Sunday Night Football Fantasy Versus: Lions vs. Packers
When the Detroit Lions head to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, there will be many nervous fantasy football owners watching nationwide. Whether your in the fantasy playoffs this week or this is the final regular season game before the playoffs start, tonight’s game can make or break a lot of owners seasons. I will try to guide you in the right direction in hope to help you win this week.
Let’s not waste anytime and get right into our Sunday Night Football Fantasy Versus for Week 14:
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford (Lions) vs. Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Green Bay’s defense is playing about as bad as it can, and Calvin Johnson is unstoppable right now, so it’s hard not to like Stafford in this match-up. He didn’t have a great game against them in week 11, nine fantasy points, but I’m pretty confident he will easily surpass that number,
Rodgers is having a bit of a down fantasy season this year. Without his top receiving threat, Greg Jennings, and a banged up Jordy Nelson all season, it’s easy to understand why. The good news for Rodgers is that Jennings is back and the Lions are giving up the 5th most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the past five weeks.
It’s hard to pick against Rodgers, but I’m going to take Stafford over him this week.
Running Backs
Mikel Leshoure (Lions) vs. Alex Green (Packers)
With James Starks (knee) being placed on the season ending IR, Green will get his second crack at being the feature guy in Green Bay. Green hasn’t been very good this season, and it’s hard to trust a Green Bay running back since they are a pass heavy team. The Packers also brought back Ryan Grant, he is not a viable fantasy option this week.
Leshoure is a North and South runner who has no moves and has been getting a bit lucky with touchdowns as of late. With Joique Bell nipping at his heels for more work, it’s hard to trust Leshoure.
I’ll take Leshoure be default. I don’t think either back gets double-digit points however.
Wide Receivers
Randall Cobb (Packers) vs. Greg Jennings (Packers) vs. James Jones (Packers)
Calvin Johnson above all of these receivers obviously.
In his first game back last week, Jennings hauled in 4 passes for 46 yards, not too bad for a guy that was out for seven consecutive weeks. Cobb and Jones also had nice days last week even with Jennings back. Cobb had 6 fantasy points, while Jones came home with 10 thanks in part to his touchdown catch.
With Jordy Nelson (hamstring) out tonight, all three of these receivers should have their fair share of targets.
I’ll rank them, Cobb, Jennings, and Jones
Tight Ends
Jermichael Finley (Packers) vs. Brandon Pettigrew/Tony Scheffler (Lions)
Three straight games of 50 plus yards receiving for Finely, still going to be hard to trust him even in a good match-up.
After Ryan Broyles (knee) went down early in the first quarter, Scheffler picked up the slack and played a lot of slot receiver during the course of the game. If you’re feeling like a gambling man or women, Scheffler could be inline for a sneaky good game. I actually benched Jermaine Gresham in one league I am in for Scheffler.
Pettigrew, Scheffler and Finley in that order.
Kickers
Jason Hanson (Lions) vs. Mason Crosby (Packers)
Crosby has missed a field goal in six straight games, so if you get points for misses, he’s your guy.
I actually think both kickers get enough points to be solid plays this week, I’ll slightly lean towards Hanson though.
Team Defenses
Detroit Lions D/ST vs. Green Bay Packers D/ST
If you’re relying on one of these defenses this week, you’re probably not in playoff contention.
Give me the Packers D/ST.
