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FFL: Offseason | NFL: Week 18

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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The Paur Report

Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 18

Player Notes
Demarcus Robinson Jan 4 9:30am ET
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has been highly unproductive lately, failing to catch any of his five targets over the last four weeks. However, he's back on the fantasy radar given that he could operate as the Rams' No. 1 wide receiver in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams have already confirmed that they will rest Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on Sunday, leaving Robinson atop the depth chart while players like Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson, and Jordan Whittington also see increased roles. Robinson played at least 85 percent of the offensive snaps in every game that both Nacua and Kupp missed this season, and he'll likely have similar involvement in the Rams' regular-season finale. With that said, he does have a slightly lower floor with Jimmy Garoppolo starting in place of Matthew Stafford. Garoppolo is a proven veteran, but the quarterback change still brings a small amount of uncertainty to Robinson's Week 18 outlook. He should be treated as a mid-to-low WR3 option in fantasy football against a Seahawks defense allowing the fifth-most touchdowns to wide receivers in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Michael Carter Jan 4 9:30am ET
Michael Carter

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is expected to start in Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers after James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) were both placed on injured reserve. Conner had a minimal role last weekend due to injury, allowing Carter to handle an impressive 72 percent snap share. He thrived with the increased opportunities, rushing 13 times for 70 yards on the ground while adding two catches for another 11 yards through the air. He now has seven targets, seven catches, and 41 receiving yards over his last two contests. Not only is Carter's role favorable but so is his matchup. The 25-year-old is set to face off against the 49ers, who have allowed the 10th-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing touchdowns, and seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Carter ranks as a decent RB2 option heading into fantasy football for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Roschon Johnson Jan 4 9:20am ET
Roschon Johnson

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson remains the No. 2 option on the depth chart, keeping him off the fantasy radar in most leagues ahead of his Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. There's always a chance the eliminated Bears could give increased snaps to some of their younger players, like Johnson, while reducing the workload for veterans such as running back D'Andre Swift. However, the Bears have stayed pretty quiet about their personnel decisions, and as of Saturday, there's no indication that Johnson's workload will change for the regular-season finale. He has just five carries for eight yards over his last two games, and prior to that, he missed nearly three full contests. As a result, he hasn't caught a pass nor found the end zone since Week 12 against Minnesota. This week, he and Swift will take on a Packers run defense that has allowed the 15th-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, but the third-most catches and receiving yards. Johnson ranks as an RB4 in fantasy football and should continue to be benched in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jake Bates Jan 4 9:20am ET
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates should benefit from the competitive, high-scoring nature of Sunday night's Week 18 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. With the NFC's No. 1 seed on the line, Detroit will stay highly competitive and keep its foot on the gas pedal for all 60 minutes. This bodes well for Bates, who has thrived in high-leverage situations all year long and benefits when the Lions put up a lot of points. In his first NFL season, Bates ranks eighth among all kickers in fantasy points. He has made a whopping 60 of 63 extra points, plus 25 of 28 field goals. He does have two missed field goals and two missed extra points over his last three games, but fantasy managers shouldn't have any concerns about his accuracy given his track record and high fantasy points total this season. Bates should be deployed as a top-five kicking option for the final week of the 2024 regular season.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Jan 4 9:10am ET
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison is on track to lead the backfield in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. While Mattison had taken a backseat to Ameer Abdullah (foot) lately, Abdullah has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest, leaving Mattison in line to draw the start. The Raiders' only other healthy running backs are rookies Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, who have combined for just four touches throughout the entire 2024 season. We can't rule out Las Vegas giving some extra touches to Laube and Collier so that they can get more film on the rookies, but we still anticipate Mattison getting the bulk of the opportunities out of the backfield. He's facing off against a Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, but the seventh-most receptions. Mattison, who is averaging 2.5 catches and 0.4 touchdowns per game, ranks as a low-end RB2 option in fantasy football as he essentially gets the backfield to himself this week.

