Game Info
Kickoff: Saturday, January 1st, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Betting Odds: DET -6, 52 total via PFF.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Mario Adamo Jr. (@marioadamojr on Twitter, /u/dotcaim on Reddit)
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Start, High-QB1)
This week if you need something sweet reach for Fields. Although Justin Fields is coming off his worst game since Week 4 I am firing him up this week with zero hesitation. The last time Fields played Detroit he put up 40.4 points! I’m not saying another 40-burger is expected, but with Detroit allowing a league-high 25.33 ppg (points-per-game) to opposing QBs I like his chances.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Start, Low-RB2), Khalil Herbert (Sit, Flex)
The last time David Montgomery faced the Lions he finished as RB41, his second-lowest finish of the season. Another thing going against Montgomery is Khalil Herbert is healthy and back in the backfield. Herbert finished RB39 against Detroit, not great either but better than Monty. Monty was RB11 across the time that Herbert missed, averaging 19.1 ppg. With Herbert healthy Monty is RB33, averaging 9.3 ppg. I’m lowering expectations for these two, especially with the excellent matchup for Fields.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Dante Pettis (Sit, WR3 with upside), Byron Pringle (Sit, WR3), Cole Kmet (Start, High-TE2/Low-TE1)
Look, you probably aren’t starting Dante Pettis or Byron Pringle in your championship matchup. If you had to start one, I’d lean Pettis who had 5 targets to Pringle’s 2. The only upside to either of them is the Lions’ defense allows 25.33 ppg to WRs, good for second-highest across the league. Even with the matchup as good as it is, I don’t trust any WR in Chicago.
Although Cole Kmet has had two poor performances back-to-back (TE23 & TE18), I like him this week. After facing two tough defenses, Eagels & Bills, he faces the Lions this week. The Lions allow 8.87 ppg to TEs, the fifth-highest across the league. Kmet is also one of Fields’ favorite targets. I have Kmet inside my top-10 this week.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Start, QB1)
I’ve been a huge Jared Goff fan all season long, especially when he’s at home. In his last two home games, he’s finished QB4 and QB4. He’s also coming off a QB2 performance on the road last week. This week he faces the Bears who allow 19.33 ppg, above league average. Goff has my full trust in the fantasy championship.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, Low-RB2), Jamaal Williams (Sit, TD dependent Boom/Bust Flex)
Maybe I’m delusional, maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome, but I just can’t quit D’Andre Swift. Despite the fact Swift only had 4 carries last week I’m viewing him as a low RB2. He also had 5 targets last week, though he was only able to bring in 1 of them. This week Swift faces an abysmal Bears defense, allowing 20.8 ppg to RBs, fourth-most in the league. With your championship, though if you’re a Swift manager most likely a consolation bracket, on the line Swift could be a viable RB2/Flex option. Jamaal Williams on the other hand, I am fully ready to abandon ship. Williams has now gone three-straight weeks without finding the end zone, his longest stretch this season. Maybe that means he’s due, but if Williams isn’t finding the endzone he has little value. He’s averaging 3.47 ppg over the last three weeks.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Start, High-WR1), DJ Chark Jr. (Start, Mid-WR2), Jameson Williams (Sit, Boom/Bust WR3), Shane Zylstra (Sit, TE2), Brock Wright (Sit, TE2)
I could go on and on about why you should start Amon-Ra St. Brown, but you should know by now. Fire up the Sun God in all leagues you roster him. As for DJ Chark Jr., he bounced back from a WR83 finish in Week 15 to a serviceable WR21 finish last week. This week he faces the Bears who allow 21.47 ppg to WRs, above league average. Chark has 5+ targets in four of his last five games. I like that volume for a WR2. I think his ceiling is capped by whether or not he gets a touchdown. I have him in the middle of my WR2 rankings.
The most targets Jameson Williams has seen in a game is 2. He has 1 target in every other game. I do not trust that volume in my championship. While Shane Zylstra is coming off a 3-TD performance, I just cannot trust him this week. Besides last week, Zylstra has one performance as a top-20 TE. He could be worth a dart throw, but I’m looking for someone with a better fantasy resume in the finals. Brock Wright caught one pass last week and again I do not trust him in my championship matchup.