The 8-8 Green Bay Packers continue to make a late playoff push as they’ve won four straight games. Fantasy football managers are looking to secure their own league championship this week. We’re looking to see whether this NFC North matchup between the Packers and Detroit Lions will provide managers with some fantasy star power.
Two Packers playmakers in the spotlight to produce are running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. We’re on top of all angles in this matchup for fantasy managers and bettors alike — let’s dive into whether you should start Jones or Dillon against the Lions.
Should You Start Aaron Jones vs. the Lions?
We had concerns about how Jones would work in tandem with Dillon in 2022 after seeing the duo split usage in 2021. However, those concerns haven’t been justified as the season played out, as Jones is clearly the RB1 in the Packers’ offense when healthy. It turns out that Jones’ health was a bigger factor for Dillon’s inclusion than anything else.
Jones is RB8 in PPR leagues, averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game. He’s one of the best receiving threats out of the backfield, ranking 10th in receiving yards with 375. He’s ninth in rushing yards and broke the 1,000-yard for the third time in four years.
Jones is not a guaranteed star each week, as he has five games with 26 or fewer rushing yards, but he’s a great RB2 for most rosters. His effectiveness varies on the week, but Jones’ receiving contributions help his floor when he’s not getting explosive carries. Jones has at least two catches in every game this season.
With this in mind, take part in an Underdog Fantasy Best Ball league and throw Jones into your lineup to help separate yourself from the pack!
Jones is currently ranked as the RB10 in our Week 18 PPR fantasy football rankings. He’s a lock to start if he’s active to play with that ranking, and we’re hoping for an RB1 type of return.
I’d be stunned if Jones doesn’t produce a significantly better stat line than he did in Week 9 against the Lions. He totaled only 45 yards on nine carries and two receptions. He’s prone to those games, but the Lions have allowed a combined 520 rushing yards over the last two weeks. Green Bay can’t afford to not be effective on the ground and expect to win, considering how broken Detroit’s run defense is right now.
Should You Start AJ Dillon vs. the Lions?
The case to start Dillon is a more difficult one than Jones. Scoring six touchdowns over the last five weeks has certainly made it easier to slide Dillon into your lineup since it’s clear he’s the red-zone back in an offense that is playing much better over the back half of the season.
Dillon has been fine this season, earning seven rushing scores compared to Jones’ two. He’s also on pace to get close to last year’s 803-yard rushing total, as he enters this week with just 0.8 yards per game less. However, Dillon’s really only had fantasy value over the last five games as he’s started scoring touchdowns.
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It’s unlikely Dillon will be more than a touchdown-dependent starting option for your lineup. He’s totaled only 45 rushing yards or less in each of his last three games, and there’s a very low ceiling on his receiving contributions as well.
There are worse gambles than starting Dillon, considering his red-zone touches and Detroit’s weak defense against backs. He’s RB28 for us this week, so he’s more of a matchup-based Flex play who I’d be less nervous about having to start than I was last week.