The upcoming Week 18 of the NFL season presents a complex challenge for daily Fantasy football players, with many leading players absent from the lineup pool. However, this scenario also opens the door for savvy players to explore depth charts for undervalued options. In a crucial matchup, the Atlanta Falcons will face off against the Carolina Panthers, as the Falcons seek a win alongside a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to clinch the NFC South. While the Panthers have no playoff stake, it serves as an essential moment for quarterback Bryce Young to showcase his potential after a rocky start.
Young's performance since the Panthers' Week 11 bye places him as the QB9 in Fantasy football, making him a significant consideration for DFS lineups. Before making any selections for the day, players are encouraged to utilize SportsLine's advanced NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer. This tool, utilizing the SportsLine Advanced-Data Projection Model and insights from DFS expert Mike McClure, simulates games thousands of times to optimize player selections.
Among the top DFS recommendations for Sunday is Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who is priced at $6,000 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel. Despite Arizona's recent struggles, Murray's potential for a heavy passing game is elevated due to injuries within the team. Facing the 49ers, who recently allowed significant points to opposing offenses, Murray's dual-threat capabilities enhance his DFS appeal.
In addition, Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is highlighted as a solid value pick. Priced at $6,700 on DraftKings and $7,000 on FanDuel, Charbonnet is expected to carry the load without Kenneth Walker, who is on IR. Facing a potentially weakened Rams defense, this matchup may offer Charbonnet additional opportunities for significant production.