Detroit

Lions

LaPorta was the primary beneficiary against the single-high-heavy Panthers, which was interesting considering both of Carolina’s top two corners were absent from this game. The 13 targets were easily a season high for the veteran tight end, primarily the result of 52 Jared Goff pass attempts in what would become a negative game script. LaPorta routinely found space behind the linebackers as the primary outlet through pressure for Goff, and while it remains unlikely he repeats the lofty target totals, LaPorta’s red zone acumen keeps him a fantasy TE1 ahead of a very different matchup in the two-high-heavy Cardinals in Week 5.

It was quite the disappointing outing for the fantasy darling considering the Panthers were without their top two corners, with opposing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero dialing up consistent pressure that caused quarterback Jared Goff fits throughout the evening. Two of Goff’s incompletions that were directed at St. Brown were batted down at the line of scrimmage, ultimately enough to keep St. Brown out of the end zone for the first time this season. St. Brown remains a top-tier WR1 ahead of a potential shootout against the Cardinals in Week 5.

Fantasy managers had suffered through three down games with the middle-round pick before Williams was able to take advantage of a Carolina secondary missing its top two corners. He was kept out of the end zone for the fourth consecutive contest to start the 2026 season but returned his first fantasy-viable outing on the backs of 52 Jared Goff pass attempts. While that level of volume is unlikely to be the norm for the Lions, a Week 5 meeting with the Cardinals provides another opportunity for Williams to return value in a potential shootout. Williams will be an upside WR3.

Gibbs had eclipsed 100 combined yards against all three opponents to start the season before the Panthers held him largely in check, with fantasy’s top asset cashing in on a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter to avoid a disastrous outing. The two teams were knotted at 16 entering the half but it was the Panthers that dictated terms following the break, winning the time of possession battle by over six minutes. Gibbs maintained an elite workload by seeing all but two backfield opportunities and every available carry on the evening, keeping his fantasy value sky-high ahead of a potential shootout against the Cardinals in Week 5.

Goff has now thrown a touchdown pass in 27 straight contests, a streak that started in the team’s Thanksgiving day contest against the Bears in 2024. He could move into sixth on the all-time list for consecutive games with a touchdown pass should he throw for at least one touchdown in each game this season. He came within four minutes of breaking that streak against the Panthers, needing a late touchdown to tight end Sam LaPorta to keep it alive in a game the Panthers dictated with their defense throughout. Goff also maintained his clean sheet of no interceptions thrown to start the season but it wasn’t enough to overcome a defense that ceded 445 yards of total offense to a Panthers team without two of their top three wide receivers in Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette. The Lions fall to 2-2, now two games behind the division-leading Vikings through the first month of play. Goff remains a surefire QB1 ahead of a potential shootout against the Cardinals in Week 5.

No surprises here as these are the same inactives as in Week 3. The Lions look to improve to 3-1 against the 1-2 Panthers on the road on Sunday Night Football.

Rapoport did note that the Lions could make another push to sign LaPorta later this year, so the door isn’t entirely closed. LaPorta is set to become a free agent next offseason. The team could, however, place the franchise tag on him. He has gotten off to a quiet start with 14 catches for 144 yards and one score. LaPorta is currently on pace for a career-low in yards per game. He would still have plenty of suitors in free agency, even if the counting stats don’t improve this year.

Branch is still on the PUP list after tearing his Achilles last season. Lions HC Dan Campbell said Branch was close to returning to practice on Friday, though he wouldn’t disclose when exactly the Lions will open the 21-day practice window for the 24-year-old safety. According to Pelissero, there’s a really good chance Branch returns to practice next week. He’ll undoubtedly help a Lions pass defense that has been torn to shreds in the first three weeks of the season.

Campbell didn’t say when he expects Branch to return, but said the fourth-year safety “looks really good” as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 14 last season. The Lions haven’t opened Branch’s 21-day window for return, which will be the first sign that he’s nearing a comeback. Branch totaled 75 tackles, five TFLs, and 2.5 sacks for the Lions in 12 games last season and will be a welcome addition to a secondary that has allowed the most passing yards in the league through the first three weeks.

The incident was reported to the police earlier this month. Jeff Wattrick, spokesman for the Oakland County Prosecutor, told Birkett, “Based on the facts presented to us at this time, the Novi Police and our office jointly concluded that there is no cause to file charges against Mr. Williams.” Williams has been an off-field headache for the Lions since entering the league, but it doesn’t sound like this latest incident will be an issue. He will be on the field for the team’s Week 4 date with Carolina.