The Lions allowed 31 offensive points and 495 yards to the Buccaneers in Week 15 and play the Broncos on Sunday.

Analysis: QB Jameis Winston threw his token interception on the first drive of the game, but the was the defensive high point of the game for Detroit defense. The Lions continue to rank as one of the worst defenses in the league, though the Broncos are coming off a three-point effort last week. Denver has suffered its share of offensive struggles this season (299.4 YPG and 17.1 PPG), but rookie QB Drew Lock has overall looked solid since taking over as the starter Week 13. The Lions haven't played well…read more

The Lions gave up 354 yards during the Week 14, 20-7 loss to the Vikings and play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: Detroit had one sack and zero takeaways and only avoided a more lopsided result since Minnesota was in full control and was content to bleed the clock during the second half. The Buccaneers lead the NFL with 32 giveaways and struggle in pass protection (41 sacks allowed), but QB Jameis Winston can put up points with the best of them between turnovers. The Detroit D/ST should have opportunities for takeaways in Week 15, but their season-long struggles keep them as a risky option for the fantasy…read more

Detroit surrendered 24 points and 419 yards to Chicago in Week 13 and will play Minnesota on Sunday.

Analysis: The Lions provided minimal fantasy value Thanksgiving Day with one takeaway and one sack, and the Bears were able to move the ball with relative ease all afternoon at 6.8 yards per play. The Detroit D/ST has been a liability for much of the season and that remains the case in Week 14, as the Vikings feature a top-eight offense in yardage (376.6 YPG) and scoring (26.6 PPG).

The Lions gave up 230 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Redskins and will play the Bears on Thursday.

Analysis: Detroit mostly delivered versus a poor Redskins offense with three sacks and two takeaways while allowing only 4.0 yards per play, but the ineptitude of its own offense (four giveaways and six sacks) led to the loss. Chicago's offense is nothing worth fearing with Mitchell Trubisky at the helm, but the unit still ranks tied-seventh in giveaways despite its poor overall performance (269.3 YPG and 17.1 PPG). The matchup is solid, but the Lions continue to rank near the bottom of the league in…read more

DE Trey Flowers has a concussion and may not be able to play Sunday against the Redskins.

Analysis: Detroit predictably struggled to slow down Dallas, as QB Dak Prescott racked up 434 passing yards and 35 points, but the potential loss of Flowers could be a problem. The Lions have struggled defensively all season, but facing the Redskins in Week 12 immediately puts them on the fantasy radar. Washington hasn't scored more than 17 points since Week 2 and rookie QB Dwayne Haskins has struggled in a tough situation. The Lions D/ST shouldn't be relied upon week in and week out, but it should be a…read more

Detroit allowed 226 yards during the 20-13, Week 10 loss to Chicago and will play Dallas on Sunday.

Analysis: The Lions played well compared to recent weeks with five sacks, but they were unable to force any turnovers from QB Mitchell Trubisky, who had his best game of the season. Detroit still ranks 30th in the league in total defense (402.1 YPG) and tied-26th in sacks (19), while Dallas ranks first in total offense (437.4 YPG). The Lions aren't worth giving a second look in Week 11 against one of the more productive offenses in the NFL.

The Lions surrendered 450 yards and 31 points to the Raiders in Week 9 and will play the Bears on Sunday.

Analysis: Detroit had one sack and zero takeaways, providing minimal value in the defeat. The unit now ranks 31st in total defense (424.1 YPG), 27th in scoring (27.1 PPG) and tied-27th in sacks (14). A matchup against QB Mitchell Trubisky and the scuffling Bears could provide an immediate remedy for the Lions' defensive struggles. However, Detroit's lack of recent defensive production keeps it from being more than a risky streaming option.

The Lions allowed 370 yards and 26 points to the Giants in Week 8 and will face the Raiders on Sunday.

