In Week 18 last season, Carson Wentz was the QB2. Kendre Miller and La'Mical Perine were top-16 RBs. The top-12 WRs included Dontayvion Wicks, Quez Watkins, David Bell, Andrei Iosivas, and A.T. Perry. And both Will Dissly and Donald Parham were top-5 TEs. Four of these 10 players haven't even played this year. Several others have been mostly irrelevant.
We can/should expect more surprises this weekend, which might be good news for desperate managers with a lineup hole to fill. Except that probably won't happen today, where three of the four teams have something to play for. Baltimore's trying to lock down the AFC North title. Assuming the Ravens win, Pittsburgh can secure a somewhat coveted 5-seed with a win (more on that in a moment). And of course, Cincinnati is fighting for the final AFC playoff spot, needing a win and a lot more.
With Chase Brown questionable, the Bengals might be in an unusual backfield situation. Brown and Zack Moss have accounted for 303 of the team's 311 RB carries. Khalil Herbert has the other eight carries. If Brown sits, we cannot know for sure that Herbert will handle a full load. Yes, he's technically the #2 RB with Moss on IR. But the Bengals probably would activate Trayveon Williams. If Herbert struggles, it wouldn't be shocking to see Williams earn some run.
Regarding the Steelers, it would seem inconceivable (although anything is possible) for Pittsburgh to rest any starters, even if Baltimore prevails. Because the Steelers would then have two first-round scenarios: face either Baltimore on the road or Houston on the road. A win today would send Pittsburgh to Houston. That would seem to be much more favorable than going to Baltimore.
Finally, Cleveland could easily lose by 35+ points today. Fourth-string QB Bailey Zappe and third-string RB D'Onta Foreman will "lead" their offense. Maybe there's room for one more Jerry Jeudy miracle. But I wouldn't bet on it. More likely than not, Michael Woods, James Proche, Jamari Thrash, and Jordan Akins will account for more than half of the team's receiver targets.
Good luck today.
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