Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season delivered explosive performances from several elite fantasy assets, with quarterbacks and skill players putting up massive numbers in what proved to be a high-scoring finale to the regular season. Fantasy managers who trusted their studs were rewarded handsomely, while some of the season's most trusted names disappointingly underperformed down the stretch.
Must-Starts: Week 18 Elite Performers
Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) — RB: 35.3 pts
Stevenson dominated in Week 18 with 131 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, adding 2 receptions for 22 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. He was on the field for 47% of snaps but made every one of them count with a truly elite performance.
This was a textbook example of why Stevenson was a must-start in Week 18. Despite limited snap share, he found the end zone 3 times and racked up 153 total yards, proving he was the focal point of the New England offense.
Mitchell Trubisky (TEN) — QB: 28.9 pts
Trubisky was near-perfect in Week 18, completing 259 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes while appearing in 99% of offensive snaps. He did not record a rushing attempt or rushing touchdown.
Any fantasy manager starting Trubisky in Week 18 hit the jackpot. Four passing touchdowns on solid yardage made him one of the week's top performers at the quarterback position, delivering elite week-winning value.
Zay Flowers (BAL) — WR: 29.8 pts
Flowers caught 4 passes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns while commanding 98% of Baltimore's offensive snaps. His explosive output made him one of the week's most dominant wide receivers.
Flowers was a clear must-start heading into Week 18, and he delivered in spades with a massive yardage total and a pair of scores. His near-universal snap rate signaled his role as a core offensive weapon.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) — QB: 26.7 pts
Stafford threw for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns in Week 18, appearing in 96% of Los Angeles snaps. He posted a near-identical stat line to Trubisky with slightly lower overall fantasy points.
Stafford's four-touchdown performance made him a fantastic start in Week 18 for fantasy managers who trusted the veteran signal-caller. His efficiency and TD production were impossible to ignore.
Strong Starts: Reliable Options
- Alec Pierce (IND) — WR: 29.2 pts - Caught 4 passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns on 68% snap rate, delivering late-season value at the position.
- Ray Davis (BUF) — RB: 25.4 pts - Rushed for 151 yards with 1 touchdown, adding 2 receptions for 23 yards on 64% snap share in a strong complement to Bill Belichick's gameplan.
- Tyrone Tracy (NYG) — RB: 27.9 pts - Accumulated 103 rushing yards with 8 receptions for 56 yards and 1 touchdown on 69% snap rate, showing his dual-threat versatility.
- Puka Nacua (LAR) — WR: 26.0 pts - Racked up 10 receptions for 76 yards and 1 touchdown, adding 24 rushing yards as a high-volume target on 69% of snaps.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) — WR: 24.9 pts - Led all receivers in receptions with 11 catches for 139 yards on 95% snap rate, proving his elite target share.
- Colston Loveland (CHI) — TE: 25.1 pts - Hauled in 10 receptions for 91 yards and 1 touchdown on 91% snap rate, delivering top-four tight end production for the week.
Tough Sits: Disappointing Weeks
- Tee Higgins (CIN) — WR: 18.7 pts - Despite strong opportunity and 87% snap rate, Higgins managed only 6 receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown. Many fantasy managers expected more from him on what should have been a plus matchup.
- Justin Jefferson (MIN) — WR: 18.4 pts - One of the season's most elite receivers finished Week 18 with 8 catches for 101 yards and no touchdowns. His inability to find the end zone left fantasy managers who drafted him early feeling unfulfilled.
- Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) — WR: 23.6 pts - While Chase posted solid numbers with 8 receptions for 96 yards and 1 touchdown on 100% snap rate, managers who expected him to be higher on the scoring list were left wanting more production relative to his elite season-long performance.
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