As the Detroit Lions emerged from their Week 8 bye, offensive coordinator John Morton acknowledged feeling he had “failed” wide receiver Jameson Williams. The first seven games showed a glaring lack of engagement, with only 30 total targets directed his way. However, as the Lions progressed into the latter part of the season, Williams has significantly turned things around.
In Week 9, Williams showcased his potential with four receptions on six targets, totaling 66 yards and scoring a touchdown. The change in play-calling when head coach Dan Campbell took over in Week 10 further propelled Williams to a new performance high, racking up 119 yards on six catches and extending his touchdown streak to two games.
By Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams not only continued his scoring streak but also made it three consecutive games with a touchdown. Over this period, he has received 20 targets (with at least six each game) and made an impactful contribution with at least one reception exceeding 37 yards in every contest. This surge in involvement has aligned with the expectations of fantasy managers who had anticipated his breakout earlier in the season. Notably, he has scored and exceeded 65 yards in four of his last five games.
Looking ahead to Week 12, analysts are optimistic about Williams’ potential. With tight end Sam LaPorta heading to injured reserve and set to miss several games, Williams’ expanded role is expected to persist. Over the last three weeks, he ranks as the WR2 in standard and 0.5-point PPR scoring, and WR4 in full PPR.
In their upcoming matchup against the New York Giants—who are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season—Williams faces a promising opportunity. The Giants defense has been struggling, conceding an average of 30.1 fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts.
Analyzing the circumstances, Nathan Jahnke from Pro Football Focus has confidently endorsed Williams as a “start ’em” player this week, highlighting that his floor and ceiling are elevated due to LaPorta’s absence and Campbell’s influence on play calling. Jahnke projects Williams as a mid-to-high-end WR2, with the potential to outshine even that ranking.
As the Lions prepare to take on the Giants at home, this matchup presents a perfect opportunity for Williams to sustain his upward trajectory and deliver even greater results, fulfilling the hopes of fantasy managers counting on his performance during a critical week.