Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as doubtful, so his absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. The 27-year-old finishes his first season with the Eagles just 100 rushing yards shy of Erick Dickerson's single-season record. Although he didn't break the record, Barkley still had a phenomenal season with 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, making him the clear RB1 in fantasy football. Kenneth Gainwell will lead Philadelphia's backfield in Week 18.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are planning on resting key starters, including running back Saquon Barkley, during their Week 18 tilt against the New York Giants. Barkley will finish just 100 yards away from Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is still in the league's protocol and would have faced an uphill battle to suit up anyway. In addition, top wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will likely also sit out in this contest. This would pave the way for either Kenny Pickett (ribs) or Tanner McKee to get the start under center, with Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley sharing the backfield. Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith will likely be top pass catchers. Fantasy managers should consider targeting Gainwell on the waiver wire as he would likely get the start at running back and would be a viable RB2 in all formats.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley dominated in the team's 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, carrying the ball 31 times for an incredible 167 yards. He also added two receptions for two yards. Despite not finding the end zone, Barkley's performance was enough to place him in the Top-5 fantasy running backs of Week 17 heading into Sunday night. Barkley etched his name into the history books during this game, becoming only the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. He now sits just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record. This game was also Barkley's 11th 100-yard rushing performance. The Eagles will rely on Barkley's brilliance again in Week 18 when they host the New York Giants, with a chance to make history on the line.

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught four of his five targets for 51 yards in a 32-20 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Wilson finished third on the team in receiving in the high-scoring win while he was held out of the end zone for the sixth time over his final eight games of the season. The Jets' decision to acquire Davante Adams at the trade deadline cut into Wilson's production over the back half of the season but he still finished with career highs in catches (102), receiving yards (1,104), and touchdowns (seven). Wilson vented some frustration about his role in December and there have been rumors he could demand a trade this offseason if Aaron Rodgers remains the team's quarterback, although he later went on record to state that his relationship with Rodgers was fine. It would be a surprise if the Jets were willing to part with their talented stud 24-year-old receiver this offseason.

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, his second in the past three games, in a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Wilson needs just three receptions against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 to log the first 100-catch season of his young career. That being said, the Dolphins have been excellent against receivers this season, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Wilson remains behind Davante Adams in the target pecking order in New York. However, the targets in the New York passing attack are consolidated enough that he is still safe to start as a high-end WR2 in fantasy leagues while also worth considering for DFS tournaments this weekend as he is unlikely to be highly rostered due to the tough matchup.

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught seven of his eight targets for 66 yards and a touchdown while losing a fumble in a 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. Wilson, who is rumored to be considering requesting a trade in the offseason if Aaron Rodgers remains as the team's quarterback in 2025, was one of the team's few bright spots in the blowout loss to Buffalo. His touchdown came on a nine-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor in the fourth quarter. Wilson will take a career-high seven touchdown catches into the season finale against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers wrapped up a sensational rookie season despite a constant change at quarterback and a tumultuous season for the team in general. In the Week 18 loss to the Chargers, Bowers finished with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He ended the year with 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns on 153 targets. His performance broke records for most receptions by a rookie, Raiders franchise single-season receptions, and most yards by a rookie tight end.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers will be a top option at his position despite a stiff test in the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 17's win over the New Orleans Saints, the rookie sensation broke Mike Ditka's rookie receiving yardage record and Puka Nacua's rookie reception record (in one fewer game). With one game remaining, the 22-year-old could make even more history as he closes in on Zach Ertz's single-season TE reception record set in 2018. The veteran notched 116 that season, meaning Bowers needs eight more catches to tie him. The Chargers aren't the most favorable of matchups, but with the Georgia product playing the role of the clear No. 1 option on his team, he still stands a chance to challenge an impressive mark. He'll come in as RotoBaller's PPR TE1 in this week's ranks.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers caught all seven of his targets for 77 yards during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New Orleans Saints. Along the way, Bowers set the record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history. Although he did break the record by passing Mike Ditka, who accomplished the feat in just 14 games compared to Bowers' 16, it's still an impressive accomplishment for the first-rounder out of Georgia. He also set the record for most receptions by a rookie in NFL history. The 22-year-old remains the overall TE1 in fantasy football, and he'll be a premier option at the position once more when the Raiders close out their season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson brought in 2-of-8 targets for nine yards in his team's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Lions weren't messing around on Sunday night and were a brick wall on defense for the first time in a few weeks. Hockenson was consistently targeted on third down by quarterback Sam Darnold, but Detroit was there time and time again to break up the pass. It's the Iowa alum's worst outing since his return from injury in a game when the Vikings scored their fewest points of the season. Darnold had pressure in his face all night, and the Lions' defensive backfield was equally impressive in their coverage. Unfortunately for Minnesota, they'll prepare for a road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night in lieu of a week off and home-field advantage. LA allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to TEs in the regular season, so Hockenson stands a good chance at a productive day during Wild Card Weekend.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will get a tough matchup this Sunday night in a road tilt with the Detroit Lions. Hockenson had a nice total his last time out in a win against the Green Bay Packers, but he'll have a less vulnerable outing in store against a Lions defense that's limited TEs to 9.2 fantasy points per game in 2024 -; the second-fewest. However, it's worth noting that they've let up sizable performances twice over the past three weeks. Detroit just got torched by George Kittle in Week 17 for 112 yards on 8-of-8 receiving and let Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills combine for six catches and 95 yards two weeks prior. With a 57-point over/under on tap, there should be plenty of opportunities to go around for the veteran. The Iowa alum ranks as RotoBaller's PPR TE7 in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson corralled 5-of-6 targets for 68 yards in his team's 27-25 win against the Green Bay Packers. The Iowa product posted his highest yardage total since Week 12, bringing in five receptions for the second time in three outings. It was modest output for him on a day when quarterback Sam Darnold torched the Packers for a career-high 377 yards. Darnold spread the ball around effectively -- hitting five Minnesota pass-catchers for at least four completions. Hockenson hasn't been the impact player he was in the prior two seasons, but he hasn't been invaluable. As of his return in Week 9, the 27-year-old is the PPR TE9 -- registering four top-ten weekly finishes. He'll line up for a meeting with the Detroit Lions in Week 18 that presents massive playoff implications.

