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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

Joe Sudberg analyzes the 2015 NFL matchups for Week 13, and provides fantasy football start/sit advice for the Lions vs. Packers Thursday night game. Set your optimal lineups.

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.

 

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