Fantasy Football Today – Week 18 Start or Sit! Who Can We Trust in this Wacky Week?

Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer (Host 1), Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg
Summary by Section Below

Overview: Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode tackles the chaos of NFL Week 18—always a tricky fantasy football slate as playoff-bound teams rest stars, injured players sit, and contract incentives drive surprise performances. Adam, Dave, and Jamie walk through every matchup, sharing who you can trust, which lineups are "safe," and who presents sneaky upside (or disaster potential) for fantasy championships decided in this unpredictable week. They address contract incentives, injury notes, and go rapid-fire with actionable “Start or Sit” advice, while weaving in way-too-early 2026 draft questions for every game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who's Resting, Who's Playing – The Starter/Inactive Report

• Resting teams: Packers (resting top QBs, likely key skill players), Bills (likely sitting Josh Allen, James Cook), Eagles (resting main guys), Chargers (Herbert out, others likely benched).
• Star Mention: Saquon Barkley’s 87-yard, $250K incentive sparks debate whether Giants “gift” his bonus (04:57).
• Watch for last-minute surprises: "If you’re playing for a championship in Week 18, it is vital to stay on top of the inactives. ...There are going to be so many players that are either surprise inactives or you're thinking maybe they'll be inactive and then they are." —Dave (15:27)

2. Fantasy Playoff-Impacting Contract Incentives (06:42–08:58)

• Notable players with big financial motivations:
  • Saquon Barkley: 87 total yards (250k bonus).
  • Stefon Diggs: 8 receptions (500k bonus), generally deemed a "big ask".
  • Rico Dowdle: 7 rushing yards (1M bonus), +1 TD = extra $250k.
  • Marquise Brown: $750k per touchdown next two scores.
  • Others: Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir, Kareem Hunt, Hunter Henry, Debo Samuel, Tony Pollard.
• Jamie’s take: "Diggs...a big ask. ...You gotta wonder if these teams will just cut them a bonus check to keep the relationships good, particularly Barkley." (08:12)

3. Navigating Injuries & Depth Charts (10:02–14:41)

• Status checks on Breece Hall, Josh Jacobs, Kyron Williams, Wandale Robinson, Chris Olave, Sam LaPorta, and many more.
• Offenses likely to field backups: Packers, Eagles, Chargers, and possibly more as the weekend unfolds.

4. Start/Sit Mailbag – Listeners’ Crucial Decisions (17:21–22:27)

• Listener “Bo” seeking touchdown scorers for a $4,500 payout.
  • Options: JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), Courtland Sutton, Chase Brown, DeAndre Swift, Bills RB
  • Analyst Lean:
    • Jamie: Swift & Ray Davis (if Cook is out)
    • Dave: Sutton, strong defense for JSN too
    • Adam: JSN #1, Ray Davis if Cook sits, then Chase Brown

Notable Quote:
"I love Ray Davis this week if James Cook doesn’t play—even with Bill's backups against that Jets run defense..." —Jamie (18:48)

Game-By-Game Fantasy Breakdown

Format: Game, 2026 Draft Question, Key Starts, Sits, and Insights

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22:56–28:03)

• 2026 Draft Q: If core returns, which Bucs WR do you draft first? “Probably still Mike Evans…Round 5.” —Jamie (22:56)
• Start: Mike Evans ("destroys this team… his history vs. Carolina is amazing" – Jamie), Chris Godwin (flex), Rico Dowdle (motivation + matchup), Tedorrel McMillan (high upside WR2).
• Sit: Bucky Irving "tough to trust", Panthers' WRs are DFS dart throws.
• **"Bracing for bust weeks amongst Bucs WR2/3, tough call for McMillan’s volatility." —Jamie (25:15)

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (28:03–33:14)