Analysis: LB Devon Kennard returned a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, and the Lions added three sacks over the next three quarters. Overall, Detroit has been pretty poor defensively (420.4 YPG, 26.6 PPG and 13 sacks) this season, while Oakland ranks fourth in yards/play (6.2) and tied-seventh in giveaways (eight). Despite the defensive touchdown against the Giants, the Lions D/ST has been trending down in recent weeks and can't be relied upon against a Raiders offense that's played…read more

The Lions surrendered 42 points and 504 yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings and will play the Giants in Week 8.

Analysis: Detroit provided zero fantasy value in Week 7 as it failed to record a sack or force a turnover, while all six of Minnesota's scoring drives were 59-plus yards, with four from 70-plus yards. The Lions now rank 31st in total defense (428.8 YPG) and tied-27th in sacks (10). However, the Giants lead the league in giveaways (18) and rank 24th in sacks allowed (20), making the Lions a fairly safe streaming option this week.

The Lions had three takeaways in Monday's 23-22 loss to the Packers and will play the Vikings in Week 7.

Analysis: The Packers typically take extremely good care of the ball, but the Lions managed three takeaways on a muffed punt, a red-zone drop and a fumble. Detroit has now forced 11 turnovers through five games but is also giving up the fourth-most yards in the league (413.8 YPG). The Vikings have come alive offensively in the last two games, with QB Kirk Cousins completing 44 of 56 passes for 639 yards with six TDs and one INT. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs remain one of the top-WR duos in the league,…read more

The Lions come out of their bye week giving up 405.5 YPG and 23.8 PPG and will play the Packers on Monday Night Football.

Analysis: Detroit fared relatively well against Kansas City in Week 4, allowing 28 points while forcing three turnovers, but they have another tough task versus Green Bay this week. QB Aaron Rodgers continues to take excellent care of the ball for the Packers as the team has committed only four turnovers. The Lions do have eight takeaways in only four games, but their pass rush has been below average (nine sacks). Green Bay's offense hasn't quite clicked into gear under new coach Matt LaFleur, but that's…read more

The Lions gave up 373 total yards and 24 points to the Eagles in Week 3 and are set to face the Chiefs on Sunday.

Analysis: Detroit's defensive unit has given up at least 370 total yards in each of their first three games, including yielding 424 yards to the Chargers in Week 2. The Lions will face a Chiefs team Sunday that leads the league in passing yards per game (392.2) and passing touchdowns (10) and should likely be avoided this week in fantasy.

The Lions gave up 424 total yards to the Chargers in Week 2 and are slated to face the Eagles on Sunday.

Analysis: Through two games this season, the Lions have given up 811 total yards to opposing offenses, which ranks them as the sixth-worst defense in that category. The Eagles' offense has racked up 722 total yards and 52 points through two contests, good for 14th- and eighth-best in the league, respectively. One thing that may benefit Detroit's defense Sunday is the slew of injuries that Philadelphia's receiving corps sustained in their Week 2 loss to Atlanta - DeSean Jackson suffered a groin injury,…read more

The Lions allowed 387 yards in Week 1 and are set to face the Chargers at home on Sunday.

Analysis: Detroit held Arizona to three points and 58 yards during a stifling first half, but rookie QB Kyler Murray rallied for 18 fourth-quarter points to force overtime and eventually the tie. The Lions had five sacks and forced one turnover, but it ended up being a disappointing performance after such a strong start. A tough matchup awaits in Week 2 against the Chargers, which totaled 435 yards and averaged 7.4 yards per play in the season opener against the Colts.

LB Jarrad Davis (ankle) is unlikely to play to play in Sunday's season opener at Arizona.

Analysis: Detroit turned into one of the best run defenses in the league last season after the midseason acquisition of Snacks Harrison, and adding DE Trey Flowers and DT Mike Daniels this offseason means there's room for improvement. That will come in handy against the Cardinals, as RB David Johnson should be heavily featured in an offense with a rookie QB (Kyler Murray) and coach (Kliff Kingsbury). Kingsbury brings an Air Raid offense from Texas Tech, and it remains to be seen how it translates to the…read more

The Lions ranked 10th in total defense (335.0 YPG) and and 16th in scoring defense (22.5 PPG) in 2018.

