Week 18 in the NFL is what we like to call Information Week.
In order to predict what will happen in many of the games, we need to know the motives of both the players and the teams.
This week is more important than any other when it comes to monitoring the injury reports and following the beat writers for each team.
For the picks this week, we’ll try to focus on teams and players with clear motivations.
Let’s end the regular season with a bang with four winners on PrizePicks.
The Buccaneers have a lot on the line this week, as they need to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.
White has been one of the pleasant surprises in fantasy football this season and should be able to keep his hot streak going this week against the Panthers.
On the season, Carolina is ranked last in both DVOA against the run and rush EPA. The Panthers were the slump-busting matchup for both Aaron Jones and Travis Etienne over the last two weeks, so White should have plenty of opportunities in this one.
As long as Tampa Bay is playing with a lead, I like his chances to see 20 carries, which has happened in four of the last five games.
The Vikings still will be technically be alive (barely) in the playoff hunt when this game kicks off, so they should still be selling out to win.
The Lions, who are a near-lock for the NFC’s No. 3 seed, have hinted at resting starters on Sunday, so we’ll see what Detroit ends up doing with their starters in what essentially amounts to a meaningless game.
Even if we do get the usual starters for the Lions, they have been burned by long plays in the passing game all season. Nick Mullens is going to make mistakes, but he’s also going to take chances down the field. Jefferson has seen at least 10 targets in each of the last three games.
There’s nothing in his game log that suggests this is a good pick, but hear me out.
While the receiving yards haven’t been there, Conner has had at least three receptions in three of his last five games.
He doesn’t have much competition for touches in this backfield, and the Cardinals get to face a Seahawks defense that has been reeling in the second half of the season.
Seattle has allowed the 11th most receiving yards to running backs this season, and the Cardinals are playing as home underdogs.
If Conner gets three or more receptions again, he should easily top his receiving prop.
The final pick of the week is a fairly obvious one. Lamb is facing the worst pass defense in the NFL, and the Cowboys need to win in order to win their division and take the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
No team has allowed more receiving yards or more fantasy points to wide receivers this season than Washington.
Meanwhile, Lamb is coming off of a 227-yard performance against the Lions. He has topped 100 yards in three of his last five games and should get peppered with targets once again.
Thanks for joining me this NFL season. Good luck in Week 18!