Week 18 is madness. We all know this.
As such, it’s important to stay as up-to-date as possible with all the roster news and coach speak heading into the final weekend of the NFL’s regular season, as there will be players resting left and right.
Still, when we talk about the uncertainty in Week 18, what we’re really talking about is the quarterback position. Whether it’s DFS or betting, you need to know who’s starting under center for each team. Allow me to help.
Below, you’ll find a list of starting QBs for Saturday and Sunday’s games. Make sure to check back throughout the week leading up to kickoff, as the news is sure to shift.
NFL Week 18 Starting Quarterbacks
Saturday
Browns vs. Ravens
CLE: Bailey Zappe
BAL: Lamar Jackson
After two very underwhelming DTR starts, it seems like Kevin Stefanski is ready to try anyone else at QB for Cleveland’s final game of the season.
Neither Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Bailey Zappe is all that appealing a DFS option, especially if there’s a chance the duo will be splitting snaps, as was reported earlier in the week. Still, it appears Zappe will get the first crack at the Ravens’ defense on Saturday.
Meanwhile, with the Ravens playing for the AFC North crown, Jackson will be out there as per usual. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the former first-round pick will be looking to pad his stats for an MVP chase, too.
Bengals at Steelers
CIN: Joe Burrow
PIT: Russell Wilson
Both of these teams should have something to play for in Week 18, though you’ll have to keep an eye if the Ravens win in the early game and cement the division.
Sunday
Giants at Eagles
NYG: Drew Lock
PHI: Tanner McKee
Who is starting for the Eagles is one of the week’s biggest mysteries. Even putting aside the fact that Philadelphia is locked into the two-seed and has nothing to play for, it’s impossible to know which of the team’s pivots is currently healthy. Jalen Hurts didn’t start in Week 17 after failing to clear the league’s concussion protocol, while Kenny Pickett left the victory over the Cowboys with a rib injury. Could we see more Tanner McKee?
UPDATE: Neither Jalen Hurts nor Kenny Pickett practiced for the Eagles on Thursday. It seems like things are trending in the direction of Tanner McKee.
Bears at Packers
CHI: Caleb Williams
GB: Jordan Love
I’d like to say there’s a chance you could ignore this contest completely, as the Packers do have seeding to play for in Week 18, but with a playoffs spot clinched, Green Bay might take the opportunity to get Love some rest. Keep an eye on this one.
Panthers at Falcons
CAR: Bryce Young
ATL: Michael Penix
The Falcons made the switch to Penix in Week 16 and there’s no turning back now.
Saints at Buccaneers
NO: Spencer Rattler
TB: Baker Mayfield
Mayfield will be under center for the Buccaneers as the team looks to book their ticket to the playoffs with a win. Rattler also appears to be in-line to make his third straight start and his sixth of the season. I mean, it’s not like Jake Haener has looked any better. It’s also worth noting that the Saints have yet to put Derek Carr on IR, but it feels very unlikely that he veteran will return on Sunday.
UPDATE: Rattler will start in Week 18.
Commanders at Cowboys
WSH: Jayden Daniels
DAL: Cooper Rush
Rinse and repeat the Packers situation with the Commanders. The two teams have clinched a playoff spot, yet their desire to play for the six-seed remains unclear. Daniels has battled injury the last couple months and Washington may decide the rookie could use a little rest heading into the Wild Card round.
Dallas’ situation is a little more complex. Cooper Rush will likely start against Washington, yet the veteran has a $500,000 incentive in his contract if he plays 55% of the Cowboys’ snaps this season. He’s closing in on that incentive. As such, there’s some thought that Dallas will try and save money by giving Trey Lance some reps in Week 18. Mike McCarthy didn’t really do much on Thursday to help dispel that notion.
Jaguars at Colts
JAX: Mac Jones
IND: Joe Flacco
Anthony Richardson missed Week 17’s loss versus the Giants due to a back injury — a defeat that eliminated the Colts from the playoffs — but the sophomore will apparently start if he’s healthy enough to do so. If not? It’s Flacco time yet again.
