NFL · January 4, 2026

The AMBUSH – Week 18

Folks, this is straight up a Jimmy Key slate.

Tyler Shough (DK: $28, FD: $3)

Let’s be real, he’ll be in a top line-up of mine, but I dont want to force that upon all of you…  Actually, yes, yes, I do.  Shough it baby.

Joe Burrow (DK: $6700, FD: $8700)

You should be reaching deep and throwing out conventional wisdom on a slate like this.  Sure, the Browns defense is good.  I get it.  But something about this game just keeps kicking at me.  Almost so much that I want to consider using Shadeur Sanders as well.

ALSO LIKE

  • Chris Oladukun

 

Travis Etienne (DK: $7100, FD: $7700)

I just watched the Saints gash the Titans rush defense live a week ago and couldn’t believe my eyes with what the Saints had in the backfield to do that with.  There’s no way possible that the Jaguars cannot get 150+ total rushing yards today if they put their mind to it and the recent workload is definitely on Etienne to get them there.

Ashton Jeanty (DK: $6400, FD: $7400)

Am I missing something here?  A game neither team gives two shits about and probably will rest lots of key veterans on defense while Jeanty just comes in and probably gets the ball 20 times.  I really don’t see an easier play on the entire slate for hitting value.

James Cook (DK: $7900, FD: $9000)

Cook could very well have 20 FPTS by 2:00 pm today as the Bills are going to be easy with Josh Allen and have their spot basically secured with the division title gone.  It’s the final home game (for now) in this stadium and the Bills are not going down to the Jets here.  Him and Ray Davis could also be played together here.

ALSO LIKE

  • Dylan Sampson (CLE) – Well, someone on the Browns has to score to make this interesting, right?
  • Bijan Robinson (ATL)
  • Kyren Williams/Blake Corum (LAR) – Pending injury news, these would be my #2 plays if we can get one of them in and the other out.

 

JaMarr Chase (DK: $8500, FD: $9500)

My stud today, although we can probably fit two big WR in with all the value at WR3 and TE.

Hollywood Brown (DK: $4000, FD: $5300)

The Chiefs are gonna throw the ball this week.  I believe that heavily as the Raiders will have no pass rush and they can let the kid sling it a bunch.  This means Ju-Ju and Hollywood Brown should get plenty of chances with Worthy out.

Kevin Austin (DK: $3400, FD: $5400)

I really wanted Tipton to get healthy for this game – but I think he is finally dead to me.  Kevin Austin’s got one thing that is critical here — size.  Shough has limited options in the passing game, and especially in the red zone.  I think he’s a great play, but unfortunately will be the chalky value play.

ALSO LIKE

  • Puka Nacua – He would be the #2 guy.  Just dont have enough truth from the Rams, and that game in general is the enigma and slate deciding game in my mind.  If both RB are out then holy shit load up on Puka.
  • Elic Ayomanor
  • Jayden Higgins
  • Jalin Hyatt

 

Colston Loveland (DK: $3900, FD: $5300)

One thing I really hate about Week 18 is the pricing is completely thrown out the window.  Any other week Loveland would be the best play on the board because of the salary relief his 5 catch, 50 yard, 2 TD game gives us.  The Lions are middle of the road vs TE’s and with Caleb for sure throwing for the 4k mark he’ll want to get some of those easy ones to Loveland as the WR remain banged up after Burden.

ALSO LIKE

  • Dalton Schultz
  • Travis Kelce

 

LA RAMS 

The Rams are obvious 13.5 favorites, but they are in an interesting spot.  Both RB are banged up & with a win they stay as the #5 seed to go face Carolina or Tampa.  With a loss though they’re going to Philly most likely.  Do they just shut it all down and try to take on Philly in round 1?  I doubt it.  So this is gonna be on their defense to come through.  Brissett can turn it over a few times and give us a late afternoon Defensive Touchdown.

ALSO LIKE

  • Bills
  • Broncos
  • Saints

 

FAVORITE PLAYS

Ashton Jeanty

Travis Etienne

JaMarr Chase

Colston Loveland

 

FAVORITE ALL IN GAME STACKS

NO/ATL

CLE/CIN

KC/LV

 

FAVORITE BETS

Chiefs/Raiders OVER 36.5

Browns/Bengals OVER 45.5

Jets/Bills UNDER 37.5

Saints +3.5

Texans -10.5

Bears -3.5

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