this has been a disappointing season for Irving.
• Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin Jr. came through with 100+ yard games, and Godwin added a score. They may have the best matchups in Week 18 with the Panthers' outside corners playing well lately. Mike Evans caught three short passes and scored and should also be in Week 18 lineups in what could be his last NFL game if the Bucs lose.
• Jaylen Waddle was in and out of the game with a rib injury. He's too risky to play in Week 18.

New England at NY Jets

• Drake Maye was a maestro in this game, easily leading the Patriots to six touchdowns before the game entered garbage time. He and the rest of the Patriots' offense are still too risky to play in Week 18. The Chargers are sitting Justin Herbert (and probably other starters) against the Broncos, so the Patriots are going to end up as the #2 or #3 seed and could also rest starters against the Dolphins. 
• It's not clear whether the Patriots see rookie receivers Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III as players essential enough to sit in Week 18 with Mack Hollins on injured reserve and Stefon Diggs' status marred by news of a felony strangulation charge. If the rookies do play in Week 18, they will be what-the-heck flex starts even if Joshua Dobbs is the Patriots quarterback.
• Breece Hall was outstanding and rewarded fantasy players who believed in him despite the Jets' offense hitting the skids this season, especially in recent weeks. He could have a Saquon Barkley-esque turn in his career prospects if he lands on a good team with a good offense in free agency.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

• The Steelers' offense was shut down by the Browns, with no DK Metcalf and key two-way tight end Darnell Washington leaving the game with a broken arm. They could have a lot of trouble generating offense against the Ravens in Week 18.
• Harold Fannin Jr. scored early, but left the game when he aggravated a groin injury on the scoring play. He'll miss Week 18, but should be drafted as a top 6-8 tight end at worst next season.
• Jerry Jeudy caught five passes and has WR3/Flex value in Week 18 against the Bengals as Shedeur Sanders #1 target with Fannin sitting.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis

• Trevor Lawrence continues to play as well as he has in his career, scoring twice as a runner to cap one of the best fantasy playoff runs by a quarterback we have ever seen. He'll be a strong Week 18 play with the Jaguars needing to beat the Colts to lock up the AFC South title.
• Parker Washington went over 100 yards for the second straight week and should be in Week 18 lineups as a WR3/Flex.
• Philip Rivers was shut down by the Jaguars' defense in what should be his final NFL game - for real this time. Riley Leonard has been announced as the Week 18 starter.

New Orleans at Tennessee