Amon-Ra

St. Brown

St. Brown entered 2024 off the heels of a true breakout season with 119 catches for 1,515 yards. The only blemish, if you can even call it that, was a modest touchdown total of 10. Determined to do right by fantasy managers, ARSB upped the scoring total to 12 as the Detroit offense found yet another gear under Jared Goff. The downside was that his yardage total dropped by 252, primarily driven by a decline of 23 targets, despite St. Brown playing one more game than he did in 2023. Detroit threw less this year, but St. Brown also ceded a few points of target share to Jameson Williams, who finally found his stride after a rocky start to his career. St. Brown remains the team’s No. 1 receiver and an elite fantasy option, but he has likely topped out at a notch below the likes of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.

Mr. Reliable served as the primary target for quarterback Jared Goff in a first half where both offenses struggled to move the football, ending the game one target behind Jameson Williams for the team lead while leading the team in receiving with 77 yards. The win clinched the No. 1 seed for the Lions, who head into the postseason with the only bye out of the NFC in addition to home field advantage through the NFC Championship game.

St. Brown led the team in targets with 10 but finished third in receiving behind Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta. He did contribute to another highlight play in the second quarter when he caught a short pass from quarterback jared Goff, pitched the football to Jameson Williams on a hook-and-ladder trick play, which Williams took to the house from 41 yards out. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters his team would approach this game like any other regardless of it being meaningless in the standings in the conference, and the team did not disappoint with another 40-point effort. St. Brown is sure to be busy again in Week 18 when the Lions play for the No. 1 seed at home against the Vikings.

The Bills were without three of their four starters in the secondary, and also took an early lead which forced the Lions to throw the ball almost 60 times. That set up a perfect game environment for St.-Brown. He routinely got open over the middle of the field and showed his underrated speed on a 66-yard touchdown catch where he eluding the Bills’ two back-up safeties. ARSB is a target magnet for Jared Goff and is clearly a WR1 against the Bears next week.

With Jaire Alexander still sidelined for the Packers and Jared Goff attempting 42 passes, 5/43 was a disappointing statline in a game where the Lions scored 34 points. The yardage output was ARSB’s fourth worst of the season, though, as always, he saved a little PPR face with his five grabs. Scoreless in three straight games and held below 100 yards in 6-of-7, St. Brown is not on the warpath the same way he was in 2023, but he’s undoubtedly saved up a spiked week or two for the fantasy playoffs. The Bills’ run-funnel defense does await for Week 15, probably making ARSB more of a mid-range WR1.

St. Brown’s seven targets tied Jameson Williams for the team lead, but the Sun God had the more productive day through the air. His longest play, which came on a 29-yard reception on the Lions’ second drive of the game, helped set the team up for a three-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta and was one of three receptions that went for 10 or more yards for ARSB. He’ll be a solid WR1/WR2 in Week 13 against the Packers.

St. Brown was listed as questionable on Wednesday but was trending in the right direction to play after being listed as a full participant. The Lions’ WR1 will be a low-end WR1 in fantasy as Detroit kicks off this Thanksgiving Day slate against the Bears. We can safely start the Sun God in what figures to be a solid fantasy matchup. While St. Brown is out, the Lions did declare CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Carlton Davis III, OL Giovanni Manu, OL Taylor Decker, OL Kayode Awosika, and OL Colby Sorsdal inactive for Week 13.

St. Brown was upgraded to FP status to close the week, which bodes positively for both his game-day availability and productivity. The Lions could opt for a run-heavy game plan if they jump out to an early lead but the improved Bears offense under interim OC Thomas Brown should keep the Lions’ passing volume at a fantasy-friendly level. St. Brown is a back-end WR1 for the occasion.

Dan Campbell said he was feeling good about St. Brown playing this week. He also said he might use St. Brown as the punt returner this week with Kalif Raymond likely out. As long as nothing major pops up on Wednesday, Brown will be on the WR1/WR2 borderline against the Bears in Week 13.

The Lions didn’t hold an official practice on Monday as they prepare for a short week. Set to face the Bears on Thanksgiving Day, the Lions will get in some light work before Thursday, and we’d expect ARSB to take part in that at some point. There were no post-game reports of him dealing with an injury, so whatever it is that would have sidelined him on Monday is likely minor. He should be a solid WR1/WR2 this week.