RADIO
The Detroit Lions were one of the worst teams in the NFL during the first half of the season. Their record was 1-7 and they were proving to have no players worthy of starting in fantasy aside from Calvin Johnson. Despite his greatness, Johnson was even hit or miss for the early portion of the season but things have positively changed for Detroit on all fronts. The Lions are now on a three-game winning streak after the 45-14 Thanksgiving Day route of the Philadelphia Eagles in the early afternoon game.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was the biggest fantasy star of the day with his best performance of the season. Stafford played a picture perfect game for fantasy owners with 337 passing yards and five touchdown passes. This is the third consecutive impressive outing from Stafford. Heading into the Week 9 bye following a 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, many were pondering if the Lions would make a quarterback change and decide now was the time to give up on Stafford. Detroit’s first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft has underwhelmed for the majority of his career but he does have the talent to give fantasy value and is proving it. Stafford has a favorable schedule going forward. Any playoff-bound fantasy owners still streaming quarterbacks should pick up Stafford if he’s available in your league. Week 14’s matchup against the St. Louis Rams will force you to add another quarterback but the following two weeks of fantasy playoff games will see Stafford face the terrible pass defenses of the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.
The improved play of Stafford has led to better fantasy stats for wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Johnson had an incredible day with eight catches for 93 yards and a whopping three touchdown receptions. Anyone to start Megatron likely had a big lead in their fantasy matchup before the Thanksgiving turkey was finished cooking. Johnson has been consistent over the last month or two in yardage but he’s lacked the touchdowns. He was due for a big game in the end zone and we’re giving thanks it happened today. Tate also delivered his best game of the season to any disappointed fantasy owners still trusting him. He raked in seven catches for 50 yards and one touchdown reception. It was a tremendous day for the Detroit passing offense and they should continue it into the fantasy playoffs.
