DECEMBER 14, 2021 • SACBEE.COM
DETROIT LIONS 11-1 · 1ST IN NFC NORTH
11-1 · 1ST IN NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions' final stretch will be ugly, but will show which players are foundation pieces On the day his team was officially eliminated from the NFL playoffs, Dan Campbell still showed some fight long after the fight was over.
Lions lose even more key players in blowout loss to Denver
The Detroit Lions knew they didn’t have much of a chance against the Denver BroncosDECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos in thick of playoff chase for first time since 2015
The Denver Broncos are in the AFC playoff scramble in mid-December for the first time since 2015DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Campbell on playing for the love of the game Head coach Dan Campbell talks about his players finding motivation in playing for each other and for the love of the game of football and gi...
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 15 game? The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions play Sunday in a Week 15 NFL game. Which team will get the victory?
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Alex Anzalone - Day-to-day with ankle injury Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Anzalone (ankle) is day-to-day.
Impact Anzalone recorded one tackle before leaving Sunday's loss to the Broncos in the first quarter. Josh Woods stepped up in Anzalone's absence, and he would likely draw the start at inside linebacker in Week 15 if Anzalone is unable to play.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jerry Jacobs - Diagnosed with ACL injury Jacobs announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he suffered an ACL injury to his knee in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
Impact The Lions haven't elaborated on the extent of Jacobs' knee issue, but the fact that he termed his injury as "a minor setback for a major comeback" suggests he suffered a season-ending ACL tear. If that's the case, Jacobs will likely be sent in for surgery in the coming days. The undrafted rookie had emerged as a key piece in the Detroit secondary, logging 34 tackles, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble across 13 games.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Four Downs: Making cases for Craig Reynolds to stick, and for these 2 Lions in Pro Bowl Here are four observations after having a night to ponder the Detroit Lions' 38-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • DETROITNEWS.COM
Lions rookie CB Jerry Jacobs out for the season with ACL injury Jacobs, an undrafted rookie, has been one of Detroit's bright spots, with 34 tackles this season.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Riley Patterson - One FGA against Denver Patterson converted his only field goal attempt and PAT during Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
Impact With none of D'Andre Swift (shoulder), T.J. Hockenson (hand) or Jamaal Williams (COVID-19) available, the Lions offense had immense trouble moving the ball and Patterson subsequently had minimal opportunities to produce. However, no fantasy managers should have been starting Patterson anyway. That should remain the case in Week 15 against Arizona even if Detroit gets closer to full health.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Shane Zylstra - Six targets against Denver Zylstra caught two of six targets for 18 yards during Sunday's loss to Denver.
Impact Despite being promoted from the practice squad a day before, Zylstra led Lions tight ends in snaps and targets with T.J. Hockenson (hand) sidelined. However, that didn't result to any meaningful fantasy production. Zylstra will remain off the fantasy radar when Detroit hosts Arizona in Week 15.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brock Wright - Three catches without Hockenson Wright caught three of five passes for 20 yards during Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
Impact Wright seemed in store for a heightened load with T.J. Hockenson (hand) sidelined. While Wright was certainly more involved as a receiver, he did it while not topping 60 percent of the offensive snaps. Instead, Shane Zylstra led Detroit tight ends in snaps, though neither managed a useful stat line for fantasy purposes. Even if Hockenson remains sidelined in Week 15 against Arizona, neither Wright or Zylstra will be worthy of much fantasy consideration.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Godwin Igwebuike - Just eight carries in spot start Igwebuike rushed eight times for 25 yards during Sunday's loss to Denver
Impact Igwebuike seemed to in store for a large role - particularly as a receiver - in the absence of D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19), especially with Jermar Jefferson hobbled by the flu plus an ankle injury. While he got the starting nod, Detroit didn't target any running backs in the passing game before the final drive despite trailing for the majority of the game. Making matters worse was that a large amount of garbage time allowed Igwebuike to ultimately be out-touched eight to 13. However, since any of Swift, Williams or Jefferson could be back in the mix as soon as Week 15 against Arizona, it's possible neither Reynolds or Igwebuike will be worthy of further fantasy consideration in most leagues.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jermar Jefferson - Surprisingly minimal offensive role Jefferson logged five offensive snaps but did not record a touch during Sunday's loss to Denver.
Impact Many thought Jefferson would take on a key role in the absence of D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19). However, coach Dan Campbell said after the game that the running back was not a big part of the practice rotation in the week before due to an ankle injury in combination with having the flu, which allowed Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds to carry the load. In any case, if either of Swift or Williams return in Week 15 against Arizona, none on these depth players will be worth further fantasy consideration anyway.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
TIM AND MIKE: Week 14 observations Tim Twentyman & Mike O’Hara share their observations from the Detroit Lions' 38-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Campbell discusses turning point in loss to Broncos This week’s Monday Countdown looks at head coach Dan Campbell’s reaction to the roster issues, a turning point in the game and a bright spot...
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions going 'above and beyond' to stop COVID outbreak The NFL has no plans to investigate the Lions' COVID outbreak, where seven players tested positive in a six-day span last week
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • FREEP.COM
Analysis: Bad NFL teams getting blown out is a common theme
Josh Allen wouldn’t let Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cruise to a lopsided victory after the Buffalo Bills fell behind by 21 points at halftimeDECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL Week 14 top plays: Bucs and 49ers win OT thrillers, Cowboys top WFT, more
The Bucs and the 49ers won in OT thrillers, and the Packers topped the Bears to close Sunday's slate. Here are the top plays!DECEMBER 13, 2021
'I knew I had to find 88 and give him the football': Justin Simmons reflects on emotional win vs. Lions After getting an interception against the Lions in a win, Justin Simmons reflects on a difficult day as the Broncos honored the life of Dema...
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Kalif Raymond - Finds end zone in Denver Raymond caught four of five targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Broncos.
Impact He provided Detroit's lone highlight of the day, catching a seven-yard score in the second quarter. Raymond hadn't gotten into the end zone since Week 4 and hasn't reached 40 yards in a game since Week 7, giving him little fantasy appeal heading into a Week 15 clash with the Cardinals.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Gordon & Williams Show: Broncos backs combine for 4 TDs
Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams each scored two touchdowns as the Denver Broncos remained in the thick of the playoff chase with a 38-10 win over the Detroit LionsDECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Josh Reynolds - Three catches in loss Reynolds caught three of five targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Broncos.
Impact While he didn't see a lot of volume, Reynolds was able to make a bit of an impact as a downfield option for Jared Goff. The wideout has topped 50 yards in three straight games, posting a 10-191-1 line on 17 targets over that stretch and giving him some deep-league fantasy appeal heading into a Week 15 clash with the Cardinals.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Amon-Ra St. Brown - Top target once again St. Brown caught eight of 12 targets for 73 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Broncos.
Impact He led all players in catches, receiving yards and targets on the day, as the rookie continues to emerge as Jared Goff's top option. St. Brown has an 18-159-1 line on 24 targets over the last two games, and he could be busy again in Week 15 if the Lions fall into another big hole against the Cardinals.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Craig Reynolds - Surprise leading rusher Reynolds carried the ball 11 times for 83 yards and caught both his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Broncos.
Impact Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson were expected to lead the Detroit backfield in the absence of D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19), but instead it was Reynolds who emerged as the most effective rusher for the team just one day after being promoted from the practice squad. He came into Sunday with only two career touches in the NFL, both coming at the end of last season for the Jaguars, but the 25-year-old may have earned a permanent spot on the Lions' roster for the rest of 2021 with this performance. Whether he has any further fantasy value will depend on how quickly Swift and Williams are back in the lineup, however.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
