X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

Thursday Night Football Matchups Analysis - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

By Mike Morbeck (Flickr: Calvin Johnson) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

For the second consecutive Thursday, both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will take the field. This time it's against each other at Ford Field in Detroit. The first time these two teams met, the Lions walked away with an 18-16 win at Lambeau Field.

The Lions and their offense have been hot in recent weeks and look to continue the trend against a Packers team coming off an odd loss to the Chicago Bears at home on Thanksgiving night.

 

Packers @ Lions - Thursday Night Analysis

Calvin JohnsonJohnson was phenomenal against Philadelphia last Thursday, catching three touchdown passes and 93 yards on eight catches. Johnson is now riding a streak of six consecutive double-digit fantasy efforts (.5 ppr, six-point touchdowns) and has had at least five receptions in every game this season after Week 1.

In his first contest against Green Bay, Johnson had nine targets for six receptions with 81 yards but did not find the end zone. He has been a monster in divisional games this season, averaging 10.5 targets, nearly seven receptions and scoring three touchdowns in four contests.

Golden TatePlaying Tate is frustrating at times with the lack of touchdowns scored, but he's on a streak of at least eight fantasy points in four straight games with two double-digit point games. He only has two receiving touchdowns this year but still is a more than viable fantasy wide receiver, averaging 7.5 targets for 6.3 catches per game in the three contests since the bye week.

Eric EbronEven with a good matchup, Ebron should sit on the pine in the final regular season week before the playoffs as he's only totaled five targets in the past two weeks. With his blocking skills deteriorating in the latter half of the season, his reps aren't figured to increase in the final few games.

Ameer AbdullahLast week was his best game of the season since Week 1 as Abdullah saw a season-high of 16 carries. Abdullah is a lock for at least 15 touches with the arrow pointing up, as he has seemingly figured out his fumbling issues for the time being. He's not at the RB2 level, but with many running back injuries and question marks around the league, it may be worth the risk for some.

Theo RiddickIf it's a PPR league, Riddick should be in your lineup. The Lions utilize him well and put him in positions to succeed, just like his touchdowncatch over the middle on Thursday. Expect more of the same against Green Bay, as Riddick is coming off back-to-back double-digit fantasy weeks.

Matthew StaffordIf there was ever a point in the season to "trust" Stafford, it's during this current hot streak. Stafford hasn't thrown less than 35 pass attempts and has typically completed at least 23 passes. The best part has been his ball security, as Stafford has just one interception in his past three games compared to seven touchdown throws, albeit a bit boosted from last week's five-touchdown performance. If people are still holding out hope for guys like Matt Ryan, Stafford deserves another chance if it's available.

Aaron RodgersRodgers threw 61 times in their last meeting against the Lions, but those expecting greatness have been disappointed as he hasn't scored more than 26.12 in his past three starts. Something just seems "off" in the eye test with Rodgers and the Packers wide receivers, as he's piling up the incompletions this season. He's still likely a top-five fantasy quarterback, but the lack of down-the-field explosive plays is a bit concerning.

Randall CobbCobb's 10 targets from their first match should at the very least be duplicated (I'm predicting more) as perhaps Rodgers starts to wean away from Devonte Adams. It's not an A+ matchup however, as the Lions defense has not allowed more than two touchdowns and more than 79 yards to a wide receiver since Week 8.

Davante AdamsSpeaking of Adams, I'm sitting the target hound if better options are available. The Packers are saying Adams isn't 100% and is still battling ankle issues and that in addition to the missed connections from Rodgers are enough for me to look elsewhere.

Eddie LacyThat's first-round Eddie Lacy to you. Patient Eddie owners may be rewarded in a big way as he looked the best he did all season last Thursday night. There's no need to sit Lacy anymore if managers have been hoarding him in a flex or bench spot at times this season, as he showed burst, caught passes and made people miss against the Bears. The defense will be better this time around, but it's time to ride the hot hand in the Packers ground game.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Andy Pages10 mins ago