From RotoBaller

Tre Tucker Jan 4 9:10am ET
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has one more chance to cement himself as a key part of the team's passing attack during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. The wide receiver position will be a key area of discussion in Las Vegas this offseason, and Tucker has an opportunity to make a case for himself on film and in the stat sheet this weekend. He has routinely played north of 90 percent of the offensive snaps lately, and he commanded an impressive eight targets last weekend against the New Orleans Saints. However, he caught just two of those eight targets, adding 24 yards and one touchdown along the way. This week, Tucker faces a Los Angeles defense that has ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season. They're slightly better against slot receivers, and fortunately for Tucker, he's played just one-fifth of his snaps from the slot this season. Tucker ranks as a WR4 heading into Sunday's regular-season finale.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Jan 4 9:00am ET
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers continues to be an appealing fantasy option, ranking in the WR2 range ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Meyers is coming off yet another high-volume performance, catching five of his nine targets for 51 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. He and Brock Bowers continue to be Aidan O'Connell's favorite targets in the passing game. The Chargers rank near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season, and they're slightly better against slot receivers than those who play on the perimeter. For context, Meyers has played 30.7 percent of his snaps from the slot, which is the 28th-highest mark in the NFL. Los Angeles' respectable secondary could find itself shorthanded if the Chargers choose to rest some of their starters, but so far, there's no indication that that will happen. Expect the Bolts to play their top defenders, leaving Meyers as a mid-to-low WR2 option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Jan 4 8:50am ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a mid-tier WR2 for Week 18 when the Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. Harrison Jr. is looking to end his rookie season on a high note after an inconsistent but still productive year. He entered the NFL with very high expectations, which are naturally hard to meet, yet he has still posted over 800 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Harrison Jr. is coming off perhaps one of his best performances, catching six passes for 96 yards against the Rams on Saturday night. Getting quarterback Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr. to build some momentum heading into the offseason will be something the Cardinals will look to do in their regular season finale. Expect Harrison Jr. to be involved early and often in the Cardinals' passing attack.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Jan 4 8:30am ET
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride are a must-start TE1 when the Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. McBride crossed two big milestones last week: breaking 1,000 yards and scoring his first receiving touchdown of the season. However, the game ended on a tough note, with the final pass bouncing off McBride's helmet, resulting in a Los Angeles Rams interception that officially ended the Cardinals' playoff hopes. McBride has had a sensational season and has provided fantasy managers with one of the biggest positional advantages in fantasy football. He is a no-doubt starter in what should be the final week of one of the best tight end seasons in Arizona Cardinals history.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Jan 4 7:40am ET
Jayden Daniels

The New Orleans Saints D/ST has flirted with fantasy relevance all season but the unit's inconsistencies have offered poor returns. The team had 12 turnovers in their first six games but only four since. After logging eleven sacks in their first three games, they needed another seven to match that amount. Removing their eight-sack performance against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Week 15, the Saints have averaged just over 1.58 sacks per game in the 12 other games played since Week 3. In Week 18, the Saints face a Buccaneers squad that ranks fourth in scoring with 29.7 points per game. New Orleans gave up 45 to Tampa when the teams met in Week 6. Winning turnovers salvaged that performance from a fantasy perspective but the Saints should still be avoided against a lively Bucs offense that will be locked in as they try to win their way into the playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Foster Moreau Jan 4 4:30am ET
Foster Moreau

In a season where injuries have decimated the New Orleans Saints offense, tight end Foster Moreau finds himself as the team's unlikely leader in receiving touchdowns with five. Moreau has found the end zone twice in the last three weeks, most recently in Week 17 on an impressive 30-yard heave from rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler will be under center again on Sunday and could lean on Moreau again to pick up the slack left by a depleted offense. Chris Olave (concussion) practiced in full all week but is listed as questionable for the season finale against Tampa Bay, as is fellow tight end Juwan Johnson (knee). Moreau had two catches for 54 yards when the Saints last faced the Buccaneers back in Week 6. Moreau should be good for a chunk gain or two against a Tampa defense that has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends this season and could push his way into the TE2 conversation with another touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Blake Grupe Jan 4 4:30am ET
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 17, hitting his lone extra point and a 34-yard field goal try. On the season he is 30-for-32 for extra point attempts and has converted 23 of his 27 field goal attempts. All of those misses have come from 40 yards out or further. Grupe won't be kicking in the comfort of a dome in Week 18 but he will have good weather conditions when the Saints travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. That said, Grupe should probably be avoided for fantasy purposes. Since their Week 12 bye, the Saints have averaged just 11.4 points per game. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be at the helm again in the season finale. The Saints have had a hard time sustaining drives since he took over for Derek Carr (hand), which means there is less of a chance for Grupe to get on the field. Grupe has a good leg and can be of service when called upon but the Saints' woes on offense should steer fantasy managers elsewhere in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Jan 4 4:20am ET
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler will get one more go under center in the regular season finale. Regular starter Derek Carr (hand) did not practice this week and will be held out of the team's final game. Last week, Rattler looked incredible for the first half, going 11-for-13 with a touchdown and his only incompletions coming on a drop and a throwaway. His second half was disastrous, though, featuring nine completions on 23 attempts, two interceptions, and three sacks. New Orleans is faced with another opportunity to get their fifth-round pick some live-game experience and can be expected to give him a long leash once again. Fantasy managers should avoid the erratic rookie in Week 18, even against the QB-friendly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thanks to an abundance of injuries, the Saints have almost no recognizable names left on offense, leaving Rattler with remarkably little help.

