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The Detroit Lions will play the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving morning tomorrow. While their running backs, David Montgomery (shoulder) and Jahmyr Gibbs, and their best wideout, Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) are lineup locks and must-start players, some of their other offensive weapons present more challenging start-sit decisions.
Among them are quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta. All have flashed elite production sandwiched between dud games, making it difficult for fantasy managers to choose when to start them.
So which of these players should be started in Week 13?
Should I Start Jared Goff for Fantasy Football?
It's always interesting to note that some players fantasy football production is actually hurt by the team around them being so good. We saw this in action in Week 12. The Lions easily handled the opposing Indianapolis Colts 24-6, but Goff scored under 11 fantasy points.
JARED MVP GOFF VS COLTS THREAD
Play 1: Great throw by Goff under INTENSE pressure just bad height genetics by Sam Laporta pic.twitter.com/KCUk41WumR
— Dan (@Vikesfan2777) November 26, 2024
A legendary hater threat on Twitter should give you an idea of some of his flaws, though. Yes, he's on an elite team, but he leaves points on the field constantly due to strange decisions, lack of mobility, accuracy issues, and inability to function well under pressure. These are issues he's had his whole career.
He's the No. 12 QB on the season, and has had great boom games. He should be treated as a low-end QB1, but is a risky start. He'll also face a tough pass defense in the Chicago Bears in Week 13. That team is weak against the run, though. We could see another run-heavy game plan on Thanksgiving morning from Detroit.
Predicting his output is an exercise in futility. It's probably easier to just look at the matchups and guess. And this one won't be a good one. In leagues with 14 or more teams and 2QB/Superflex leagues, you're unlikely to find a better option. But if your league has 10 or fewer teams, you probably have a better player to start at QB.
Should I Start Jameson Williams for Fantasy Football?
You probably should. His skillset makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing pass defenses. An overall lack of opportunities and Goff's struggles with deep passing have held him back, but it helps that he's in an elite offense run by one of the league's best offensive coordinators, Ben Johnson.
Lions aren't slowing down! JAMO TD 🦁
📺: #JAXvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/2pPKz1VI81— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
He's ridiculously fast. He was clocked at 23 MPH at one point in college, and Johnson has done a remarkable job at getting him open in space with room to work. This has led to some massive touchdowns this season. The Bears are a tough pass defense, but they could be stressed to the breaking point by Detroit's offense.
In addition, the excellence of the team's run game forces opposing defenses to play their linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage to limit typical gains and try to stop explosive runs. This gives the pass-catchers more room to work. In the end, it will come down to opportunity for Williams.
He's scored double-digit PPR fantasy points in six of his nine games this year, though. He also has two games of 20 or more points. He's at least good enough for a WR3/FLEX spot in all leagues. He should be started.
Should I Start Sam LaPorta for Fantasy Football?
LaPorta's role has been massively frustrating this season. The team is so dedicated to the run game -- and it's working -- that there's been less work to go around for the team's WRs and TEs. LaPorta's fantasy value has plummeted precipitously as a result -- he's just the TE17 on the season. He missed one game due to injury, but he's been a huge bust.
I feel like Lions TE Sam LaPorta would have ran this much crisper last year. Looks like Goff wasn't anticipating him to drift that far to the middle of the field. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/DlS1EF8VIm
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) November 26, 2024
Even the offensive changes don't seem to fully explain his lack of production, though. He could be dealing with lingering issues that are affecting his route-running ability. Tape from the games looks much less inspiring than last year's film. Still, No. 87 was targeted six times each in his last two games.
There aren't many tight ends with the upside he possesses in fantasy football, so he's still worth starting unless you have a clear better option on your roster. But he should be started over any waiver wire or free agency replacement, without question.
