Game Previews: All Fantasy Relevant Players For Week 2

Vikings vs. Packers

Vikings

As the Vikings are set to take on the Green Bay Packers, what is your biggest story to watch this week?

I, along with everyone else that has stock in Aaron Rodgers or the Minnesota Vikings defense, are all waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will be playing this week. With ESPN reporting that he is likely to be a game-time decision, it is looking more likely that we will see DeShone Kizer. This is great news for the Vikings as Kizer was dreadful last season and continued his dreadful play in relief of Aaron Rodgers last week, going 4/7 with 55 yards and an INT. Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith are excited about this possibility, as should you be if you have the Vikings defense on your team.

Fantasy Prediction:

Minnesota Defense: 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 TD

With Dalvin Cook underperforming in week 1, do you expect more of the same in week 2?

Dalvin Cook just couldn’t get it going last week, averaging under 3 YPC. This week he gets a Green Bay defense that was gashed for over 5 YPC against the Bears and may find themselves without Aaron Rodgers. I expect the Vikings to get a lead and churn out the clock late in the second half. I like Dalvin to push for 100 yards and a score this week and slowly get more involved in the passing game. Latavius Murray did steal away 11 carries last week and that is a trend we may see continue. Still, I view him only as a handcuff for fantasy purposes. Start Dalvin Cook as a low-end RB1 this week with a chance for a little extra if they pile on a lead.

Fantasy Prediction:

Dalvin Cook: 17 carries 76 yards 1 TD, 3 catches 21 yards

Latavius Murray: 12 carries 46 yards

Which WR will have the best game this week?

I’m going to stick with the same script here all season – in PPR leagues you should be Hooked on… okay, I know I said I wouldn’t say that anymore last week. I’m going Adam Thielen. Will I be wrong some weeks? Sure, he doesn’t get the TDs that Stefon Diggs gets. But what he does get are heapings of targets from Kirk Cousins. Also, if you have either, you are starting them every week with no questions asked. Yes, I know that the Bears didn’t put up big stats through the air, but Mitchell Trubisky isn’t a very good quarterback yet. I’m predicting another solid day from Thielen and a zero touchdown game from Diggs as they rely more on the ground game more this week.

Fantasy Prediction:

Adam Thielen: 8 catches 82 yards

Stefon Diggs: 5 catches 63 yards

Kyle Rudolph: 3 catches 27 yards 1 TD

What is your final score prediction?

If Rodgers sits, which I expect him to, then I will give the the Vikings an easy victory. Let’s face it, without Rodgers, the Packers are simply Cheez Wiz. It’s not pretty and they are not competitive without him. Kirk Cousins will throw for a TD and Dalvin Cook will add one on the ground, while the defense adds one more. Throw in a couple of field goals and I will give the Vikings the win in convincing fashion.

Final Score(if Rodgers sits): 27-10 Vikings

If Rodgers goes all Goku Super Saiyan on us again and decides to limp out onto the field, I expect him to have a harder time against a much better Vikings defense. I still give the Vikings the slight edge if this is to happen, and actually see it being a higher scoring game.

Final Score(if Rodgers plays): 31-24 Vikings

SKOL Nation is going to be pleased with a 2-0 start to the season heading into a game against the D-II Buffalo Bills. Be prepared for your Vikings to score in bunches in that one, but first, let’s watch them go out and win one on the road at Lambeau Field.

-Matt Dean

Packers

Will Green Bay be airing it out again on Sunday?

It’s a marvel to watch Aaron Rodgers go to work, whether the Motown Miracle or stringing together three touchdowns in 16 plays in the fourth quarter. Although Green Bay will not be terrorized by Khalil Mack in Week Two, the team is facing a Minnesota team that held Green Bay to only 10 points in two games last season. Minnesota has a better offense than a year prior and should be able to capitalize on Green Bay early making it likely that the Packers will once again be scrambling late in the game. Although Rodgers and Davante Adams’ health is in question, Green Bay receivers are good plays this week.

Surely there is more to Jimmy Graham than this?

Two receptions on four targets is not what Green Bay had in mind when it inked Jimmy Graham to a three-year, $30 million contract in the offseason. Graham’s upside makes him worthy of a start in most leagues and should be a consistent red zone target. Graham has always functioned as a receiving back and the veteran should be given the benefit of the doubt at least for a few more weeks before his status is downgraded to a touchdown-dependent boom or bust tight end.

What to expect if Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams is Out?

Both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are listed as questionable heading into Saturday morning and both are expected to be game time decisions on Sunday. If Rodgers is out with a knee injury, Deshone Kizer will get the start. Kizer started 15 games for Cleveland in 2017 with moderate success (relative to the 2017 Cleveland Browns). Week One did not do Kizer’s fantasy stock any favors as he was sacked twice, threw one interception, and lost one fumble in the 14 snaps he took.

If Davante Adams is out (regardless of the quarterback situation), Randall Cobb’s value will continue to rise. Cobb flourished in Week One behind Adams bringing in nine of ten targets, most of which came before Green Bay fell too far behind. The work will be there for Cobb regardless of whether Adams is on the field, but the additional coverage Cobb will face may diminish his value to the point of a risky FLEX play. Geronimo Allison’s value could make a sneaky FLEX play if Adams is out.

-Brennen Gorman