Getty Gallery: 4/5
Start: QB Matthew Stafford vs. Bears
Sit: QB Kirk Cousins vs. Packers
You may be hesitant to start Stafford this week against a Bears defense that has been dominant, but the Lions quarterback is someone you can trust on Thanksgiving. Stafford has a strong history of performing well on Turkey Day. Last year, Stafford used the holiday to pass Tony Romo for the most passing yards of any quarterback on Thanksgiving.
It helps Stafford's outlook that Kenny Golladay has emerged as a legit WR1 for the Lions.
“I just think the more games he gets under his belt ... people forget he’s a young player, second-year guy that didn’t play all the games last year,” Stafford said per DetroitLions.com. "He’s done a nice job of producing for us, so I just think the more experience he can get and the more time together he and I have out on the field is going to be a positive.”
The Lions and Cowboys play every year on Thanksgiving so Stafford has lots of practice on the big stage. Stafford grew up in Dallas and dreamed of playing on Thanksgiving Day.
"Kid growing up, man, I just feel like I was probably in my Troy Aikman replica uniform eating turkey, throwing the ball around in the backyard at halftime," Stafford told ESPN in 2017. "And running back in to watch the second half of the game. I just remember doing that every year. Loving every minute of it."
The Bears defense is one of the best in the league, but opponents have had much more success passing against Chicago than running the ball. For the Lions to compete against the Bears, they are going to need to have success in the passing game. If you need a quarterback to stream for Week 12, Stafford is worth a look.
Kirk Cousins Has a Difficult Matchup Against the Packers Secondary
Cousins has only thrown seven interceptions this season, but four of them came in the last three weeks. The Vikings quarterback threw two critical picks last week against the Bears.
The Packers are only allowing 223 passing yards per game which makes them a top-five passing defense. It is not an ideal bounce-back week for Cousins. The Vikings quarterback spoke about his mistakes in Week 11, and how it will impact his preparation for this week.
“I was trying to trust my eyes, and what I felt the (cornerback) do, I don’t know that he really did,” Cousins told Twin Cities. “Just playing fast in the moment I felt like the (cornerback) was squatting and he really wasn’t. And if he’s not squatting that means the safety is going to be in a different spot than where I maybe thought he would be. That led to the interception...Any time you have a game like this you come back on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday with a real sense of urgency. It certainly humbles you, and I think that’s a positive.”
Cousins has not been helped by the Vikings rushing game hitting a wall. Until Cousins bounces out of this slump, the Vikings quarterback should remain on your bench.