Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Network: FOX
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
J.J. McCarthy: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Carson Wentz is out for the season after suffering a shoulder injury last week and the subsequent surgery required, but J.J. McCarthy would have been handed the reins eventually. What we can expect from J.J. is far less certain. He’s been brutal for about six of his eight quarters played this season, but those two second-half quarters against the Bears in Week One were magic. There’s no way I’m starting him in 1QB leagues his first game back and going to Ford Field to face the ferocious Lions pass rush. Detroit ranks fifth in sacks despite playing in just seven games (three of the teams ahead of them have played in eight). With byes and injuries, you may not have a choice in Superflex leagues. But you can place a smidge of hope in the fact that he’s throwing the ball to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Running Back
Jordan Mason: FLEX, RB3
Aaron Jones Sr.: BORDERLINE FLEX
It’s hard to read too much into the return of Aaron Jones, considering he combined with Jordan Mason for just fourteen total opportunities against the Chargers in Week 8. Jones got the pass game work as expected, but neither was able to get anything going in the sputtering Vikings offense. Jones wasn’t performing all that well before his injury, and despite Jones getting one more rushing attempt against the Chargers, I believe Mason has claimed the majority of the backfield workload even with his return. But I’m not too keen on starting either of Skol’s backs, considering the state of the offense before McCarthy was injured, the state of the offense last week, and facing a Lions defense that has all but shut down the run. Detroit is allowing less than 90 rushing yards per game and has given up just five rushing touchdowns this season. I prefer Mason, considering he’s the goal-line back, but Jones makes for a borderline FLEX considering his work through the air.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: START, WR1
Jordan Addison: START, WR3
You already know to start Justin Jefferson, but did you know he was born in 1999, the same year Hayley Joel Osment first saw dead people in the supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense? Detroit has played the pass well this season, but they’ve given up a fair amount of fantasy points to receivers. Why? Touchdowns, Bay bay! The Lions allow under 235 passing yards per game and hold opposing quarterbacks to a 66.4% completion percentage, but are tied with the Ravens, Saints, and Colts, allowing 15 passing touchdowns this season (and they’ve played in one less game than New Orleans and Indy). Jordan Addison has a touchdown reception in half his games this season and has over 10 fantasy points in all four. He’s a borderline WR2 with a great chance to get into the endzone.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson: STREAMER
Oronde Gadsden has more points scored over his past three games than T.J. Hockenson has all season.
Defense/Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings: SIT
Over their last three games, the Vikings have given up an average of 27 points and forced only one turnover. The Lions are one of three teams averaging over 30 points scored per game this season.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: START, Borderline QB1
Over those last three games I was talking about just one blurb ago, the Vikings defense has given up a combined eight passing touchdowns, including two to Dillon Gabriel. They’ve been tormented by actual good quarterbacks over their last two games, giving up a trio of tuddys to Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert.
Jared Goff at home. The implied game total is close to 50. Their implied team total is close to 30. The only reason he’s not a must-start is the chance that Minnesota isn’t able to keep this game competitive.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: START, RB1
David Montgomery: START, Borderline RB2
Clearly you’re playing Jahmyr Gibbs, but did you know he was born in 2002, the same year the horror film The Ring made everyone afraid to watch a VHS? Do most of you even know what a VHS is? David Montgomery had a nice stretch from Weeks 2-5 with three games over 13 points and two over 20, but he’s been brutal in his last two, scoring a combined 14 fantasy points and rushing for a total of 45 yards. Playing even more of a second fiddle to Gibbs than years past, Monty is much more of a borderline RB2 who needs to get into the end zone for you to be happy starting him. The problem is, Minnesota has allowed a running back to do that just four times in 2025.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: START, WR1
Jameson Williams: FLEX, WR4
Of course, you’re starting Amon-Ra St. Brown, but did you know he was born in 1999, the same year the terrifying found-footage classic The Blair Witch Project tricked audiences into thinking it was real? Jameson Williams has busted a bunch more than a boomed this season, scoring less than seven fantasy points in five of seven games. Even in a game that the Lions should score a ton, starting Jamo is an act of sheer fantasy desperation. He’s the kind of gamble that occasionally pays off like finding a winning lottery ticket in an old coat pocket.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: START, TE1
In his three games with 10 or more fantasy points this season, Sam Laporta has two touchdowns. But his mustache ranks #1, keeping LaPorta as a TE1.
(He’s involved enough to be considered a borderline TE1, but you’re hoping for a tuddy. Minnesota is a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but they have given up three touchdowns to the position in their last three).
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions: START
Top five in turnovers. Top five in sacks. Top five all-time alternate jersey?