Dodgers To Promote Andy Pages
Bobby Portis1 hour ago

Happy With Life Under Doc Rivers
Simone Fontecchio1 hour ago

Expects To Sign Extension With Pistons
Deandre Ayton2 hours ago

Feels First Year In Portland Was "Amazing"
Deni Avdija2 hours ago

Wants To Develop At Both Ends
Kyle Kuzma2 hours ago

Aims To Improve Conditioning During Offseason
Derrick Rose2 hours ago

Plans To Return To Memphis Next Season
Ja Morant2 hours ago

On Schedule In Recovery
Jake Cronenworth10 hours ago

Dealing With Calf Tightness
Jackson Chourio10 hours ago

Hits Two-Run Homer, Swipes Base Monday
Aaron Nola10 hours ago

Dominant In Monday's No-Decision
Taylor Ward10 hours ago

Hits Sixth Homer Of Season Monday
Mike Trout10 hours ago

Hits Seventh Homer Of Season Monday
Josh Hader11 hours ago

Gets Rocked In Monday's Outing
Josh Lowe11 hours ago

To Begin Rehab Assignment Thursday
Tommy Pham12 hours ago

Signs Minor-League Deal With White Sox
Kirby Yates13 hours ago

Earns Save Monday, Could Be Rangers' New Closer
Max Scherzer13 hours ago

Eyeing "Early May" Return
J.D. Davis13 hours ago

Hits Injured List, Esteury Ruiz Recalled
Brandon Ingram13 hours ago

Likely To See More Minutes On Tuesday
Mark Williams13 hours ago

"Feeling Better"
Sean Murphy13 hours ago

Playing Catch
Immanuel Quickley14 hours ago

Hoping To Remain In Toronto
DJ LeMahieu14 hours ago

Could Begin Rehab Assignment Thursday
Michael Penix Jr.14 hours ago

Visiting With Patriots
De'Anthony Melton14 hours ago

Misses Practice On Monday
Las Vegas Raiders14 hours ago

Maxx Crosby Back To 100 Percent
Joel Embiid14 hours ago

Practices On Monday
Cade Cunningham14 hours ago

Hoping To Improve In Several Areas
Gary Payton14 hours ago

II Out Again On Tuesday
LeBron James14 hours ago

Probable For Play-In Game On Tuesday
Anthony Davis15 hours ago

Questionable Versus The Pels
Walker Buehler15 hours ago

Could Return Next Week
Paul Sewald15 hours ago

To Throw Another Bullpen On Tuesday
Dylan Carlson15 hours ago

Tommy Edman, Dylan Carlson Starting To Swing The Bat
Justin Verlander16 hours ago

Could Make Season Debut This Weekend
Salvador Perez16 hours ago

Has Grade 1 Groin Strain
Keibert Ruiz16 hours ago

Goes On 10-Day Injured List
Jhoan Duran16 hours ago

To Throw On Tuesday
Alex Lyon17 hours ago

Getting The Starting Nod Monday
Charlie Lindgren18 hours ago

Making Fifth Straight Start Monday
Boone Jenner18 hours ago

Practices Monday
Adam Fantilli18 hours ago

Practices Monday
Rasmus Sandin18 hours ago

Skates In Non-Contact Jersey Monday
18 hours ago

Lane Hutson To Make NHL Debut Monday
Brock Bowers20 hours ago

Visiting With Jets
NBA20 hours ago

Ja’Kobe Walter Declares For NBA Draft
J.J. McCarthy20 hours ago

Patriots Visiting With J.J. McCarthy On Monday
Lonnie Walker20 hours ago

IV Noncommittal On Future With Nets
Daniel Jones20 hours ago

Plan Is For Daniel Jones To Be Fully Cleared For Training Camp
Vit Krejci20 hours ago

Hawks Hope To Keep Vit Krejci This Offseason
Aaron Rodgers20 hours ago

Reports For Voluntary Workouts
Indianapolis Colts21 hours ago

Colts, DeForest Buckner Agree To Two-Year Extension
Giannis Antetokounmpo21 hours ago

“Up In The Air” For Game 1
Rashee Rice21 hours ago

To Be Virtual To Start Offseason Program
CeeDee Lamb21 hours ago

Not Expected To Attend Start Of Voluntary Program
Grayson Allen21 hours ago

Lands Four-Year Extension With Suns
Justin Jefferson21 hours ago

Doesn't Report For Voluntary Workouts
Andrew Copp21 hours ago

A Game-Time Decision Monday
ANA21 hours ago

Ducks Sign Cutter Gauthier To Entry-Level Deal
Joseph Woll21 hours ago

To Start Tuesday
Calle Jarnkrok21 hours ago

Questionable For Game 1
Alex Pereira21 hours ago

Defends Light-Heavyweight Title At UFC 300
Max Domi21 hours ago

Out Tuesday, Unlikely For Wednesday
Jamahal Hill21 hours ago

Knocked Out At UFC 300
Bobby McMann22 hours ago

To Miss Final Two Regular Season Games
Yan Xiaonan22 hours ago

Unsuccessful In Bid To Capture UFC Title
Arman Tsarukyan22 hours ago

Edges Out Competitive Decision At UFC 300
Charles Oliveira22 hours ago

Drops Decision Matchup
NASCAR24 hours ago

Bubba Wallace Finishes Seventh At Texas Motor Speedway
DeVonta Smith1 day ago

Eagles Sign DeVonta Smith To Three-Year Extension
Kyle Busch1 day ago

Earns Top 10 Finish In Backup Car At Texas Motor Speedway
Chase Elliott1 day ago

Emerges Victorious in Texas Race Riddled with Cautions
William Byron1 day ago

Finishes Third at Texas After Wrecking Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain1 day ago

