Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Network: FOX
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Joe Flacco: SIT
The magic may have finally run out for “ELITE” Joe Flacco. He’s thrown for fewer than 200 yards in two of his three starts and sports a not-so-great 2:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The whispers have begun to swirl about the Browns moving on to rookie Dillon Gabriel, which honestly isn’t a bad idea. I expect it to happen before long.
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins: START, RB2
Jerome Ford: SIT
Dylan Sampson: SIT
If there was any doubt before Week 3, there isn’t now. The Browns’ backfield belongs to Quinshon Judkins. He scored his first career touchdown and rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, which is even more impressive when you consider it was against the Packers’ front seven. He just looks the part. Judkins is locked in as an RB2 with RB1 upside. Even in a tough matchup against the Lions, if you gots ’em, you starts ’em.
Wide Receiver
Cedric Tillman: FLEX, WR4
Jerry Jeudy: FLEX, WR4
As poorly as Joe Flacco’s playing, Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy are FLEX options solely based on the matchup. The Lions have allowed the ninth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and have allowed at least one touchdown to the position in every game.
Tight End
David Njoku: STREAMER, TE2
Harold Fannin Jr.: START, Low-End TE1
Although the Flacco party may be coming to an end, as long as he’s under center, his tight ends are stream-worthy. Detroit has been friendly to tight ends this season, allowing the fourth most fantasy points to the position. Though they’re tied in targets, Harold Fannin Jr. leads David Njoku in receptions, yards, and red zone targets, explaining why he (TE9) has the advantage over the veteran (TE16) in my rankings this week.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns: SIT
If this game were being played in Cleveland, I’d gamble with starting the Browns defense. But as productive as the Lions offense has been over the past two games, I’m not starting any defense against them in Detroit.
(Note: I’m sorry, Christian, I was wrong.)
(Editor’s note: Yes. Yes, you were, Jay. I forgive you. Now give me 50 reps of Gridiron Heroes.)
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
The Lions’ offense came roaring back to life over the past two weeks, but Jared Goff made more of a meow on Monday Night Football against the Ravens. Don’t get me wrong, he looked good, but he didn’t have to do much with Sonic and Knuckles rushing for over 200 combined yards. Goff is just about locked in as an every-week Superflex starter, but I’d rather not play him against the Browns. Cleveland held (pre-injury) Joe Burrow and Jordan Love both to one touchdown and less than 200 passing yards.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: START, RB1
David Montgomery: START, Borderline RB2/3
You don’t need me to tell you to start Jahmyr Gibbs. But did you know he loves video games? Gibbs has stated that if he weren’t an NFL player, he would likely be a professional gamer.
David Montgomery, on the other hand, is not a weekly must-start, but is coming off his highest fantasy point total since Week 4 of the 2023 season.
WHO WON THEIR FANTASY MATCHUP BECAUSE DAVID MONTGOMERY DIDN'T GO DOWN AT THE ONEpic.twitter.com/sFSBiBNdvz
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 23, 2025
Me. I did. Thank you, Monty. He secured a median victory for me as well.
(Please don’t judge me for my notification count.)
You obviously don’t expect anywhere near this type of production out of Montgomery consistently. But as long as the Lions offense is humming, the potential is there. A challenging matchup awaits, however, as Cleveland gives up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. You’re still starting him, but keep expectations in check.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: START, WR1
Jameson Williams: START, WR3
Isaac TeSlaa: SIT
You don’t need me to tell you to start Amon-Ra St. Brown. But did you know he speaks three languages? In addition to English, St. Brown is fluent in German and French. Nothing has changed for Jameson Williams; he’s a boom/bust WR3. You’re likely starting Jamo, but Cleveland isn’t a great matchup. They’ve allowed just 509 air yards this season, the fourth fewest in the league. Isaac TeSlaa did not make a circus catch in Week 3; therefore did not catch any passes. He’s nothing more than a stash.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: START, TE1
Sam LaPorta has totaled eight targets over his last two games since seeing nine in Week 1. Considering the position, he’s pretty much a weekly start, but a volatile one. That being said, he’s #1 overall in tight end mustache rankings.
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions: MULTI-WEEK STREAMER
The Lions are worth picking up and starting this week, and face the Bengals in Week 5. Depending on how the Chiefs and Bucs (sans-Evans) look over the next few weeks, Detroit’s DST could be streamable up until their Week 8 bye.