Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 20 at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Betting Odds: LV -10.5, 51.5 Total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Chase Daniel (Sit), Matthew Stafford (Questionable, Sit regardless)
Matthew Stafford took a big hit and got bent upon a scramble for a first down last week in the red zone and was favoring his left ribs. He is extremely questionable this week and is in serious doubt of playing. Even if he does, a less than 100% Stafford is not someone you want to count on heading into a semifinal matchup. If Chase Daniel starts, that is a downgrade to the entire offense and he would be a hard pass.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, Flex)
If Stafford starts, I could actually see D’Andre Swift as more of an RB2, but I find Stafford playing highly unlikely by the accounts I’m reading. With that being the case, Swift will still be relied heavily upon with a downgrade at running back, but the game may not be competitive enough for him to see meaningful touches. He returned last week to 50 total yards and a touchdown after missing the previous three games. Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson are just plodders at this point, but always pose the threat of stealing a touchdown at the goal line. With all factors involved, I am comfortably ranking Swift as a low upside Flex play for the week.
Wide Receivers
Marvin Jones (Start, Flex), TJ Hockenson (Start, TE1)
Like I have said several times already if Stafford sits then the entire offense gets a downgrade which means that Marvin Jones and TJ Hockenson get a downgrade as well. I feel as if the downgrade for them will likely be less steep than that of Swift since the Titans secondary is not very scary and the Lions will have to throw to someone and these are the most viable options. Jones has been putting up WR2 quality numbers and with Kenny Golladay looking doubtful to play again, there should be more targets coming Jones way. With Daniel’s shaky potential play though, he is more of a suitable flex play for me. TJ Hockenson has been rock solid for owners this year, however with double digits in all but three games this season, putting up 58/657/6 so far this year. That may not seem too exciting, but coming from a TE that is more than you could ask for. Averaging about eight targets per game since Week 8, Hockensen should keep up his pace to becoming one of the top TEs in football.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill (Start, QB1)
A top half QB1 on the year, Ryan Tannehill has made doubters of a repeat of last year into believers as he has 3207/28/5 on the year. In a run-first offense, this has become more of a dynamic pace for the Titans with the development of Tannehill in his chemistry with his pass-catchers. With the further development of AJ Brown into a true WR1 and drawing comparisons to T.O. along with the development of Corey Davis into a true playmaker, the Titans offense is looking strong along with Tannehill’s status as a weekly QB1. Going against the Lions, Tannehill is arguably a top 5 QB for owners trying to make the championship.
Running Backs
Derrick Henry (Start, RB1)
Owners have to be salivating and bringing their gifts to set at the feet of King Henry as he gets the last-place Lions defense to decimate this week on the quest to Fantasy Football Championships. Derrick Henry is fresh off of 215/2 against a similarly bad defensive front and scored three touchdowns in a half three weeks ago. Henry is someone that has the ability to win weeks for owners if he explodes and he could be headed for just that this week. Henry has a legitimate shot at 2,000 yards this season with the way he runs as he is already up to 1,532 on an insane 297 rushes through 13 games. He shows no signs of slowing down.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
AJ Brown (Start, WR1), Corey Davis (Start, Flex), Jonnu Smith (Sit)
Emerging as a true WR1 with game-breaking ability, AJ Brown is doing the most with his targets, breaking off huge gains and fighting for tough yards and touchdowns. He is the perfect wide receiver for the identity of this team and coming off double digits in 10 of his last 11 games, Brown is a solidified WR1, especially against the Lions defense that gives up points at will. Corey Davis has been a nice surprise this year after being the one week flash in the pan for the past couple of years. Scoring double digits in nine games this season and having two games over 26 points, Davis has become a consistent contributor in this offense, especially with Tannehill looking downfield past Jonnu Smith more and more. Davis is a Flex play while Jonnu is a sit right now, even with the lack of talent at the fantasy position.
-Matt Dean (@MattDeanQBList on Twitter, mdean8 on Reddit)