Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 22nd @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Betting Odds: BLT -3, 42 total via PFF.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Start, QB1)
Is Jared Goff the QB for the best team in football? It’s hard to argue what the Lions have done through the first six weeks. They are winners of four straight, and Goff has put together strong back-to-back games. Between Week 5 and 6, Goff has thrown for 589 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Entering Week 7, Goff holds an 11:3 passing touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio, although the task will be a challenging one; the Ravens are one of the best defenses against fantasy QBs this season, allowing an average of 10 points per game to opposing signal callers, per CBS Sports. Even so, the Lions’ offense is hot, and you should continue to ride the Goff wave.
Running Backs
Jahmyr Gibbs (Start, RB2), Craig Reynolds (Start, FLEX), Devine Ozigbo (Sit)
Another ‘back bites the dust. David Montgomery exited the game on Sunday against the Buccaneers after suffering what has now been deemed to be a rib cartilage issue. On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell advised DMont will miss some time; but the length of time is unknown. With rookie Jahmyr Gibbs banged up the last two weeks, his return is much-needed. As of Monday, he is ‘trending in the right direction’ to play this week against Baltimore. His involvement coming off a hamstring injury – even with Montgomery out of the picture – is left to be seen. Craig Reynolds and Devine Ozgibo should no doubt see an uptick in touches, but Reynolds would be the option to consider out of the two.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Start, WR1), Jameson Williams (Start, FLEX), Josh Reynolds (Sit), Sam LaPorta (Start, TE2)
Amona-Ra St. Brown missed Week 5 with an abdomen injury, and exploded in his return last week against Tampa Bay. He caught 12 of 15 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown; good for 30.4 full-PPR points. It was his highest target count of the season, as well as game yardage. With Montgomery out, one would suspect the Lions to lean on their pass game more, which will bode well for ASRB.
Jameson Williams found pay dirt, and it saved his fantasy day, as he only had two receptions for 53 yards. With Williams back in the mix, the fantasy value of Josh Reynolds and Kaliff Raymond has taken a hit; and in a heavy BYE week, consider Jameson a FLEX option if you are in a bind.
Rookie TE Sam LaPorta was questionable with a calf injury leading up to Sunday morning last week, but did suit up and saw 11 targets. His output was quiet though despite the high target share, as he had four receptions for 36 scoreless yards. The Ravens are the number one team against the tight end position this year, allowing an average of two points per game to opposing TEs. Project for LaPorta to finish as a TE2 this week.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
The Ravens handled the Titans last week thanks to the leg of Justin Tucker, who successfully converted six field goals. Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 30 attempts for just 223 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, but did also turn 13 carries into 62 yards on the ground. It was his most yards on the ground since Week 3 (101 vs. the Colts), but he’ll need to step it up in the passing game to stay afloat with a high-powered Lions offense. According to CBS Sports, Detroit is allowing an average of 17 points per game to opposing QBs, which ranks them tied for 14th on the season.
Running Backs
Gus Edwards (Start if you must, FLEX), Justice Hill (Start if you must, FLEX), Keaton Mitchell (Sit)
In London against the Titans, Gus Edwards out-carried Justice Hill by double, 16 touches to 8, but was seemingly a non-factor in the passing game ‘in comparison’ to Hill. But hold that thought – Hill caught all three of his targets, yet they went for 0 yards; he scored three laughable points in PPR formats! The Lions have been the strongest run defense to opposing fantasy running backs this season, allowing the fewest points in the entire league. With the likes of Tony Pollard, Breece Hall, Derrick Henry, and Joe Mixon all on BYE this week, Edwards & Hill have FLEX appeal in you are in a bind.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Zay Flowers (Start, WR3), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
Welcome to the show, Zay Flowers. His first time finding the end zone in his NFL career came off one of his six receptions on the day against Tennessee. He was targeted eight times, and turned the six grabs into 50 yards. The Lions pretty much just kept Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in check last week to their standards, but Flowers will look to keep up his recent production.
Collectively, Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and Rashod Bateman have not been fantasy-relevant, which leaves Flowers as the only option offering starting potential in your lineups on the weekly. Mark Andrews turned six targets into four receptions for 69 nice yards, and should have a stronger game as the Lions’ defense has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to TEs this season.