X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Packers vs. Lions TNF Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, David Montgomery, Jared Goff, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, Tucker Kraft

Amon-Ra St. Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, and lineup advice for the Packers and Lions on Thursday Night Football in Week 14 (2024). Detailed player breakdowns and TNF matchup analysis.

If you didn't get enough of the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers last Thursday on Thanksgiving, don't worry! Week 14 features the two teams on Thursday Night Football again and there is no shortage of fantasy football assets to deploy here in this important NFC North divisional matchup.

If the Packers want any shot at catching Detroit or the Minnesota Vikings for the division lead, they will have to win this game on the road at a raucous Ford Field. Detroit, fresh off a tough win against Chicago, looks to move one step closer to locking up the one seed throughout the NFC playoffs. There are very few injuries to monitor here in this game, so we should get both teams at close to full strength.

I will bring you Thursday Night Football analysis all year, focusing on who to start, who is on the fence, and who should find the bench. Let's dive into this next awesome Thursday night matchup for Week 14 of the 2024 season. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions - 8:15 p.m. EST

Notable Injuries:

 

Packers vs. Lions Matchup Breakdown

This is one of those prime-time NFL matchups you circle on your calendar when you are treated to it in Week 14. Gone are the days when this would have been a Jacksonville Jaguars visiting the Tennessee Titans game this late in the season. In Week 14, we are getting a different type of Titans that will pit strength against strength in Detroit.

Both Green Bay and Detroit are top-12 in the NFL in both touchdowns per game scored and fewest touchdowns per game allowed. Both of these defenses have been dominant in recent weeks. Detroit is first in the NFL with just 1.0 opponent touchdowns allowed per game and Green Bay is third at just 1.7 touchdowns allowed.

They have both been doing with a bend-don't-break style that has Detroit (first) and Green Bay (third) among the best teams in the league at stopping teams before they reach the red zone.

The question remains, then, which offense can break through and muscle its way into the end zone in these harsh defensive conditions? It should come down to which team can establish an effective running game. Both teams are top-10 this season with an identical 4.8 yards per carry and both will want to get that part of the offense going.

The team that can win in the trenches will ultimately come out on top.

 

Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

Josh Jacobs (RB, GB)

Say one thing for Detroit's defense. It is the only team that has kept Josh Jacobs out of the end zone in the last six games. Jacobs still totaled 108 yards on 15 touches against it in Week 9, so it couldn't stop him.

Jacobs is on an unbelievable tear right now. He is playing 80% of snaps in close games and has eight touchdowns in his last six games. Even in the toughest of matchups, you trust the volume here.

David Montgomery (RB, DET)

We can put all lingering worry about the shoulder injury to rest after David Montgomery's Thanksgiving masterpiece. He compiled 119 yards on 24 touches and put to rest any concerns about his health. Montgomery also has most of the goal-line work for this Lions team.

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET)

Even though Jahmyr Gibbs touched the ball only 11 times against Chicago, he put up 104 total yards. The Bears did a good job keeping the running backs out of the end zone on Thanksgiving, but Gibbs already has one rushing score against Green Bay this season.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET)

That's now two straight games for Amon-Ra St. Brown without a touchdown after he had eight straight games with a score. These things are fluky and can come and go, but what's not fluky is the Sun God's usage. He is 11th in targets and fifth in red-zone targets among wide receivers this season.

 

Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

Jayden Reed (WR, GB)

Jayden Reed has emerged as Jordan Love's favorite red-zone weapon in recent weeks. He has six red-zone targets in the last three weeks, which have resulted in three touchdowns. On the season, Reed now trails only Tucker Kraft in red-zone targets among pass-catchers.

Christian Watson (WR, GB)

Christian Watson has been a roller coaster the last three games with 150, four, and 67 yards. However, he does have 18 targets in his last four games and is getting a high average depth of target, an area where Jordan Love has been mostly reliable. The one weakness in the Detroit defense is that it allows a lot of yards to opposing wide receivers.

Jordan Love (QB, GB)

Jordan Love has two games all season where he did not throw a touchdown pass and one of them was against Detroit at home in Week 9. He has five in three games since then, and Green Bay is an underdog here, so we expect him to be throwing a lot. I think Love will have a lot of volume, but Detroit is second in the league in the fewest touchdown passes allowed to quarterbacks.

Sam LaPorta (TE, DET)

The two touchdowns last week were awesome! The three catches for six yards? Not so much. LaPorta hasn't had more than three receptions or 66 yards since Week 8, proving too inconsistent to be a set-it-and-forget-it tight end in the most important regular-season week of the year.

Jameson Williams (WR, DET)

The funny thing about Jameson Williams is you like having Jameson Williams on your team. But you don't like playing Jameson Williams on your team. You get enticed when he is on your bench and catches four passes for 124 yards and a score. Then he gives you 68 and 46 yards in his next two games.

The main thing working in Williams' favor this week is that the Packers allow over 10 yards per completion this season. He is a boom-or-bust option, but we know that going in.

Jared Goff (QB, DET)

Week 9 against Green Bay was not one of Jared Goff's strongest games of the season. He threw for 145 yards and one touchdown. But he has thrown for eight touchdowns in his next four games, and at home, he averages 256 yards passing and two touchdowns per game.

 

Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups

Tucker Kraft (TE, GB)

Tucker Kraft is the toughest call in this game for me. On one hand, he is the TE9 on the season and has been mostly consistent week in and week out. On the other, the Lions allow the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends (3.5 points), and that's exactly what they did when these teams played in Green Bay in Week 9.

In that game, Kraft caught four balls for 36 yards and rushed for two yards. He did not score. I understand if he is the best option on your team and you have to pull the trigger. But I would rather have someone like Juwan Johnson, Hunter Henry, or Jonnu Smith -- all of whom are available in many leagues.

Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson (RBs, GB)

In competitive games, Josh Jacobs plays more than 80% of snaps every time and he has at least 22 touches in four of his last five games. All other running backs for Green Bay in that span? They have 45 touches combined in five games.

Bo Melton and Dontayvion Wicks (WRs, GB)

For Bo Melton, the next time he scores four fantasy points, it will be his first time this season. Dontayvion Wicks theoretically gets more work when Romeo Doubs is out. However, he has not scored more than five fantasy points since Week 7 and he has 13 total targets in his last five games.

Tim Patrick (WR, DET)

Tim Patrick is WR102 on the season and hasn't scored more than eight fantasy points in any game this season. Even with Kalif Raymond out, he was not able to find a role, finishing with just five fantasy points on Thanksgiving.

 

Kirksey’s Thursday Night Football Picks

Current Spread: Detroit -3.5
Over/Under: 51.5

This is quite a high total for two teams who have been masterful on defense lately. I don't have any hesitation picking the under in this game, as the Packers should be able to contain the explosive plays from Detroit. Ultimately, however, I think Detroit's two-headed rushing attack will be too much for the Green Bay defensive line.

Over the last three weeks, no team has been able to stop Detroit on the ground. Its 11.3 rushing first downs per game is first in that span as it can just keep rotating David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, hitting defenses with thunder and lightning until they break.

For a final score, give me Detroit 27, Green Bay 21.

The Pick: Detroit -3.5, UNDER 51.5

2024 Record (including Thanksgiving games):
Spread (9-6), Over/Under (9-5-1)



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!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP