Week 7 vs. Minnesota
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns last week versus the Bears, including the controversial one to Golden Tate in the second quarter. In the win, Golden was targeted nine times, leading to six grabs for 40 yards. The Lions opened up the passing game with more deep balls to Calvin Johnson, which should also help Tate out on underneath routes moving forward. In the first meeting against Minnesota in September, he caught six passes for 80 yards.
Week 6 vs. Chicago
After the Lions fell behind big to the Cardinals last Sunday, Golden Tate received a lot of attention from Matthew Stafford and Dan Orlovsky. He was targeted 18 times, leading to eight receptions for 74 yards (though he also lost a fumble). Golden has just three 20-plus yard catches on the season and is averaging only 53 yards per game with no TDs. Detroit’s offense is having all sorts of issues, but has a chance to right itself at home versus the Bears this week. Go ahead and keep on starting Tate as a WR2 play.
Week 5 vs. Arizona
After receiving only four targets from Matthew Stafford last Monday in Seattle, Golden Tate expressed some frustration this week. In the most recent loss, Golden finished with three catches for 29 yards. On the season, he has only 190 yards and no TDs. The Lions will be playing just their second home game on Sunday, which should result in a better outing, but the Arizona pass defense has been solid so far.
Week 4 at Seattle
In the loss to Denver last week, Golden Tate registered his longest reception of the season, turning a short pass into a 33-yard gain. On the night, Golden was targeted seven times, resulting in five grabs for 57 yards. In the first three games of 2015, he has only 161 yards and no TDs. The opponent doesn’t get any easier this week at Seattle. Tate should be considered no more than a flex/WR 3 play on the road Monday night.
Week 3 vs. Denver
Matthew Stafford aired it out 53 times in Minnesota last Sunday, throwing for 286 yards. In the loss, Golden Tate was targeted 10 times, resulting in six catches for 80 yards. Calvin Johnson saw 17 looks and the WR duo accounted for 16 receptions during the afternoon. While Stafford and the Lions really could use a run game to help take some of the pressure off, that likely won’t be the case on Sunday night against the Broncos. Look for Detroit’s success to come through the air again, which could mean another solid game from Tate.
Week 2 vs. Minnesota
Even with Matthew Stafford throwing the ball 30 times for 246 yards last week in a loss to the Chargers, Golden Tate finished with just four catches for 24 yards. The fact he was targeted a team-high eight times (twice as many as Calvin Johnson) is a good sign for fantasy owners, but the Detroit offense sputtered for much of the second half. Tate caught seven passes in each of the two contests against Minnesota in 2014, so look for a better outing on Sunday.
Week 1 vs. San Diego
Last season, Golden Tate benefitted as the No. 1 target for Matthew Stafford during the games Calving Johnson missed. Tate finished the year with career-highs of 99 receptions and 1,331 yards. San Diego allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards in 2014, making Golden a WR2 or flex play in the opener.
Fantasy Upside
Golden Tate is coming off of a career year, which was his first in Detroit. In 2014, he posted personal highs with 142 targets, 99 receptions and 1.331 yards. He also scored four times and was over the century mark in five games. Tate caught at least five passes on 12 occasions last season and has been in the end zone for 16 scores over the past three years.
Fantasy Downside
Tate’s numbers were a bit inflated, as he was Matthew Stafford’s No. 1 option for the better part of four games while Calvin Johnson was battling an ankle injury. During that span, Stafford looked Golden’s way 49 times, leading to 31 catches for 483 yards and three TDs. In the games Johnson was healthy, Tate averaged 71 yards per contest with just one TD. All of his 100-yard games came in the first nine contests.
Bottom Line
Despite Johnson being the No. 1 WR on the team, Tate will still see plenty of targets, even if the Lions go with more of a 50-50 run/pass balanced offense. He still has blazing speed and led the league in yards after reception last year, with 709. Golden is the team’s primary slot receiver, which will limit his scoring chances. Even as the second option for Stafford, he’s still in our top-30 WRs.
Wild Card – Golden Tate vs. Dallas Cowboys
With a healthy Calvin Johnson back in the lineup for the second half of the season, Golden Tate’s numbers took a bit of a dive. During the first eight games, he collected 55 receptions for 800 yards and three TDs. However, in the final eight contests, Golden registered 44 grabs for 531 yards and one score. Even though the Wild Card game at Dallas could be high scoring, you’re better off finding another WR for your playoff roster.
Week 17 – Golden Tate vs. Green Bay Packers
Calvin Johnson led the Lions with 103 receiving yards last week against the Bears, with Golden Tate registering five catches for 62 yards. He has 96 receptions on the season, but has not been over 100 yards since Week 10. Tate caught five passes for 51 yards in the home win over Green Bay in September and makes for a WR2 play this week.
