Team Profile
Detroit Lions
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3.8% 18thOff DVOA
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-8.5% 26thPassing DVOA
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29.2% 2ndRushing DVOA
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-5.1% 10thDef DVOA
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0.3% 14thDef Passing DVOA
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-15.5% 9thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For21.0 17th
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Points Against20.0 13th
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Yards Per Game413.0 1st
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Yards Allowed Per Game302.0 14th
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is looking to bounce back from a rough Week 17 performance on Sunday. The rookie posted just 43 rushing yards and did not catch a pass in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He scored at least 20 PPR fantasy points in six of his last nine games prior to the down week, so he remains a high-upside fantasy and DFS play in Week 18. He'll face a Minnesota Vikings defense that has been stingy against running backs this year, but his pass-catching role and explosive skill set make him a must-start in all matchups. Once again, he and David Montgomery have plenty of upside behind the league's best offensive line.
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery found the end zone for the 12th time last week, continuing his run of solid RB2 play in fantasy football. The former Chicago Bear has not finished lower than the RB25 in any non-injury-shortened game this year, so he remains a high-floor RB2 or flex play in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions still have a path to the No. 2 seed in the NFC, meaning head coach Dan Campbell should still be motivated to play his starters until the end of the game. Although the Vikings have surrendered the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, the Lions have been able to run the ball in all matchups this year.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been hit-or-miss in recent weeks. The veteran threw five touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 15, but he has thrown just two touchdowns and two interceptions over his last two outings. Goff, a pure pocket passer, is dependent on touchdowns for big-time fantasy upside, and he's tossed at least two touchdowns in half of his 16 starts this season. With Detroit still in the race for the No. 2 seed in the NFC, they should play their starters as usual in the Week 18 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are a neutral matchup for quarterbacks, so Goff has plenty of upside on Sunday.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) was unable to practice with the rest of his teammates on Wednesday. Williams was injured in last Saturday's one-point loss to the Dallas Cowboys and is in danger of missing the Week 18 regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. The Lions have even more reason to sit the second-year wideout now that they are locked into the No. 3 seed in the NFC. The 22-year-old's injury isn't exactly considered serious, the Detroit would rather have Williams rested up for the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. The former first-rounder from Ohio State hasn't been much of a fantasy option to begin with in his second NFL season, as he's caught only 24 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets through 12 games, adding a touchdown and 29 yards rushing on three carries.
Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury and was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's a new injury for LaPorta, who could face playing-time restrictions or even be held out entirely in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings with the Lions already locked into the No. 3 seed in the NFC. LaPorta has been a high-end TE1 for fantasy managers all year, so it would be a shame if the 22-year-old wasn't available for those still playing for a championship. Brock Wright (hip) was a non-participant in practice, so if both LaPorta and Wright are held out this weekend, the Lions would be down to James Mitchell and Anthony Firkser at the position.