Week 18 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Kickers and Team Defenses

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses

1. Cowboys defense at Washington Commanders
2. Buccaneers defense at Carolina Panthers
3. Eagles defense at New York Giants
4. Saints defense vs. Atlanta Falcons
5. Jaguars defense at Tennessee Titans
6. Patriots defense vs. New York Jets
7. Steelers defense at Baltimore Ravens (Sat.)
8. Jets defense at New England Patriots
9. Lions defense vs. Minnesota Vikings
10. Browns defense at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 18 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 18 Start ’Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Buccaneers defense at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Buccaneers have a shot to win the NFC South, so there’s a lot on the line against the lowly Panthers. Their offense has averaged the second-fewest points and allowed 62 sacks in 2023, so the Buccaneers defense is in a good position to produce a solid line this week.

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Start ’Em

Eagles defense at Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles could still finish as the NFC East champion, so they’ll be playing their starters in a plus matchup in New York. The Giants have averaged just 14.9 points per game this season, and their vulnerable offensive line has surrendered a league-high 83 sacks in 2023.

More Starts

Saints defense vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Jaguars defense at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Patriots defense vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Saints defense vs. Falcons ($3,400)
Jaguars defense at Titans ($3,200)
Lions defense vs. Vikings ($3,100)

Week 18 Sit ’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Dolphins defense vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Dolphins D/ST is in a bad spot this weekend, losing Bradley Chubb and facing a touch matchup against Josh Allen and the Bills. Their offense is averaging nearly 27 points per game, and it’s allowed just 21 sacks on the season. I’d keep these Fish in the water this week.

Sit ’Em

Ravens defense vs. Steelers (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Ravens are more than likely going to rest their starters this week, as the team has already clinched the top seed in the AFC. That being said, it makes their defense a risky option against a Steelers team that still has a chance to reach the postseason and needs a win.

More Sits

Vikings defense at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Chiefs defense at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Dolphins defense vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Titans defense at Texans ($3,200)
Bills defense at Dolphins ($3,100)
Falcons defense at Bears ($3,100)

Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Brandon Aubrey at Washington Commanders
2. Matt Gay vs. Houston Texans (Sat.)
3. Jake Elliott at New York Giants
4. Ka’imi Fairbairn at Indianapolis Colts (Sat.)
5. Brandon McManus at Tennessee Titans
6. Jason Myers at Arizona Cardinals
7. Tyler Bass at Miami Dolphins
8. Mike Badgley vs. Minnesota Vikings
9. Jason Sanders vs. Buffalo Bills
10. Younghoe Koo at New Orleans Saints

Week 18 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Ka’imi Fairbairn at Colts (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Fairbairn, listed as a start ’em last week, scored 16 points in a win over the Titans. He has now scored 35 points in his last three games, and a matchup against the Colts makes him a nice option. Indianapolis has allowed the third-most points to kickers this season.

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Start ’Em

Brandon McManus at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McManus is coming off a big stat line, scoring 14 fantasy points in a win over the Panthers. He’s in a good spot to put up another good total this week, as he faces a Titans defense that’s allowed the most fantasy points to kickers. McManus also beat them for 10 points in Week 11.

More Starts

Brandon Aubrey at Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Michael Badgley vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Blake Grupe vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week 18 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Harrison Butker at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Butker is coming off a huge, 21-point performance in fantasy championship week, so why bench him now? Well, the Chiefs are likely to rest their starters on offense, which could mean fewer field goal chances this week. Plus, the Chargers have been tough on kickers in 2023.

Sit ’Em

Evan McPherson vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McPherson has seen his fantasy totals decline lately, as he’s scored a combined eight points in his last two games. I’d be wary of him this week, too, as he faces a tough matchup against Cleveland. The Browns have surrendered an average of fewer than six points a game to kickers.

More Sits

Chris Boswell at Ravens (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Wil Lutz at Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Anders Carlson at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)