NFL DFS Picks: Yahoo Plays and Strategy for Week 18

New York: The NFL Week 18 main slate kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. EST with 13 games. It’s the last week of the regular season, but the main slate skips Saturday’s matchups and the Sunday Night Football game. Yahoo is hosting several NFL DFS contests, including the big $100K Sunday Week 18 contest, which has a $100,000 prize pool for the top 1,144 finishers. You can enter up to 150 times, and even if the contest doesn’t fill, it’ll still run, giving you better odds to win.

When you’re playing in guaranteed prize pool contests, you want to aim for high upside. If you’re going for head-to-head or 50/50 formats, focus on players with a solid floor. The players you pick for these different types of contests can overlap, but to win a GPP, you often need to find a hidden gem or go against the crowd while still having a solid base of popular picks. Those against-the-grain plays usually involve big-name players in tough spots or boom-or-bust types.

Remember, Yahoo DFS uses 0.5 PPR scoring, which changes the value of wide receivers and running backs a bit. For your NFL $100K Sunday Week 18 lineup, you’ll need one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one FLEX, and one D/ST. Look for players who have something to play for or those who might benefit from teammates resting. This includes some budget-friendly QBs and RBs stepping into starting roles, plus a couple of rookies who have been on fire lately.

Joshua Dobbs from San Francisco is a solid pick at $20. He’s got a lot to prove, especially since the 49ers are out of playoff contention. He’s starting for the first time this season, and even though he’s been with the Cardinals and Vikings, he’s shown he can score. If San Francisco holds out some veterans, he’ll have some talented rookies to help him out against a Cardinals defense that’s struggled against rushing QBs.

For running backs, Bucky Irving at $33 is a great choice. The Buccaneers need a win against the Saints to secure their playoff spot, so expect them to run the ball a lot. Irving has been the clear top RB lately, racking up impressive yardage and scoring. He’s been a standout in this rookie class, and he’s been consistent in his performances.

At wide receiver, keep an eye on Brian Thomas at $35. He’s been on fire lately, catching a ton of passes and scoring multiple touchdowns. He’s been a bright spot for the Jaguars this season, and he’ll want to keep that momentum going against the Colts. Adam Thielen at $28 is also worth considering, especially since he’s the only reliable option for the Panthers right now.

For tight ends, Kyle Pitts at $13 could be a sneaky pick. He’s had a rough season, but he showed some good chemistry with his QB last week. He’s got a chance to shine against a Panthers defense that struggles against tight ends. Lastly, for defense, the Buccaneers at $15 are a solid choice. They’ll be playing hard to secure a playoff spot, and the Saints are dealing with injuries, making them vulnerable.