It’s Wild Card Weekend for the 2023 NFL Playoffs and we’ve got some incredible drama brewing here which should make this a game worthy of stacking in DFS contests across all slates. Matthew Stafford wanted out of Detroit and they granted him his wish, shipping him off to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and other items of value as well. Stafford went on to win the Super Bowl and now he returns to Motown to face his old team which has also turned itself around in the best of ways. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell may be a total nutjob, but he’s got his team sitting atop the NFC North and locked into the third seed of the NFC playoffs. Both teams are capable of lighting up the scoreboard, so it’s just a matter of which players fit best into our DFS plans.

 

 

Rams vs Lions Prediction: Lions Season Ended by Rams Receivers

Despite a variety of defensive merits on both sides, this game is expected to be a shootout and we'll probably get exactly what we are hoping to see. Both teams are expected to try to establish the run early. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will run had for the Lions while Kyren Williams, who has multiple 100-yard efforts over the last six games, will lead the charge for the Rams. Both teams may be effective, but ultimately, this one goes to the air. Because of that, the Rams should maintain control. Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and the Rams receivers are going to make things incredibly difficult to cover in the secondary. The Lions may have had a better chance had Sam LaPorta been healthy, but with only Amon-Ra St. Brown and a group of secondary and tertiary-level pass-catchers, they just won't have enough firepower to come out on top. 

Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions Odds

  • Spread: Lions -3
  • Moneyline:
    • Rams (+140)
    • Lions (-165)
  • Total: 51.5
  • Weather: Dome

Rams vs. Lions Injury Report:

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Rams

Best DFS Picks For Rams vs. Lions:

Matthew Stafford, QB Los Angeles Rams

While the Lions rank 16th in DVOA against the pass, they’ve allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game this season and have allowed 28 touchdowns through the air. On top of that, they are allowing a 91.5 passer-rating to opposing quarterbacks. Stafford has two elite-level wide receivers to throw to and the supporting cast is rock solid. Even if they run hard with Kyren Williams, Stafford continues to post strong passing totals worthy of using in any DFS contest.

Jared Goff, QB Detroit Lions

Not a bad match-up for Goff at all and him being at home is always a good thing. He’s averaged 280 passing yards with a 19:6 TD:INT ratio and a 107.9 passer rating in eight games at home and faces a pass defense that has allowed 231.1 passing yards per game this season with 24 passing touchdowns allowed. The Lions will hammer the run early on, but if the defense gives up points early, we could see Goff slinging the rock more often.

Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams

I actually like him the most because he hasn’t finished the season as strongly as Puka Nacua and recency bias will help guide us to lower ownership. But we all know his talent and we also know he’s got a fantastic relationship with Stafford both on and off the field. When it comes down to who Stafford has the most confidence in, Kupp is the choice. Do not sleep on him, people.

Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams

He capped off a spectacular first season by setting the record for receptions by a rookie receiver and is going to be extremely popular in DFS. If you can afford to stack him and Kupp together, then great. If you have to choose between the two, I favor Kupp for ownership reasons, but will happily use Nacua to save a few shekels. 

Kyren Williams, RB Los Angeles Rams

While everyone remains focused on the Rams passing attack and how good Detroit’s run defense has been all year, I’m very much interested in Williams, especially when you see the Lions having allowed 15 rushing touchdowns on the year. Williams has rushed for at least 87 yards in each of his last seven games and has five 100-yard efforts in that span. Along with nine touchdowns! His work in the passing game has diminished a bit over the past few games, but in a hard-fought battle with the Lions, here, I expect him to be heavily involved in all aspects of this offense.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Detroit Lions

With the loss of Sam LaPorta, I expect an even heavier lean on St. Brown this week. He’s been the most-reliable target in this offense all year and finished the season with a huge boost to his totals, averaging just over 10 targets, nine catches, 113 receiving yards and one touchdown per game over his last four. Beyond impressive, for sure, and worthy of a top spot in all DFS formats. The Rams will try to get creative in coverage, but St. Brown is as elusive as they come. 

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Detroit Lions

I usually list both Lions running backs together, but with LaPorta’s injury, the Lions are likely to give Gibbs even more work in the passing attack. We’ve seen him line up out of the slot routinely this season and while the receiving numbers aren’t eye-popping, his ability to both run and catch the ball have made it more difficult for defenses to know what’s coming. He’s got five touchdowns over his last five games and has taken touches away from David Montgomery enough lately to consider him the lead in this backfield.

Other DFS Picks For Wild Card Weekend:

David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions

He’s obviously lost touches to Jahmyr Gibbs who has proven to be everything the Lions hoped for when they drafted him, but Montgomery still sees plenty of work, particularly inside the red and green zones. Despite the recent reduction in carries, he’s still averaging 14 carries per game over his last nine and has seven rushing touchdowns in that span. He’ll need to break a big run to get to the century mark in rushing yards again, but the floor is definitely high enough to not worry about using him at his price, especially when the Rams are allowing an average of 106.8 rushing yards per game with 14 rushing touchdowns allowed. 

Demarcus Robinson, WR Los Angeles Rams

Robinson finally broke through in Week 13 after Tutu Atwell suffered a concussion and he’s been locked in as the Rams’ No. 3 receiver since. In the five games prior to sitting out Week 18, Robinson averaged just over five catches for 63.8 yards per game and added in four touchdowns. He should retain this role throughout the playoffs and becomes a spectacular pay-down while still keeping you invested in this Rams passing game.

Josh Reynolds, WR Detroit Lions

His snap-share has increased dramatically over the past couple of weeks and he should retain a similar workload this week with the injuries we’ve seen in Detroit, We expect the Rams to focus more heavily on shutting down Amon-Ra St. Brown, but if they’re not careful, they could get burned by Reynolds in this match-up. If you’re looking for another reason to use him, let’s not forget that this is also a nice revenge-game for Reynolds who was discarded by the Rams following their acquisition of Stafford.

DFS NFL Value Plays:

Tutu Atwell, WR Los Angeles Rams

He’s fast, he’s exciting and he can stretch the field vertically. If you’re looking for a dart-throw who has that long-touchdown upside, then Atwell is certainly in the conversation. While he may have lost his place on the depth chart t Demarcus Robinson, he is still an explosive threat downfield.

Jameson Williams, WR Detroit Lions

He’s banged up, so continue watching the NFL injury report to make sure he’s playing without limitations. If he does, he’s going to see plenty of action with LaPorta potentially out and also has that explosive, long-touchdown upside. A dart-throw, but a solid option with every year he gains experience.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR Detroit Lions

I will look at him as a dart-throw if Jameson Williams is out. If Williams plays, I am much less bullish on DPJ. Just saying.

Tyler Higbee/Davis Allen, TE Los Angeles Rams

Higbee is banged up, but if he plays, he’s the lead tight end and will see the bulk of the snaps and targets. The Lions may rank seventh on DVOA against the tight end, but they’ve also given up the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position. If Higbee is out, Allen becomes a much more attractive deep-dive.

Brock Wright/James Mitchell, TE Detroit Lions

Wright is also banged-up but not as much as LaPorta. We’ll see who is best suited to take the lead between Wright and Mitchell, but the important takeaway here is that the Rams rank 23rd in DVOA against the tight end and have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position. If LaPorta is out. I’m in on Wright. If he’s banged up, I will definitely have Mitchell in a few GPP tournament lineups.

Sam LaPorta, TE Detroit Lions

I will write him up when I know he’s playing. He was present for the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday, but that’s not enough for me just yet.

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