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 21-for-38 with 312 yards, two passing scores and an interception during their overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix added five yards and score on his lone carry. After averaging just 212.5 passing yards during the first two games of his career, Penix enjoyed a strong finish to the 2024 campaign, despite falling just short to the Panthers. The Washington product leaned on his top wideout Drake London as he threw to him 18 times. London also brought in both his touchdown passes and finished the day with 187 receiving yards. The 24-year-old has tallied four total touchdowns over his first three NFL games but sits with a 1-2 record, with both of his losses coming in overtime. Fantasy managers should expect Penix to be in the driver's seat to open as the team's starting QB in 2025.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just needs to take care of the football -- and get some help from the Saints -- in order to send his team to the playoffs. The 24-year-old is 37-for-62 (59.7%) in his two games as starter, with two touchdowns and one interception (that was not his fault). But with a strong ground game that rushed for 200 yards and three scores the last time Atlanta faced Carolina in October, Penix Jr. should be handing the ball off much more than he should be passing it. Not that the Panthers can stop the passing attack, allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs including five TDs last week to Baker Mayfield and even three TDs to Cooper Rush in Week 15. With the friendly matchup and some likely volatility at the QB position in the final week of the regular season with some starters sitting or seeing only limited playing time, the former first-round draft pick sets up as a high-end QB2 on Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. nearly led his team to a win on Sunday Night Football, getting the team into position for a potential game-winning field goal, but the kick fell short and the Falcons ultimately lost 30-24 to the Commanders in overtime. The former first-round draft pick completed 19-of-35 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Some passes were clearly off-target, but others displayed the 24-year-old's talent level, including the game-tying touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts late in the fourth quarter. The rookie will get a chance to end the season on a high note and send the Falcons -- with some help from the Saints -- to the playoffs with a win against the Panthers in Week 18.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin led the team in carries in the 38-0 win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale that pushed the Broncos into the postseason, but he didn't stand out at all. McLaughlin had a team-high 16 rushing attempts but only gained 39 yards on the ground (2.4 yards per carry) while catching both of his targets for only nine yards. The 24-year-old's 16 carries were a season-high, but it was disappointing he wasn't able to do more against a Chiefs defense resting most of its key players for the playoffs. Despite the inefficient performance, McLaughlin has been seeing the most touches in Denver's backfield committee in recent weeks, giving him flex value for fantasy playoff leagues as the Broncos head to Buffalo to take on the Bills next Sunday in the wild-card round.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin will be on the RB2/3 borderline for the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the visiting division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. After missing the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers with a quadriceps injury, McLaughlin returned in last week's overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to narrowly lead what has become a three-man committee in Denver with 12 touches for 76 scrimmage yards. He did have an impressive 6.9 yards per carry on 10 rushing attempts, although it was his second straight game seeing fewer than 30% of the offensive snaps. The Chiefs defense has allowed the fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but they will also be resting key starters for the playoffs. The Broncos need to win to get in. In a three-man committee, McLaughlin will likely need to score to pay off as an RB2.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for 69 yards on ten carries in Saturday's 30-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He'd add seven yards on 2-of-2 receiving. The second-year back saw one more carry than rookie Audric Estime and handily out-gained him by 45 yards. However, with the game picking up pace in a wild fourth quarter, the Broncos' rushing attack fell by the wayside late. McLaughlin is the most dynamic RB on this squad, but Denver has favored leaning on the pass this year with rookie QB Bo Nix adjusting to the big leagues so well. The former undrafted free agent will get a much more challenging task in Week 18 when his team lines up against their division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.

Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix, hamstring) has been transferred to injured reserve, and his season is officially over. The 24-year-old was moved to injured reserve from the reserve/non-football illness list after recovering from appendicitis but still experiencing issues with his hamstring. It's a lost season for the rookie, who appeared in one game -- Week 2 in the team's win over the Indianapolis Colts -- playing ten snaps. Lloyd injured his hamstring in the preseason but was healthy enough to be active for their meeting with the Colts. However, he'd suffer a severe ankle sprain that would keep him out of action -- and on IR -- for seven weeks. Upon his return to team activities, he re-aggravated the hamstring injury suffered in the summer but would need immediate surgery on his appendix. Though he could recover from his surgery, the hamstring ailment is still an issue. The Packers plan to send the first-year pro to the same institute that wideout Christian Watson (knee) attended last offseason in an effort to quell the hamstring issues he had since his rookie season. While Watson just had his year cut short by a knee injury, he did not miss a single contest because of his hamstring in 2024. We'll see Lloyd again in 2025.