The fantasy football landscape shifts each week, bringing fresh opportunities and unexpected challenges that separate the prepared from the pretenders. Savvy managers know that last week’s performance tells only part of the story, and diving deeper into the underlying metrics reveals the accurate picture.
This week presents some intriguing decisions. Here’s insight about key Detroit Lions players heading into their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers to help you craft a winning lineup.
Jared Goff, QB
Jared Goff’s Lions took the loss on Sunday, but he threw for over 300 yards for a second straight game and over 250 for a seventh consecutive contest.
He’s looked comfortable indoors, and we are supposed to be surprised?
Against the Rams, 80% of his completions, 88.2% of his passing yards, and 100% of his passing scores went to his two dynamic receivers. Goff’s skill set isn’t as foolproof as the Josh Allens of the world, who can overcome a tough game with a wide range of skills, but when comfortable, how many QBs do you trust in the pocket more?
Over the past two seasons, there have been three instances in which a QB, for a season, has 20 touchdowns and 8.5 YPA when throwing from inside of the pocket:
- 2024 Lamar Jackson (MVP runner-up): 29 TDs and 8.6 YPA
- 2024 Goff: 33 TDs and 8.6 YPA
- 2025 Goff: 28 TDs and 8.6 YPA
Goff has been a top-10 QB in three of the past four weeks, and I expect him to extend that run against a Steelers team that played on Monday night.
David Montgomery, RB
Jahmyr Gibbs couldn’t get anything going last week, so of course, David Montgomery scored for a third consecutive game despite failing to clear 10 touches for the fifth straight contest.
The problem here is that Monty isn’t a goal-line back. He’s not a Robin to Gibbs’ Batman.
He’s an afterthought that just so happens to have been in the right place at the right time in three straight.
MORE: Kyle Soppe’s Fantasy Football Week 16 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Playoff Edition
If not for the resume, I don’t think you’d give him a second look. I’ve got him ranked comfortably outside of my top 30 this week, behind players like Blake Corum, who have carved out a role, even if it’s not one of high-end usage.
I think the odds of Montgomery scoring under five PPR points are greater than him reaching double figures, and that profile is never going to get into my lineup.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
You have no one but yourself to blame.
You played Jahmyr Gibbs in an odd-numbered week against the Rams and expected success.
Shame on you. Everyone knows that over his last three odd-numbered games, he has zero touchdowns on 57 touches, and on the three most recent even-numbered games, he has nine scores on 63 touches.
Why tempt fate?
MORE: Free Fantasy Start/Sit Lineup Optimizer
If you managed to survive, you not only get an even-numbered week, but you also get a home game against a team on short rest.
I’d never project a three-touchdown game, but if you told me a running back was going to score 35+ PPR points this week, Gibbs might be my first guess.
The ground production has been spotty in the yardage department (either over 135 yards or under 70 in eight straight with four games under 45), but with what works out to a 17-touch floor, this is a RB1 every single week when it comes to projecting production.
Is there a player you’d draft over Gibbs in 2026? The first round will be fun to plot out and rank for next season: for the remainder of this season, continue to ride Detroit’s star and hope that he breaks the even/odd thing … next week.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
Amon-Ra St. Brown has earned at least 28% of Jared Goff’s targets in 11 of his 13 healthy games this season, with Sunday in Los Angeles easily being the highest of the season (48.6%).
He had nine catches on 20 first-half routes and was unguardable for all 60 minutes against a very strong Rams defense. For the game, he had three catches deep downfield and four of less than five yards. In the slot, out wide, short of the chains, or well past it: St. Brown’s case to be considered a Tier 1 receiver for 2026 got a significant boost over the weekend.
MORE: Free Fantasy Waiver Wire Tool
At 26 years old, he already has a resume that includes four 1,100-yard seasons and three straight years with double-digit TD receptions. The Lions need a lot of help to qualify for the postseason, but you won’t find me betting against St. Brown in any capacity when playing at home with Jared Goff under center.
He’s a Tier 1 receiver this week, the rest of this season, and is a strong first-round pick next year. He’s evolving faster as a receiver as coverages are around him: more of the same should be expected in 2026.
Jameson Williams, WR
There is one player in the NFL who has 7+ catches in each of his past three games.
It’s not Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, Trey McBride, or Amon-Ra St. Brown.
And if you’re thinking that trivia in this format of article doesn’t work, you’re 100% right, but I wanted to get those names in this section and give you ammo for when you’re watching football this week.
You’re welcome.
Yes, it’s Jameson Williams. He’s averaging 30 yards per TD reception, and even more impressive than that is the fact that only one of his seven touchdowns has come on an end zone target.
MORE: Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Williams’ speed is a secret to no one, and Detroit is aware of that. They are moving him around and exploring horizontal schemes as much as vertical, keeping the defense off balance and allowing their explosive 24-year-old to thrive.
I don’t see it stopping.
There are going to be some air balls; that’s the price of admission. This is a talented offense that can choose to go elsewhere, but playing this profile weekly is going to pay off in a big way more often than it cripples you.
The Steelers are on a short week and allow 6.2% more yards per completion on the road than at home. If you play Williams in every home game for the next five years, I think you’ll be thrilled with the results.
