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Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, and lineup advice for the Rams vs. Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 (2024). Detailed player breakdowns and matchup analysis.
The long wait is over. Football is officially back! Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season has started off with a bang, thanks to great matchups on both Thursday and Friday nights. We'll look to keep that primetime momentum going to close out Sunday's slate with a clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions.
This is an interesting game between two teams who are projected to be serious contenders in the NFC this season. It's also a rematch from the 2023 NFL Playoffs - a nailbiter which the Lions won 24-23. As fantasy managers already know, there will be lots of players to watch in this one.
We'll be bringing you Sunday Night Football analysis all year long, focusing on who to definitely start, who is on the fence, and who should find the bench. Let's dive into this first awesome Sunday Night matchup that kicks off the 2024 season. You can also read all Week 1 start 'em, sit 'em matchups analysis for the entire slate. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions - 8:20 pm ET
Point Spread: Lions - 4.5; Total: 52.5
Notable Injuries:
- Sam LaPorta (Hamstring) - Expected to Play
Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
For the second time in a row, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will face his former team. In last year's playoff game, Stafford threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns.
Given Detroit's weakness in the secondary, expect the veteran signal-caller to put up similar big numbers in Week 1. He is a must-start in Superflex formats this week against the Lions and comes in as a QB2 option in one-quarterback leagues.
QB Jared Goff
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been one of the more underrated fantasy quarterbacks over the past two years, but he deserves more love entering Week 1. He just finished as the QB7 and now faces a Rams secondary that allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (18.9) to opposing quarterbacks in 2023. In a revenge game for Goff, he is a nice QB1 option this week.
With Stafford having a plus matchup in Week 1, both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua could have monster fantasy days. Even though the Lions added Carlton Davis III this offseason, their secondary isn't immediately fixed with his arrival. They allowed 36.9 PPR fantasy points to opposing wideouts last season, meaning Kupp and Nacua should exceed their expectations to open the season.
“There’s nobody I feel like does it better than Cooper Kupp.” pic.twitter.com/rkRN7Apxhv
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 6, 2024
You aren't sitting wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown by any means this season, but he deserves to be on this list because of his A+ matchup in Week 1. St. Brown totaled seven catches for 110 yards against the Rams in last year's playoffs, and that seems like his fantasy floor this week in what should be a high-scoring game. Lock in the speedy wideout as your WR1.
TE Sam LaPorta
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has been battling a hamstring issue for some time now. However, he is on track to play in Week 1 against the Lions. Given that he is the overall TE1 this season, he should be started in all formats this week. LaPorta also has a great matchup to open the season, facing a Rams defense that allowed almost 13 PPR fantasy points to the position in 2023.
Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups
One of the biggest questions heading into the season is how involved Kyren Williams will be on offense this season. He is expected to return punts for the team this year, and the Rams also drafted Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
This matchup is also a tough one for Williams, as the Lions gave up only 91.1 rush yards per game in 2023. Still, you are starting Williams in every format, given where you drafted him.
#Rams RB Kyren Williams will be the team’s punt returner this season, per HC Sean McVay. pic.twitter.com/tOnIKLQWHO
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 27, 2024
Lions RBs
Both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will see plenty of chances in this Lions offense in 2024, including in Week 1 against the Rams.
Los Angeles was a top team against the run last season and only allowed 357 receiving yards to opposing running backs the whole year. However, it lost both Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones IV this offseason, making Gibbs a strong RB1 option and Montgomery a solid RB2 option this week.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has failed to stay on the field in his first two years, resulting in some low fantasy finishes. But serving as the Lions WR2 could serve him well in 2024.
He is in an elite offense with a fantastic play-caller in Ben Johnson, which means Williams could be fantasy-relevant this year. Nonetheless, he is too much of a boom-or-bust player to trust in Week 1 against the Rams.
Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups
None in this matchup.
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