NFL Week 18 - Sunday News & Notes

Jan 05, 2025

∙ Paid

RB James Conner ruled OUT. Backup RB Trey Benson and 3rd string RB Emari Demercado are both on injured reserve.
RB Michael Carter "will get a bunch of carries, I'm sure."
Carter was drafted in the 4th round in 2021, ran for 639 yards as a rookie and had 7 rushing touchdowns in his first 2 seasons with the Jets. He has 7 career games with 60+ rushing yards.
Since their Week 9 bye, San Francisco’s run defense ranks 28th in EPA/play and 30th in success rate. Since Week 12 they have allowed:
- 106 rushing yards to Josh Jacobs
- 107 rushing yards to James Cook
- 108 rushing yards to Kyren Williams
- 120 rushing yards to De’Von Achane
- 117 rushing yards to Jahmyr Gibbs
Kyler Murray needs 50 rushing yards + 1 rushing touchdown for $750,000 in contract incentives

Atlanta Falcons

WR Darnell Mooney is INACTIVE
Atlanta needs a win and a Tampa Bay loss to clinch the NFC South division title

QB Mitchell Trubisky "will be out there for the majority of the reps." -- h/t Coachspeak
Buffalo only has 4 wide receivers and 3 tight ends active today. Expect to see WR Keon Coleman and WR Curtis Samuel on the field frequently on Sunday, with a heavy dose of the ground game from RB Ray Davis and RB Ty Johnson.
WR Mack Hollins needs 72 receiving yards for $200,000 in contract incentives.

QB Bryce Young, other starters will play.
RB Miles Sanders was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Backup RB Jonathon Brooks was already on injured reserve, paving the way for RB Miles Sanders to assume a rather significant workload in Week 18. We could also see RB Raheem Blackshear and RB Mike Boone involved as part of the team’s ground game today.
Since Week 10, Atlanta’s run defense ranks 9th in EPA/play and 17th in success rate.

RB Chase Brown is officially listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision for tonight’s matchup against the Steelers. Brown did not practice in any capacity this week for Cincinnati.
Brown suffered a right ankle injury in Week 17 and was unable to play in overtime against the Broncos. If he’s unable to play on Saturday, or if he’s limited in any capacity, expect RB Khalil Herbert to see an expanded workload. Herbert carried the ball 4 times for 23 rushing yards last week and is the only other Cincinnati running back to record a rush attempt since the team’s Week 12 bye.

Expect both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe to play quarterback for the Browns this weekend, with Zappe drawing the start.
TE David Njoku placed on injured reserve earlier this week, along with RB Jerome Ford and RB Pierre Strong. Cleveland could be facing a pass-heavy game script, with two of their top pass-catchers out and two of their top running backs inactive.
TE Jordan Akins had 6 receptions on 8 targets for 49 receiving yards in Week 17 against Miami, in weather conditions that made passing very difficult. The forecast is calling for colder temperatures in Baltimore in Week 18, but the winds should be much more manageable.
Akins was 2nd on the team with 5 first read targets in Week 17, behind only WR Jerry Jeudy.

"If there is a player in that situation, I’d be all for helping an individual get a personal milestone." -- h/t Coachspeak
Worth noting that WR Brandin Cooks led Dallas with 8 first read targets and 4 receptions in Week 17, w/o WR CeeDee Lamb available. Cooks is the only Dallas pass catcher with any amount of experience being a WR1 for any length of time.
QB Cooper Rush 156 yards from 2,000 passing yards in 2024
TE Jake Ferguson 18 yards from 500 receiving yards in 2024.
WR Jalen Tolbert 5 receptions away from 50 receptions in 2024.

“I think we’ve just seen his confidence grow as a receiver, as a runner and as a returner. It’s great to see. Obviously, it was an explosive play the other night and then the catch he makes at the end of the game was unbelievable,” Sean Payton commented regarding WR Marvin Mims earlier this week.
WR Courtland Sutton needs 82 receiving yards on Sunday for $500,000 in contract incentives. He will be facing a Kansas City defense that will be without more than half of their starters.
Denver needs a win or tie to clinch a playoff spot in the AFC.

LB Alex Anzalone could return for Week 18, per Dan Campbell. Anzalone last played a full allotment of snaps in Week 10, but would offer a much-needed boost to a struggling linebacker corps for Detroit.
Dan Campbell on RB Craig Reynolds: "We trust the heck out of him."
Full Game Preview for Vikings vs. Lions: https://rotogrinders.com/articles/vikings-lions-prediction-4095780
Player Props to Consider for Vikings vs. Lions: https://rotogrinders.com/articles/vikings-lions-nfl-player-props-4095783