Popular Week 13 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 13 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Kyler Murray or Jared Goff
Cj Stroud or Jared Goff
Jordan Love or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Tucker Kraft
Matthew Stafford or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Taysom Hill
Sam Laporta or Jonnu Smith
Jared Goff or Sam Darnold
Jared Goff or Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa or Jared Goff
David Njoku or Sam Laporta
Jameson Williams or Darnell Mooney
Jameson Williams or Jerry Jeudy
Jameson Williams or Marvin Harrisonjr
Jared Goff or Cj Stroud
Jared Goff or Jordan Love
Jared Goff or Justin Herbert
Jared Goff or Russell Wilson
Jaylen Waddle or Jameson Williams
Jordan Love or Jared Goff
Rico Dowdle or Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams or Jauan Jennings
Mark Andrews or Sam Laporta
Sam Darnold or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Tj Hockenson
Taysom Hill or Sam Laporta
Bucky Irving or Jameson Williams
Calvin Ridley or Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams or Jayden Reed
Jared Goff or Brock Purdy
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Kyler Murray
Joe Burrow or Jared Goff
Jonnu Smith or Sam Laporta
Justin Herbert or Jared Goff
Marvin Harrisonjr or Jameson Williams
Sam Laporta or Zach Ertz
Tucker Kraft or Sam Laporta
Zach Ertz or Sam Laporta
Brian Thomasjr or Jameson Williams
Cade Otton or Sam Laporta
Dj Moore or Jameson Williams
Jakobi Meyers or Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams or David Njoku
Jameson Williams or Deebo Samuel
Jameson Williams or Dj Moore
Jameson Williams or Elijah Moore
Jameson Williams or Jauan Jennings
Jameson Williams or Marvin Harrisonjr
Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford
Jared Goff or Sam Darnold
Jayden Daniels or Jared Goff
Jayden Reed or Jameson Williams
Jordan Addison or Jameson Williams
Kirk Cousins or Jared Goff
Kyle Pitts or Sam Laporta
Ladd Mcconkey or Jameson Williams
Lamar Jackson or Jared Goff
Patrick Mahomes or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Hunter Henry
Anthony Richardson or Jared Goff
Cj Stroud or Jared Goff
Geno Smith or Jared Goff
Jameson Williams or Devonta Smith
Jameson Williams or Drake London
Jameson Williams or Jerry Jeudy
Jameson Williams or Tee Higgins
Jameson Williams or Tyrone Tracyjr
Jared Goff or Anthony Richardson
Jared Goff or Baker Mayfield
Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins
Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford
Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Jameson Williams
Jaylen Warren or Jameson Williams
Michael Pittmanjr or Jameson Williams
Rico Dowdle or Jameson Williams
Russell Wilson or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Noah Gray
Sam Laporta or Will Dissly
Terry Mclaurin or Jameson Williams
Tony Pollard or Jameson Williams
Tua Tagovailoa or Jared Goff
Zay Flowers or Jameson Williams
Amari Cooper or Jameson Williams
Anthony Richardson or Jared Goff
Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff
Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff
Bo Nix or Jared Goff
Brock Bowers or Sam Laporta
Brock Purdy or Jared Goff
Brock Purdy or Jared Goff
Cade Otton or Jameson Williams
Cade Otton or Sam Laporta
Cade Otton or Sam Laporta
Dallas Goedert or Sam Laporta
Dandre Swift or Jameson Williams
Dandre Swift or Jameson Williams
Davante Adams or Jameson Williams
Davante Adams or Jameson Williams
Davante Adams or Jameson Williams
David Njoku or Sam Laporta
Deebo Samuelsr or Jameson Williams
Devonta Smith or Sam Laporta
Dj Moore or Jameson Williams
Drake London or Jameson Williams
Drake Maye or Jared Goff
Garrett Wilson or Jameson Williams
George Pickens or Jameson Williams
Hunter Henry or Sam Laporta
Jake Ferguson or Sam Laporta
Jakobi Meyers or Jameson Williams
Jalen Hurts or Jared Goff
James Conner or Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams or Amari Cooper
Jameson Williams or Bucky Irving
Jameson Williams or Calvin Ridley
Jameson Williams or Cedric Tillman
Jameson Williams or Chicago Bears
Jameson Williams or Courtland Sutton
