Detroit Lions - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Marvin Jones or Randall Cobb?

by Mike Rose

11/3/17

NFL

Detroit Lions

Marvin Jones

Had the Green Bay Packers not lost their starting quarterback a few weeks back, the clash with the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football might have had a bit more intrigue. Unfortunately, the Packers will once again have backup Brett Hundley under center looking to get the pigskin to Randall Cobb and company.

Meanwhile, Marvin Jones will look to be a top target of Matt Stafford against a Green Bay secondary that has allowed 1,167 yards to opposing pass catchers on the year.

Fantasy Matchup: Marvin Jones (10.0 PFP) vs. Randall Cobb (8.0 PFP)

The last time these NFC North rivals played, Cobb wasn’t a factor and Jones racked up five catches for 76 yards in a losing effort. That game saw Green Bay make an improbable comeback from a 4-6 record to win the division in the final week of the 2016 NFL campaign.

This season, Jones is averaging 10.4 Dober Fantasy Points—more than Cobb—and enters this matchup as a two-point favorite. This likely wouldn’t be the case had Aaron Rodgers stayed healthy and been able to suit up for this clash. Nonetheless, the injury has put a damper on the Packers season and everyone around him fantasy wise.

For the season, Jones has hauled in 26 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns. He’s only reached the 100-yard mark once, and it occurred last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the No. 1 defense against pass catchers. The past two games were also the only ones in which he’s reached 90-plus yards on the season.

If you’re looking for some fantasy goodness this week, you just might be in luck. Jones will be running up against the Packers No. 16 ranked pass defense that gives up an average of 223.1 yards per game. They’ve also given up 241.1 fantasy points (34.4 points per game) to pass catchers. He seems to play a bit better on the road as well as he’s scored two of his three touchdowns in front of opposing fans.

Meanwhile, Cobb has been pretty atrocious this year. Of course it doesn’t help that Rodgers isn’t in the lineup, but his production is way down from prior seasons. He’s averaging just 7.85 Dober Fantasy Points while hauling the pigskin in 28 times for 261 yards and only one touchdown in the team’s first seven games.

Cobb has yet to reach the 90-yard plateau and only went for 80 yards once—back in Week 1. If there is an upside to Cobb, though, it’s that he ranks second on the Packers in short pass targets and Hundley figures to go to him in similar situations on Monday night.

As the No. 50 receiver in fantasy, he’s basically been a non-factor for the green and gold. But the Lions rank No. 25 in pass defense allowing 167.7 yards per game. Opposing pass catchers have tallied 244.7 total fantasy points, which equates to 35 points per game.

I had this matchup circled as one to watch before the season began. Now, not so much. That being said, go with Jones on the road. He’s had the better season and has played better away from home while Cobb has been missing in action for weeks.

Week 9 Fantasy Projection: Marvin Jones (-2) vs. Randall Cobb