Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 21st at 1:00 PM ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Betting Odds: GB -2.5, 49 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, QB1)
Last week, Aaron Rodgers had his worst fantasy performance since his stinker in Week 1 against the Saints. It was also the first time Rodgers failed to throw a touchdown since Week 2. Minnesota has been pretty middle-of-the-road in passing yards allowed and fantasy points conceded to quarterbacks, which should be enough for Rodgers to get back to consistent fantasy production. I believe AR12 should be capable of a QB1 performance this week.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Sit), AJ Dillon (Start, Low-end RB1)
Aaron Jones should be out for a week or two with a mild MCL sprain, meaning AJ Dillon will lead the backfield against the Vikings. Dillon did well last week after Jones left the game with 128 total yards and two touchdowns. He has six receptions for 106 yards over his past two games. Minnesota is allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game this year, so AJ should be capable of a great week as the feature back.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Randall Cobb (Sit), Allen Lazard (Sit), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Marcedes Lewis (Sit)
Davante Adams has had a bit of a streak of mediocrity lately. He’s averaging 14.3 fantasy points per game over his last four. Still, Adams is one of the best receivers in the league and is currently the overall WR4 in PPR leagues. Davante usually has big games against Minnesota, and the Vikings are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Adams should be in line for an exceptional WR1 performance this week.
Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all have similar fantasy value, but that isn’t saying much. None of these guys have been consistent enough to trust every week.
With Robert Tonyan done for the season, it seems like Marcedes Lewis is now the lead tight end in Green Bay. Unfortunately, the veteran isn’t getting enough targets to reach fantasy relevance. Lewis shouldn’t be on any fantasy football teams for now.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start-able High-end QB2)
Kirk Cousins faced a tough Chargers defense last week and still put up 17.5 fantasy points. Cousins did fairly well last week, but the Packers will be another difficult match-up. Green Bay is conceding the third-fewest passing yards per game and conceding the seventh-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year.
I wouldn’t start Cousins if you have a better option, but I can’t blame anybody who needs to start Kirk and hope for the best this week. He should be capable of high-end QB2 numbers.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1)
I like what I’m seeing from Dalvin Cook lately. The elite back has 204 ground yards over his last two games and it seems like the Vikings’ offensive coordinator is finally staying true to his word about getting Cook more involved. Dalvin had a healthy 24 carries and five targets last week.
The Packers rush defense has done well lately, but they are by no means elite. Cook should be capable of an RB1 performance if he keeps seeing an impressive workload.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR1), Adam Thielen (Start, WR2), Tyler Conklin (Start-able High-end TE2)
Justin Jefferson had a great bounce-back game and looked like himself again last week against the Chargers with his second-best fantasy performance so far this year. The Packers are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, but Jefferson should still be capable of reaching WR1 territory if he continues to see a solid target share.
He may be the second receiving option on this team, but Adam Thielen is still a dependable fantasy option most weeks. Thielen sees consistent targets and is one of Cousins’ favorite end-zone targets. He’s caught three touchdowns over the past four games. I believe Adam should once again be a WR2 this week.
Tyler Conklin was incredibly efficient last week with three catches and two touchdowns on five targets. He only had 11 yards, but Conklin was still a crucial part of the Minnesota offense and had his second-best fantasy performance of the season. In a position that is notoriously difficult for fantasy managers to find consistent production, you could certainly do worse than Conklin. He’s scored 11.6 fantasy points per game over his last four. Tyler will likely be a high-end TE2 with TE1 upside for most of the season.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)