Lions@Broncos
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 4:05 PM EST
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Betting Odds: DEN -6.5, 38.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Danny Amendola
Detroit Lions
Quarterback:
- David Blough (Sit)
We now have a three-game sample size of David Blough and it is not great. Blough is winless in his three starts and the offense has struggled with him at the helm. On the other side of this game, that creates an opportunity to use the Broncos defense if you’ve been streaming DSTs. It’s going to be difficult to trust any Lions in your fantasy championship.
Running Backs:
- Kerryon Johnson (Sit)
- Bo Scarbrough (Sit)
I suppose we should welcome back Kerryon Johnson. Unfortunately, he returns to a matchup with the Broncos defense that has ranked in the top-third of fantasy-points allowed to running backs. We’re also not going to know what type of workload Johnson will get and for these reasons, I’m sitting him. With Johnson returning to the lineup, Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, and J.D. McKissic’s roles become even more jumbled, making none of them startable.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Kenny Golladay (Sit)
- Danny Amendola (Sit)
This is a situation I struggled with, because I love Babytron, but if you have a better option, I think you have to sit Kenny Golladay this week. Golladay should see a Chris Harris shadow and with Blough under center, Golladay has seen his target share dip down to just 17%. Danny Amendola has been Blough’s favorite target, receiving 24% of the targets in Blough’s three starts. He’s seen at least eight targets in all three Blough games. While Harris is one of the best corners in the league, the rest of the Broncos’ secondary is pretty mediocre. If you’re desperate in a PPR league, I don’t hate Amendola as a flex play.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback:
- Drew Lock (Sit)
This is a really tasty matchup for Drew Lock and he makes for a very intriguing start in 2-QB leagues. Currently, FantasyPros has him as the QB21, but I like him more around the QB15 this week. For the year, the Lions have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to oppose quarterbacks and have allowed 337 passing yards per game over their last three games.
Running Backs:
- Phillip Lindsay (Start/RB2)
- Royce Freeman (Sit)
Week 15 was one that the Broncos would like to just completely forget about, especially Phillip Lindsay. The Broncos trailed the Chiefs all game, which contributed to Lindsay seeing the field on just 39% of the snaps. This week, Vegas has the Broncos as 6.5 point favorites, meaning we should get Lindsay in a positive game script. The Lions have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the year and this should be a get-right spot for Lindsay. Royce Freeman was the beneficiary of the negative game script last week, but he totaled just 26 yards on nine touches. With the Broncos expected to be in a more positive game, Freeman should see less work and can remain on the bench.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Courtland Sutton (Start/Flex)
- Noah Fant (Sit)
- DaeSean Hamilton (Sit)
- Tim Patrick (Sit)
Courtland Sutton has been Drew Lock’s favorite target since taking over the starting job in Week 13, as Sutton has seen 23% of the team’s targets. Unfortunately, there’s been some rookie issues, as they’ve connected on just 13 of his 24 targets. Despite their connection issues, I’m still looking to fire up Sutton as a flex play in a matchup where the Lions have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wideouts. Noah Fant now has just ten targets in Lock’s three games, which converts to an 11% target share. With his workload regressing from his ten target game in Week 11, Fant is in that giant glob of tight ends that you’re just praying for a touchdown. DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick have seen bigger roles since Emmanuel Sanders was traded to the 49ers, but neither is fantasy relevant, especially in the championship.
-Rich Holman (@RichardoPL83)
Richard Sherman has been a full participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week and is expected to play this weekend by SF’s beat writers. Why do you believe he is unlikely to play?
Hi Aaron, I too graduated from Kennesaw College (1981) and grew up in Smyrna. I am very active in fantasy with over 60 teams. I own a sports memorabilia business that publishes a small circulation magazine (catalog). I love your weekly analysis and I look to you for start/sit decisions, and I am winning. Thanks for the help. I am also working on a book on fantasy sports. I would love to chat. You are welcome to email me to start a discussion. Also I am a major Atlanta sports fan since 1966, and I did attend the worst game in Braves history this past September, the final game.