The closing week of the 2024 NFL regular season has arrived, and fantasy football managers are prepping for their final lineup decisions. Most leagues are entering playoffs, heightening the stakes for every player update and projection. This week, we focus on key players, including running backs Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders, Kendre Miller of the New Orleans Saints, Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tyler Allgeier of the Atlanta Falcons, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants.
Starting with Robinson, he's not listed on the injury report this week and is on track to play against the Dallas Cowboys, according to PFN. This week, Robinson is projected to score approximately 15.7 fantasy points, with expectations of around 20.6 rushing attempts for 82.5 yards and half a touchdown, along with the possibility of 1.1 receptions for 25.9 yards. While he has been one of the more reliable players through the early part of the season—ranking as the 14th most valuable running back during the first four weeks—his performance has dipped. He managed to only hit RB14 or higher once since then, grappling with both health and efficiency concerns.
The matchup against the Cowboys could offer mixed expectations. They fell from being among the top ten defenses to ranking poorly this season, particularly concerning run defense. The Commanders will likely test their luck with Robinson, but judging by the struggles against Dallas witnessed earlier this season, it’s uncertain how effective Robinson will be, especially with several receptions he can rely on.
Turning to the Saints, Kendre Miller has been ruled out for Week 18, ending his season as he continues to be monitored through concussion protocol. With Miller out, Clyde Edwards-Helaire will likely step up as the lead back. His addition marked a shifting dynamic just as Miller was showing promise, but the ineffectiveness of the Saints' offense casts doubts on any running game's potential. Analysts suggest avoiding New Orleans' rushing squad due to their current inefficiencies; the team is struggling without clear distribution or effectiveness.
Miller’s absence has led to projections forecasting zero points for him this week, underlining the futility of this backfield. The Saints play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have shown recent defensive decency yet struggle against the run historically, making it even tougher for fantasy owners to place confidence in any Saints runners.
Next, Travis Etienne is also on track to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Indianapolis Colts. Although not currently listed on the injury report, his snaps this season have fluctuated significantly. Most recently showing inconsistency—at times sharing carries with Tank Bigsby—Etienne is only expected around 12.5 fantasy points this week. This includes projections of 12.2 rushing attempts for 53 yards and roughly 0.4 touchdowns. With such uncertainty around snap counts, managers should tread carefully.
Etienne’s performance against the Colts will be key as they have allowed significant production on the ground, leading to his position as one of the more confusing fantasy commodities lately. The Jaguars have performed during various stretches, and success depends on their offensive cohesion against the Colts' struggling defense.
When it pertains to Tyler Allgeier of the Atlanta Falcons, expectations are relatively low. He is projected to score 11.1 points, receiving forecasts of 14.5 rushing attempts for approximately 65 yards, with the potential for 0.3 touchdowns. Allgeier has shown promise, particularly early this season, but his role has mostly become secondary to Bijan Robinson. The Falcons face the Panthers, whose defensive inconsistencies might lead to opportunities, but Allgeier's committee role limits his fantasy reliability overall.
Finally, Tyrone Tracy Jr. from the Giants faces the Philadelphia Eagles. While Tracy has shown flashes of potential recently, his inconsistent yardage gain implies he could be set up only for flex-level output this week. Projected returning around 13.4 fantasy points, the Giants offense's struggles can dampen any excitement surrounding Tracy’s involvement against the Eagles. Tracy may see significant touches, but with volume lacking efficiency and overall offensive strength, managers may be apprehensive to bank on him for substantial points.
Given the current state of player updates leading to Week 18, fantasy football managers must pivot quickly based on performance projections, injury updates, and matchup insights. Each player’s analysis above offers insights for those corresponding choices, pushing readers to make informed decisions as the regular season wraps up and the playoff picture solidifies.