The Detroit Lions are set up for their most important game of the season so far in a Thanksgiving rematch with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.
Fantasy football managers will want to get an early jump on setting their lineups with three games on the Thanksgiving slate, starting with the NFC North showdown at 12 p.m. ET. However, anyone relying on the Lions skill players to carry them to a Week 13 win may want to temper their expectations.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off of a career day against the New York Giants, and was the Lions’ leading fantasy point scorer (15 points) against the Packers in Green Bay in Week 1. Gibbs remains a must-start despite the tough matchup.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had an explosive, near-30-point game last week, and remains the top pass-catching option for the Lions. The pass rush from Micah Parsons and the Packers will almost certainly keep the Lions offense from working at the pace that they’d like, but St. Brown is too consistent to not be considered a must-start in all league formats.
The rest of the fantasy options on the Lions offense remain a more difficult decision for managers up against Packers defense that only gave up 246 yards of offense and 13 points in their Week 1 matchup.
Detroit Lions Start/Sit Week 13 vs. Green Bay Packers
Sit: Jared Goff
Quarterback Jared Goff has had a difficult few weeks as the Lions continue to struggle against pass rushes that aren’t the Washington Commanders. Goff’s completion percentage has dropped over the last couple of games as he’s faced significant pressure from the interior of opposing defensive fronts.
Despite that drop in efficiency and two consecutive games with an interception, Goff has maintained a solid floor and could be an option for managers who are thin at QB. However, he’ll be best left on the bench in favor of a better option.
Start: Jameson Williams
I know what you’re thinking: he just turned in a goose egg against the Giants in a game that the Lions put up more than 30 points. However, with Sam LaPorta out for the season and Kalif Raymond expected to miss this game, the targets will be there for Jameson Williams, and head coach Dan Campbell will need to be creative in order to not get buried early in this game.
Williams is a risky play, but a worthwhile flex option in a game that he’ll be needed.
Sit: Any Lions tight end
Brock Wright started and played the majority of snaps at tight end for the Lions since Sam LaPorta’s injury, but he may not even suit up for Thursday’s game after suffering a neck injury in their win last week. Wright caught five of 11 targets in the starting role, but hasn’t been the weapon that LaPorta is.
If Wright misses, former San Francisco 49ers tight end Ross Dwelley could get the start. Dwelley is best left off any rosters.
Sit: Isaac TeSlaa
Fantasy managers who’ve been rostering rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa may be tempted to start him with Kalif Raymond likely to miss Thursday’s game. TeSlaa had 8.3 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Packers thanks to an outrageous, one-handed touchdown catch late in the game.
However, TeSlaa has only three catches on eight targets since then and shouldn’t be counted on in such a difficult matchup for the Lions. He doesn’t need to be rostered, but if you’re holding out hope for a breakout, don’t start him this week.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Fantasy start/sit Week 13: Lions to start on Thanksgiving vs. Packers
Reporting by Ryan Love, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
