Streaming Defenses Week 18: D/ST Picks for Fantasy Football This Week

Week 18 comes with additional challenges that make it crucial to keep up to date with NFL breaking news and injury reports. Green Bay is the only team locked into a specific playoff seed, but Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh already announced that Trey Lance will replace Justin Herbert for the Week 18 matchup at Denver.

With the Broncos now massive favorites, Jacksonville and New England are highly unlikely to earn the No. 1 seed. Jacksonville still needs a win over Tennessee to lock up the division instead of a wild card, with both the Jags and Texans (against Indy) sitting as large favorites this week. If the Jags are crushing the Titans, it could lead the Texans to pull starters early.

The Patriots have less to play for, locked in as a top-three seed, with a minimal shot at the No. 1 spot. The Bills are kind of in the same boat as the Chargers, with the difference that Buffalo will be favored over the Jets even if starters are expected to sit or leave early.

In the NFC, it's simpler, with the Bears, Eagles and Rams being the question marks. Bears coach Ben Johnson already suggested he won't rest starters against Detroit, his former team. A win over the Lions would lock the Bears into the No. 2 seed and a matchup with the Packers, which sounds much better than facing the Rams/Seahawks/49ers, IMHO. Philadelphia can also move into that 2 seed, with a win plus a Chicago loss. 

Key Players Almost Certainly Resting

Los Angeles Chargers

 Green Bay Packers

QUICK LINKS

Sync a League

Your path to victory starts here

Rankings

See the top players in your league

NFL Lineups

See the weekly starting lineups

High Risk of Key Players Resting

 Philadelphia Eagles

 Buffalo Bills

New England Patriots

 Los Angeles Rams

Some Risk of Key Players Resting / Pulled Early

 Houston Texans 

 Jacksonville Jaguars

 Chicago Bears

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 65 percent of teams on Yahoo. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 18

1. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)

• 63% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 22.75     Opponent implied total: 15.75

The Bills likely would be favored by closer to two touchdowns if not for the considerable risk that key players are rested/removed early. Buffalo's backups should still have the clear advantage over a Jets offense that may be led by the likes of QB Brady Cook, RB Khalil Herbert, WR Adonai Mitchell and TE Jeremy Ruckert. Both Breece Hall (knee) and Isaiah Davis (head) left early in Week 17, leaving the Jets without their one skill-position player (Hall) who actually opened the year as a starter.

2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)

• 38% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 22.0     Opponent implied total: 15.5

The Packers are locked into their playoff spot, potentially setting up a Week 18 start for third-stringer Clayton Tune after second-string QB Malik Willis suffered a shoulder injury during Saturday's loss to the Ravens. Minnesota's red-hot defense is responsible for some of the best performances we've seen from any D/ST unit this season, including six takeaways last week against Detroit.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)

• 51% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 30.0     Opponent implied total: 17.5

Cam Ward and the Tennessee offense have looked semi-competent of late, but they'll likely end the season on a low note as 13.5-point underdogs at Jacksonville. The Jaguars still need a win to secure a home playoff game, unless the Texans (playing at the same time against Indianapolis) lay an egg.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (at LV)

• 53% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 21.0     Opponent implied total: 15.5

This is one of the saddest matchups of the season, likely featuring Kenny Pickett vs. Chris Oladokun at quarterback. The Chiefs have at least remained respectable on the defensive side of the ball, which makes them the favorite in a game that probably shouldn't be bet on.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)

• 5% Yahoo
• Team implied total: 26.0     Opponent implied total: 18.5

The Bengals are coming off back-to-back strong outings on both sides of the football, sitting as 7.5-point favorites for a home game against Cleveland. Trusting Cincinnati's defense doesn't come easy, but Cleveland's offense has arguably been even worse this year, and certainly of late.

Week 18 Rankings

Tier 1: HOU, DEN, BUF, MIN, JAX

Tier 2: KC, PHI

Tier 3: CIN, NE, LAR

1. Houston Texans (vs. IND)
2. Denver Broncos (vs. LAC)
3. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
4. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (at LV)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. WAS)
8. New England Patriots (vs. MIA) 
9. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE) 
10. Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARZ)
11. Baltimore Ravens (at PIT)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
13. Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. KC)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL) 
16. Carolina Panthers (at TB)
17. Atlanta Falcons (vs. NO)
18. New Orleans Saints (at ATL)
19. Chicago Bears (vs. DET)
20. Washington Commanders (at PHI)