It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Especially if you're playing against Josh Jacobs ...

December 06, 2024

Dec. 6, 2024

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The expectations were high for a Packers-Lions matchup on Thursday Night Football—it was the highest total of the week at 51.5 points—and it delivered.

Jared Goff passed for 3 touchdowns, including 2 to Tim Patrick (it meant something to someone, OK?), and Jake Bates kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired to give the Lions a 34-31 home win. The Lions have won 11 consecutive games and improved to 12-1, clinching a playoff berth, while the Packers dropped to 9-4.

Adam Ronis

The Lions went for it on fourth down five times and converted four. Josh Jacobs scored 3 touchdowns for the Packers, who are 7-2 in the last nine games with both losses to the Lions. Here is the Friday FAQ.

1. Should I start drinking if I am playing against Josh Jacobs?

It’s always difficult going against a player who goes off on Thursday. It means staring at a big number for several days. It’s still one player and it doesn’t mean a loss. Other players on your roster can easily put up big numbers on Sunday. Jacobs has fit in well with Green Bay, posting at least 20 PPR points in six of his last seven games, and has 10 touchdowns in the last seven games. He finished with 66 yards on 18 carries with 3 touchdowns.

2. What happened to Jayden Reed?

In a game with 65 points, it was stunning to see Reed get 1 target and no receptions. Reed doesn’t get a lot of volume and is dependent on big plays and touchdowns. The last time he faced the Lions on Nov. 3, Reed had 6 targets, catching 5 passes for 113 yards. Reed has 26 yards receiving or fewer in four straight games. The Packers ran only 45 plays compared to 76 for the Lions. Jordan Love completed only 12 passes for 206 yards with a touchdown and Reed wasn’t a part of it. Christian Watson had 4 catches for 114 yards and Tucker Kraft had 3 catches for 41 yards with a touchdown.

3. How did the Lions overcome their defensive injuries?

With a potent offense that the Packers couldn’t stop. Goff went 32-for-41 with 283 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Tim Patrick was the big surprise with 6 catches for 43 yards with 2 touchdowns. It’s the first time he scored since 2021. Goff spread the ball around as six players had at least 5 targets. Jameson Williams had 5 catches for 80 yards, Sam LaPorta had 5 catches for 54 yards and Amon-Ra St. Brown had 5 catches for 43 yards and a 10-yard run. As usual, the running backs were busy. David Montgomery had 14 carries for 51 yards with a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 33 yards and Jahmyr Gibbs had 15 carries for 43 yards and caught 6 passes for 30 yards with a touchdown.

What else is in today’s newsletter?

A Week 14 start: An under-the-radar Philly RB
Watercooler: Lions overview, handcuffs, and the Batmobile

WR MATCHUPS

Another Running Back to Start on the Eagles?

By John Laghezza and Gene Clemons

Kenneth Gainwell vs. Panthers

Get your No. 2 pencils out for some expert 4-D analysis. You ready?

Start Saquon Barkley against the Panthers. Boom. How do I do it? I know, I know. What can I say, I’m a savant (bows).

Kidding aside, lots of us are in a real pickle. NFL schedule-makers must’ve really had it out for fantasy gamers with such bye-week imbalance at the most critical point in our season. Six teams will be leaving holes in your roster, chock-full of winning RB fantasy assets like Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Brian Robinson.

Carolina’s been God’s gift to fantasy RBs in 2024—perpetual double-digit underdogs with a bottom-5 run-stopping unit. So Barkley’s an obvious candidate for start of the week unless things go sideways early for Bryce Young. As much as I’ve backed CAR lately, they could easily get boat-raced by the Eagles, vaulting backup Kenneth Gainwell into streaming viability. A dozen mop-up touches behind an excellent O-line could be better than most options. Desperate times and such …

Elijah Moore at Steelers

The Browns passing game has come to life since Jameis Winston's insertion into the lineup. The biggest beneficiary of Winston's presence is Jerry Jeudy. Before Winston, he didn’t have a game with over 73 receiving yards. Over the past five games, every game has been 73 or more yards, including 142-yard and 235-yard games. During this time, Elijah Moore has also seen his production increase, and although it has not been as meteoric as Jeudy, it has been noticeable and fantasy-worthy.

On a week where you are looking for answers at receiver when guys who you have depended on all year are on a bye, Moore has the chance to save your week in fantasy. He is rostered in only 17% of leagues and his matchup against the Steelers could be advantageous because of all the attention they will likely pay to Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. Moore has multiple games with 8 targets during the Jameis run and this game feels like another opportunity for a big target day.

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