The Lions and Cowboys combined for 74 points last night. Yet the only players to score 19+ points were Jahmyr Gibbs, Ryan Flournoy, and Brandon Aubrey. Flournoy is rostered in only 0.3% of ESPN leagues, while Aubrey is . . . well, a lot of you are in leagues that don't use kickers.
So among regular starters, only Gibbs did "great." Most of the other guys did "fine" or "very well," with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb finishing between 18 and 18.5 points, Javonte Williams hitting 14.7, and Jake Ferguson getting 10.8. Dallas's only true disappointment was the usually high-flying George Pickens (8.7 points).
Detroit was similar, with their four main non-Gibbs contributors finishing between 14.3 and 17.3 points. Jameson Williams matched Amon-Ra St. Brown's nine targets. It was only the second time this season that St. Brown hasn't earned more looks than Williams when they've played full games. The first time was in Week 4. It might have been because St. Brown wasn't at 100%. Regardless, this marked the first time Williams has collected double-digit points without scoring all year. The last time he did that was exactly one year ago today.
I'm betting that many of you are at least moderately disappointed with the results. Lamb's concussion cut short what might have become his best 2025 performance. Flournoy's team-leading 13 targets lowered Pickens' and Ferguson's ceilings, as did Prescott's two interceptions and five drive-crushing sacks. In fact, the last time Dak's had 2+ picks and 5+ sacks was in November 2021.
Back to the Lions: David Montgomery's big TD run saved his fantasy night. I started both him and Gibbs, and but I won't be starting Montgomery next week. He had 9+ carries in eight of his first nine games . . . but none in his last four. The touchdowns are great. But he's getting fewer chances to find the end zone.
Back to Lamb: his concussion status of course will be a huge story this time next week, when he'll either be on track for Week 15's home matchup versus Minnesota, questionable at best, or out. Flournoy will be a popular waiver add for all the right reasons. The Cowboys entered Week 14 averaging the third-most pass attempts and second-most points per game. If you're the #2 WR in that kind of offense, you're a fantasy starter.
For the closest score competition, Matthew Kennedy and I tied for first place. He predicted a 38-27 Lions victory -- only nine points off the final score. My guess was 37-32 Lions (also nine points off). This is Matthew's first win of the season after he claimed the crown twice last year. And this was my third win of the season, which I think puts me in first place. As I limp toward a potential playoff berth, my three-peat is small consolation.
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