Hats off to the Detroit Lions this season. Despite a string of injuries, they’ve continued to find ways to dominate, including a statement win on Monday Night Football a couple of weeks back. The Minnesota Vikings, on the other hand, have been a roller coaster. They’ve gone all in on rookie QB McCarthy, and it’s officially do-or-die time for him and this offense.
Here’s who you can trust — and who you should avoid — in this NFC North clash.
🦁 Detroit Lions
Jared Goff! Jared Goff! Jared Goff! – Detroit Lions Fans via Ford Field Stadium
| Player | Designation | Fantasy Outlook |
| Jared Goff | ✅ Start | Goff is in total command of this offense with 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns already. Expect that number to climb to 17 by game’s end. He’s a must-start QB1 this week. |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | ✅ Start | Gibbs is one of the most exciting players in fantasy right now. His explosiveness as both a rusher and receiver makes him a weekly must-start. Expect 100+ total yards and a strong chance at a score. |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | ✅ Start | St. Brown continues to be the Lions’ heartbeat on offense. With seven touchdowns already, he’s primed to torch the Vikings’ secondary again. Pencil him in for 90 yards and a TD. |
| David Montgomery | 💪 Flex Start | “D-Mo” has been quiet lately, but divisional games are where he usually thrives. Expect Detroit to feed him near the goal line, making him a sneaky flex with touchdown upside. |
| Detroit Defense | ✅ Start | Aidan Hutchinson and company should feast on McCarthy early. Expect pressure, turnovers, and a strong fantasy day from this unit. |
| Sam LaPorta | ❌ Sit | LaPorta’s talent is undeniable, but production has cooled. Just two TDs on the year is disappointing for a TE of his caliber. Hold him if you can, but bench him this week if you have depth. |
| Jameson Williams | ❌ Sit | Williams continues to be the odd man out in Detroit’s crowded receiver room. Until he earns consistent targets, he belongs on fantasy benches, or perhaps the Lions’ trade block. |
🟣 Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Designation | Fantasy Outlook |
| Justin Jefferson | 💪 Flex Start | Jefferson will still get fed targets, but the QB situation caps his ceiling. Treat him more like a volume-based WR2/flex rather than a top-tier WR1 this week. |
| Jordan Addison | 💪 Flex Start | Addison continues to perform admirably as the WR2. He’s a reliable flex option who could benefit if the Lions focus coverage on Jefferson. Expect 60–70 yards and possible garbage-time upside. |
| Jordan Mason | ❌ Sit | Tough matchup for the Vikings’ backfield. Detroit’s front seven has been dominant against the run, and Mason’s workload isn’t secure enough to trust. |
| Vikings Defense | ❌ Sit | With McCarthy likely struggling to sustain drives, Minnesota’s defense could spend too much time on the field. Expect pressure and points from Detroit, stay away from this D/ST. |
🔍 Final Take
The Lions are the class of the NFC North and should show it again here. Expect Detroit’s offense to control the tempo, with Gibbs and St. Brown leading the charge while Goff continues his quiet MVP-level season. Minnesota’s only path to staying competitive is a breakout performance from McCarthy, but fantasy managers shouldn’t count on it.