UPDATE: Flacco will start this Sunday’s game.
Texans at Titans
HOU: C.J. Stroud
TEN: Will Levis
Much like the Browns, the Titans are attempting to be as annoying as possible in Week 18. According to head coach Brian Callahan, both Mason Rudolph and Will Levis are in-line to play against the Texans. Woof. Just steer clear for DFS purposes.
UPDATE: On Friday, Callahan mercifully announced that Levis will make his first start since back in Week 15. However, Rudolph is still expected to see some action.
As for the Texans, it’s another situation that’s unclear. Houston is locked into the four-seed and will get a home game in the Wild Card round. So, in theory, you’d think DeMeco Ryans has the green light to rest Stroud and the rest of his key starters. However, the Texans’ offense has looked so bad in recent weeks that Ryans might want to give the No. 1 unit a few series to get back on track.
Bills at Patriots
BUF: Josh Allen
NE: Drake Maye
Here’s what we know: Josh Allen is going to start this game to keep his consecutive starts streak alive. Here’s what we don’t know: How long he’ll play. Sean McDermott said Allen will be out there for a “short” amount of time. I assume that means a series or two — at max.
When it comes to the Patriots, despite getting checked for a concussion in Week 17 and being limited in Wednesday’s practice by a hand injury, Drake Maye will start, per OC Alex Van Pelt. However, I’d be wary of getting too invested in DFS:
UPDATE: Maye is officially listed as questionable for Week 18.
Dolphins at Jets
MIA: Tyler Huntley
NYJ: Aaron Rodgers
As you would expect, the Dolphins are playing the status of Tua Tagovailoa pretty tight to the vest in what is a must-win game for their slim playoff chances. However, Mike McDaniel did say on Monday that Huntley will see a majority of the work in practice this week. Reading between the lines, and adding in how well Huntley played in Week 17, it feels like Snoop is more likely going to get the start on Sunday. Best case? Tua’s listed as questionable again.
UPDATE: It appears that Huntley is very much in line to start on Sunday. The Dolphins will prepare as such, with McDaniel stating Friday afternoon that Tagovailoa is unlikely to play.
Chiefs at Broncos
KC: Carson Wentz
DEN: Bo Nix
The Chiefs couldn’t even wait till Monday to announce that they’ll be resting Patrick Mahomes in Week 18 with the AFC’s top-seed all locked up. On the other side, the Broncos will need their rookie pivot to lead the team to victory and the conference’s final Wild Card spot.
Seahawks at Rams
SEA: Geno Smith
LAR: Jimmy Garoppolo
The Rams are fighting with the Buccaneers for the three-seed in the NFC, but it seems like Sean McVay doesn’t care about the higher seed. In an interview the team’s site, McVay hinted that Los Angeles will rest its starters, specifically citing Garoppolo as someone who will see an expanded role.
UPDATE: Jimmy Garoppolo will start Sunday, as the Rams will rest Matthew Stafford.
49ers at Cardinals
SF: Josh Dobbs
ARI: Kyler Murray
Purdy’s status was very much in the air for Week 18, as the QB was dealing with an elbow issue coming out of Monday’s loss to the Lions. However, that is no longer the case.
Look for Josh Dobbs to now get the start, as the veteran was the 49ers’ QB2 on MNF.
UPDATE: Josh Dobbs has been named San Francisco’s starting quarterback for Week 18.
Chargers at Raiders
LAC: Justin Herbert
LV: Aidan O’Connell
I’m guessing Herbert’s availability for this game hinges on the Steelers-Bengals result on Saturday. If Pittsburgh loses, the Chargers will have a chance to slide up into the five-seed with a win. That would give them a more favorable matchup against the reeling Texans. I’d assume that’s enough incentive for Herbert to start. If the Steelers win? Could be a different story.
Vikings at Lions
MIN: Sam Darnold
DET: Jared Goff
Biggest game of the week. Maybe the season. Both teams will be geared up to claim the NFC North and get the one-seed and the bye in the first-round of the playoffs.
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