• Sam Darnold (top-15 QB this week), Charbonnet the preferred Seahawks RB ("goal line/TD equity"), but treat both Seattle RBs as low-end RB2s.
• Juwan Jennings vs. McMillan vs. Evans? Jennings “between Evans and McMillan” due to recent strong play/TD luck.
• Analyst caution: "Hard to bank on touchdowns every week..." —Adam (32:28)
• 49ers: Purdy is a start, but "If there's no Trent Williams, I might bump Trevor Lawrence ahead of him." —Dave (31:31)
• DFS note: Seahawks DST a serviceable play.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (33:14–38:42)

• 2026 Draft Q: Is Derrick Henry a round one pick next year? "No, not a first round pick... workload + age + probable timeshare worries me." —Dave (33:54)
• Lamar Jackson: Not confidently trusted (“hasn’t shown it lately, and Pitt D has his number”)
• Zay Flowers: "Solid No.2 WR, targets will be there, despite tough D." —Jamie (35:20)
• Ravens’/Steelers’ RBs (Warren, Gainwell): Both RB2/flex with Gainwell higher.
  "Gainwell more valuable for his receiving role, especially vs. Baltimore's tendencies." —Jamie (37:01)
• No interest in tight ends as starts outside DFS dart throws.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (38:42–43:10)

• 2026 Draft Q: Dak Prescott or Jackson Dart as dynasty QB? "Right now it's Dak" —Jamie; Dave has Dart higher (38:53)
• Start all core Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb, Dak, etc.), “I think Dak plays the majority of the game, even if just 3 quarters, could still be 225 & 2TD – this Giants D isn’t that good.” – Dave (40:34)
• For Giants: Dart is a low-end starter; Wandale Robinson's health "crucial" for any WR trust.
• RB: Tracy (Daniel Thomas) an RB2 if game flow/defensive injuries trend right.
• "If Quinnen Williams sits, this run D stinks. Makes Tracy/Blue interesting depending on who gets the nod." —Jamie (42:02)

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (43:10–44:44)

• 2026 Draft Q: Justin Jefferson still top 12 WR? "Borderline. It feels gross not to rank him there..." —Jamie (42:30)
• Start: Jefferson (“OK as WR2 this week, 53 yards from 1,000, likely scores.” —Dave), Jordan Mason if lead RB.
• Sit: All Packers, including Emmanuel Wilson, given uncertain usage.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (44:44–46:18)

• Summary: “Start all Bengals, sit all Browns.” —Dave (45:00)
• T. Higgins vs. Jefferson (2026): Jamie prefers Higgins due to QB situation.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (46:59–49:39)

• 2026 Draft Q: Indy WR1? “Pittman, 'cause Pierce will be gone.” —Jamie (46:59)
• Start: Jonathan Taylor (RB1/2, especially if Cook rests), Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, CJ Stroud (borderline QB1), Texans DST.
• Woody Marks: Only a flex; prefer Seattle RBs, Tracy, Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (49:39–52:50)

• 2026 Draft Q: London or Olave? “London—would take both over Jefferson...” —Jamie (53:11)
• Start: Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts (“you can’t sit Pitts…but Saints great vs. TEs, so temper expectations,” —Jamie), Juwan Johnson is safest Saint.
• Audric Estime (Saints): “Needs a TD, flex-level; Saints WRs are pure DFS/gamble.”

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (53:18–56:51)

• 2026 Draft Q: Who leads Jags WRs in 2026? Myers, but Travis Hunter could leap up charts if healthy.
• Start: Lawrence, Washington, Myers, Brian Thomas Jr (high upside this week vs. Titans corners).
• Titans: Tony Pollard (solid flex), Okonkwo is TE “desperation stream”.

Arizona Cardinals at LA Rams (57:23–60:15)

• Devonte Adams vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. (“If Jacoby at QB, give me Marvin.” —Jamie (59:58))
• Start: Rams stars (Stafford, Kupp, Puka if active), Michael Wilson (Cardinals WR1), Jacoby Brissette (starter this week).
• Colby Parkinson (AZ TE) cracks top 12 in both PPR and standard.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (60:15–65:31)

• 2026 Draft Q: Rome Odunze or Luther Burden as your dynasty WR? “Burden for now.” —Jamie/Dave (60:47)
• Start: Caleb Williams ("my start of the week" —Jamie (60:56)), DJ Moore, Colson Loveland (high-end TE), Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown if active, Jahmyr Gibbs.
• Sit: David Montgomery (insufficient workload lately).

