By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s emerging deep threat is heating up at the perfect moment — and Week 12 sets the stage for his biggest leap yet.
A Star Awakening After a Slow Start
Just a few weeks ago, the conversation around Jameson Williams centered on missed opportunities, underutilization, and frustration. Offensive coordinator John Morton even admitted he felt he had “failed” the young receiver through the first seven games of the season — and the numbers told the same story, with only 30 targets before the bye.
But ever since Detroit returned from Week 8’s reset, Williams has looked like a completely different player — or perhaps the version of him everyone expected when he entered the league. The Lions have ramped up his reps, fed him volume, and unlocked the explosive playmaking he brings to the table.
And the result? One of the NFL’s hottest receivers entering Week 12.
Three Weeks, Three Touchdowns, and a New Level Unlocked
Williams’ surge started quietly in Week 9, when he posted a then-season-high 66 yards and a touchdown. That momentum exploded in Week 10 after Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling. Williams delivered his most dominant performance yet — 119 yards on six catches — and hasn’t looked back.
Week after week, he has produced:
- 20 targets in his last three games
- A 37-yard (or longer) reception in each contest
- Touchdowns in three straight games
- Four games with 65+ yards in his last five
The connection between more opportunity and more production couldn’t be clearer. For fantasy football managers, he has become an unexpected blessing — ranking as the WR2 over the last three weeks in standard and half-PPR scoring.
And everything points to more on the way.
Why Week 12 Could Be Williams’ Biggest Stage Yet
Detroit will host the New York Giants on Sunday — and it’s difficult to imagine a more favorable matchup.
The Giants’ defense, already inconsistent this season, has been particularly loose against receivers. They’re giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to wideouts this year, and significant injuries in their secondary only make matters tougher for them heading into the weekend.
Combine that with Sam LaPorta’s absence — removing a major target magnet from Detroit’s offense — and Williams’ role is expanding at exactly the right time. Pro Football Focus analyst Nathan Jahnke didn’t hesitate to push expectations upward, saying:
“Williams’ floor should be higher than normal because of LaPorta’s injury and Campbell’s play calling, and his ceiling should be higher because of the Giants’ defense.”
He added:
“He should be considered a mid-to-high-end WR2 this week, but the potential is there for him to be the top overall wide receiver.”
That’s not hype — it’s the reality of how dynamic Williams has become when Detroit leans on him.
Poised for a Breakout That Could Change Detroit’s Offense
Sunday’s matchup isn’t just another game — it’s a test of whether Williams’ upward trajectory can translate into true star-level production. With the Lions hungry for a bounce-back performance and facing a vulnerable defense, all signs point toward another explosive outing.
Detroit’s offense needs a spark. Williams has been one for three weeks.
Week 12 may be the moment he becomes the spark.
And if he does, the Lions — and his fantasy managers — won’t forget it.