Katz’s Fantasy QB Week 18 Start/Sit: How Should You Handle Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield?

Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating or most rewarding part of fantasy football. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks. Let’s look at our Week 18 start/sit plays for the QB position.

Which QB Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?

Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (vs. PHI)

Apparently, I’m the Tyrod Taylor guy for Week 18 — I just love the way he’s played this season for the New York Giants. He looks like a guy who still has a few good years left and someone who — given the caliber of quarterbacking we’ve seen in the NFL this year — deserves a chance to start.

Taylor will be out to prove himself in one final game against the Philadelphia Eagles — a team against which he threw for 200 yards and ran for 24 in a mere two quarters when these teams played two weeks ago.

The Eagles allow 20.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks — just 0.1 behind the Washington Commanders for the most in the league.

Additionally, Philadelphia’s HC Nick Sirianni suggested he may pull starters at some point in the game if the Dallas Cowboys have their game well in hand. Taylor is poised to end the season on a high note.

Which QB Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)

I firmly believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will defeat the Carolina Panthers to secure another NFC South crown. I don’t expect Baker Mayfield to play a big role in doing so, though.

In Week 13, Mayfield posted just 10.88 fantasy points against Carolina. The Bucs still won the game. Why? The Panthers can’t stop the run.

While Rachaad White has struggled with efficiency as a runner this season, he’s been effective against porous run defenses. He should have no trouble carrying the load this week, which limits what Mayfield has to do against a pass defense allowing 13.5 fantasy PPG to quarterbacks — the fewest in the league.

Trending Searches for QB Start/Sit

Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!

It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!

Should You Start Taylor or Nick Mullens?

The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer has this one pretty close. Tyrod Taylor is projected for 13.9 points, 0.6 fewer than Nick Mullens.

I certainly get the appeal of Mullens. He’s a gunslinger. He’s willing to take shots downfield and chase a big play. With that, though, comes what got him benched for Jaren Hall in the first place — turnovers. After all, there’s a reason Mullens isn’t a starting NFL quarterback.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

Mullens got the start when the Minnesota Vikings played the Detroit Lions two weeks ago. He cost the Vikings the game with his four interceptions, but fantasy managers will take the 411 yards and two touchdowns that came along with it.

With that said, I don’t think head coach Kevin O’Connell wants Mullens airing it out that much. It’s tough to run on the Lions’ pass-funnel defense, but safer throws and an emphasis on protecting the football are to be expected.

I just really like Taylor this week. He’s played well, and I expect him to finish the season strong, even if his team doesn’t win the game. Give me Taylor, but it is close.

Should You Start Mayfield or Geno Smith?

My worries about Mayfield seem to increase every day. While I fully expect him to play through his rib injury, he’s clearly not 100%. Geno Smith is.

Both of these quarterbacks need to win to make the playoffs, but Smith has the far more favorable matchup against an Arizona Cardinals defense allowing 19.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fifth most in the league.

While I still think Mayfield does enough to get the Bucs the win, the Seahawks will need Smith to be the catalyst for their potential victory.

The Start/Sit Optimizer has Smith projected for 17.0 points and Mayfield for 16.0. I agree and would start Smith in Week 18.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!