The last week of the NFL regular season has arrived, and that means final preparation for the postseason. For some teams, including the Ravens and Steelers, that could mean it’s do-or-die to earn a playoff berth or boost seeding.
With that said, Saturday and Sunday will have little impact on some franchises, meaning starters could get much-needed breaks. What NFL teams are resting starters in Week 18?
Below, we’ll circle some resting players and how that could impact player projections on PrizePicks and payouts at PrizePicks Team Picks.
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Green Bay Packers (9-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Vikings -7.5 | Over/Under: 36.5
Are the Packers Resting Starters?
Green Bay has clinched the No. 7 slot in the NFC. With that said, the Packers are expected to rest starters as they prep for the postseason with a 9.09x payout to win the NFC, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Packers QB Jordan Love cleared concussion protocol but will not play on Sunday. Backup QB Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring) is questionable and WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) holds a doubtful status. RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) and WR Jayden Reed (illness) have been cleared, but their potential workloads remain up in the air as of Saturday morning.
Are the Vikings Resting Starters?
Despite the Vikings being eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15, there’s been no indication of Minnesota resting starters for Sunday’s NFC North clash. As 7.5-point favorites, the Vikings aim to add to their four-game winning streak.
This roster is not without injuries, though, as RB Aaron Jones (hip) and TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) will miss the season finale.
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) vs. Houston Texans (11-5) — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Texans -10.5 | Over/Under: 39.5
Are the Colts Resting Starters?
Following six consecutive losses, Indianapolis will bench QB Philip Rivers and start rookie QB Riley Leonard. Outside of a QB evaluation, the Colts are looking to roll out their starters.
Are the Texans Resting Starters?
Houston has plenty at stake in Week 18. The Texans could clinch the AFC South and earn the No. 3 seed with a win and a Jaguars loss. A win from Houston will guarantee at least the fifth seed, but a loss would put the Texans in play for the sixth and seventh spots.
Texans CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee) could be the lone starter out; RT Trent Brown (ankle/knee, questionable) is the only other one that could sit. Houston, trying to keep up its momentum, has emerged as a Super Bowl sleeper with a 10x payout to win it all, per PrizePicks Team Picks.
Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) vs. New York Giants (3-13) — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Cowboys -3.5 | Over/Under: 48.5
Are the Cowboys Resting Starters?
There’s been no official indication that the Cowboys will rest starters in bulk. While Dallas QB Dak Prescott is expected to start, he hinted at not playing the entire game. Second-string QB Joe Milton may get some time under center.
If Milton takes over the offense, key starters like WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens could move to the bench, too. RB Javonte Williams (shoulder/neck) was ruled out on Friday, while TE Jake Ferguson (calf) was cleared to play.
Are the Giants Resting Starters?
Following last week’s 34-10 win against the Raiders, New York’s chance of securing the No. 1 pick for the 2026 NFL Draft dropped to 20%, via ESPN Analytics. The Giants’ days of “tanking” for the top selection look to be over, as proven by interim coach Mike Kafka stating he plans to play starters “all the way through.”
New York has a long list of injuries, with WR Wan’Dale Robinson (rib), TE Theo Johnson (illness), DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (ankle/toe), S Jevon Holland, and CB Cor’Dale Flott (knee) all out. Superstar DT Dexter Lawrence did not practice on Thursday and Friday due to illness, putting his status in question.
Arizona Cardinals (3-13) vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-5) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Rams -7.5 | Over/Under: 44.5
Are the Cardinals Resting Starters?
As one of four teams sitting at 3-13, Arizona is in contention for a top-five 2026 NFL Draft pick. Despite that, the Cardinals are not expected to rest starters.
The starting lineup will be without WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) and LG Evan Brown (personal). DE Josh Sweat (ankle/knee) is questionable for Sunday.
Are the Rams Resting Starters?
Los Angeles is out of contention in the NFC West and will have a wild-card seed for the playoffs. That would lead many to believe starters will rest, yet head coach Sean McVay quickly stated starters will play following Week 17’s loss against the Falcons.
Perhaps the Rams will look to rest players in the second half with a big lead. For now, we have to assume key players will be in action. According to the injury report, RB Kyren Williams (ankle), RB Blake Corum (ankle), and WR Davante Adams (hamstring) are questionable.
Washington Commanders (4-12) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Eagles -3.5 | Over/Under: 39.5
Will the Commanders Rest Starters?
Washington is another team in tank territory, carrying a 4-12 record, yet the Commanders are expected to roll out most of their starters.
On offense, though, Washington QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) and QB Marcus Mariota (hand/quad) will be out, leaving the offense to third-string QB Josh Johnson.
Will the Eagles Rest Starters?
With the NFC East locked up, Philadelphia is one of few teams expected to rest most of its starters. The Eagles could still secure the No. 2 seed with a win and a Bears loss. At worst, Philly will carry the third seed in the NFC.
Resting players could include key cogs like QB Jalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, WR A.J. Brown, and WR DeVonta Smith. Injuries include Philadelphia TE Dallas Goedert (knee), DT Jalen Carter (hip), EDGE Jaelan Phillips (ankle), and LB Nakobe Dean (hamstring).
New York Jets (3-13) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-5) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Bills -7.5 | Over/Under: 36.5
Will the Jets Rest Starters?
New York is in desperate need of a franchise QB and could score a top-five draft pick this weekend. While a loss would likely help the Jets in the long run, they are not resting starters to close the 2026 campaign.
New York RB Breece Hall (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s matchup, and RB Isaiah Davis (concussion) and TE Mason Taylor (neck) are out. Undrafted rookie QB Brady Cook will have another audition with a start on Sunday.
Will the Bills Rest Starters?
Despite Buffalo QB Josh Allen not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday (foot), coach Sean McDermott said Friday afternoon that the Bills’ superstar signal-caller is “good to go” for Sunday
While the Patriots won the AFC East, Buffalo could still boost its seeding. For example, a win paired with the Texans and Chargers losing would lock up the fifth spot.
With Allen active, the Bills could play most starters. The injury report includes TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) and DE Joey Bosa (hamstring) being out, while DT DaQuan Jones (calf) and S Jordan Poyer (hamstring) are out.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Broncos -13.5 | Over/Under: 39.5
Will the Chargers Rest Starters?
Los Angeles is in position for the sixth seed and would move to the fifth spot with a win and a Texans loss. That looks challenging with several key players resting, including QB Justin Herbert and RB Omarion Hampton.
Adding to the limited rotation, L.A. LT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) are battling injuries. With QB Trey Lance leading the charge, the Bolts are major 13.5-point underdogs on the road.
Will the Broncos Rest Starters?
Denver has plenty to play for this week, as a win would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They could be fired up, hence the 13.5-point spread.
They even have a limited injury report, including DE John Franklin-Myers (hip) and LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring). This one could get ugly, which may mean starters sit late in Sunday’s bout.
Make NFL Week 18 Picks on PrizePicks
In the final week of the regular season, keep tabs on the latest news for potential resting starters. Some squads, including the Packers and Eagles, have still yet to give official designations for who is sitting out.
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