Jameson Williams or Davante Adams
Jameson Williams or Davante Adams
Jameson Williams or Deandre Hopkins
Jameson Williams or Deebo Samuelsr
Jameson Williams or Devaughn Vele
Jameson Williams or Drake London
Jameson Williams or George Pickens
Jameson Williams or George Pickens
Jameson Williams or Jakobi Meyers
Jameson Williams or Jauan Jennings
Jameson Williams or Jaylen Waddle
Jameson Williams or Jaylen Waddle
Jameson Williams or Jaylen Waddle
Jameson Williams or Jaylen Warren
Jameson Williams or Jerry Jeudy
Jameson Williams or Jk Dobbins
Jameson Williams or Jordan Addison
Jameson Williams or Marvin Harrisonjr
Jameson Williams or Michael Pittmanjr
Jameson Williams or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jameson Williams or Quentin Johnston
Jameson Williams or Rachaad White
Jameson Williams or Rachaad White
Jameson Williams or Rashod Bateman
Jameson Williams or Rico Dowdle
Jameson Williams or Rico Dowdle
Jameson Williams or Rico Dowdle
Jameson Williams or Tank Dell
Jameson Williams or Tank Dell
Jameson Williams or Tank Dell
Jameson Williams or Tank Dell
Jameson Williams or Tank Dell
Jameson Williams or Taysom Hill
Jameson Williams or Tee Higgins
Jameson Williams or Terry Mclaurin
Jameson Williams or Tony Pollard
Jameson Williams or Travis Etiennejr
Jameson Williams or Tyler Lockett
Jameson Williams or Tyler Lockett
Jared Goff or Anthony Richardson
Jared Goff or Bo Nix
Jared Goff or Caleb Williams
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Jayden Daniels
Jared Goff or Joe Burrow
Jared Goff or Josh Allen
Jared Goff or Lamar Jackson
Jared Goff or Patrick Mahomes
Jared Goff or Patrick Mahomes
Jared Goff or Russell Wilson
Jared Goff or Sam Darnold
Jared Goff or Sam Darnold
Jared Goff or Sam Darnold
Jared Goff or Tua Tagovailoa
Jared Goff or Tua Tagovailoa
Jared Goff or Tua Tagovailoa
Jared Goff or Will Levis
Jauan Jennings or Jameson Williams
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Jameson Williams
Jayden Reed or Jameson Williams
Jaylen Warren or Jameson Williams
Jerry Jeudy or Jameson Williams
Jonnu Smith or Sam Laporta
Jordan Addison or Jameson Williams
Justin Herbert or Jared Goff
Justin Jefferson or Jameson Williams
Kareem Hunt or Jameson Williams
Keenan Allen or Jameson Williams
Kenneth Walkeriii or Jameson Williams
Khalil Shakir or Jameson Williams
Kyler Murray or Jared Goff
Kyler Murray or Jared Goff
Kyren Williams or Jared Goff
Ladd Mcconkey or Jameson Williams
Matthew Stafford or Jared Goff
Matthew Stafford or Jared Goff
Mike Evans or Jameson Williams
Noah Brown or Sam Laporta
Noah Gray or Sam Laporta
Rashod Bateman or Jameson Williams
Rhamondre Stevenson or Jameson Williams
Rome Odunze or Sam Laporta
Russell Wilson or Jared Goff
Sam Laporta or Cade Otton
Sam Laporta or Christian Watson
Sam Laporta or Dalton Kincaid
Sam Laporta or David Njoku
Sam Laporta or Evan Engram
Sam Laporta or Evan Engram
Sam Laporta or Jauan Jennings
Sam Laporta or Jonathon Brooks
Sam Laporta or Jonathon Brooks
Sam Laporta or Mark Andrews
Sam Laporta or Pat Freiermuth
Sam Laporta or Raheem Mostert
Tank Dell or Jameson Williams
Taysom Hill or Jameson Williams
Tee Higgins or Jameson Williams
Tee Higgins or Jameson Williams
Terry Mclaurin or Jameson Williams
Tj Hockenson or Sam Laporta
Tj Hockenson or Sam Laporta
Tucker Kraft or Sam Laporta
Tyreek Hill or Jameson Williams
Tyrone Tracyjr or Jameson Williams
Tyrone Tracyjr or Jameson Williams
Will Dissly or Sam Laporta
Will Dissly or Sam Laporta
Will Dissly or Sam Laporta
Xavier Legette or Jameson Williams
Xavier Worthy or Jameson Williams
Amari Cooper or Jameson Williams
Bo Nix or Jared Goff
David Njoku or Sam Laporta
Derek Carr or Jared Goff
Evan Engram or Sam Laporta
Gus Edwards or Sam Laporta
Jameson Williams or Aaron Jones
Jameson Williams or Amari Cooper
Jameson Williams or Brian Thomasjr
Jameson Williams or Josh Downs
Jameson Williams or Tyrone Tracyjr
Jaylen Warren or Jameson Williams
Khalil Shakir or Jameson Williams
Sam Laporta or Jonnu Smith
Sam Laporta or Taysom Hill
Sam Laporta or Tucker Kraft
Xavier Legette or Jared Goff
Xavier Worthy or Jameson Williams
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