Detroit Lions DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds rushed for 31 yards on seven carries during Monday's Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught two passes for an additional 35 yards through the air, finishing as this week's RB28 in PPR leagues. The 28-year-old had his largest workload of the season on Monday as David Montgomery (knee) continues to miss time. Reynolds is still clearly behind Jahmyr Gibbs in the pecking order, but he's a productive change-of-pace back and an equally intriguing handcuff. Gibbs is headed for a full workload in Week 18, but Reynolds should see another seven to nine touches against the Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries during Monday's Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 46 yards through the air. Gibbs' touchdown came in the fourth quarter as he scored from 30 yards out, with help from some of his teammates' key blocks. The second-year running back hasn't missed a beat since taking on an expanded role with David Montgomery (knee) sidelined. He has 431 total yards and four touchdowns over his last three games, ranking as the overall RB1 in PPR leagues during that span. Fantasy managers should continue to view Gibbs as a top running back option heading into Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings. Unlike some other NFL teams, the Lions are still fighting for a playoff position the No. 1 seed in the NFC and therefore will be playing all their starters, including Gibbs.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick spent his entire career in Denver before injuries led him to his current team. While he was more productive with the Broncos, he has still played better than expected with the Lions. The 31-year-old has appeared in 14 games during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 31 catches for 379 yards. But after amassing three touchdowns combined in meetings with the Packers and Bills, Patrick went cold against the Bears by failing to catch his only target. It's obvious Patrick can still play well. However, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the field, Patrick could struggle to get anything going on Monday night versus the 49ers, making him an extremely risky fantasy option.

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates is afforded one of the better matchups of Week 17 when he lines up against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The 25-year-old has been excellent this season -- driving through all but one of his 59 extra-point attempts and knocking in 23-of-26 field goal tries across 15 games. Coincidentally, all three of his missed field goals have come over the last four contests. He gets a 49ers defense this Monday night, which has been tough on opposing offenses but is one of the more favorable ones for fantasy kickers. San Fran is letting up the twelfth-most points per game to opponents in 2024, and Detroit should come out swinging as they're still fighting for first place in the NFC North. Bates ranks as RotoBaller's K2 ahead of this weekend's action.

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds won't be a recommended fantasy option this Monday in his team's meeting with the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old had been used sparsely this season until Week 16, when he was thrust into a backup role to fill in for injured backfield mate David Montgomery (knee). Reynolds handled four carries -- commanding one target -- in Detroit's 34-17 win over the Bears, working behind teammate Jahmyr Gibbs. He received one more touch than Jermar Jefferson -- out-rushing him by five -- and played twice as many snaps than the latter's five in the victory. While the Lions' RB situation could be fluid from week to week behind Gibbs, Reynolds is currently listed as the team's second-string rusher and deserves to be rostered as a high-end handcuff. He clocks in at RotoBaller's PPR RB48 ahead of this week's slate of action.