The Detroit Lions are currently 8-3 and in great position to host a playoff game in the NFC. A big reason is the offense’s play, as the Lions are one of the most explosive units in all of the NFL.
They can pass the ball with Jared Goff, but the running back combination of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs can be one of the best in the NFL. However, fantasy football managers can’t have both in their lineups.
But is there one running back that has an advantage over the other for fantasy football managers to consider? Let’s take a look at each player entering Week 13.
Should You Start Jahmyr Gibbs or David Montgomery This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Gibbs is the player to start. His projected 14.5 points include 50 rushing yards, four catches, and 26 receiving yards. That projected stat line slightly outperforms the consensus projections of Montgomery’s 11.9 points.
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My ranking for these two running backs aligns with the consensus. Although Montgomery is on a nice touchdown-scoring streak, Gibbs is getting more and more time on the field and could be on his way to being the Lions’ No. 1 back.
Fantasy Outlook for Gibbs This Week
If you are looking at what player has been getting more yards the past couple of weeks, there definitely could be a case that Montgomery should be in your lineup. What sticks out, though, is who is starting to get the ball more and who is playing more snaps.
Here is a comparison of the two players over the last three weeks.
Gibbs has almost doubled Montgomery up in touches the last couple of weeks (133-73), and he has touched the ball five more times during this stretch (46-41).
One thing that has made Gibbs a great fantasy player as of late was the fact he was scoring touchdowns every week. Last week, he ended a streak of four consecutive games with a touchdown, but he has become a more consistent running back. He has averaged at least four yards per carry in the last seven games.
In the last few games, the Lions have shown they are starting to lean toward Gibbs, which is good for the rookie from Alabama.
The fact he is getting the ball more is huge, and his big-play ability is more appealing than Montgomery’s.
Fantasy Outlook for Montgomery This Week
Montgomery has rushed for at least 70 yards in all three games since his return from injury. He has also scored a touchdown in each of his last three contests.
But when it comes to Montgomery, fantasy managers are left with only questions.
He hasn’t been getting the ball nearly as much as Gibbs, and he isn’t on the field nearly as much either. Could they be saving the often-injured running back to make sure he is healthy for the stretch run? We don’t know yet, but the fact that he isn’t getting the ball near as much as Gibbs is frustrating for fantasy managers.
He is scoring touchdowns, so that is great. But if he doesn’t score, the volume he is currently getting could lead to some bad fantasy days.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