Gets Wrecked on Final Lap at Texas While Battling for the Lead
Kyle Larson1 day ago

Sees Dominant Day Slip Away at Texas Due To Loose Wheel
NASCAR1 day ago

Daniel Suárez the Luckiest Driver at Texas, Scores Top Five
Denny Hamlin1 day ago

Late Spinout Costs Denny Hamlin Likely Second-Place Finish
Ty Gibbs1 day ago

Had Speed at Texas, But Burnt by Pit Crew
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Was Best Ford Driver Until Wreck With Ryan Preece
Tyler Reddick1 day ago

Earns Hard-Fought Fourth Place Finish At Texas
Austin Dillon1 day ago

Gains His Best Finish Of The Year At Texas
Carson Hocevar1 day ago

Rounds Out Top Ten At Texas
Chase Briscoe1 day ago

Ends Up Sixth At Texas
Davante Adams2 days ago

Plans To Remain In Vegas
Miami Dolphins2 days ago

Jaelan Phillips Seemingly Believes He'll Be Ready For Week 1
Tee Higgins2 days ago

Plans To Play For The Bengals In 2024-25
Jordan Love2 days ago

Expected To Get A Lucrative Contract
Jared Goff2 days ago

Expected To Receive Big Money
Brandon Aiyuk2 days ago

Reportedly Hasn't Asked For A Trade
Christopher Bell2 days ago

Is A Great Tournament Option At Texas
Kyle Busch2 days ago

Starts From the Rear After Texas Practice Crash
Chase Elliott2 days ago

Should Chase Elliott Be Rostered In DFS For Texas?
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Can Ty Gibbs Score His First Win At Texas?
Cody Brundage2 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 300
Todd Gilliland2 days ago

Is A Quality Value Play For Texas
Bo Nickal2 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 300
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Will Start 11th At Texas On Sunday
Ryan Preece2 days ago

Brings Continued Upside To Texas
Justin Gaethje2 days ago

Gets KO'd At UFC 300
Max Holloway2 days ago

Scores Highlight-Reel KO At UFC 300
Zhang Weili2 days ago

Retains Strawweight Title At UFC 300
CeeDee Lamb3 days ago

Cowboys Haven't Had "Substantial Talks"
Joe Burrow3 days ago

Confident He'll Stay Healthy
Brandon Aiyuk3 days ago

Unfollows Niners On Social Media
Rashee Rice4 days ago

Surrenders To Police
Alex Pereira4 days ago

Set For First Light Heavyweight Title Defense
Jamahal Hill4 days ago

Faces Alex Pereira In The Main Event Of UFC 300
Yan Xiaonan4 days ago

Set For A Title Shot At UFC 300
Charles Oliveira4 days ago

Returns To Action On UFC 300 Main Card
Arman Tsarukyan4 days ago

Has A Tough Test In Front Of Him
Laurent Brossoit4 days ago

Shuts Out Stars With 24 Saves
Lucas Raymond4 days ago

Erupts For Four Points
Sidney Crosby4 days ago

Enters Top 10 On NHL's All-Time Scoring List
Sergei Bobrovsky4 days ago

Logs Sixth Shutout Of The Season
Timo Meier4 days ago

Notches Three Points In Win Over Toronto
Noah Dobson4 days ago

Sustains An Upper-Body Injury
Cody Brundage5 days ago

A Massive Underdog At UFC 300
Bo Nickal5 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line
Max Holloway5 days ago

Moves Back Up To Lightweight At UFC 300
Justin Gaethje5 days ago

Puts BMF Belt On The Line At UFC 300
Zhang Weili5 days ago

Defends Strawweight Title At UFC 300
Connor Hellebuyck5 days ago

Connor HelleBuyck Getting A Breather Thursday
Timothy Liljegren5 days ago

Could Return Before Postseason
Igor Shesterkin5 days ago

Getting A Rest Day Thursday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF