Lions Insider

LIONS' FIVE

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Start: Leshoure has scored double-digit points in three of his last four games and has six touchdowns on the season. His second-quarter rushing touchdown last week was the first on Texans defense all year. The Colts have allowed at least a score or 100-yard performance in eight of 11 games this season.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Sit: Drops and fumbles aside, the Colts defense ranks in the top 10 in fewest points to tight ends this season. Pettigrew is due for a breakout performance, but it’s too much of a gamble at this point in the fantasy season.

Ryan Broyles, WR, Start: Broyles is a very good No. 2 or flex option this week. He’s coming off a 12-point performance against the Texans and the Colts are giving up the sixth-most points to receivers this year. With Titus Young’s status still under question, Broyles is a great start this week.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Start: Stafford has scored at least 29 fantasy points in two of his last three games and is facing a banged up Colts secondary that ranks No. 19 against the pass.

Joique Bell, RB, Start: Bell is coming off an 10-point performance last week against the Texans that saw him pick up the Lions’ first two runs of more than 20 yards this season. He’s not a bad option in the flex considering Leshoure is dealing with a slight ankle injury.

START

Trent Richardson, RB, Browns: The Raiders are allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs this year (21.9) and are coming off a week in which they allowed 129 yards and a score to Bengals running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis. The Raiders have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns this season.

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons: Ryan hasn’t been great the last two weeks (10.5 average) but he’s in line for a major bounce-back performance against the Saints tonight. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and no less than 20 points in nine of 11 games to opposing passers.

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys: Bryant has accounted for at least 14 fantasy points in each of his last three games (20 and 26 in last two). The Cowboys aren’t likely to have Miles Austin, which means Bryant will be the go-to guy this weekend for quarterback Tony Romo.

Jets defense: Yup, you read that right. As long as Ryan Lindley is the Cardinals quarterback, the Jets defense is a good option here. The Rams defense scored 23 points last week aided by four interceptions and two pick sixes.

Michael Bush, RB, Bears: Bush could get the start for the injured Matt Forte (ankle) this week against Seattle. Bush filled in for Forte in Week 12 against Minnesota and had 21 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He’s got a tough matchup against the Seahawks, but he's good for at least a score.

SIT

Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers: No one has felt the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more than Wallace. He has just eight catches for 47 yards and one score over the last three games. Big Ben has been limited in practice so far this week. If there’s no Roethlisberger, I’m sitting Wallace.

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers: Only if you have another viable option should this move be considered seeing as Freeman was on a nice streak of 20-plus-point performances before last week’s 10-pointer vs. Altlanta. But the Broncos are allowing the 10th fewest points to quarterbacks and have held the likes of Drew Breese and Andy Dalton to 18 points or less.

Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Turner is losing snaps to Jacquizz Rodgers at an alarming rate for his owners and has scored more than 10 points just once over his last six games. In the last matchup with the Saints in Week 10, Turner had 15 yards on 13 carries for one point.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Don’t be fooled by his nice stat line last week (20 carries for 85 yards). The Buccaneers haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 8 (Adrian Peterson) and he’s the only one to reach the mark this year on that defense.

Brent Celek, TE, Eagles: He’s been one of the disappointments of the fantasy season. He’s found the end zone only once and had just three points against the Cowboys in their first meeting.

SLEEPERS

Bryce Brown, RB, Eagles: Brown stormed onto the scene last week with 178 rushing yards and two scores (30 fantasy points) starting for the injured LeSean McCoy (concussion). Runners have had plenty of success against the Cowboys over the last month. The Cowboys defense has allowed at least 100 yards rushing to opponents in four of the last five weeks.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers: Kaepernick has scored 21 and 22 points, respectively, over his last two starts, so he won’t be a sleeper for much longer, especially with another good performance against the Rams defense.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Falcons: Rodgers had a season-high 13 points last week and is facing a Saints defense that has allowed the second-most points to opposing runners this year.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Benglas: Sanu is coming off a two-touchdown performance against the Raiders, and while that’s no amazing feat, he does get the benefit of playing opposite A.J. Green and has one other double-digit game over his last three.

Chad Henne, QB, Jaguars: Henne quietly has six touchdown passes over his last two games and is facing a very suspect Bills secondary this week.