Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 4:25 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Network: FOX
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Start, QB1
Coming off an underwhelming yardage total against the Titans last week, Jared Goff remained efficient, finishing with three touchdowns on 12/15 passing. Goff has been one of the hottest quarterbacks lately, posting a 10:0 TD:INT ratio over his past four games with only 13 incompletions. However, he typically plays better indoors, and this is an away game with rain in the forecast. The Packers generally have a formidable offense of their own, though they could be without starting QB Jordan Love this week after he suffered a groin injury in Week 8. We may not get the shootout we are hoping to see if Love sits, but the over/under for the game is currently set relatively high at 47.5. The Packers are middle of the pack in passing yards allowed on defense this year, but they do lead the NFL in takeaways. Goff will have to be extra careful with the ball in this one, but as hot as he has been, I would roll him out as a low-end QB1 this week.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB2
The Lions have the best running back duo in the league in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs was drafted as an RB1 in Fantasy this year and should be started as such. He has scored a touchdown in five of seven games this season, is coming off back-to-back games with over 100 yards rushing, and is one of the most explosive runners in the league. Gibbs also sees most of the receiving work in this backfield.
David Montgomery has scored a touchdown in all but one game this season. He is a tough runner and capable of ripping off explosive plays in his own right. He’s a strong start every week given his role in this potent Lions offense. Montgomery always runs hard, but he’ll have some added motivation this week. Montgomery hates the Packers for always being on the losing side of games against them during his time with the Bears. In two games against the Packers last season, Montgomery totaled 192 yards and four rushing touchdowns. He’s a good bet to get into the end zone this week and should be viewed as a high-end RB2.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Kalif Raymond: FLEX Option, WR4
Tim Patrick: Sit, WR5
Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the league dating back to last season, and it is a no-brainer to start him weekly regardless of the matchup. This game is a good spot for him, as the Packers’ secondary has been worse against slot receivers than receivers that line up on the outside.
Kalif Raymond was a big part of the Lions’ blowout victory last week, returning five punts for 190 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown; he also added two receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown. In his last three games, Raymond has had at least 70 yards receiving or a touchdown. After being named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 8, I expect the Lions to have some plays drawn up to get him involved on offense. He’s also the closest receiver they have to Jameson Williams in terms of speed, and I think he could be a sneaky FLEX play for fantasy managers hurting at the wide receiver position.
Tim Patrick has been solid in his role with the Lions, and he typically sees his targets deeper downfield. However, he does not see enough target volume to warrant starting and should be left on benches/waivers.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
Sam LaPorta had his best game of the season last week, leading the Lions in receiving categories across the board. He hauled in all six of his targets for 48 yards, and he scored a touchdown. LaPorta was also marked just short of the goal line on another catch that was initially ruled a touchdown. The Packers have been a plus matchup for tight ends so far this season, and they surrendered 9 catches, 95 yards, and a touchdown to the position last week. LaPorta should be in line for a solid target share once again, with Jameson Williams serving the second game of his suspension.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: Start, QB1* (if he plays)
Malik Willis: Sit, QB2
Jordan Love was forced out of last week’s game with a groin injury, but it is not considered too serious long-term. His status for this week is in question, though I expect him to play in an important divisional game. If he can play, he can be started as a low-end QB1. However, managers should have a contingency plan in case he cannot go. If there is a good streaming option available, the risk-averse may just want to roll with that quarterback if they are worried about the 4:25 PM ET kickoff or the possibility of Love re-aggravating his injury. Love has been a solid option at the position when healthy this year, averaging about 255.8 yards per game and tossing 15 touchdowns in six games. Ball security has been a bit of an issue for him this season, having thrown 9 interceptions already (he finished with 11 last season). Detroit isn’t a bad matchup, considering they surrender the sixth most passing yards per game this season, and they are missing star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit is second in the league in takeaways, so much like Jared Goff, Love will have to be careful not to turn the ball over in this one. If Love starts for the Packers this weekend, he should likely be in your starting lineup as well.
Malik Willis has actually been decent when filling in for Love this season. Coach Matt LaFleur does a good job of game planning and playing to Willis’ strengths. If Willis gets the starting nod this weekend, I would not risk starting him in typical 1-QB leagues. However, he does possess rushing upside and would have value in 2-QB and Superflex formats.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: Start, RB1
Emmanuel Wilson: Sit, RB3
Josh Jacobs is worth starting as a low-end RB1 this week, coming off a monster 25 carry, 127 yard, 2 TD performance against the Jaguars. Detroit is a tough matchup for running backs, as they are a top-five defense against the run, though they are a little less formidable without Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions surrendered over 100 yards from scrimmage to Tony Pollard last week. Jacobs has a good role in this offense, and I expect the Packers to lean on him if Jordan Love has any lingering issues from his groin injury, and even more so if Malik Willis gets the start at QB.
Emmanuel Wilson is a decent handcuff, but fantasy managers should leave him on the bench.
Wide Receiver
Jayden Reed: Start, WR2*
Romeo Doubs: FLEX Option, WR3*
Christian Watson: FLEX option, WR4*
Dontayvion Wicks: Sit, WR5*
*Downgrade each receiver by one tier if Malik Willis starts.
Jayden Reed has been nursing an injury and is coming off a season-low three targets. However, the slot receiver is explosive and always a threat for big plays, both as a receiver and a runner. Detroit has been one of the best matchups for opposing pass catchers, so assuming Jordan Love starts, Reed should be viewed as a high-end WR2.
Romeo Doubs may not be the flashiest player, but he is a dependable WR3 with touchdown upside. He typically leads Green Bay receivers in snaps and routes run. Doubs has been trending well the past three weeks, with 14 receptions for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns in that span. He is a solid option for fantasy managers in a plus matchup against Detroit.
Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks have both been hard to trust in fantasy this year, as their usage is hard to predict. Wicks has shown the ability to get open and has flashed at times, but he is having issues with drops this year. Watson is a big, athletic, big-play receiver and red zone threat. His usage is trending up, out-snapping Wicks 31 to 24 in Week 7 and 52 to 21 in Week 8. For that reason, I give Watson the edge as a boom-bust FLEX play.
Tight End
Tucker Kraft: Start, TE1* (downgrade if Willis starts)
Tucker Kraft has come on strong with five touchdowns over the past five weeks. He is currently fantasy football’s TE5 in full-PPR scoring. Detroit has been a tough matchup for tight ends this season, but Kraft has a solid role in a good offense. Assuming Jordan Love starts, Kraft is once again worth starting this week. His value gets a slight bump in standard and half-PPR formats due to his touchdown upside and volatile target share with how much the Packers spread the ball around. If Malik Willis starts, I would consider benching Kraft if you have another solid option at TE.