NFL

Sleeper Fantasy Picks for Rams vs. Lions Sunday Night Football

The NFL has mastered the art of bringing intriguing narratives to the forefront of their scheduling. Look no further than Week 1’s Sunday Night Football contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions to back up that assertion. The Rams and Lions were famously engaged in a quarterback swap a few seasons ago, with Matthew Stafford changing spots with Jared Goff. Both teams have experienced overwhelming success since the deal. The Rams were victorious in Super Bowl LVI, while the Lions won their first playoff game since 1991 last season, knocking off this same Los Angeles team in the Wild Card Round. Bettors should buckle up for another feisty affair as both squads look to start their 2024 season off with a win.

This article will discuss 2 or more of my favorite NFL pick’ems from Sleeper Fantasy, where you can use Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.

Sleeper Fantasy Picks for Ravens vs. Chiefs

Jahmyr Gibbs Less 22.5 Receiving Yards and 3.5 Receptions

Much of the Lions’ success in 2023 can be attributed to their incredibly efficient offense. Detroit ranked top five in scoring and total offense, averaging 27.4 points and 394.0 yards per game last season. The modern dual-running back approach served the Lions well in their offensive pursuits, but it inhibits Jahmyr Gibbs’ ceiling heading into 2024, particularly against a rebuilt and unforgiving Rams defense.

Gibbs played in David Montgomery’s shadow last year. In his rookie season, the Alabama product started just two games for the Lions, with sub-optimal usage metrics when he was called into action. Gibbs consistently hovered around 60.0% in terms of snap count, falling below 55.0% over his final four games of the season. His outlook for 2024 appears equally guarded, as Montgomery appears to be the bell cow out of the backfield.

While he’s been tabbed as the pass-catching back, Gibbs has a diminished ceiling in the aerial attack. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta commanding the lion’s share of looks, Goff also has Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond as reliable wide-outs. Consequently, unless there are deliberate running back routes that are being called, Gibbs won’t be a feature pass-catcher. That much is reflected in his stats from 2023. Including the playoffs, the rookie eclipsed 22.5 receiving yards just twice over the final 10 games of the season, a benchmark that is out of reach in Week 1.

The Rams rebuilt their defense this offseason, and they could be rounding back into Super Bowl form. They used free agency to lure top-end defenders Tre’Davious White and Kamren Curl to their secondary, drafting two elite defenders, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, with their first two picks of the NFL Draft to bolster their defensive front. Those moves address all of the shortcomings that hampered their success last year.

Opponents will have a harder time moving the ball against LA, and the Lions will be the first to find out. Gibbs’ tertiary role on offense, coupled with an imposing Rams defense, supports that the Lions’ running back will fall short of his 22.5 receiving yards and 3.5 reception projection.

Demarcus Robinson More 2.5 Receptions

Head coach Sean McVay has a proven track record of developing elite wide receivers. First, Cooper Kupp blossomed into an All-Pro wide-out, and then Puka Nacua followed his footsteps with a breakout rookie campaign in 2023. For McVay’s next act, he’ll transform Demarcus Robinson into a top-end pass-catcher.

Demarcus Robinson didn’t get a fair shake in the first half of the 2023 season. The eight-year veteran appeared in just a handful of offensive snaps, with most of his workload coming on special teams. Then, Robinson’s luck started to change at Week 9, and his usage changed over night. Robinson’s usage metrics went from 10.0% in Week 10 to 60.0% in Week 11. By the end of the season, the 29-year-old was consistently playing more than 90.0% of the offensive snaps. That upward trajectory carries him into the season-opener against the Lions.

All of Robinson’s 39 targets, 26 receptions, and 371 receiving yards came from Week 9 to Week 16. That puts him on pace for per-game averages of 4.9, 3.3, and 46.4, respectively. The Florida Gators product endeared himself in the passing game, hitting double-digit targets on two occasions while posting 100% catch rates in four outings.

Even with Kupp and Nacua healthy and in the lineup, we’re expecting a more substantive workload for Robinson from the outset of the season. He’s established himself as a top pass-catching threat every time he steps onto the gridiron. Moreover, Robinson will draw inferior coverage relative to his pass-catching teammates, making him a priority in Matthew Stafford’s progressions. McVay knows how to get the most out of his wide receivers, and Robinson is the next in line to benefit. He should have no problem exceeding 2.5 receptions.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Daily Fantasy Football Week 17 NFL DFS Stacks and Picks on DraftKings and FanDuel Week 18 NFL DFS WR Picks Breakdown: Ja’Marr Chase is a Stud NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle for Sunday’s Wild Card Round betmgm bonus code nfl sundayNFL Wild Card Round DFS Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel

The NFL has mastered the art of bringing intriguing narratives to the forefront of their scheduling. Look no further than Week 1’s Sunday Night Football contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions to back up that assertion. The Rams and Lions were famously engaged in a quarterback swap a few seasons ago, with Matthew Stafford changing spots with Jared Goff. Both teams have experienced overwhelming success since the deal. The Rams were victorious in Super Bowl LVI, while the Lions won their first playoff game since 1991 last season, knocking off this same Los Angeles team in the Wild Card Round. Bettors should buckle up for another feisty affair as both squads look to start their 2024 season off with a win.

