Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, September 20th at 8:15 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Betting Odds: DET +10.5, 48 total via Oddsshark
Network: ESPN
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (Sit, QB2)
I think I’m a bit higher on Jared Goff than most other fantasy writers this week. After all, he passed the eye test on his way to scoring 28.9 fantasy points in Week 1. I’m keeping an eye on Goff’s production in the coming weeks, but the fact is that one week does not make a trend. It would be foolish to blindly chase another 28-point performance in Week 2. The Packers’ defense allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last year, but they looked awful last week against the Saints. There is too much variance and too many unknowns in this situation. With many other viable quarterbacks available (likely with safer and more predictable floors), Goff is better off on the fantasy bench for at least one more week.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, Low-end RB1), Jamaal Williams (Start, High-end Flex with upside)
Four running backs had 50+ receiving yards in Week 1, and two of them play for Detroit. Interestingly, both of these backs had a very similar workload and output. Jamaal Williams tied for the overall RB2 position in Week 1 while D’Andre Swift finished as the overall RB4. Swift had 11 carries and 11 targets, while Williams had nine carries and nine targets. Luckily for fantasy managers with Swift shares, D’Andre out-snapped Jamaal 63 to 32.
From a coaching standpoint, it makes sense for the Lions to continue giving these backs similar workloads if they want both to stay healthy and effective for as long as possible. Plus, with the lack of receiving options in Detriot, both Swift and Williams should continue to be involved in the passing game. The Packers’ defense allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs last year and let Alvin Kamara put up an RB1 performance against them last week. Swift should be a dependable starter this week, and Williams should get enough work to justify Flex consideration for the foreseeable future.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyrell Williams (Sit), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Sit), Quintez Cephus (Sit), T.J. Hockenson (Start, TE1)
Tyrell Williams is worth keeping an eye on, just not in Week 2. Williams is in the concussion protocol, but even if he weren’t, I wouldn’t consider him a genuine option this week anyway. Still, I think it’s worth noting that Tyrell ran a pass route on all 23 of the Lions’ first-half pass plays in Week 1. Detroit has very little wide-receiver depth, meaning Williams could find more value in the coming weeks. That said, he should not be in the start conversation at all this week. If he plays, he’s likely to line up opposite Jaire Alexander quite a bit.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus will likely take on larger roles if Williams cannot clear concussion protocol before game time, but I wouldn’t trust either of these guys in Week 2.
The Packers were pretty stingy against tight ends in 2020 (fourth-fewest fantasy points allowed to the position), but they just let Juwan Johnson put up a TE1 performance against them last week. T.J. Hockenson was the overall TE3 in Week 1 with an impressive 25.7-point performance. Hockenson should continue to see plenty of targets with the lack of receiving options in Detriot. He should be capable of another imposing performance in Week 2.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, QB1)
Aaron Rodgers had an abysmal showing last week with one of the worst statistical performances of his career. Luckily, if there were ever a week for a “get right” game, it’s this one. The Lions allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks among all NFL teams in 2020. I fully expect AR12 to show up to Monday Night Football with a chip on his shoulder. He should be in line for a QB1 performance in Week 2.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Start, RB1), A.J. Dillon (Sit)
Aaron Jones struggled last week, but I wouldn’t worry about him much yet. The Saints took a quick lead in Week 1, and the Packers abandoned the run as a result. I believe Jones will have more usage this week in what should hopefully be a more competitive game for the Packers in Week 2. The Lions gave up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs last year, so Jones should have plenty of opportunity for an impressive RB1 performance.
A.J. Dillon is still no more than a bench stash for now. He could be a serviceable Flex candidate if the Packers get their run game going (and Dillon receives more work), but he isn’t start-able for now.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Allen Lazard (Sit), Randall Cobb (Sit), Amari Rodgers (Sit), Robert Tonyan (Start, Low-end TE1)
For now, you would do well to avoid all Packers wide-receivers NOT named Davante Adams. One of the other receivers is bound to reach fantasy relevance, especially if AR12 plays like a QB1 this week. The trouble is figuring out which receiver will be successful in Week 2. Marquez Valdes-Scantling should have a shot at an impressive performance if he and Rodgers can link up on deep balls, but MVS is too boom-or-bust to trust every week. Allen Lazard is helpful in the run game and will see plenty of snaps every week, but he hasn’t emerged as a clear-cut WR2 in Green Bay yet. Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers had 15 snaps each in Week 1, so I doubt either finds much fantasy relevance this year.
The Lions were right in the middle of the league when it came to fantasy points allowed to tight ends in 2020. Unfortunately, Robert Tonyan only had four targets and two catches last week, so fantasy managers hope Tonyan gets more involved against Detroit. “Big Bob” Tonyan needs to find his 2020 efficiency if he’s going to produce consistent fantasy-relevant points. I’m placing Tonyan in the low-end TE1 tier and hoping he can at least stay there for the foreseeable future. If you need some encouragement, Tonyan caught a touchdown in both games against the Lions last year.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)