Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 10, 2024, 8:20 ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Network: NBC/Peacock
Writer: Chris Helle
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Sit, QB2
Goff is having one of the best seasons out there by pure passing metrics, and yet he’s only QB15 in fantasy. The two main factors holding him back are that he provides no upside with added work on the ground, and the Lions have two stud RBs they like to feed. Detroit runs the ball at the 5th highest rate in the NFL, and Goff’s only two games above 20 points in fantasy came from him throwing for 300 yards and multiple TDs. He hasn’t thrown an interception since week 3, but it’s hard to be a high-end fantasy QB with only 15-20 pass attempts without adding any work with their legs.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB2
This tandem has been thunder and lighting all season: David Montgomery as the old-fashioned North-South runner and Jahmyr Gibbs as the explosive speedster. If you have either, or even if you have both, you’re starting them. The Lions have the 7th most rushing yards and 3rd most rushing TDs, so it’s plenty big enough pie to have a piece of.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: FLEX Option, WR3
Khalif Raymond: Sit
He may have had a few down weeks this season, but Amon-Ra St. Brown falls comfortably into the ‘start your studs’ category. Last season, he was probably the most consistent fantasy WR, but the few off weeks are nothing more than outliers for this offense’s clear #1. Jameson Williams is expected to return after his mandatory time off, but his usage is more indicative of a boom/bust asset that is a risk with a high upside to consider for your FLEX. Jamo had 20 targets in the first two weeks but only 10 in the four following weeks. The remainder of the receivers, including the special teams asset Khalif Raymond, are well behind St. Brown, Williams, and Sam Laporta.
Tight End
Sam Laporta: Start, TE1
After an incredible rookie season, Laporta managers must be frustrated with his lack of volume and production. His best game came two weeks ago, catching all 6 of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown – a 16.8 fantasy point performance is far from the ceiling we expected from him in preseason. With that said, Houston’s run defense is stronger than their secondary, and having Jameson Williams back to stretch the field vertically could open up the middle of the field for him. The targets haven’t quite been there yet this season, but at least he’s had 2 touchdowns in the last 4 weeks.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud: Sit, QB2
A parallel with Laporta: Stroud’s incredible rookie season has been followed up by a bit of a sophomore slump. He’s had two weeks of less than 10 points and only one game with more than 20. This week, he goes against a very strong Detroit defense that will likely put him under pressure more times than not. It’s been a rough past few weeks without either Nico Collins or Stefon Diggs. Should Nico return for this one, that would definitely help Stroud’s outlook, but it likely won’t be enough for Stroud to crack a top-12 QB finish. He’s only had 2 weeks better than QB14, and those were in Weeks 1 and 4 against poor Colts and Jaguars defenses with all 3 of his key receivers healthy.
Running Back
Joe Mixon: Start, RB1
Dameon Pierce: Sit
The rock that’s been keeping this offense afloat amongst the storm of injuries is Joe Mixon. Mixon is the RB3 in points per game, which may be going overlooked because he missed a few weeks early on with an ankle injury. Outside of weeks 2-5, he’s averaged 23 carries a game for well over 100 yards and at least 1 touchdown in each of those games. This will be his toughest matchup of the season, though, as the Lions have allowed the 5th fewest points to opposing RBs. He should still get the workload and be in your lineup, though, unlike the far-from-startable Dameon Pierce.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins: Start, WR2
Tank Dell: FLEX Option, WR3
Robert Woods: Sit
Nico managers and Texans fans rejoice for their team’s leading WR returning off IR, though it’s not all rainbows and sunshine as he’s yet to make it to the practice field. Nico was the WR1 from Weeks 1-4, but even if he plays, expectations should be tempered for the guy coming off a hamstring injury into a fairly difficult matchup. He would still deserve a start, though it wouldn’t be outlandish to expect his workload to be managed in his first game back as the Texans have a comfortable grip in the AFC South. The goose egg from Tank Dell in Week 7 should be seen as an outlier, as he’s scored between 13-18 fantasy points in the other 3 of his last four games. Dell can be considered for your FLEX spot despite the difficult matchup and likely deserves the start if Nico doesn’t play; however, the line is drawn firmly behind him for any other pass catchers, such as Robert Woods.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz: Sit
If there’s any praise to be said for Schultz, it’s that he’s consistent. Every week this season, he’s put up between 3-9 points and has never broken into a weekly top-20 finish in PPR. There should be better options on the waiver wire to consider picking up if you’re desperate to fill your TE slot.