After a poor showing against a tough matchup in Week 12 (NE allows 11.5 ppg to RBs, second-fewest), Dalvin Cook was able to bounce back to a top-ten week against the Jets. Though Cook has had some stinkers, including finishing RB37 in Week 2 and RB33 in Weeks 11 & 12, he has four finishes inside the top ten. He’s RB10 of the year and his average of 15.2 ppg is tenth best among RBs (minimum 12 games). The Lions are a surprisingly formidable matchup for running backs, only allowing 16.67 ppg. Regardless, you place your Cooks in the kitchen and fire him up for this divisional matchup.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Start, QB1)
Jared Goff averages 21.2 ppg at home this season, good enough for the sixth-highest on a points-per-game basis (excluding Mike White and his 2-game sample size). Goff at home continues this week as the Lions host the divisional rival Vikings. Goff has 17 TDs to three INTs in home games and 34+ pass attempts in six out of seven of them. The Vikings allow 20.17 ppg to QBs this season. I was high on Goff last week (QB4 btw) and I’m high on him again this week.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, High RB2), Jamaal Williams (Start, Low RB2)
What a confusing backfield this has been all season long. D’Andre Swift was limited in practice Wednesday, so be sure to monitor his health for the remainder of the week. When he is healthy he has the potential to win your matchup. Swift has three weeks as RB7 as better this season, including last week’s RB4 performance with 4 catches, 111 yards (62 rush/49 rec.), and a touchdown. On the flip side, Jamaal Williams leads the league in rushing touchdowns with 14. The Vikings are middle of the league in terms of points allowed against RBs, giving up 17.33 ppg.
If you roster both I think you have to start both under most situations. If your team is loaded with talent and you can only start one I lean toward Swift.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Start, WR1), D.J. Chark (Sit, WR3), Kalif Raymond (Sit), Brock Wright (Sit)
There were doubters before this season started that Amon-Ra St. Brown only shined last season because of injuries to Swift and Hockenson (I’m doubters). Those doubters have since seen the light the Sun God shines, there are no more clouds, only points. Sun God has four finishes inside the top ten including three inside the top four. The sun is hot as he’s coming off back-to-back weeks with top-three finishes. He’s had 8+ targets in every game since Week 8. I can go on and on in an attempt to repent for my sins, but the short of it is, start the Sun God. This week and all weeks going forward.
D.J. Chark hasn’t finished higher than WR23 this season. Even in Week 12 when he caught a touchdown he finished WR50. Even though his name goes great to the tune of Baby Shark, I do-do-do not like starting Chark this week, even against the Vikings’ defense that allowed the third-most points to WRs (24 ppg). Kalif Raymond rides the bench this week.
Brock Wright is Brock Wrong. I like to imagine the Lions will target Wright extra to show Hockenson they don’t need him anymore, but even if they did I don’t think he’d be startable.