It’s time for another update to your Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Tracker. We have finally arrived at the final week of the NFL season. For most, your fantasy season has likely concluded. This one is for those of you in those asinine leagues that play the last week of the season. Given how many starters are being rested around the league, you might actually need some help from the Raiders. We will provide some further analysis from last week’s game against the 49ers as well as some projections for this week.
All Raiders fantasy football stats from previous games will come from ESPN, and all points will be based on standard PPR formats.
2022 Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Tracker, Week 18
Derek Carr
Week 17 vs 49ers: Nothing (benched); Jarrett Stidham: 365 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 34 rush yards, 26 fantasy points
Season point total:Â 219.08 (14.6 ppg)
Analysis
Despite playing the NFL’s best defense, Stidham had a great debut. While he did throw a couple of picks, the former Patriot’s passing yards and touchdowns outweighed those by a lot. This Raiders quarterback may be a legitimate fantasy option.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): Carr benched, Jarrett Stidham: 296 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 18 rush yards, 19.64 pts
Stidham might be a decent emergency option this week. He faces much less competition this week than he did in his debut. However, the last time the Raiders faced the Chiefs, the game plan was to feed Josh Jacobs. If that is the case, it might hurt Stidham’s passing volume.
Josh Jacobs
Week 17 vs 49ers: 17 carries, 69 rushing yds, 1 rushing touchdown, 4 catches, 5 targets, 26 receiving yards, 19.5 pts
Season total: 321.3 (20.1 ppg)
Analysis
Jacobs had a solid game despite getting less than 20 carries for the second game in a row. He is clearly banged up. There were large stretches of the game where he was sidelined. The fact that he played as well as he did was actually quite remarkable.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): 21 carries, 116 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 4 catches, 4 targets, 22 receiving yds, 18 pts
Expect Jacobs to go out with a bang in this one. He may not have a ton left in the tank, but that tank is getting emptied in the season finale. This is his last chance to secure the biggest payday possible in the offseason. He hasn’t practiced this week, but I would be shocked if he did not play on Saturday.
Davante Adams
Week 17 vs 49ers: 7 catches, 11 targets, 153 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, 34.3 pts
Season total: 323.2 (20.2 ppg)
Analysis
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): 6 catches, 8 targets, 84 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 20.4 pts
This week’s matchup with the Chiefs will likely be a high-scoring affair. Adams should have another strong day. He remains a WR1.
Hunter Renfrow
Week 17 vs 49ers: 3 catches, 4 targets, 19 receiving yards, 4.9 pts
Season total: 59.7 (6.6 ppg)
Analysis
Renfrow played well once again. There were routes this week where he showed flashes of what allowed him to dominate last season. The problem is that flashes are all we seem to get with Renfrow anymore. He is just such a small part of the offense. At this point, he is firmly behind Mack Hollins.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): 5 catches, 6 targets, 45 receiving yards, 9.5 pts
Kansas City doesn’t have anyone that can keep up with Renfrow’s route running. Nevertheless, he won’t be used enough to take advantage. Expect another ho-hum game from Renfrow.
Darren Waller
Week 17 vs 49ers: 3 catches, 5 targets, 72 receiving yds, 1 touchdown, 16.2 pts
Season total: 79.3Â (9.9 ppg)
Analysis
Waller had a decent game that looked much better thanks to a long touchdown catch. Since returning to the lineup, he hasn’t been a major part of the offense. Nobody other than Adams has been able to truly stand out for more than a game or two.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): Â 5 catches, 7 targets, 56 receiving yds, 1 touchdown, 16.6 pts
Expect Waller to see a little more volume from the Raiders’ offense this week. Perhaps not that much more. It is still really hard to get a feel for how all of these pieces fit into Josh McDaniels’ offense. That being said, Waller is still a solid TE1 this week.
Daniel Carlson
Week 17 vs 49ers:Â 2/2 FG, 1 <39 yds, 1 >50 yds, 4/4 XP, 12 pts
Season Total:Â 150 (9.4 ppg)
Analysis
The scoring in this past game was great for Carlson. He was able to rack up some easy extra points. He also nailed two field goals. This new-look offense may be what Carlson needs to get back on track.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): 3/3 FG, 1 <39 yds, 1 40-49 yds, 1 >50 yds, 3/3 XP, 15 pts
Expect a ton of points in this one, especially from Carlson. The Raiders should move the ball well against Kansas City so he should have plenty of opportunities. He is still an elite fantasy kicker.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense/Special Teams
Week 17 vs 49ers: 1 INT, 37 PA, 454 YA, -6 pts
Season Total: 54 (3.4 ppg)
Analysis
Yikes, that was bad. That was far worse than last week’s projection of negative two. And to think that the negative six came despite earning two points for an interception. So that means the Raiders’ defense lost eight points from yards and points allowed. The lowest you can go is -12.
Projection
Week 18 vs Chiefs (projected): 1 sack, 34 PA, 443 YA, -3 pts
Don’t expect a unit that was just torched by Brock Purdy to fare much better against Patrick Mahomes. Still, I believe Maxx Crosby will get to him at some point. But it won’t be nearly enough to make this group worth starting. Even if you literally have zero other options, leave the Raiders on your bench and be happy to not lose points.
*Top Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images