Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 24th at 12:30 PM ET
Location: Ford Field in Detroit, MI
Betting Odds: BUF -9.5, 54.5 Total on Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen (Start, QB1)
This year, Josh Allen gets to feast on the Detroit Lions’ defense on Thanksgiving. Allen has been a shell of his early season form and had his lowest output in Week 11 (12.6). The Lions have allowed the most rushing yards (422) and touchdowns (5) to quarterbacks. Allen should have all the opportunities to score this week and will get a chance to score through the air and on the ground. Detroit has allowed 197 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Justin Fields and Daniel Jones in the last two weeks. I won’t expect Fields-level production, with 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but if Jones can score a TD, then I think Allen is in for a solid showing. Don’t ever sit Josh Allen; this week, he’s in a matchup that might make him QB1 overall.
Running Backs
Devin Singletary (Start, RB2), James Cook (Start, low end flew), Nyheim Hines (Sit)
Devin Singletary has finished top-12 in the past two weeks and has been going off against bad rushing defenses. This week they’ll get a lackluster Lions run defense that allows 19.9 fantasy points per game to RBs. Singletary has taken 70% of the snaps, and the Bills gave him the season-high 18 carries last week. The Bills are getting this rushing attack going, and I expect this game to be a lot of the same ole Ford Field magic from last week. Singletary had two touchdowns last week, and I think he can grab another this week. Start him as an RB2 this week.
James Cook also had a season-high 11 carries last week, tacking on 86 yards (another season-high). Cook is getting touches because he’s a talented rookie who can become a part of this elite offense. Cook should get touches this week, and in desperation, could be a viable low-end flex.
Poor Nyheim Hines finally goes to a strong passing offense and gets put on the back burner for the rookie. Not to mention Matt Ryan is back in Indianapolis. I just don’t know if he’ll ever be the guy he was a couple of years ago.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Stefon Diggs (Start, WR1), Gabe Davis (Start, WR3), Isaiah McKenzie (Sit), Dawson Knox (Start, TE1)
Stefon Diggs played 67% of the team’s snaps last week and had an off week, but he still finished WR17. Diggs has been impressively efficient this year with half of his performances being top-12 worthy. The Lions have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to wide receivers with 24.5 per game. Diggs is also the second-most-targeted receiver in the NFL this year. Diggs is always a start, and this week is no different.
Gabe Davis can go off in this game against the Lions. Last week Darius Slayton faired well against the Lions’ defense, which could translate to a strong outing for the Bills’ deep threat. The Bills could easily use this game as a confidence builder for Davis, who has two top-10 performances all year long. Start Davis this week, but put him in as a WR3.
Isaiah McKenzie had one target last week and played 40% of the snaps. This game script could be heavily focused on the main weapons, much like last week. McKenzie had one top-10 performance this year, and I do not think this week will be his second, sit McKenzie.
Dawson Knox just had his best week in fantasy with seven catches for 70 yards. This was his second straight week as a top-12 tight end, and Knox seems to be getting hot. Knox saw his largest target share last week, and if McKenzie continues to slide, it’ll be because the targets are going to the tight-end position. All you need is ten points to have a good tight end week, and Knox has that ability in this matchup. Start him!
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Sit)
Jared Goff has been a suspect fantasy quarterback since his Week 4 QB1 overall performance. Since that game, Goff has finished in the top 20 twice, and last week he finished QB26 with 6.5 fantasy points. Goff has thrown four total TDs in the last four games, and he’s also thrown under 200 yards in two of those games. To be frank, Goff has reverted back to his previously useless form in fantasy football. If you have him, it’s probably time to cut him. On average, this Bills team has allowed 21.3 fantasy points to the last five quarterbacks. It makes you think he’s a promising play, right? Well, think again, as the Bill has picked off a league-high 13 passes and has allowed only 13.2 fantasy points per game to QBs.Goff is an easy sit this week.
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams (Start, RB2), D’Andre Swift (Sit)
Jamaal Williams is coming off a three-touchdown game but was inefficient yardage-wise. Williams leads the league in red-zone touches with 35 and goal-line carries (16). Williams should be someone your play this week against a middle-of-the-pack Bills rush defense that allows 17.9 fantasy points to RBs. D’Andre Swift, on the other hand, has been underutilized in this offense. While Swift had his best output since his return from injury last week, collecting 32 yards and a touchdown. I still can’t trust him as anything higher than a low-end flex.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Amon Ra St. Brown (Start, WR2), Jameson Williams (Start, Low-End FLEX), D.J. Chark (Start, Low-End FLEX), Brock Wright (Sit)
Amon Ra St. Brown has put together a couple of big performances, putting him back on track for fantasy. Last week he caught seven passes for 76 yards. The Bill has given up 68.6 total fantasy points to Amari Cooper and Justin Jefferson in their past two matchups. The Bills have allowed 25 fantasy points on average to the last five lead receivers, making this a juicy matchup for St. Brown.
Jameson Williams is eligible for a return this week, while it’s not a foregone conclusion that he’ll play. It is worth noting that he would be on a snap count and could be very boom or bust this week. It might be overly ambitious, but I’ll slot him in as a low-end FLEX if he plays. D.J. Chark is another guy to monitor this week, as it’ll be his second back from an earlier injury. Chark played 16% of the snaps last week and was targeted once. If he plays, it’ll most likely be in the same role as Williams, which means they’ll take snaps away from each other. So I’ll give Chark the same designation as a low-end FLEX. Brock Wright is a stretch as a fantasy tight end who has three targets in the last two games.