Jameson

Williams

In a fitting end to a year that saw Williams’ role expand in creative ways, he also got to throw a pass attempt in this game. Just like the rest of the night, it was a disaster, resulting in an interception. Williams was a rarely-used gadget receiver before 2024, but head coach Dan Campbell talked glowingly about his improvements heading into year three. As he often is, Campbell was right about Williams’ trajectory and the No. 12 overall pick posted a true breakout season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven scores. This was despite missing two games for a PED suspension. Williams also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown. Big plays were still his calling card — he had five grabs of 50+ yards — but Williams smoothed out his route tree and saw much more work on short and intermediate looks. Williams will continue to steal targets from Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025, though there’s no path to him outright unseating St. Brown as the team’s top wideout.

Williams led the team with eight targets, the last of which came with under three minutes remaining with most of the regular starters on the sideline. The fact he was on the field late in a blowout win likely indicates head coach Dan Campbell knew he was close to the milestone, which he passed on a four-yard reception on the team’s final possession to get to 1,001 yards on the season. The win clinched the No. 1 seed for the Lions, who will await the happenings of Wildcard Weekend before knowing their opponent in the Divisional Round.

Williams got the Lions on the board with a three-yard touchdown carry in the first quarter before scoring on a hook-and-ladder trick play from a ball thrown to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who then pitched the football to Williams for a 41-yard receiving score in the second quarter. Williams tied with tight end Sam LaPorta for second on the team in targets behind the 10 of St. Brown, but led the team in receiving. Williams is sure to be busy in Week 18 when the Lions host the Vikings to decide the NFC champion.

Williams did most of his damage on an 82-yard heave from Jared Goff. He simply got behind the defense for a deep shot and was off to the races. Once up to speed, there’s almost no one in the NFL who can chase down Williams. That was evident as he strode into the end zone. Williams is a volatile fantasy bet, but when he hits, it flips fantasy matchups. He will remain in the WR3 ranks when he and the Lions take on the 49ers in Week 17.

Considering the Lions had to throw the ball 60 times, this is a relatively tame box score from Williams. He did just miss on a potential 61-yard touchdown pass where the ball was tipped away at the last moment, but there was offensive holding on the play anyway. Still, Goff was taking shots deep to Williams when he could but the Bills were clearly trying to play deep and prevent that from happening. The 23-year-old did haul in a touchdown on the final drive of the game as Jared Goff worked through his progressions and found Williams in the back of the end zone. He remains a boom-or-bust WR3 for next week against the Bears.

Williams’ eight targets were his most since Week 2, and continue the upward trajectory he’s been on since returning from suspension four weeks ago. He actually led the Lions in looks this evening, drawing two more pass attempts than Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams has only one truly big play in five games since returning, but you can feel it coming. Bills/Lions could turn into a domed shootout next Sunday in Detroit.

The big plays weren’t there for Williams on Thursday, as his biggest gain came on the ground rather than through the air. Williams cut an end around upfield for a 15-yard gain and excited the crowd when he hurdled over a diving Kevin Byard to pick up some extra yards. Williams’ 28 receiving yards are his fewest since Week 7. He’ll be a high-upside WR3 in Week 13’s game against the Packers.

Williams was pulled over late at night with two firearms in a vehicle driven by his brother. The weapons did not belong to Williams. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office “concluded that the warrant was denied because the case law is silent regarding the specific issue and the legislative intent of the concealed pistol license (CPL) statute does not support charges under these facts,” Woodyard reported. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that Williams’ status as a Lions receiver did not factor into the decision. “We did not consider that Mr. Williams is a Detroit professional athlete in our decision making,” Worthy said. Williams will suit up on Thanksgiving Day against the Bears a week after going for 64 yards on five catches against the Colts.

The seven targets were Williams’ most since Week 2. He has now eclipsed 50 yards in all three games since returning from suspension, and seen his targets creep from five to six to seven in the process. Encouraging, though he remains miles behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in the targets pecking order. Williams also has a tough, short-week Thanksgiving matchup with a Bears defense that entered Week 12 permitting the fewest receiver fantasy points before shutting down Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison, of course, did go off. Williams is an upside WR3 for Week 13.

Williams returned from his two-game suspension last week with a quiet, 53-yard outing versus the Texans. He got back in the good graces of fantasy managers this week with his first 100-yard game since Week 1. The bulk of his production came on a 63-yard play-action strike over the middle of the field from Jared Goff. Williams turned on the jets for roughly 45 YAC after reeling in the pass. Williams finished well behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in targets but reminded fantasy players of his game-breaking speed once again. He will straddle the WR2/3 border in Week 12 against the Colts.