This article will discuss 2 or more of my favorite NFL pick’ems from Sleeper Fantasy, where you can use Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.

Sleeper Fantasy Picks for Ravens vs. Chiefs

Jahmyr Gibbs Less 22.5 Receiving Yards and 3.5 Receptions

Much of the Lions’ success in 2023 can be attributed to their incredibly efficient offense. Detroit ranked top five in scoring and total offense, averaging 27.4 points and 394.0 yards per game last season. The modern dual-running back approach served the Lions well in their offensive pursuits, but it inhibits Jahmyr Gibbs’ ceiling heading into 2024, particularly against a rebuilt and unforgiving Rams defense.

Gibbs played in David Montgomery’s shadow last year. In his rookie season, the Alabama product started just two games for the Lions, with sub-optimal usage metrics when he was called into action. Gibbs consistently hovered around 60.0% in terms of snap count, falling below 55.0% over his final four games of the season. His outlook for 2024 appears equally guarded, as Montgomery appears to be the bell cow out of the backfield.

While he’s been tabbed as the pass-catching back, Gibbs has a diminished ceiling in the aerial attack. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta commanding the lion’s share of looks, Goff also has Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond as reliable wide-outs. Consequently, unless there are deliberate running back routes that are being called, Gibbs won’t be a feature pass-catcher. That much is reflected in his stats from 2023. Including the playoffs, the rookie eclipsed 22.5 receiving yards just twice over the final 10 games of the season, a benchmark that is out of reach in Week 1.

The Rams rebuilt their defense this offseason, and they could be rounding back into Super Bowl form. They used free agency to lure top-end defenders Tre’Davious White and Kamren Curl to their secondary, drafting two elite defenders, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, with their first two picks of the NFL Draft to bolster their defensive front. Those moves address all of the shortcomings that hampered their success last year.

Opponents will have a harder time moving the ball against LA, and the Lions will be the first to find out. Gibbs’ tertiary role on offense, coupled with an imposing Rams defense, supports that the Lions’ running back will fall short of his 22.5 receiving yards and 3.5 reception projection.

Demarcus Robinson More 2.5 Receptions

Head coach Sean McVay has a proven track record of developing elite wide receivers. First, Cooper Kupp blossomed into an All-Pro wide-out, and then Puka Nacua followed his footsteps with a breakout rookie campaign in 2023. For McVay’s next act, he’ll transform Demarcus Robinson into a top-end pass-catcher.

Demarcus Robinson didn’t get a fair shake in the first half of the 2023 season. The eight-year veteran appeared in just a handful of offensive snaps, with most of his workload coming on special teams. Then, Robinson’s luck started to change at Week 9, and his usage changed over night. Robinson’s usage metrics went from 10.0% in Week 10 to 60.0% in Week 11. By the end of the season, the 29-year-old was consistently playing more than 90.0% of the offensive snaps. That upward trajectory carries him into the season-opener against the Lions.

All of Robinson’s 39 targets, 26 receptions, and 371 receiving yards came from Week 9 to Week 16. That puts him on pace for per-game averages of 4.9, 3.3, and 46.4, respectively. The Florida Gators product endeared himself in the passing game, hitting double-digit targets on two occasions while posting 100% catch rates in four outings.

Even with Kupp and Nacua healthy and in the lineup, we’re expecting a more substantive workload for Robinson from the outset of the season. He’s established himself as a top pass-catching threat every time he steps onto the gridiron. Moreover, Robinson will draw inferior coverage relative to his pass-catching teammates, making him a priority in Matthew Stafford’s progressions. McVay knows how to get the most out of his wide receivers, and Robinson is the next in line to benefit. He should have no problem exceeding 2.5 receptions.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Daily Fantasy Football Week 17 NFL DFS Stacks and Picks on DraftKings and FanDuel Week 18 NFL DFS WR Picks Breakdown: Ja’Marr Chase is a Stud NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle for Sunday’s Wild Card Round betmgm bonus code nfl sundayNFL Wild Card Round DFS Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel

About the Author

Born and raised in the barren ground of Canada, Grant White was nurtured by sports growing up. He spent years honing his betting craft before being joining FantasyLabs and Action Network in 2021. With a keen eye for value, Grant sets his sights on any perceived imbalance for a long-term winning edge.