RADIO
As we head toward 2024, the NFL has gifted us with Saturday night action between two of the league's most exciting teams in Week 17. With fantasy football league championship matches underway, the contest featured in this article could certainly have some serious impact on determining league champions. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Lions vs. Cowboys game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS.
This Week 17 matchup features two of the NFC's strongest teams. Dan Cambell's lovable Lions are playoff-bound after clinching their first division title in 30 years. Meanwhile, a Cowboys squad that's explosive on both sides of the ball will try to keep their 15-game home winning streak alive on Saturday night. This will be a fun one!
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 17 matchups. Good luck, RotoBallers!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys -5.5
Implied Total: Lions (23.25) vs. Cowboys (28.75)
Pace: Lions (18th) vs. Cowboys (22nd)
Lions Off. DVOA: 24.5% Pass (9th), 10.2% Rush (4th)
Cowboys Off. DVOA: 24.2% Pass (10th), -4.2% Rush (14th)
Lions Def. DVOA: 7.9% Pass (16th), -17.3% Rush (4th)
Cowboys Def. DVOA: -2.2% Pass (8th), -12.5% Rush (12th)
Matchups We Love
Lions RBs
Vegas is expecting a shootout between two high-powered offenses that are competing to finish at the top of the NFC. The Lions will be led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who continue to dominate defenses. Gibbs was elusive, making defenders miss constantly. He went over 100 scrimmage yards and ran in two touchdowns.
Only three Lions players have produced 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 TDs as a rookie. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of them 🙌 (h/t @Lions) pic.twitter.com/ckAmeOgfXg
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2023
Montgomery, who spent some time on the sideline, was no slouch either, finding the end zone and totaling 69 yards. Dallas slowed down the Dolphins after getting gashed by the Bills, but these two will wear them down. Gibbs has the receiving role on lockdown, so he's a top-12 back against Dallas with Montgomery in the top 24.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET)
It was business as usual for St. Brown, who had more than double the targets of every other receiver. Jameson Williams continues to slot in behind St. Brown, but with the backfield and tight end taking away targets, he's a flex option.
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)
Prescott hung tight with the Dolphins, but couldn't get the late win. He got charged with a lost fumble, but it was a strange play where the quarterback never had the ball. Nevertheless, the Lions are the perfect matchup for him to light it up at home, where he's far more comfortable. He's back in the top 10.
The most accurate QB on 10+ yard throws
Dak Prescott 🎯 pic.twitter.com/cJEfwiSSiU
— PFF (@PFF) December 28, 2023
CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL)
Lamb looked like he was about to shatter records after the first quarter before getting completely shut down until partway through the fourth. Brandin Cooks hauled in a touchdown while Jalen Tolbert made a big play down the sideline. Lamb is a must-start with Cooks worth throwing out there as a flex option given the matchup and point total.
Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL)
The final output of four catches for 45 yards wasn't fantastic, but eight targets were second on the team. You can fire him up this week as the No. 2 receiver behind Lamb.
Matchups We Hate
Tony Pollard (RB, DAL)
Miami has tightened up their defense as a whole with Jalen Ramsey healthy, but they're especially tough to run on. That remains the one area Detroit's defense is holding strong as well, which is problematic for Pollard. He somehow didn't score last week because the ball was outside the end zone despite his whole body being across it. Additionally, he earned just one target, which is concerning considering there should be a lot of passing attempts. He's not a bench because they could easily run one in and Rico Dowdle is out, but he'll need to be a factor as a receiver to deliver.
Tony Pollard choosing to try and truck someone twice his size instead of running to the wide open pylon was certainly a choice
A choice that ultimately lost us this game pic.twitter.com/YMHHSpcpKs
— Festive Micah Parsons Fan (@demcowboysfan) December 25, 2023
Other Matchups
Sam LaPorta (TE, DET)
LaPorta took a backseat to the backfield and St. Brown, resulting in just three targets. It's a tough matchup this week, but he's still in the top 10.
Jared Goff (QB, DET)
Goff threw for 250-plus yards as he typically does, but the touchdowns, five of which came through the air two weeks ago, were mostly on the ground this time. Traveling to Dallas isn't a great spot, so he drops into the streaming category.
Notable Injuries
Rico Dowdle (ankle) - OUT
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:More Fantasy Football Analysis