From RotoBaller

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Jan 4 4:20am ET
Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be active on Sunday according to interim head coach Darren Rizzi. With Kendre Miller (concussion) out and Alvin Kamara (groin) doubtful, Edward-Helaire should factor into the run game alongside Jamaal Williams as he did in Week 17. Last week, CEH led the team in rushing attempts with five after Miller was forced out of the game in the second quarter due to his head injury. In comments to the media on Friday, Rizzi complimented Edwards-Helaire's ability to learn the offense so quickly and said that he was impressed with his work ethic and determination. With CEH having joined New Orleans only two weeks ago and Williams being largely ineffective as a rusher this season, it is hard to say who will emerge as the primary back in Week 18's matchup against the Buccaneers. Jordan Mims may also mix in, making all three backs easy fades in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Jan 4 4:20am ET
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams should see an uptick in usage in Week 18, with Kendre Miller (concussion) out and Alvin Kamara (groin) doubtful. That may not translate to fantasy value, though, as Williams has done little in the sporadic opportunities he has seen. In 13 games this season, Williams has 40 carries for 149 yards and one touchdown. Even after Miller's exit in the second quarter last week, Williams was outsnapped and outgained by the recently signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire, though his snap share was the highest he had seen since Week 8. Williams may be utilized more as a pass-catcher with Chris Olave (concussion) listed as questionable and the remaining wide receiver ranks thin on talent. Even though injuries have cleared a path up the depth chart for him, Williams will still be vying for touches with CEH and Jordan Mims, making him easy to avoid in fantasy leagues that are still active in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jan 4 4:20am ET
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

After opening the week with a limited session, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) practiced in full for a second consecutive day and has no designation going into the team's Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 30-year-old was sidelined in Week 16 due to a combination of a back issue and illness that interrupted his rehab. In Week 17, he was active though a massive hit in the fourth quarter took him out of the game early. Even though he will be active, it will be hard to rely on MVS for fantasy purposes. His success earlier this season was tied to touchdowns and big gains on deep passes. In his three biggest games he racked up 232 yards and four touchdowns but did so on just ten targets. Spencer Rattler will be under center again for the season finale and while he has shown decent arm strength as a spot starter, his accuracy (or lack thereof) will not do MVS any favors. His potential would be further dampened by the return of Chris Olave (concussion) who is listed as questionable. Valdes-Scantling was a bright spot for a few weeks in 2024 but he should not be in a starting lineup in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Jan 4 4:20am ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable on the team's final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the slough of injuries that sapped the Saints of depth at wide receiver and running back, Johnson has mustered a lackluster 44-468-3 line through 16 games. Week 17 brought about a change for the better as he led the team in receptions, targets, and yards, catching six of 10 passes sent his way for 66 yards. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful and Chris Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable, which leaves room for Johnson to have another productive day, especially with Spencer Rattler under center once again. Johnson is in the best position on the hard-luck Saints to return fantasy value in Week 18, though anyone starting him must be in a pretty desperate situation to do so.

From RotoBaller

Ray-Ray McCloud Jan 4 2:30am ET
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III has seen his role fade recently, catching just a single pass in two of the last three contests, but could be in line for an uptick in productivity if Darnell Mooney (shoulder) were to miss Sunday's contest after being limited Thursday and not practicing on Friday. Despite the recent slump, McCloud III has had a career year, setting highs in receptions (58) and yards (620), and on Sunday he'll take on a Panthers defense that is middle-of-the-pack in limiting fantasy production to opposing wide receivers, but just last week allowed five touchdown receptions, four of which went to WRs (one went to a TE). The 28-year-old is probably a WR5 at best if Mooney plays, but if not, he could see a bump all the way to a borderline WR3/4 or Flex option if Mooney misses the game.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Jan 4 2:20am ET
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London will look to finish strong on Sunday after a 100-yard game last week put him over 1,000 yards receiving for the season. The 23-year-old has seen 21 targets and logged 12 receptions over the last two weeks with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center. Although he hasn't caught a touchdown from the lefty QB, he had a near-miss last week and the 6-foot-4 wideout hasn't seen a drop off in production with the rookie throwing him the ball. The USC product was limited in practice earlier this week but is expected to play; Darnell Mooney (shoulder), however, looks like he's on the wrong side of questionable after a limited session Thursday and a DNP on Friday, which would further solidify London's role as No. 1 receiver in a must-win game. The third-year pro sets up nicely in a matchup versus the Panthers who he logged a 6-74-1 line against in Week 6, but with the Falcons likely to lean on the run game, London looks more like a high-end WR2.

From RotoBaller

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

The San Francisco 49ers defense/special teams unit will close out the 2024 campaign against the Cardinals in Arizona. To the surprise of nobody the 49ers did fantasy managers no favors in Week 17, sacking Detroit's Jared Goff twice but forcing no turnovers and allowing 40 offensive points. San Francisco has it easier in Week 18, facing a Cardinals offense that is nearly exactly average in points per game. They've performed similarly in turnovers lost while being eighth-stingiest in sacks allowed. San Francisco's starting defense is mostly healthy, with nickel Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder) out, linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) doubtful, and safety Ji'Ayir Brown (ankle) questionable. Arizona's offense has a tackle and a wideout listed as questionable, but more importantly, both of their top running back options -- James Conner and Trey Benson -- are on Injured Reserve. The 49ers are RotoBaller's 11th-ranked option in Week 18.

From RotoBaller