It is no fun when your weekly fantasy matchup is over basically before it even starts. You know those weeks where before you know it your opponent gets multiple early deep touchdowns, your star quarterback gets an injury in the first moments of the game, guys that were projected for huge points totals put up goose eggs, and it just continues to get worse as the day goes on.
You looked forward to the week and you were ready to fight for the win, but before you can blink the scoreboard isn’t anywhere close to what you thought it would be when your fantasy matchup started on Sunday. It happens, but it sure is no fun when it happens. Fantasy football is a week-to-week league though just like the NFL, so you have to put it behind you and get set for the next opponent on your schedule.
Lions Bye Week fantasy focus
The Detroit Lions got embarrassed at home last week by the Philadelphia Eagles, and they don’t get a chance for redemption this week as they are off on their scheduled bye week.
Let’s recap where the Lions stand from a fantasy football perspective.
Starting at the running back position as that is often still the most important position in fantasy, D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams have both been solid. They have been decent. They have been good, but not great. Another season with no 100-yard rushing efforts again, and the big-time plays just haven’t consistently been there.
- Swift: 289 yards rushing, 415 receiving yards, and 5 total touchdowns
- Williams: 312 yards rushing, 99 receiving yards, and 2 total touchdowns
Moving to the wide receivers, it has not been good at all. Kalif Raymond has had a few big moments, but nothing substantial when it comes to fantasy football. Amon Ra St. Brown is a rookie and he has played like one. Seeing limited use throughout the year along with drops and turnovers on his record too. Quintez Cephus is out with a serious injury. They rank very low and haven’t seen quality production all year from the position group.
- Raymond: 334 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns
- St. Brown: 250 receiving yards and 0 touchdowns
T.J. Hockenson obviously leads the tight end group in catches, yards, and touchdowns. There have been too many games where he has been taken out of the game plan by other team though, and the explosive plays just haven’t been there.
- Hockenson: 448 yards and 2 touchdowns
One of the main reasons for the lack of production for the wide receivers and tight ends has been the play of Jared Goff. He was thought to maybe be a sneaky steaming week-to-week quarterback for fantasy purposes, but he has been marginal at best. He has been a stand-up locker room player, but his play on the field has honestly been hard to watch.
- Goff: 1,995 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 30.3 QBR
Start
- Patrick Mahomes vs Packers
- Johnathan Taylor vs Jets
- Stefon Diggs at Jaguars
- Mike Gesicki vs Texans
Sit
- Ryan Tannehill at Rams
- James Robinson vs Bills
- DeVonta Smith at Bills
- Austin Hooper at Bengals
Top 3 projected players by position
Quarterbacks
- Josh Allen at Jaguars
- Lamar Jackson vs Vikings
- Patrick Mahomes vs Packers
Running Backs
- Najee Harris vs Bears
- Dalvin Cook at Ravens
- Jonathan Taylor vs Jets
Wide Receivers
- Cooper Kupp vs Titans
- Davante Adams at Chiefs
- Tyreek Hill vs Packers
Tight Ends
- Travis Kelce vs Packers
- Darren Waller at Giants
- Mark Andrews vs Vikings
Team Defenses
- Steelers vs Bears
- Bills at Jaguars
- Cowboys vs Broncos
Kickers
- Greg Joseph at Ravens
- Greg Zuerlein vs Broncos
- Nick Folk at Panthers
Waiver wire options
- Taysom Hill (QB Saints)
- Mike White (QB Jets)
- Adrian Peterson (RB Titans)
- Carlos Hyde (RB Jaguars)
- Marvin Jones Jr (WR Jaguars)
- Mecole Hardman (WR Chiefs)
- Pat Freiermuth (TE Steelers)
- Dan Arnold (TE Jaguars)
Intriguing games and players in Week 9
(Week 9 Bye Weeks: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team)
NY Jets at Indianapolis, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST
- NYJ: Corey Davis (WR), Michael Carter (RB)
- IND: Michael Pittman Jr (WR), Carson Wentz (QB)
Minnesota at Baltimore, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- MIN: Dalvin Cook (RB), Justin Jefferson (WR)
- BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Rashad Bateman (WR)
Cleveland at Cincinnati, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- CLE: Baker Mayfield (QB), Nick Chubb (RB)
- CIN: Joe Burrow (QB), Tee Higgins (WR)
Denver at Dallas, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- DEN: Javonte Williams (RB), Tim Patrick (WR)
- DAL: CeeDee Lamb (WR), Tony Pollard (RB)
LA Chargers at Philadelphia, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST
- LAC: Austin Ekeler (RB), Mike Williams (WR)
- PHI: Dallas Goedert (TE), Jalen Hurts (QB)
Green Bay at Kansas City, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
- GB: A.J. Dillon (RB), Allen Lazard (WR)
- KC: Mecole Hardman (WR), Travis Kelce (TE)
Tennessee at LA Rams, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST
- TEN: A.J. Brown (WR), Darryton Evans (RB)
- LAR: Matthew Stafford (QB), Robert Woods (WR)
Chicago at Pittsburgh, Monday 8:15 PM, EST
- CHI: Khalil Herbert (RB), Cole Kmet (TE)
- PIT: Najee Harris (RB), Pat Freiermuth (TE)
Bottom Line
During a long season, we can all have that tough fantasy week where we lose by a ton of points. The Lions can have an awful game as they did against the Eagles, but the key is it can’t continue to occur.
If you lost big last week in fantasy, then work the waiver wire or take a star player out of your lineup that isn’t performing for others that are pointing up points. Dan Campbell will have to do the same thing with his football team if they want to get over the hump and put some wins together.
One week at a time. Last week’s result shouldn’t impact this week’s challenge. Make the adjustments, evaluate the changes that need to be made, and come back better than ever.