Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 20th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Network: FOX
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Streaming Option, QB2
It’s unstoppable force meets immovable object this week as the Detroit Lions head to Minneapolis to face the undefeated Vikings in an NFC North showdown. Fresh off an old-school shellacking of the Cowboys, Jared Goff is playing like one of the best QBs in the league as of late, though Sunday’s matchup might not lead to a productive fantasy day for the veteran. The Lions’ strength lies in its ground game, meaning there are weeks where Goff will post low fantasy numbers, but this game’s 50.5 point total has room for Goff to make some noise if this becomes a shootout. The Vikings are much stronger against the run than the pass, meaning there’s a chance the Lions will have to sling it if the league’s best running attack struggles. Goff is a fine streaming option due to the wide range of outcomes in his output.
Running Back
David Montgomery: Start, RB1
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB2
For the first time this season, David Montgomery (RB12) is ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs (RB14) in our weekly rankings. In his first game following a contract extension, Montgomery scored twice, meaning he’s scored in every single game this season. He’s one of the most reliable options at the position even with a lower involvement in the passing game than his backfield partner. This is not a knock on Gibbs at all — the latter still possesses a higher weekly ceiling with his pass-catching abilities, but Montgomery has been just that much more reliable in 2024. Even against the toughest run defense in the league, “Sonic and Knuckles” are both great options in your lineups every single week.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: FLEX Option, WR3
Is it fair to say that Amon-Ra St. Brown has been just a tad underwhelming thus far? As the WR17 on the season (WR12 by average PPG), he might not quite be returning the first-round value you spent on him, but that’s more a credit to the Lions’ run game than it is a criticism of St. Brown’s abilities. When called upon, he’s still produced, and the passing game should still run through him in a crucial divisional matchup. He’s a weekly no-doubt WR1. Jameson Williams is a boom-or-bust player who’s been way more boom than bust lately, and you should continue to treat him as such. After earning career highs in targets in back-to-back weeks to start the season, Williams has had 1, 2, and 3 targets in the past three games. He’s a volatile play that can make a start worth it in one snap.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
Sam LaPorta received one target in Week 6. He finished as the overall TE4. Such is the value of a skill position player in the Lions offense. He’s not in the upper echelon of target sponges at the TE position, but if you have him, you’re starting him.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: Start, QB1
Aside from a tough showing in Week 5 against the excellent Jets defense, Sam Darnold has been one of the best surprises at the QB position in 2024. The Lions have been surprisingly stingy against QBs, allowing the eighth-fewest points to the position, but without star DE Aidan Hutchinson, it’s more likely this game becomes a shootout, meaning there will be more points for Darnold to score. Darnold is a back-end QB1.
Running Back
Aaron Jones: Start, RB2*
Ty Chandler: FLEX Option, RB4
The latest news on the Aaron Jones injury is that the veteran RB expects to practice on Thursday, which bodes well for the matchup against the Hutch-less Lions front seven. If Jones plays, he provides solid RB2 value in what should be a high-scoring affair against a defensive line trying to make things work without their best player. The FLEX value for Ty Chandler is only there if Jones does not play, and even if he’s heading up this backfield, he’s a risky play as he’s been wholly unimpressive in 2024 thus far.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: Start, WR1
Jordan Addison: FLEX Option, WR3
Yes, you should start Justin Jefferson. Next question. Oh, you’re wondering about Jordan Addison? Well, the sophomore wideout should still be a solid play as a FLEX in Week 7. Even though his scoring was down in Week 6, Addison increased his target share (4 targets in Week 5 compared to 8 in Week 6), which bodes well for his long-term fantasy prospects. I like Addison as a high-upside play in Week 7 against a Lions defense whose primary goal should be to prevent Jefferson from winning the game by himself. The Lions allow the sixth-most points to receivers, so there’s room for him to make some noise in this one.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson: Start, TE1
T.J. Hockenson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, but if he plays, he should immediately slot in as a TE1 option against his former team. Few options at the position offer as much upside as Hock does. If you’ve been stashing him up to this point, it’s not a bad idea to shop him or your current starting TE to a team that’s needy at the position.