Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 26th, at 4:25 PM EST
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Betting Odds: SEA -2, 55.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, QB1)
Let. Russ. Cook. That mantra has played true so far this season, as Russell Wilson has a 6:0 TD:INT ratio through the first two games of the season. Seattle may have lost last week in overtime to the Titans, but Wilson threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns, completing 22 of 31 pass attempts. His pass attempt average was 11.1 yards, which bodes well heading into a matchup with a Vikings defense that just allowed Kyler Murray to throw for 400 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. Ironically enough, Murray averaged 11.1 himself. Lock in Russ to finish as a QB1.
Running Back
Chris Carson (Start, RB2)
Chris Carson has sole ownership of the Seattle backfield, but did have his fantasy day saved against the Titans with two goal line scores. He only ran 13 times for 31 yards, and wasn’t targeted in the pass game. The Vikings held Chase Edmonds and James Conner in check last week, holding them both to 72 total yards on the ground. I would anticipate for an RB2 finish out of Carson, and fantasy owners will hope he’s involved in the pass game in some capacity.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Tyler Lockett (Start, WR1), DK Metcalf (Start, WR1), Gerald Everett (Sit)
For fantasy purposes, the Seattle WR room consists of only Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Through two games, it’s been Lockett who has been the top option for Wilson. Last week against the Titans, both receivers each saw 11 targets, but Lockett caught eight of his for 178 yards and a touchdown, whereas Metcalf went 6-for-53. Lockett has 278 yards on the year and three scores to Metcalf’s 113 and one. That being said, both are set-and-forget options this week against a pretty porous Vikings secondary that has allowed 61 points through two games. Tight end Gerald Everett was a hot name this summer but has not panned out to be relevant in this offense yet. Last week against Tennessee, he was targeted just twice and had one catch for 3 yards.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start, QB2)
As mentioned in the coverage of the Seattle receivers, the Vikings defense through two has been swiss-cheese to say the least. That said, the game script has allowed Kirk Cousins to do a ton a throwing, and he’s produced. He has 595 passing yards and five touchdowns on 81 pass attempts.The Seahawks defense have given up the 11th fewest points to the QB position thus far, but Cousins is an excellent streaming option in what should be another high-scoring affair for Minny.
Running Back
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1), Alexander Mattison (Start…if Cook is inactive)
Dalvin Cook hasn’t exploded just yet, but last week he was able to total 131 yards on the ground on 22 carries. He did also have two receptions for 17 yards on three targets. It’s worth noting – enter in Alexander Mattison – that Cook suffered a “little ankle sprain” (per HC Mike Zimmer) late in the game that forced him out multiple times. Injuries aren’t new for Cook, and so Mattison is a must-add if he is somehow still available. Assuming Cook is a go, he’s an RB1 against a Seattle defense that has given up the most fantasy points to running backs through the first two games.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR2), Adam Thielen (Start, WR2), K.J. Osborn (Start, FLEX if you must), Tyler Conklin (Sit)
The Minnesota wide receiver room is trending towards being able to produce three viable options on a weekly basis, but that in itself can pose to be a headache for fantasy managers. Justin Jefferson leads the trio in targets with 19, Adam Thielen has the most touchdowns with 3, and second-year WR K.J. Osborn leads the way with 167 receiving yards. I’ll gladly take the target share in Jefferson, which would lead to more scoring opportunities. Thielen will remain a touchdown hog, having scored 17 times in as many games dating back to last season. Osborn has grown into a interesting FLEX option, with 15 targets to his name already. Not too shabby for a fifth-round wideout. Tight end Tyler Conklin has been a non-factor in the absence of Irv Smith Jr., and could be dropped at this point in time.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)