In the National Football League and in fantasy football the goal is to score at least one more point than your opponent. There is nothing better than a victory — no matter how you get it. The most exciting are those thrilling victories when you are down a good amount of points late in the game and then storm back to win it in the end.
The Detroit Lions and many fantasy owners felt that way this past week with thrilling late wins. We had games until Tuesday night and, with lots of good players in that Cowboys vs. Ravens game, so I’m sure many fantasy matchups were won at the buzzer. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is real both in the NFL and in fantasy football.
Lions vs. Packers fantasy focus
This matchup appears to be a clear mismatch on paper. The Green Bay Packers have a great record, a quarterback hitting on all cylinders, and healthy skill players all over the field. The Detroit Lions don’t have a great record, they have injured skill players all over the field, and their defense continues to struggle mightily.
Fantasy football may be played on the computer, but the actual action still happens between the white lines on the football field. When the ball is kicked off, anything can happen. Most expect Aaron Rodgers (QB Packers) to light it up in this game, Aaron Jones (RB Packers) to run wild, and this to be an easy win for the Packers.
The Lions have Matthew Stafford coming off a big game though, Marvin Jones Jr. showed off his talents in one of his best games of the season last week, T.J. Hockenson is near the top of the NFC in plenty of statistical categories, and D’Andre Swift could possibly be returning to electrify at running back too.
Don’t be surprised if this an offensive bonanza in Detroit. Both teams will look to light up the scoreboard, and each defense will be on their heels all game. This game will be one of the top fantasy matchups of the week, so put in all your Packers and Lions this week.
Start
Tom Brady (QB Buccaneers)
David Montgomery (RB Bears)
Allen Robinson (WR Bears)
Mike Gesicki (TE Dolphins)
Sit
Kirk Cousins (QB Vikings)
Le’Veon Bell (RB Chiefs)
Jalen Reagor (WR Eagles)
Zach Ertz (TE Eagles)
Top 3 projected players by position
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Justin Herbert, Chargers
Running Backs
Derrick Henry, Titans
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Adam Thielen, Vikings
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
T.J. Hockenson, Lions
Team Defenses
Saints
Seahawks
Rams
Kickers
Younghoe Koo, Falcons
Graham Gano, Giants
Tyler Bass, Bills
Waiver wire options
Jalen Hurts (QB Eagles)
Andy Dalton (QB Cowboys)
Tony Pollard (RB Cowboys)
Ito Smith (RB Falcons)
Denzel Mims (WR Jets)
N’Keal Harry (WR Patriots)
Logan Thomas (TE Washington)
Dalton Schultz (TE Cowboys)
Intriguing games and players in Week 14
(Week 14 Bye Weeks: None)
New England at LA Rams, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST
- NE: Cam Newton (QB), Damien Harris (RB)
- LAR: Cooper Kupp (WR), Robert Woods (WR)
Kansas City at Miami, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Mecole Hardman (WR)
- MIA: Myles Gaskin (RB), Mike Gesicki (TE)
Minnesota at Tampa Bay, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- MIN: Dalvin Cook (RB), Justin Jefferson (WR)
- TB: Mike Evans (WR), Ronald Jones (RB)
Indianapolis at Las Vegas, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST
- IND: T.Y. Hilton (WR), Jonathan Taylor (RB)
- LVR: Henry Ruggs (WR), Derek Carr (QB)
Green Bay at Detroit, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
- GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Davante Adams (WR)
- DET: T.J. Hockenson (TE), Matthew Stafford (QB)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST
- PIT: Diontae Johnson (WR), Chase Claypool (WR)
- BUF: Devin Singletary (RB), Josh Allen (QB)
Baltimore at Cleveland, Monday 8:15 PM, EST
- BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), J.K. Dobbins (RB)
- CLE: Nick Chubb (RB), Austin Hooper (TE)
Bottom Line
No bye weeks this week, so all your fantasy players will be ready to roll. It will be a great week to enjoy fantasy football as plenty of matchups and players are sure to shine.
Keep an eye on those talented players that haven’t produced in a while as a few of those will probably unexpectedly impress. Players coming off a big game last week could be locked down by opposing defenses this week.
The ups and downs of the NFL and fantasy football are real. That along with the absolute unpredictability are just a couple of reasons why it is always so fascinating. You never know what will happen on any given Sunday. The comeback victory might be the most fun, but just remember that all your favorite team or fantasy squad needs to do is score one more point than your opponent to be victorious. Never apologize for a win.
