Detroit Lions Week 10 Fantasy Report

Nov 4, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) runs the ball during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

Vital Info

Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (Away)

Record: 4-4

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford is a former #1 overall pick but he’s struggled at times to show it this year. He has put up yards but until last week he hadn’t had a single game where he threw more than one TD. With that said, he got you a lot of points against a very stout Seahawks defense last week and the Vikings aren’t close to that ability so perhaps we see Stafford have a second big game in a row. He’s not necessarily a must start but he is one of the best low end fantasy starters this week.

Running Back

Mikel Leshoure quite literally won fantasy matchups last week with his three TDs and could have had a fourth had it not gone to backup Joique Bell. Now I wouldn’t get too excited about Leshoure just yet as we are yet to see any consistency from him but the Seahawks are about as good as it gets in run defense so if he could tear them to pieces you expect him to do well against the softer Minnesota Vikings. Start him as a RB2 with confidence. As for Bell, he’s worth starting a deeper leagues and those with large rosters but dampen your expectations – no-one will be surprised if he only has 3 carries for 8 yards and no score but there is potential for a few points if the Lions get a decent lead.

Wide Receiver

Calvin Johnson had his knee heavily wrapped during last week’s game and there was plenty of concern he wouldn’t play but these worries proved unfounded as he went over 100 yards once again – he is expected to play with the injury this week also. The concern with Megatron – he’s still not scoring TDs. I wouldn’t worry though – Calvin has had a number of times this year where he has been tackled inside the 5 yard line and had others “vulture” the touchdown. The scores will come. Meanwhile, his second year outsider Titus Young continues to be underwhelming overall. He had that one big game two weeks ago but aside from that has shown us very little so far. He’s a flex play until we see him perform to a better level of consistency. For deeper leagues, Ryan Broyles remains an intriguing prospect who is going to get more chances with veteran Nate Burleson out for the year with a broken leg. He’s worth stashing but don’t start him unless you have to.

Tight End

Brandon Pettigrew has been highly disappointing for fantasy owners this year. Even in PPR formats he has failed to deliver much. Even this week against a pretty weak Vikings defense Pettigrew is tough to trust and is barely a borderline starter in standard leagues. Don’t expect more than 2-6 points – anything above that is a bonus. Veteran Tony Scheffler may be the #2 but he has almost as much value as Pettigrew – which isn’t saying much – so in deeper leagues he may be worth a bye week fill-in this week and I have the sneaking suspicion he’ll get his first touchdown of the year in this game.