Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
For the second straight week, Golden Tate had an unproductive performance. Last Thursday, the Vikings held him to 4 receptions for just 7 yards and he was also credited with 2 carries for 13 yards. In the past two contests, Tate has totaled only 52 yards on 9 touches and has been in the end zone only once during the past five games. While he’s a threat to bust a big gainer at any time, Tate will again have a tough opponent on Sunday in Baltimore. The Ravens are No. 2 versus the pass, so the Lions WR should be considered a WR3/FLEX play.
Week 12 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Even though Matthew Stafford threw for nearly 300 yards last week in Chicago, Golden Tate was limited to only 3 grabs for 32 yards. Tate registered at least 5 receptions in the previous five contests and is still averaging 6 catches per game. At Minnesota in October was the only other time in which he was held to 3 grabs this season. The Vikings are yielding just 213 passing yards per game, making Tate a WR3/FLE option.
Week 11 at Chicago Bears
With the Lions clinging to a one-score lead over Cleveland last Sunday, Matthew Stafford hooked up with Golden Tate on a WR screen that went for a 40-yard TD and put the game away. In the win, Tate was targeted a team-high seven times, leading to 6 receptions for 97 yards. He continues to be consistent, registering at least 6 grabs and over 85 yards in four straight contests. Things may be a bit tougher for the Lions offense this week against a good Chicago pass defense that may be aided by cold weather. However, Tate remains a good fantasy option.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns
The should injury is just a distant memory for Golden Tate. Last Monday night at Green Bay, he lit up the Packers defense for 113 yards on 7 receptions, his first 100-yard game since Week 1. While he’s only scored twice in 2017, Tate continues to receive plenty of looks from Matthew Stafford and has caught exactly 7 passes in each of the past three contests. Even against a surprisingly decent Cleveland defense, keep on starting No. 15.
Week 9 at Green Bay Packers
After battling a shoulder injury during the bye week, Golden Tate was back on the field last Sunday night against the Steelers. While Matthew Stafford threw for 423 yards, he did a great job of spreading the ball around, as Marvin and T.J. Jones combined to receive 19 targets, leading to 10 catches for 216 yards, while Tate led the team with 7 receptions for 86 yards. Tate still leads the team in targets and receptions and will be on the road at Green Bay, facing the league’s No. 16 pass defense on Monday night. Now that he’s proven he’s healthy enough to play, he should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Two weeks ago in New Orleans, Golden Tate led Detroit with 7 receptions for 96 yards and his second touchdown of the season. He left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, so the bye week came at the right time for the beat up Lions. Tate leads the club with 36 catches through the first six games, but his status is very much in doubt this week. If he’s able to play, he will face a Steelers defense allowing just 147 passing yards per game. Tate is still a WR3/flex play, but monitor the injury report.
Week 6 at New Orleans Saints
With Matthew Stafford throwing 35 times last Sunday versus Carolina, Golden Tate was targeted 8 times. He hauled in 5 passes for 48 yards; however, it was the fourth straight game he’d been held to less than 60 yards. Tate is averaging 5 grabs per game, but has scored only once in 2017. On the road at New Orleans could be a shootout, so, despite the disappointing outings the past month, Tate should be used as a WR3/flex play, even if Stafford is unable to go.
Week 5 vs. Carolina Panthers
Matthew Stafford only threw for 209 yards last week at Minnesota, with Golden Tate collecting a season-low 3 receptions for 29 yards. Since his 107-yard outing in Week 1, Tate has just 14 grabs for 112 yards over his past three contests. Even though he leads the Lions with 32 targets on the season, Stafford continues to connect with a variety of pass-catchers, which has frustrated Tate owners. Carolina’s defense has been stout so far, so consider Tate a WR3 play at home.
Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
Golden Tate came oh so close to scoring his second touchdown of the game and winning the contest for the Lions last Sunday, but was ruled to be just short of the goal line after review. In the tough loss to the Falcons, Tate led Detroit with 11 targets and 7 receptions, resulting in 58 yards. After not being much of a factor in Week 2, Tate has produced the other two weeks, with a 100-yard game and a score. The Vikings are No. 27 versus the pass, but that stat is a bit misleading, as Minnesota has built up big leads in two of its games. In any event, No. 15 should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last Monday at the Giants, Matthew Stafford threw for only 122 yards, as the ground game and defense controlled the game. Following up his 107-yard performance (on 10 catches) in Week 1, Golden Tate caught only 4 grabs for 25 yards last week. The Falcons gave up a lot of meaningless yards to the Packers last week; look for the Lions to come out throwing at home on Sunday. Ensure Tate remains in your lineup, despite the recent contest.
