Giants vs. Lions: Stat Predictions for Top Fantasy Stars

A big rule of fantasy football is you are always alive as long as there are players left to play.

Even if you are down 30 points in your matchup with just one player going into Monday night, you always have a chance of turning things around. With Monday Night Football hosting two games in Week 1, things are even more exciting.

The first battle between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions could be especially fun to watch as each team features offensive stars who could rack up plenty of fantasy points throughout the game. Here is a look at what to expect at an individual level in the highly anticipated matchup.

Quarterbacks

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Matthew Stafford, Lions

Over the past few years, Matthew Stafford has been on the brink of becoming one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the game. He is willing to throw the ball all day long, although his problem used to be having only one real target in Calvin Johnson.   

However, things change this year with Golden Tate and Eric Ebron joining quality pass-catchers Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. Brad Evans of Yahoo Sports discussed Stafford as being ready for a big season:

Against a Giants defense that will struggle to create a pass rush, Stafford should be able to sit back and find the open targets as he racks up the stats for a big game.

Prediction: 30-of-41, 342 passing yards, two touchdowns; 21 fantasy points

Eli Manning, Giants

It is hard to imagine Eli Manning having as bad of a year as 2013 when he threw a league-high 27 interceptions. The problem is a weak offensive line will not make things any easier.

Throughout the preseason, the starting offensive unit struggled to move the football as Manning had little time to make the plays he wanted. Add this to miscommunication in the receiving corps, and some more turnovers should be expected.

Detroit has a beatable secondary that should allow Manning to get some yards and points, but the constant pressure from the defensive line will force an overall weak game.

Prediction: 23-of-45, 303 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions; 12 fantasy points

Running Backs

Reggie Bush, Lions

Both Reggie Bush and Joique Bell are useful in the Lions offense thanks to their ability to catch balls out of the backfield. This is a good skill to have against the Giants, who allowed 99 receptions and 832 receiving yards to opposing running backs last season, both of which ranked fourth-worst in the NFL, according to ESPN.

Bush will certainly get his rushing yards in this one, but it will be his receiving ability that will help him become a factor throughout the game.

The only downside is his lack of presence near the goal line, which will remain an issue throughout the season.

Prediction: 14 carries, 63 rushing yards, six catches, 68 receiving yards; 12 fantasy points

Joique Bell, Lions

While Bush remains the starter in Detroit, Bell will continue to have a major role in the offense this season, keeping him fantasy-relevant throughout the year.

Bell signed a two-year extension this offseason, which will make it unsurprising when he gets more touches in both the rushing and passing game. He will also remain the go-to option near the goal line, giving him a good chance of recording a touchdown almost every week.

Bush should still have more chances to rack up yards, but Bell is worthy of a fantasy start in most leagues.

Prediction: Eight carries, 36 rushing yards, one touchdown, four catches, 37 receiving yards; 12 fantasy points

Rashad Jennings, Giants

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Although Andre Williams might get some touches in this game and will get a bigger role throughout the season, this should not be an issue in Week 1, as ESPN.com's Dan Graziano notes:

Graziano also explained in a Twitter mailbag: "I think Jennings is the bell cow to start and Williams has to play his way into more carries."   

This is the good news for Jennings owners. The bad news is Detroit has one of the better defensive lines in the NFL and it is tough to run against. The running back will lack efficiency in this one and will need to use his receiving ability to have an effective game. 

If he gets his goal-line carries taken away in favor of Williams or Peyton Hillis, it could be a rough day for the running back.

Prediction: 15 carries, 48 rushing yards, four catches, 32 receiving yards; seven fantasy points

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson, Lions

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It is tough to deny Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the league. Other players might be more productive this season, but no one else is as consistent from game to game, making him a must-start in fantasy football regardless of matchup.

Against the Giants, Johnson should be able to use his physical strength to beat whichever player is covering him and get free for a few big gains. In all likelihood, he will find his way into the end zone at least once in front of the home fans.  

Prediction: Six catches, 114 yards, one touchdown; 17 fantasy points

Golden Tate, Lions

While Golden Tate steadily improved over the course of his four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, he never put up huge stats due to the conservative offense. However, he is ready for a change this season with Detroit.

He explained the difference going forward to Robert Klemko of The Monday Morning Quarterback:

"

The offense is kind of a feel offense. You feel your way around. Obviously there are rules and depths, but at the end of the day you’ve got to play football and just be an athlete. That’s one of the things I like about the offense. ... Coach Lombardi’s thing is to just put guys in different places and let them make plays. In Seattle we might have thrown 15-20 times a game so it made it hard to get off there. I prefer what we have in Detroit.

"

He still might not get many touchdowns, but he will be a PPR machine this season who will also be useful in regular leagues.

Prediction: Eight catches, 91 yards; nine fantasy points

Victor Cruz, Giants

While Rueben Randle could have a breakout season and Odell Beckham Jr. might be valuable later in the season, Victor Cruz is the only player Manning can trust in Week 1.

Even without consistent play from anyone else on the offense, Cruz should get his targets and find a way to beat a below-average secondary of the Lions.

The Giants receiver might be difficult to trust on a weekly basis, but this should be a good start to the season.

Prediction: Seven catches, 107 yards, one touchdown; 16 fantasy points

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