Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 17th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: MIN -1, 46 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start, QB2)
Kirk Cousins is coming off a pretty down fantasy day against the Lions in Week 5, but came through when it mattered with less than a minute to go to set up the game-winning field goal. He’s thrown only two touchdowns in the past two games, with an interception in each game as well. That said, he is set to face a Carolina defense that has given up the 8th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. However, they did just allow Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to rush for two touchdowns in last week’s loss, so perhaps this is a week where Cousins finds the end zone on the ground.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (If active Start, but with caution), Alexander Mattison (Start, RB1)
Last week, Dalvin Cook only got in one limited practice, which led to the decision to sit him out against the Lions. Alexander Mattison stepped into RB1 duties as expected, rushing for 113 yards on 25 carries, and also caught a touchdown on seven total receptions for 40 yards. With the Vikings on their BYE Week 7, it may be wise to have Cook be inactive once again. As of Wednesday, Cook did return to practice, albeit limited. In fact, Mattison was a DNP (shoulder), but it could just be best on the basis that Minnesota knows it’s going to opt to sit Cook one last week before the BYE.
Carolina has been stout against the run this year, giving up the fewest fantasy points to the position through the first five games. All that being said, I would plan as follows:
- If Cook participates in multiple practices this week, start him, but hold your breath from 1-4pm
- Mattison is an RB1 if Cook were to sit
- You may be able to start Mattison even with Cook active, frankly because of some BYE week casualties you may be facing
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR1), Adam Thielen (Start, WR3 with WR2 upside), Tyler Conklin (Start if you must, TE2)
Justin Jefferson has been the clear alpha receiver for the Vikings, posting over 100 receiving yards twice in the last three games. He has seven or more targets in every game this season and is continuing to make a name for himself as one of the league’s best. Adam Thielen on the other hand has had back-to-back dud weeks. He has not found the end zone since Week 3, and hasn’t posted double-digit points (even in full-PPR formats) since then. Things could change, but it appears Thielen is trending in the wrong direction with Jefferson dominating the target share. Tight end Tyler Conklin, a popular waiver add in recent weeks, has not panned out as a viable streaming option. Last week against the Lions, he saw only three targets in comparison to eight & six in Week 3 and 4, respectively. If you’re in a bind at the position, start him and hope he finds the end zone, otherwise, you can move on and take your chances on a different option.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Start, QB2)
Did we see the Sam Darnold of Jets-old last week against the Eagles? Slightly. It was his worst game of the season after what has been a very strong start, in which he completed 21 of 37 passes for only 177 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in the loss to Philadelphia. A stat-line below that will have Jets fans screaming “I told you so”, and Sam-truthers triggered.
Most combined INTs + fumbles this season
1. Zach Wilson (11)
T2. Sam Darnold (10)
T2. Trevor Lawrence (10)— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) October 11, 2021
Darnold should be considered a QB2 against a Vikings defense that just limited Jared Goff to just 203 passing yards and no touchdowns. That’s not to compare Darnold to Goff, it’s more looking back at Darnold’s Week 5 and how he showed his hand and low-floor capabilities.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start if active, RB1), Chuba Hubbard (Start if CMC is out, RB2)
Is this the week we see the return of Christian McCaffrey? Last week, CMC spoke as if he definitely had a chance to play, to which HC Matt Rhule quickly stated on Friday that he was a doubt to suit up. You’ll want to monitor the practice logs this week, and if he is a go, you start him with ease. If he does sit again, continue to roll out Chuba Hubbard as an RB2. It’s worth mentioning that despite being the workhorse with CMC injured, he hasn’t produced (overall) the way we saw Mike Davis do in the same situation last season. He did have a 101 yard game on the ground against the Eagles on 24 carries, and is set to face a Vikings defense allowing the 12th most fantasy points to his position.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
DJ Moore (Start, WR1), Robby Anderson (Start, FLEX), Tommy Tremble (Sit), Ian Thomas (Sit)
Coming off his worst game of the year, DJ Moore should bounce back into WR1 territory as the preferred target for Darnold over Robby Anderson, who has been a huge disappointment this fantasy season aside from Week 1; and even then, a touchdown saved his day. Moore hasn’t had less than seven targets in a game to date, and lines up to exploit a weaker-sided Vikings secondary. Anderson on the other hand, has not been on the same page with Darnold at all. In the chances he has been given – 18 targets in the last two games – he turned that into only seven receptions for 76 yards. You can give him another start this week, but consider him a FLEX at best.
Even with Dan Arnold out of the picture (traded to Jacksonville), tight ends Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas are still not on the fantasy radar.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)