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With our Eagles coming off a huge win against the Cardinals, this week means even more. The birds sit at 7-5, and with a win this week they will eclipse many expectations. A lot of people had the Eagles as a sub-.500 team, and those who thought so would gladly be wrong to see this team win the division. Nick Foles and the defense have come along leading this team to four straight victories.
This week is also the beginning of fantasy playoffs in most leagues, and this week's Eagles game features some of the top fantasy options.
Here is a look at this week's fantasy football guide for the Eagles-Lions game.
Nick Foles - QB1
Matthew Stafford - QB1
Despite the Eagles defense playing well, and the talent in the Lions front seven, this game has the makings of a shootout. Both Foles and Stafford are top tier quarterback options this week as both teams should score at least four touchdowns. Stafford only has one target to throw to in Calvin Johnson, but what else do you need? Stafford will dump the ball off to Bush and Bell a lot if Calvin is covered, so expect Stafford to have a good day. Foles has been lights out since being named the starter, and he is tough to sit in any situation.
LeSean McCoy – RB1
Reggie Bush – RB1
Joique Bell - RB3
The Lions have been unbelievable against the run as of late with the best interior line in football in Suh and Fairley, but LeSean McCoy cannot be sat, as he is one of the best weapons in the NFL. Reggie Bush and Joique Bell have complimented each other quite well this season for the Lions, and can co-exist in the fantasy world. Look for each of them to get four or more catches, as both of them play a large amount of snaps. Bush is a must-start, whereas Bell is a good FLEX option this week.
DeSean Jackson – WR1
Calvin Johnson – WR1
Two of the best fantasy options at wide receiver are listed above, and neither should be sat. Jackson has been very good with Nick Foles, and will continue to see his fair share of targets and a few deep balls per game. Calvin Johnson is without a doubt the best wide receiver in the NFL, and chances are he was a first round pick on your teams. Get him active every single week, especially this week as the Eagles have no one to cover him. He is just too big and too fast to limit.
Riley Cooper – WR3
Kris Durham– WR3
Nate Burleson - WR3
Each of these receivers will score a touchdown every other week it seems, but the consistency is never there. Cooper is the most consistent player of the bunch, and will see his normal seven or so targets, but he has come back to Earth in the last two games. Durham and Burleson are Stafford's other options apart from Calvin Johnson, but neither one is reliable enough for in anything other than a FLEX spot.
Zach Ertz – TE2
Brandon Pettigrew– TE3
Zach Ertz is coming off a terrific game against the Cardinals in what many seem to think was his breakout week. He is definitely the better option over Celek in terms of fantasy upside. Ertz is not a bad option this week should your starting tight end have a tough matchup or you need to start one off the waiver wire. Pettigrew is another Lions pass catcher who is unreliable in fantasy football. He could get a touchdown, but with his production being inconsistent, he is not a viable fantasy option
Alex Henery – K2
David Akers – K2
Our old friend David Akers returns to Philadelphia this week, and with the possibilities of windy conditions and two high powered offenses, he and Henery are not recommended fantasy options at kicker this week. Each could see a field goal opportunity, but there are many other options at kicker who are better options.
Eagles Defense/Special Teams – DST2
Lions Defense/Special Teams – DST2
Both these defenses have the ability to get sacks and turnovers, but with each offense having the ability to put up 35 points every week, there are better options on the waiver wire. The Eagles defense does have the edge here, since Matthew Stafford seems to throw an interception each and every week. I am starting the Eagles defense in a deep league this week, but nowhere else.
