Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 8:20 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: NBC
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: START, QB1
The whole indoor vs. outdoor thing with Jared Goff is overstated. Yes, he averages about 2.5 fantasy points more indoors, but he’s chucking the ball north of 35 times per game to some of the best weapons in the game. Plus, it’s a top-10 matchup against the Panthers. Don’t overthink it.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: START, RB1
He’s an auto start as the current RB1 on the season. Jahmyr Gibbs is kinda like the Strawberry Açaí Lemonade from Starbucks. Light, way more dangerous than it looks, and before you can process what’s going on, you look down, and it’s gone.
Editor’s note: he could also be the Panera Bread Lemonade That Kills YouTM. If you face him in fantasy, you’re dead.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: START, WR1
Jameson Williams: START, WR3
The Sun God is just doing more Sun God things. Amon-Ra St. Brown is currently the WR2 on the season, sporting a 32.4% target share and nearly 12 targets per game. Jameson Williams hasn’t had that boom week just yet, but it’s coming. Jamo has 30.7% of the Lions’ air yards yet no end-zone targets. That’ll change. Oh, and the Panthers just put two of their cornerbacks on injured reserve.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: START, TE1
The Panthers are an average matchup, but Sam LaPorta has returned to weekly TE1 status. LaPorta is commanding a nearly 18% target share for the Lions and has three end zone targets so far in 2026.
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions: SIT
Detroit allows the most points and total yards per game.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
Will the real Bryce Young please stand up? Just when I was starting to buy in, Young had an off game. To be fair, he got banged up against the Browns, but there were a few pass attempts that really have me worried. Missing wide-open receivers, overthrowing Jalen Coker for what should have been a walk-in touchdown. It’s an incredible matchup against the Lions, so you’re starting him. But if Young stumbles again, his fast start will be nearly erased in our minds.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: START, RB2
AJ Dillon: SIT
Don’t look now, but Chuba Hubbard is a top 10 fantasy back. Well, three touchdowns is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, but you can’t argue with nearly 20 opportunities a game and 73% of the snaps. The Lions are giving up the most points and the most yards, so fire up Hubbard as a volume-based RB2.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR1
Xavier Legette: SIT
Jalen Coker: SIT
Be patient with Tetairoa McMillan. He’s averaging less than 10 fantasy points per game, but has a healthy 21.3% target share, six deep targets, and three end zone targets, which means the boom weeks are coming. Both Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker were not practicing at the time of writing and trending toward not playing. Coker would be a clear start if he’s good to go, and Legette would be a “meh” FLEX with matchup-related upside. Don’t get too cute if they’re game-time decisions with this being SNF.
Tight End
Darren Waller: STREAMER
After back-to-back double-digit fantasy point games, is it time we consider Darren Waller a thing? Against the Lions… sure. I’ll allow it.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: SIT
The Panthers defense can get after it, as apparent by their seven sacks, three picks, and four fumble recoveries. But they’re still off the fantasy radar giving up close to 30 points and 380 yards per game.