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (65:31–67:19)

• 2026 Draft Q: Ashton Jeanty or Rashee Rice? “Might go Rice if Mahomes is healthy.” —Jamie (65:51)
• Start: Travis Kelce (possibly his last KC game), Michael Mayer (Raiders TE if Bowers sits), Ashton Jeanty (if full workload).

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (67:57–68:35)

• Barely any starts; essentially “sit-em all.”
• Kamani Vidal a borderline flex at best.

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (68:41–71:45)

• RBs (Tank Bigsby, Rodriguez, Vidal): Deep flex territory only.
• Jahan Dotson: DFS sleeper only.
• WR: Terry McLaurin is a low-end WR2; Deebo Samuel (high risk, high reward this week).

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (71:45–76:04)

• 2026 Draft Q: Where’s Rhamondre Stevenson next year? “Probably still here; likely a frustrating committee with TreVeyon Henderson.” —Dave (73:53)
• Start: Patriots RBs (both fringe RB2), Jalen Waddle (WR3/flex), Hunter Henry (fringe start), Pats DST.
• Greg Dulcich a very deep TE sleeper if Henry sits.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (76:04–78:19)

• 2026 Draft Q: “Do we treat this season like it never happened for Jaden Daniels?” “Mostly, yes…but you have to consider injury risk for all running QBs.” —Jamie (71:52)
• Most are fades, but Breece Hall is a borderline RB2/flex; “watch Ray Davis if no James Cook.” —Adam
• Stefon Diggs: “must start if active.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dak & Giants D: "Dak plays the majority of the game...could still get you 225 & 2—even if it’s just three quarters, Giants D isn’t that good." –Dave (40:34)
• On Contract Incentives: "That's one where I think [whether Diggs gets to 8 catches] takes into account, you know, will he play the full game?" –Jamie (08:16)
• On Week 18: "It is vital to stay on top of the inactives. ...This is the week where this happens." –Dave (15:27)
• On DFS Sleepers: "[Saints WRs]—great DFS dart throws…with the way Shock is playing..." –Jamie (12:45)
• On Late-season Risk: "Receivers can get their numbers, but the QB doesn't necessarily have a great game…that’s been the MO for Baker since the shoulder injury.” –Jamie (25:15)
• On 2026: "If Parker Washington finishes strong, Travis Hunter recovers fully...we’re probably gonna pivot." –Dave, on who could emerge as a top Jags WR (54:01)

Quick Timestamps for Top Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Who's Resting/Starting Updates | 04:05–07:49| | Contract Incentives Rundown | 06:42–08:58| | Detailed Injuries/Depth Chart Watch | 10:02–14:41| | Listener's $4.5K Touchdown Choices (Bo) | 17:21–22:27| | Carolina-Tampa Game Deep Dive | 22:56–28:03| | Rapid-fire Game Breakdowns (all 16 games) | 22:56–78:19| | DFS Sleepers/Deep Flexes | Throughout | | Key 2026 Draft & Dynasty Debates | Sprinkled (see per-game) |

Closing Notes & Tone

The crew kept a friendly, slightly punchy tone, with jokes about bowl games and “you gotta go!” teasing, poking fun at fantasy logic whiplash, and realism about the agony (and occasional joy) of setting Week 18 lineups. Regular reminders to “check inactives” and "keep an eye on trends" made the advice practical, while 2026 questions sparked shed-light, “way-too-early” speculation for deep dynasty/keeper leagues.

Listeners are encouraged to play it safe, check late news, and accept that Week 18 is about embracing chaos, targeting motivated players, and sometimes…just a little luck!

For deeper, game-by-game detail (including player-by-player start/sit rankings), see above segment breakdowns.