Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Network: FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
Here’s a sentence we didn’t expect to type after Week 1: Baker Mayfield finished as the overall QB2 to open the season, throwing for four touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. Now, Mayfield travels to Ford Field in a rematch against the team that ended the Bucs’ season in the Divisional Round last year. In that matchup, Mayfield threw for 349 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. The Lions’ secondary is revamped with Terrion Arnold and old friend Carlton Davis, but there’s no reason to hesitate to start Baker in this matchup. His lack of rushing upside keeps him from the top tier, but he’s locked in as a mid-to-back-end QB1.
Running Back
Rachaad White: Start, RB2
Bucky Irving: FLEX Option
We got our first taste of the new Buccaneers backfield in Week 1 with the intriguing addition of rookie RB Bucky Irving. While incumbent starter Rachaad White dominated the target share amongst running backs (6 targets to Irving’s 3), it was Irving who was far more efficient on the ground, earning twice as many yards on just over half the carries. The Lions’ front seven did a good enough job containing Kyren Williams in Week 1, meaning both backs have a tough challenge this week, but White remains a solid RB2 option due to his involvement in the passing game. Irving, meanwhile, poses some FLEX appeal due to a solid showing in Week 1 but is a riskier option due to the small sample size.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: Start, WR1
Chris Godwin: Start, WR2
Jalen McMillan: Sit
We already mentioned that Baker Mayfield is poised for a big day at Ford Field, and that bodes well for his receiving core heading into Week 2. Evans, Godwin, and rookie Jalen McMillan all found paydirt in the Week 1 rout of the Commanders and have a great chance to keep their hot start rolling. Mike Evans is as reliable a WR1 as you can find at this stage in his career and is one of the NFL’s premier red zone threats. Chris Godwin, meanwhile, saw a majority of his snaps in the slot in Week 1 and caught all 8 of his targets for 83 yards to lead the team in receiving. Matching up against Amik Robertson in the slot could pay dividends for Godwin owners this week. He profiles as a rock-solid WR2. While McMillan showed promise in his first NFL game, he only saw 3 targets and scored on his only catch of the day. He’s a good bench stash if you have enough room and can be a solid dart throw in deep leagues.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Sit
The tight end position had a notoriously bad Week 1, and Cade Otton was just one such example of underwhelming production, producing just 5 yards on 2 targets despite a productive day for the Bucs. It’s best to look elsewhere in Week 2.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Start, QB1
The Lions emerged victorious in Week 1 despite an underwhelming performance from Jared Goff and much of the Detroit passing attack. Still, with this matchup having the highest projected point total of the Week 2 slate, there’s reason to slide Goff in as a back-end QB1 just like his opponent. Like Mayfield, Goff has a plethora of talent around him and has a similar upside in a matchup that projects to be a shootout. If you’re lacking a favorable matchup from your starter or are looking to fill a Jordan Love-sized hole in your lineup, Goff (and Mayfield) are perfect streaming options this week.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: FLEX Option
Is there a better thunder and lightning duo in the NFL than Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery? In Week 1, both backs showed out and delivered solid performances, with Gibbs scoring Detroit’s first touchdown of the season and Montgomery running the ball down the Rams’ throat for an entire drive to give the Lions the OT win. Both backs are fantasy-viable, but Gibbs has the higher weekly floor and ceiling thanks to his involvement in the passing game, out-targeting Montgomery 6-1 in Week 1. The Lions also showed a willingness to give Gibbs the ball at the goal line, meaning he can score at any time. Montgomery falls just outside of our top 24 this week, meaning he technically profiles as a FLEX option, but his usage is solid enough to turn in a top-12 performance any given week. Just don’t expect too many targets.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: Start, WR3/FLEX
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Amon-Ra St. Brown turned in a dud of a performance in Week 1, totaling just 4.3 PPR fantasy points. Ready to move on? Good. Remember: the Recency Bias Bug rarely hits harder than it does in Week 1 of the fantasy season, so don’t let this performance distract you from St. Brown’s role as a target hog in an elite offense. Don’t overthink it: he’s a must-start in all leagues. Jameson Williams, on the other hand, is a far more interesting case following his Week 1 breakout. Without overreacting in the opposite direction, Williams has received praise throughout training camp from the Lions coaching staff and is a strong candidate for a third-year breakout following his recovery timeline to begin his NFL career. Williams not only posted 100+ yards and a touchdown in Week 1 but also commanded 9 targets — the most in a game in his career. While more of a boom-bust option, Williams is an interesting WR3/FLEX play in this projected shootout.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
Much like St. Brown, Sam LaPorta also had an underwhelming Week 1, but has an excellent chance to rebound in this Week 2 matchup. LaPorta’s after-the-catch ability and nose for the end zone make him a locked-in TE1 with the upside to be a top scorer at the position in any given week.