The Detroit Lions will take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 on Thursday night and that means wide receivers Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa and running back David Montgomery will all be in action.
TeSlaa has a chance for an expanded role on Thursday night thanks to the injury to the Lions' No. 1 wide receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is questionable after not practicing this week due to an ankle injury.
Williams has had an up-and-down season in 2025, but he has come on strong over the last four games, tallying 17 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns in that span. However, he did post a bagel in Week 12, showing the duality and boom-or-bust nature of the Lions wide receiver.
Montgomery is in the midst of a tough season, as he's taken a back seat to fellow rusher Jahmyr Gibbs, who the Lions are clearly trying to feature more in 2025.
So, should TeSlaa, Montgomery or Williams be in your fantasy football lineup this week? Let's take a look.
Jameson Williams start or sit advice
Despite having that zero in Week 12, Williams is WR10 overall in fantasy football points per game over the last four. For the entire season, Williams ranks as WR32 overall, putting him on the flex radar each and every week.
Williams' boom-or-bust nature is always a concern, but there are a few reasons for optimism this week that he can keep his hot streak going.
For starters, Amon-Ra St. Brown is injured and may not play.
If he sits, Williams will serve as the No. 1 wide receiver and should get peppered with targets, as he did last week after St. Brown exited early and Williams turned 10 targets into seven catches for 144 yards and one touchdown.
Even if St. Brown plays, he may not be 100%, so quarterback Jared Goff may have to lean on Williams, anyway. And, it's also important to note that tight end Sam LaPorta and fellow wideout Kalif Raymond aren't playing, which only makes Williams more integral to the offense.
Then, we have the matchup: Dallas is ceding the most fantasy points per game in the NFL to wide receivers this season.
The game against the Cowboys also presents a possible shootout scenario with Dallas and Detroit having two of the league's best offenses. If that happens, the Lions will be throwing plenty, which creates more opportunities for Williams.
Williams has been a tough start or sit decision for much of the season, but it's an easy decision this week.
Verdict: Start
David Montgomery start or sit advice
Montgomery's playing time and touches have gone down as the Lions look to feature Jahmyr Gibbs more. After tallying 15.8 touches per contest in 2024, Montgomery is now averaging 11.9 in 2025.
The good news is, the Lions still lean more on the run than most teams, so there is always room for two backs to thrive. Detroit ranks 12th in rushing attempts in the NFL and 20th in passing attempts.
Detroit may have to lean even more on the rushing attack this week if St. Brown does not play and the passing attack is hindered.
Even if he does play, the Lions are going to be looking to control the clock to keep the Cowboys' elite offense off the field, so that means pounding the rock early and often.
Montgomery has a favorable matchup against a Cowboys defense that is ceding the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. And, in what could be a high-scoring affair, there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for Montgomery.
Consider the veteran running back a solid flex option with upside in Week 14.
Verdict: Start
Isaac TeSlaa start or sit advice
The only way we would consider TeSlaa a starting option is if Amon-Ra St. Brown sits, as the rookie has tallied just six catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns this season.
If St. Brown doesn't play, TeSlaa would step into the No. 2 target role in the offense behind Williams, as neither Kalif Raymond nor Sam LaPorta are playing, either.
This is a juicy matchup for TeSlaa for a few reasons.
For starters, a clash of two elite offenses sets up a shootout scenario that could see a lot of passing, and the Cowboys are the worst team in the league when it comes to giving up fantasy football points to wideouts.
TeSlaa has also been a reliable end-zone target, as three of his six catches have gone for scores, so he has a good chance to find pay dirt on Thursday night.
Again, TeSlaa is only a starting option if St. Brown is ruled out, but we still would not start him over anyone on your roster who has been more reliable this season.
Verdict: Start (but only if St. Brown is ruled out)
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