Smash Bros, Smash Burgers, and Smash Starts are the perfect way to begin the New Year. The best part of the fantasy finals finishing on the doorstep of New Year’s is that for those of us who missed the Championship, a new year has already begun. With one week left in the NFL regular season, we are closing out season-long leagues and moving towards DFS. As a result, finding Smash Players is as valuable as ever!
Last week, we flirted with our first five-for-five, Smash Burger. Selecting Trey McBride (TE1), Chase Brown (RB3), Ja’Marr Chase (WR3), Chris Olave (WR2), Ashton Jeanty (RB23). With four selections finishing in the top 3 at their positions on the week, and Jeanty finishing within the top 24, this might’ve been our best week of the season! My name is Ellis Johnson, and I would like to thank all of you for reading my work this season. Your support truly means a lot, and I’m already looking forward to the offseason! Happy New Year.
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 18
Mike Evans (WR – TB)
The first of three games this weekend, where the winner will automatically secure their division. With both the Panthers and Bucs coming off losses last week, it appears that no one wants to win this division. In fact, the Falcons might be the hottest team in the division, despite being eliminated from the playoffs for the last few weeks. Anyways, I digress.
The Bucs have not looked like a good football team lately. With issues on both offense and defense, this is not the feisty team we saw last year. Thankfully, their receiving core is healthy, and their QB always steps up in the biggest moments. As a result, the Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans connection should be alive and well in this one.
Returning from a broken collarbone three weeks ago against the Falcons, Evans has led the team in targets twice and has not had fewer than seven targets in a game. Even with the breakouy of Emeka Egbuka, Evans is the leader of this pass attack and will be the one looked to in key situations.
The Panthers have been fairly stout against opposing wideouts. Averaging the 10th fewest fantasy points to receivers on the season, however, only the 15th fewest since Week 12. Evans is one of those receivers who can physically overpower any matchup. With the stakes sky-high, Evans should see plenty of work to come through for fantasy.
George Kittle (TE – SF)
The NFC title is on the line in this one. With the lime-light focusing on the Seahawks and Rams for most of the season, the 49ers snuck up and are playing for the division in the last week of the season. Last week, an ankle injury kept the star TE out for the thrilling game against the Bears. Not being ruled out until hours before kickoff should give fantasy managers hope that he will return this week against the Seahawks. If he does not, I will change this selection to Jake Tonges, who has filled in admirably.
The Seahawks defense has been incredible all season, fending off multiple turnovers from their offense and carrying them to close victories. However, the weakest spot of their defense has been against the TE. Still, they’re allowing the eighth fewest fantasy points to the position since Week 12.
Brock Purdy has been electric lately and may need to rely on his big TE making plays after the catch to move the chains. With five of his last six games finishing in the top six at the position, Kittle has returned to his elite ways. This should be an epic game on Saturday night. Sit back and enjoy this clash between two of the league’s best teams.
Nico Collins (WR – HOU)
The Texans still have a chance at winning the division and hosting a playoff game. If they win this week and the Jaguars lose to the Titans, the division is theirs. As a result, the Texans’ starters have a lot to play for against a Colts team that has completely collapsed. After starting the season 7-1, the Colts find themselves on the outside looking in, with Riley Leonard in line to get his first start.
Since Week 12, the Colts have allowed the most yards and receptions to opposing receivers. Collins is the driving force of this passing game, and without Sauce Gardner or Charvarius Ward, the Colts do not have a corner that can cover the alpha receiver. There is a world where the Texans’ defense puts this game to bed early, but if the Texans are moving the chains, Collins will be their guy. It may only take a couple of receptions for Collins to come through with a big fantasy day.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)
The NFL is wild sometimes. After many people had given up on Lawrence being a top-end QB, Liam Coen has this offense firing on all cylinders. With five of his last six games finishing as a top-seven QB, he is heating up at the right time. Last week, despite failing to pass for a touchdown, he used his legs to find a way to a QB5 finish. With four rushing touchdowns in his last three games, Lawrence has unlocked a great fantasy floor down the stretch.
In his five games before last week, Lawrence had 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions. This week, if they manage to beat the Titans, they secure a home playoff game and the division title. Over the last five weeks, the Titans have allowed the third most fantasy points to the QB position. This includes the fifth-most yards and seventh-most passing touchdowns over that stretch. If the Jaguars take control early, they may rest their starters; however, divisional games rarely get that out of hand, even against the Titans. Stay in the flames with TLaw to close out the NFL regular season.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT)
I’ll be honest, it took me way too long to realize how well Gainwell has been playing lately. After believing the passing back on a mediocre offense was not worth a lot for fantasy, my analysis discounted the BFF pact between Aaron Rodgers and his playmakers. Not to discredit how dynamic Gainwell has been in the receiving game, his 50 targets in his last nine games are incredible usage.
This week, the Steelers and Ravens are playing for both the division and a playoff spot. It is a classic AFC North duel to closeout the season and secure the final playoff spot. As a result, both defenses should step up to the task and pressure both MVP QBs to make big plays. With Rodgers’ limited rushing ability, this could easily turn into a game where Gainwell is targeted often. Thankfully, the Ravens have allowed the most receptions to the RB position since Week 12. I should have trusted the PPR scam of Gainwell for a while now, but better late than never.
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