Sadly, we’ve arrived at the final week of the 2022-23 NFL season. As usual, this last slate is comprised of all division matchups, providing fantasy football players with a potential extra edge if the right buttons are being pressed based on rivalry histories. With that, let’s analyze what QBs the Parlay4 app has to offer.
@ GB
Dak Prescott @ WAS
Aaron Rodgers vs. DET
Geno Smith vs. LAR
Aaron Rodgers Over/Under 16.6 Fantasy Pts
What a spot this is for Aaron Rodgers. A playoff berth is on the line against a very familiar opponent whom he’s dominated.
That would be the Detroit Lions, who to their credit, actually remain in the postseason picture as well for the first time in awhile. Unfortunately for them, however, it won’t matter opposite Rodgers.
The future Hall-of-Famer is a remarkable 18-7 against Detroit in 25 meetings throughout his brilliant 18-year career. Furthermore, Rodgers owns a stellar 105.8 passer rating in these encounters while tossing 53 TDs compared to only 11 picks.
In his lone matchup versus the Lions this season, Rodgers notched season highs of 291 passing yards and 40 rushing yards, albeit with an extremely rare three interceptions. Don’t anticipate the 39-year-old duplicating that latter stat, though; not with big implications at stake.
Detroit is yielding more points per game on the scoreboard (25.7) this year than all but two teams (Vikings, Bears), and in addition to that, they’re also allowing more passing yards per game (249.4) than all but two teams (Vikings, Titans) as well. While they held Green Bay to just nine points in their early-November game, there’s no chance that happens again.
Expect a vintage Rodgers performance to complete the comeback from disappointing year to postseason cameo — if not more. He’ll supply the usual stats.
Pick: OVER 16.6 Fantasy Pts
The Rest
Much of how the Lions have shocked the world to go from 1-6 to competing for a playoff berth on the last day of the season can be traced to the season of Jared Goff.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick is having a terrific campaign, even being one of only seven quarterbacks to enter Week 18 with a passer rating above 100.0. However, this might be a tough going for Goff — not just because of the added pressure — but also due to the matchup.
The Pack are one of seven D units this year to be holding opposing QBs below 200 yards on a weekly basis. Additionally, they’re tied for the third-most INTs, too.
As for our two other options, Dak Prescott can be passed on in a game in which he’ll be squaring off with another rigorous defense. Washington fares well against the pass, plus the Cowboys could opt to take it easy with their QB1 if things are well in hand with playoffs on the horizon.
Geno Smith, meanwhile, will be in a spot where his Seahawks must win in order to have a shot at cracking the postseason. His performance the last handful of weeks has been a little uneven, though, and we’d rather want to avoid that inconsistency.