Analysis: Detroit got off the a rough start in 2018 as they gave up 78 combined points against the Jets and 49ers, but the unit settled in -- partially thanks to the midseason acquisition of DT Damon Harrison -- to put together a solid defensive campaign. The Lions further bolstered their defensive line this offseason with the additions of Trey Flowers and Mike Daniels, while CBs Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman were signed to improve the secondary. Detroit ranked 31st last season with only 14…read more

The Lions rank 10th in the league with 231.3 passing yards allowed per game. They play the Packers in Week 17.

Analysis: The Lions beat the Packers in Week 5, but not before they allowed QB Aaron Rodgers to throw for 442 yards and three touchdowns. However, they only yielded 23 points and forced three turnovers while sacking Rodgers four times for a solid fantasy day. Rodgers showed tons of fight in Week 16's meaningless win over the Jets, and he looked more mobile than ever in the process. The Lions are struggling with injuries heading into the season finale with run stopper Damon Harrison (ankle) and starting…read more

The Lions have held their last four opponents below 230 passing yards. They play the Vikings in Week 16.

Analysis: The Vikings haven't been great offensively in the last three weeks, finishing below 200 passing yards in each outing and throwing a combined four touchdowns. The Lions limited QB Kirk Cousins to just 155 passing yards, one touchdown and a pick in their Week 9 meeting, but the Vikings still accrued 24 points and secured the win. The Lions will benefit from home field in this outing, but their fantasy upside appears low against a team clinging to the final wild-card spot. Look elsewhere during…read more

The Lions have held four of their last five opponents under 100 rushing yards. They play the Bills in Week 15.

Analysis: The Lions strength against the rush may be exploited by Bills QB Josh Allen, who has scampered for 99 or more rushing yards in each of his last three outings. That hasn't produced much as the Bills averaged 21.3 points and still turned the ball over six times in that span. The Lions aren't ball hawks by any means and rank 25th in the league with just 13 forced turnovers, but they're bound to find a few against a rookie signal caller who will feel pressure if he's without his best weapon -- RB…read more

The Lions rank 26th in the league with 26.3 points allowed per game. They play the Cardinals in Week 14.

Analysis: Detroit's defense rarely finds fantasy value, but a matchup with the Cardinals gives them a good shot. The Cardinals have exceeded 21 points just once this season and rank 27th in the league with 22 turnovers. They also just lost their No. 2 wideout Christian Kirk (foot) for the season and don't have a replacement of his caliber. That will give the Lions' questionable pass defense relief and may leave QB Josh Rosen scrambling, which could allow the Lions to add to their 34 sacks. He still has…read more

The Lions have kept their last three opponents under 56 rushing yards. They play the Rams in Week 13.

Analysis: In that three-game span, the Lions faced a shaky Bears' backfield twice but did shut down Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey on the ground. Rams RB Todd Gurley is a new beast to bottle up and will likely expose holes with his dual-threat game. That's not to mention the Rams' offense has racked up over 33 points in nine of 11 games and is coming off a bye week, likely with more tricks up its sleeve. The upside here is nonexistent while the floor could easily go negative quickly. Stay away from…read more

The Lions are tied for 10th in the league with 28 sacks. They play the Bears in Week 12.

Analysis: Two weeks back, Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky picked apart the Lions defense for 355 passing yards and four total touchdowns. Receivers were left without a defender in the same zip code, so it didn't matter that the Chicago running backs were held to under two yards per carry. The Lions will benefit from home-field advantage and the absence of Trubisky, making the Detroit D/ST worth some consideration rather than outright dismissal. It still seems unlikely the Lions will have much upside, however,…read more

The Lions have forced two turnovers over the last four weeks. They play the Panthers in Week 11.

Analysis: The Panthers have turned the ball over in just one of the last four games, so the Lions will be hard-pressed to reverse that trend. Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky, who struggled with accuracy prior to Week 10, picked the Lions apart for 355 yards and three scores and didn't even need to run outside of the pocket to find success. Panthers QB Cam Newton has been far more consistent than Trubisky, completing passes at a 60-percent-or-better clip in every game this year and throwing at least two scores…read more