Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: START (in Superflex), borderline QB1
Aaron Rodgers has bounced back beautifully from his broken hand, with back-to-back 20-point games and completing 23 of 27 passes against Miami. He’s a must-start in Superflex, and if you’re in a pinch at quarterback in 1QB, he’s not a bad option against Detroit. The Lions have allowed over 350 passing yards in three of their last four games and the 27 passing touchdowns, third-most this season.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: FLEX, RB3
Kenneth Gainwell: FLEX, RB3
Jaylen Warren almost missed “Monday Night Football” against Miami due to illness, but toughed it out and played. Kenneth Gainwell handled one more carry and was targeted six more times, scoring over 16 points for the fourth time in his last five games. But running backs haven’t had much fantasy success against the Lions, with Detroit giving up the third-fewest points to the position. The matchup and shared backfield keep both more of flex options than RB2s.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR2
Adam Thielen: SIT
Calvin Austin III: SIT
DK Metcalf did what DK Metcalf does. Caught three passes and took one to the house. He’s been inconsistent in Arthur Smith‘s annoying offense, but offers a high ceiling as a volatile but viable weekly WR3. But against the Lions, who give up the second-most points to the position, bump up Metcalf a tier to WR2.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: SIT
Jonnu Smith: SIT
Darnell Washington: SIT
Starting a Steelers tight end is the equivalent of buying a $1 scratch-off ticket in hopes of winning $1.50.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: STREAMER
Pittsburgh ranks in the top three in turnovers forced and sacks, making them a decent streaming option despite the high implied game total.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: START, QB1
If Jared Goff were a superhero, his power would come from playing inside domes. Goff walked right in and dropped 338 yards and three touchdowns on his former team in a tough matchup against the Rams. Up next is the Pittsburgh Steelers, a top-10 matchup that just gave up 253 yards and two touchdowns to the recently benched Tua Tagovailoa. Goff’s a top-10 option this week, and I’d start him over the likes of Matthew Stafford, Bo Nix, and Jaxson Dart.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: START, RB1
David Montgomery: FLEX, RB3
Jahmyr Gibbs is a lock in your lineup, but did you know that his holiday generosity is rooted in his own difficult childhood? During the holiday season, Gibbs famously partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to take kids from the Boys & Girls Club on a massive shopping spree, personally helping them pick out shoes and gear. He revealed that this tradition is deeply personal because he spent time living in a homeless shelter in Dalton, Ga., before being adopted at age 15, and he wanted to ensure these kids had the “holiday blessing” he once dreamed of. Gibbs may have disappointed last week, but he also has three games scoring three touchdowns in the past six weeks. Is that really a guy you want to consider benching?
David Montgomery has seen his role shrink to that of basically a backup, but he still holds a smidge of fantasy value as the goal-line back for the Lions. Over the past three weeks, Monty has handled 75% of the goal-line carries and scored a touchdown in three straight. He’s a tuddy-dependent flex play, and one I’d avoid against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has allowed just five rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, and only three since Week 3.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: START, WR1
Jameson Williams: START, WR1
Amon-Ra St. Brown is a lock in your lineup, but did you know that he kicked off this year’s season of giving by ensuring Detroit’s youth have the ultimate gift: education? In November, he hosted the inaugural Strike for Literacy bowling gala at Five Iron Golf in Detroit, raising massive funds to provide books and academic resources for underserved students, a cause deeply personal to him and his strict, education-focused upbringing.
Jameson Williams is now a fantasy WR1 in PPR leagues and has been one of the best wide receivers since Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties. He should continue this trend in a plus matchup against the Steelers and can be safely started in all formats. As for his “fun fact” initiation? He was named the NFLPA Community MVP this holiday season for keeping Detroit kids warm. In December, he personally visited DBG (Driven by Growth) Detroit to gift 250 new winter coats to students, ensuring they were prepared for the winter, while his foundation simultaneously donated $10,000 to support the organization’s mentorship programs. Crushing it on and off the field, keep “Waymo” in your lineups.
Tight End
Shane Zylstra: SIT
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions: SIT
The Lions’ defense has given up 102 points in their previous three games.
Editor’s note: Pain.