Vikings@Giants
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 6th at 1:00 pm EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Odds: NYG +4 via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Kirk Cousins
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
- Kirk Cousins (Start/QB2)
Kirk Cousins has been awful so far this season; 735 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. It’s gone as far as Adam Thielen calling him out for the lack of passing, and Cousins even apologized to Thielen on Tuesday. It’s hard to trust him right now, but I’m willing to go as far as to label Cousins as my sleeper spotlight. The Giants defense has allowed six pass plays of 40+ yards this season, and this could be the prime matchup Cousins needs to get on track.
Running Backs:
- Dalvin Cook (Start/RB1)
- Alexander Mattison (Sit)
Dalvin Cook’s hot-start was put to a halt against the Bears last week, but he still managed to find the end zone. Cook shouldn’t have too hard a time getting his ground attack rolling again, as the Giants are allowing an average of 109.8 rushing yards per game (according to TeamRankings.com); good for 19th in the NFL.
Alexander Mattison hasn’t earned standalone value yet, though if Cook continues to run at the pace he’s on, Mattison’s time may come to crawl out of handcuff purgatory in a spell effort.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Adam Thielen (Start/WR2)
- Stefon Diggs (Start/WR3)
- Kyle Rudolph (Start if you must/TE3)
Both Vikings fans and fantasy owners are hoping for the poetic script to fall in place. Thielen calls out his QB after the Bears loss, Cousins apologies and agrees with his sentiments, and then Sunday against the Giants, Thielen blows up. It would be right on cue, wouldn’t it? I’m banking on Thielen to receive the targets he deserves, which will only help the overall cause for the currently stale Minnesota offense.
Stefon Diggs could potentially join the party as well. Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski needs to be able to devise a game plan where the two talented receivers can co-exist. Kyle Rudolph is not a tight end you want to start this season, as he only as five receptions through four games.
New York Giants
Quarterback
- Daniel Jones (Start/BYE week streamer)
Reality hit for Daniel Jones last week against the Redskins. Coming off his historic debut the week prior, Jones only threw for one touchdown and two interceptions versus Washington. He has certainly looked better through just two games than Eli has in the last few years, but I don’t see this matchup against the Vikings defense an ideal fantasy start this week. It will be a true test for him in real life as well as facing his toughest defense yet. If you must, consider Jones a streamer if your weekly QB is on his bye.
Running Back
- Wayne Gallman (Start/RB2 or FLEX)
If you added and started Wayne Gallman in light of Saquon Barkley’s injury, you were rewarded. Gallman carried the ball 18 times for 63 yards and a score. Through the air, he had six receptions for 55 yards and another score. With no real threats behind him, look for Gallman to be involved in the same capacity going forward until Barkley’s return.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
- Sterling Shepard (Start/WR2)
- Golden Tate (Start/WR3 or FLEX)
- Evan Engram (Start/TE1)
It may seem silly to nominate Jones’ top-two pass catchers as start recommendations when I suggested to only stream Jones if you must, but it does make sense. The targets will continue to be there for Sterling Shepard, so he does have a chance to succeed. Golden Tate will be making his season debut coming off suspension. It’s not certain in what capacity he will be used this week, but having him on the field will not only help Jones but Shepard and Evan Engram as well. Speaking of Engram, consider him a TE1, even in a more difficult matchup.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Would you start Brisset over Cousins?
Ertz a Start for the Eagles? Don’t see him either way
Sounds like a salty Falcons fan with that Patriots jab. Word of advice, it doesn’t look good on you to be putting your personal feelings into these columns. It just makes you come off as a homer.
Yeah that hit on Allen wasnt dirty at all. Allens momentum was going foward and could have picked up the first down without the second hit. Also he isnt defenseless if he takes off and runs. Rbs get hit like that all the time.