Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 28th, 2024, 12:30 ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Network: CBS
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: Sit, QB2
Last week’s game against the Vikings was a step in the right direction for QB Caleb Williams, but he’s still showing signs of rookie rust, especially when it comes to taking poor sacks. He gets one of the toughest tests of the season in a road matchup against the hungry Detroit Lions, who have not allowed a QB to throw for multiple TD passes a single time this season. With all 32 teams playing, leave Williams on your bench in single-QB leagues. He’s a back-end QB2 for those of you in Superflex formats.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: FLEX Option, RB3
Roschon Johnson: FLEX Option, RB3
It’s been feast or famine for D’Andre Swift in 2024, and against the Lions’ smothering defensive line, I expect he’ll be missing out on a Thanksgiving feast this week. The Lions allow the second-fewest points to fantasy RBs, and when you couple that with what will likely be an unfavorable game script for the Bears’ RBs, it’s tough to recommend Swift as anything more than a FLEX option against his former team. The same goes for Roschon Johnson — for both of these players, you’re probably hoping they fall into the end zone to return value.
Wide Receiver
D.J. Moore: Start, WR2
Rome Odunze: FLEX Option, WR4
Keenan Allen: FLEX Option, WR4
What is it with these NFC North receiving corps and failing to give us any sense of fantasy clarity? Much like the Packers, the Bears have a trio of talented receivers in D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen that make it difficult to trust any of them week-to-week despite their respective upsides. My top play of the three this week is Moore, the supposed alpha who has posted stronger numbers since the change at offensive coordinator. His 106 yards last week were a season high. If Carlton Davis is out for Detroit, that makes Moore’s path to a solid day even more clear. He’s a back-end WR2 for me since the Lions are still a stingy defense all around. The other two Bears receivers are lower-upside FLEX options for me this week with all 32 teams playing. If I had to pick one, I would pick Allen for his safer floor. The Lions are softer against slot receivers than players on the outside. Odunze still has the higher ceiling and big-play potential, but I’d probably look elsewhere for your FLEX spot this week.
Tight End
Cole Kmet: Sit, TE2
Last week was a step in the right direction for Cole Kmet, who received more targets (10) in Week 12 than he did in the previous four games since returning from bye (8). His usage is simply too sporadic to trust this week, especially against the defense that allows the fewest points to TEs in the league.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Streaming Option, QB2
Jared Goff has played some truly fantastic football this year for the Detroit Lions, but that doesn’t always translate to fantasy success. Goff has thrown for 3+ TDs three times this season, but there have also been plenty of games in which the Lions have relied on their dominant ground game to overwhelm their opponents. The latter recipe feels more likely this Thanksgiving, as the Bears are tough on QBs, allowing the second-fewest points to the position, but are relatively vulnerable on the ground. Goff is a fine mid-tier QB2 or streaming option since he commands this high-powered offense, but this feels like a Sonic & Knuckles game to me. Speaking of which…
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB1
I have both Lions RBs ranked as strong RB1 options this week against the Bears, with Jahmyr Gibbs being ranked slightly higher due to his stronger pass-catching and big-play upside. David Montgomery missed most of the second half of last week’s game with a shoulder injury but had his pads and helmet back on in the 4th quarter, indicating he could have come back in if needed. I would be shocked to see him miss this game against his former team. Both backs are strong weekly plays and have a good chance to score (perhaps even multiple times) against the Bears on Thursday.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: FLEX Option, WR3
Amon-Ra St. Brown is currently listed as questionable, but like Montgomery, there’s simply no way he will miss this game. He’ll be ranked as a back-end WR1 this week as opposed to a high-end option because the Bears have some formidable corners in Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson. If the game script does favor the ground game, we might not see the top-tier options we’ve come to expect from the Sun God. Still, you aren’t going to sit him. Jameson Williams is the poster child for a boom-bust receiver, but he’s received a higher target share this season to (mostly) make those busts more palatable. I have him ranked as a solid WR3/FLEX option with a high ceiling due to his ability to make your week with one play.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Streaming Option, TE2
We just aren’t seeing the same usage or nose for the end zone that we saw in 2023 from Sam LaPorta. His spike weeks this year have coincided with his TDs, meaning he’s a touchdown-or-bust option until we see him utilized more in the passing game again. Start him if you must, but I’m more confident in names like Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and even Will Dissly right now.