Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 11th, 8:20 PM ET
Location: CenturyLink Field
Betting Odds: SEA -7m 57.5 O/U total via Oddsshark
Network: NBC
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start/Fringe QB1)
Alright, hear me out, I know this sounds crazy. However, in a week with byes starting and the possibility of COVID-19 canceling other games, is it really that crazy? This is arguably Cousin’s best matchup to on the season, as the Seahawks have allowed 1,604 passing yards on the season. Seattle also boasts the third-highest passing offense, meaning the Vikings probably won’t have the luxury of running all night. With the emergence of Justin Jefferson, Cousins has another weapon in his arsenal. I like Jefferson and Adam Thielen to have big nights on Sunday. If you are stuck on your QB decision for Sunday or have a bye to fill, this is one of the best streaming options on the week in my opinion.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1), Alexander Mattison (Sit)
While Seattle allows a ton of yards through the air, they are actually in the top three in terms of rushing yards allowed. That being said, Cook is still going to be in your starting RB spot. He finished last week with 27 carries, 130 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. He is currently the 11th best player in PPR and that’s with games against the stout run defenses of the Titans and Colts. He is a bell-cow back with the opportunity to finish as the best player in any given week. You cannot sit him but I could see his output being limited this week, unless he gets a lot of catches out of the backfield, as I expect the Vikings to be down most of the game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Adam Thielen (Start, WR1), Justin Jefferson (Start/WR2), Olabisi Johnson (Sit), Kyle Rudolph (Sit)
Thielen is coming off his best game of the season and is primed to be a top-5 WR this week. Given his matchup and propensity for targets, Thielen could blow up big this week. Speaking of blowing up big, Justin Jefferson has had two games back-to-back of 100+ receiving yards and is looking like a legitimate running mate beside Thielen. It will be interesting to see if they can put together the magic that we saw Thielen and Stefon Diggs put together consistently or not down the stretch but for now, both of them have to be in your lineup. I decided to wait one more week to start Jefferson and see how he performed after his 30-point outing in week 3 and it cost me a win. Don’t be like me…just start him.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, QB1)
Wilson is on an MVP-type pace. He is currently the highest-scoring player in fantasy, although interesting to note, he is coming off his worst game against the Dolphins. Nevertheless, you are not sitting Wilson and we know that prime time is where Wilson shines. He has gone for 315 yards and four touchdowns on three different occasions this year and the Vikings have allowed three 300-yard passing quarterbacks already. Need I say more?
Running Backs
Chris Carson (Start, RB1), Carlos Hyde (Sit)
It has been a pleasant surprise just how much Carson has been involved in the passing game. He has at least three receptions in every game this season, while also putting up 70 yards from scrimmage in every game. The question now is, will he hold up? He suffered a knee-sprain in week 3, only to come back and get concussed last week. He did finish out the game but he is lucky that he has escaped serious injury. It will be a much-needed bye week for him to rest up after this week’s matchup with the Vikings. If Carson sits for any reason this week, Hyde would immediately vault into RB2 volume.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyler Lockett (Start, WR1), D.K. Metcalf (Start, WR1), Greg Olsen (Sit, TE2)
Lockett was unfortunately MIA for most of the game last week. Which is disappointing for a player who is currently flirting with top-25 fantasy player territory. He will look to get back on track against a Vikings squad that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards this season. He and Metcalf should feast on Sunday night and I expect the top-two receivers on both teams to have huge games in this one.
-Aaron Rader (@Ray_Dur on Twitter and Reddit)
Just to be clear. Carson was not concussed. he was checked for a concussion after a hit. There are no tiers to concussions. Had he had a concussion he would have been pulled from the game.