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

The Lions have allowed over 100 rushing yards in each of the last three games. They play the Bears in Week 10.

Analysis: Despite struggles against the run, Detroit has shut down opposing passing attacks with below 240 passing yards in those contests. Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky's accuracy has been brutal lately, so the Lions may keep up the success. However, Trubisky can beat teams with his legs, and the Lions have struggled against mobile quarterbacks as they previously allowed 28 points to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks and 423 passing yards to Aaron Rodgers this season. The Bears are likely licking their chops…read more

The Lions have allowed eight passing touchdowns in the last three games. They play the Vikings in Week 9.

Analysis: Despite the passing scores, the Lions rank seventh in the league with 223.1 passing yards allowed per game. They'll meet a tough test against the Vikings, as QB Kirk Cousins has thrown for over 292 yards in all eight outings this year. With the addition of DT Damon Harrison, the Lions allowed 3.9 YPC to the Seahawks run-first offense in Week 8 after averaging 5.2 YPC before the matchup. It's unclear if RB Dalvin Cook (hamstring) will return to the lineup, but Latavius Murray has been formidable…read more

The Lions acquired DT Damon Harrison on Wednesday. They play the Seahawks in Week 8.

Analysis: The Seahawks have a strong commitment to the run game, with 180 attempts to rank second in the league. The addition of Harrison, who is the top run-stopper in the league according to Pro Football Focus, will be an instant upgrade to the Lions' defensive front, which will need to shut down a committee backfield of Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and Mike Davis. Therefore, the biggest liability remains the Lions' secondary, as they've allowed 12 touchdowns and forced just two picks. Still, the…read more

The Lions have only allowed one quarterback to throw for over 260 yards this season. They play the Dolphins in Week 7.

Analysis: The Dolphins will be without QB Ryan Tannehill once again, but they succeeded with Brock Osweiler under center in Week 6 against the Bears, as he threw for 380 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in an eventful overtime win. Osweiler's track record suggests a repeat outing shouldn't be expected, but he could be able to take advantage of a vulnerable Lions pass defense. Detroit ranks seventh in the league with 220 yards allowed per game, but opposing offenses have scored 10 touchdowns and throw…read more

SS Quandre Diggs fractured his hand in Week 4. The Lions face the Packers in Week 5.

Analysis: It's unclear if Diggs will be able to play with a cast on his hand, but it definitely limits his abilities in coverage. That could be extra relevant against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, even though some wideouts may not be in the picture Sunday. The Lions have surprisingly been the second-best team against the pass this year, allowing just 171.8 yards per game through the air. Still, the ceiling is low with Rodgers throwing just one interception this season and the remaining skill players coughing…read more

The Lions allowed 10 points and 209 total yards in Week 3's loss to the Patriots. They'll play the Cowboys in Week 4.

Analysis: The Lions defense finally looked worthy after allowing 78 points over the previous two weeks, but the Patriots are 25th in the league this year with 300 total yards per game, so the opponent wasn't especially fierce. The Cowboys don't incite much fear, either, as they've mustered just 277.7 yards per game with just 145 coming through the air. Facing a passing attack with tons of holes is a the Lions' best route for success, since its front seven is much more talented than its secondary. Detroit…read more

The Lions lost to the 49ers 30-27 in Week 2. They'll play the Patriots in Week 3.

Analysis: The Lions have been excellent against the pass this season, allowing averaging 168 air yards through two games. They'll face their most-prolific pass-catching back yet in James White, who is second on the team in receiving yards. That could shake things up, along with the addition of WR Josh Gordon, who the Pats traded the Browns a late-round pick for. The Lions' secondary may have been performing well, but it's still a unit that is vulnerable and could easily be carved up by Tom Brady. Take a…read more

CB Nevin Lawson is in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Analysis: Even if Lawson doesn't play, it's unlikely Packers wideouts Jordy Nelson (shoulder) or Davante Adams (concussion) play either, making it much easier on the Lions' troubled pass defense. QB Brett Hundley plays well on the road, but he coughed the ball up twice in Week 16, and the Lions have been ball hawks all season, nabbing 17 picks through 15 games. With a demoralized Packers unit that just got shutout at home by the Vikings, this matchup has high upside for a Lions team that's playing for…read more

DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) is fully healthy to play Sunday against the Bengals.

Analysis: Ansah nursed an ankle injury for a better part of the season, but he's no longer listed on the injury report at all. Bengals QB Andy Dalton was benched in Week 15 after he threw two interceptions, which puts the Lions in good position as they forced eight turnovers in the last two games. The Bengals have also scored just 14 combined points in the last two games and may be without starting RB Joe Mixon (concussion) again. Either way, the Lions have a solid floor in championship week with the…read more

CB Nevin Lawson is ill ahead of Saturday's game against the Bears.

Analysis: The Bears have the worst passing attack in the league, so missing a top corner wouldn't be a death sentence for the Lions. Detroit forced five turnovers last week, but they failed to force one in the two weeks before. Further, in these two teams first matchup of the season, the Bears scored 24 points and coughed up the ball just once. There's not much on the Lions side of the ball to prove that they're a good Week 15 play, but the Bears have recently lost their identity, scoring a combined 17…read more

DE Ezekiel Ansah continues to battle an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Ansah's pass rush would be helpful against a Bucs team that averages over 37 passes per game, the fifth most in the league. Tampa has scored 20-plus points in each of its last three games, only turning the ball over once in that span. The Lions on the other hand, have allowed 24 points or more in each of their last three games, only forcing one turnover in that span. The Bucs have one of the best receiving corps in the league, and since they aren't afraid to flaunt it, the Lions secondary could…read more

CB Jamal Agnew (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Agnew is rarely used on defense, but he has contributed by running back to punts for touchdowns this season. The emergence of Ravens RB Alex Collins has made them a credible run offense, especially since their passing game is the worst in the league. The Lions welcome run-first offenses, though, as they've only allowed over 100 rushing yards twice through 11 games, and they rank sixth in the league with eight forced fumbles. Still, the Ravens are never an easy matchup on the road, although the…read more

Ezekiel Ansah (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Analysis: Ansah would be valuable against the Vikings, as they have a strong offensive line and the eighth-ranked rushing offense in the league. However, he only notched three tackles when the two teams met in Week 4. In that contest, the Lions managed to force three turnovers and allow only 284 yards of total offense, but they lost the decision 14-7. Vikings' QB Case Keenum has coughed up the ball five times in the last five games, which bodes well for the Lions chances of snagging another one.…read more

DE Ezekiel Ansah continues to deal with a knee injury ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bears.

Analysis: The Bears are equipped with two stud running backs -- Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen -- but the Lions ninth-ranked run defense looks ready for the matchup. Chicago enters this game with 16 turnovers; however, they've given up only two in the last three contests, showing improvements with rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky. The Lions' defense may bend a little bit against in a tough road matchup, but they're skilled enough to keep the Bears out of the end zone and produce a top-tier fantasy performance.

DE Ezekiel Ansah is nursing a knee injury ahead of Sunday's contest against the Browns.

Analysis: The Browns' weekly opponent should continue to draw fantasy owners' to the waiver wire once again. To give credit where it's due, the Lions have held their last two opponents to 20 points or less, forcing just two turnovers in that span, which is uncharacteristic of a defense that racked up 14 turnovers in its first six games. The Browns provide an ample opportunity to get back on track, since they've coughed up the ball 11 times in their last four contests, while averaging 14 points a game in…read more