Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 8:20 PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Network: NBC/Peacock
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: Start, QB1
Stafford should have his top two pass catchers healthy for Week 1. The Lions’ defense is on the rise, but it may struggle to keep up with the Sean McVay offense. Stafford should flirt with QB1 numbers this week and has a chance to lead the league in passing yards in Week 1.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: Start, RB1
Blake Corum: Sit
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Blake Corum, Kyren Williams. This is the debate we have had most recently after McVay’s “Kyren is a kick returner” comments. The reality is Kyren should be the guy in Los Angeles until he can’t be. Now, will that be in week three or week 13? I am not sure, but I am 95% sure it won’t be in Week 1. Corum should remain on your bench and could move into handcuff+ territory as the season progresses.
Wide Receiver
Puka Nacua: Start, WR1
Cooper Kupp: Start, WR2
Nacua has been cleared for Week 1, and both he and Kupp should bring premier production. Nacua is my bet to lead in fantasy points this week, but it is hard to argue against a fully healthy Kupp—both land inside my top 15 wide receivers for the week.
Tight End
Sit All
The one position on the Rams that I avoid for fantasy football purposes is the tight end position. You should, as well.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Start, QB1
Goff may be more boring than the top signal callers in the league, but he is this year’s Kirk Cousins. A player who, while uninspiring, puts up premier production with his passing efficiencies. In Week 1, he faces a Rams defense that has a lot of potential but is also very young and inexperienced. This is the best time to play the Rams, and it bodes well for all Lions players.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB2
The Lions’ running backs are both primed for a big matchup against the Rams. With the Rams’ additions to their defensive line, I would not be surprised to see Gibbs get some extra run, even with his lingering hamstring concerns. Still, you can feasibly play both Lions backs as your RB1 and RB2 and find your team in a strong position.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: Sit
Probably the safest wide receiver in the NFL, St. Brown gets the volume for elite production while also posting elite YAC metrics. He is my WR2 overall on the week ahead of both Rams pass catchers. Williams has a chance to revive his career this season in Detroit. That being said, the odds are stacked against him. Even if he can stay on the field, Williams is, at best, the fourth option in the offense, tremendously limiting his ceiling.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
LaPorta, the reigning TE1 overall, enters his second season firmly entrenched as an elite fantasy option. He is an autostart regardless of who he plays and a top-three option in Week 1.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.