Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (quadriceps) will not practice with the team on Wednesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. Even if Pacheco's quadriceps injury isn't all that serious and he returns to practice later this week, he'll be a candidate to be rested in a meaningless Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The Chiefs have already announced that they will rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so Pacheco's fantasy value would be taking a pretty big hit if he actually sees any playing time this weekend. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) missed the Week 17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals but could be back this week and would likely serve as KC's lead back if Pacheco is rested. Other options in KC's backfield for this weekend include La'Mical Perine and Keaontay Ingram.

The Los Angeles Rams will start veteran quarterback Carson Wentz for the Week 18 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Matthew Stafford will get the week off as he prepares for another postseason run. L.A. has already qualified for the playoffs, but they can not earn any spot higher than the No. 6 seed. However, if the Rams lose and the Packers win on Sunday, L.A. will be dropped to the No. 7 seed. Either way, the decision is to roll with Wentz, who hasn't started a game in over a full calendar year. The 2016 No. 2 overall pick has thrown 151 touchdowns to 66 interceptions in stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Commanders during his seven-year NFL career prior to this season.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers with the team already locked into the No. 3 spot in the AFC for the postseason. Instead, Blaine Gabbert will make the start for the Chiefs while Mahomes rests up for the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. Mahomes might not be the only notable offensive player rested for the Chiefs, so fantasy managers still playing for a championship will need to be mindful that tight end Travis Kelce and others might get a day off. Mahomes and the Chiefs offense had a down year based on their high standards. The 28-year-old former Super Bowl MVP finishes his 2023 campaign as the QB7 in total fantasy points, throwing for 4,184 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 16 games.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson was expected to have a bigger role in the passing attack in the Week 17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with Kadarius Toney (hip) sidelined for the second straight game. Watson ended up catching one of his three targets, although it was a big play and went for a gain of 41 yards to put him second behind rookie Rashee Rice (127) in receiving yards on the day. With Toney out in last week's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Watson caught four of six targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. It's been really hard to trust any Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy this year not named Rice or Travis Kelce. Watson has had career-highs in catches (27), receiving yards (460) and touchdowns (three), but he's also caught one or fewer passes in seven of his 15 games played.

New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 16 of 26 passes for 209 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also took three sacks but did manage to rush for 37 yards and a score. Just one week removed from a big outing versus the Denver Broncos, Zappe crumbled in a divisional matchup on the road. The 24-year-old is still in the developmental phase of his career, flashing potential at times but also showing key areas where he needs to improve. He'll be relegated to the QB3 tier in fantasy football ahead of next week's clash versus a dominant New York Jets defense.