Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Betting Odds: MIN +6.5, 55 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start-able QB2)
Kirk Cousins had himself an impressive little bounce-back game in Week 6, but that was against a bad Falcons defense that’s allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2020. The Packers are better against quarterbacks but are still pretty mediocre so far this year. Cousins’ second-best performance of the year was against the Packers in Week 1. Green Bay is favored by about a touchdown and the bookies are projecting a 55-point total, so there is a good chance Cousins will need to throw the ball to stay in the game. I have Cousins as a start-able QB2 this week because I’m liking his chances at some garbage-time shootout points.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1), Alexander Mattison (Sit)
After injuring his groin in Week 5, Dalvin Cook should return this week against the Packers, and the match-up couldn’t be juicier. The Packers are currently allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the entire league. Running backs are averaging about 110 ground yards per game against Green Bay this year. I’m confident Cook will put up RB1 numbers in his return this week.
With Cook expected back, Alexander Mattison will make his return to fantasy benches this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Adam Thielen (Start, WR1), Justin Jefferson (Start, WR2), Irv Smith Jr. (Sit), Kyle Rudolph (Sit)
Adam Thielen has three games with 51 or fewer receiving yards this year, but his red-zone success is undeniable. He’s caught every red-zone target when lined up out wide. This match-up isn’t the best. Thielen could see plenty of Jaire Alexander (a cornerback at the top of his game) this week. Still, this should be a high-scoring game, and Thielen should get plenty of opportunities.
Justin Jefferson had a big game in Week 6 when he nearly totaled 40 points, but that was mainly due to the game script. The Vikings were way behind and had to throw the football plenty to try and stay in the game. I doubt Jefferson will keep seeing 11 targets in closer games. That said, the rookie has made an impact on this team. Green Bay has been mediocre in passing yards allowed this year, so Jefferson should have a good shot in a game that could turn into a shootout. I’m listing Justin as a safe WR2 play this week.
With five targets in each of the last two games, Irv Smith Jr. is trending up among Minnesota tight ends lately, but Kyle Rudolph is still somewhat in the mix, affecting Smith’s upside. If the Vikings traded Rudolph, it could boost Smith’s value enough to warrant some weekly fantasy consideration. For now, I’m not trusting either, especially against a Packers team that’s been top-six against tight ends this year.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, QB1)
The Vikings are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points and fourth-most yards to opposing quarterbacks this year. Aaron Rodgers should have no trouble reaching QB1 status again this week. His best fantasy performance of the season was in Week 1 against Minnesota, and similar to that game, the Vikings’ secondary is still struggling with multiple players either hurt or on the COVID list. Fire up Rodgers with confidence.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Start if active, RB2), Jamaal Williams (Start if Jones inactive, High-end RB2), AJ Dillon (Sit)
Aaron Jones’ calf injury kept him out of last week’s match-up. Jones did not practice on Wednesday, and Rob Demovsky reported that it could be another week until the star running back is ready to go. Keep an eye on his practice status over the next couple of days, but it’s not looking too encouraging for Aaron this week. Minnesota is right in the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs but held Jones to 66 ground yards in Week 1. Assuming he’s good to go, I’m listing Jones as a high-end RB2.
Jamaal Williams did a fantastic job stepping up in Jones’ absence last week and is clearly the lead back on this team when Aaron is out. If Aaron Jones is inactive once again, Williams will be a reliable fill-in. Jamaal should be a safe bet for high-end RB2 numbers with plenty of upside. AJ Dillon got the same five carries as usual, even when Jones was inactive. He isn’t worth much fantasy consideration at the moment.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Allen Lazard (Start if active, WR2), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Robert Tonyan (Start, High-end TE2), Jace Sternberger (Sit)
Minnesota is allowing the fourth-most passing yards in the league, and Davante Adams is currently the overall WR14 with only 3.5 games played. Adams feasted against Houston last week with his second performance of 40+ fantasy points this season. The match-up against a decimated secondary this week couldn’t be better. Start Davante with confidence.
The Packers could certainly use Allen Lazard back in the mix, but there’s a good chance he won’t return until Week 9. If Lazard makes his return this week, he should be capable of WR2 numbers against a bad Vikings secondary that’s allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is going to be a “boom or bust” player this year with more booms than busts. Valdes-Scantling had four targets but couldn’t come down with even one catch last week. He could have an impressive performance against a struggling secondary this week, but even then, it will be tough trusting him in starting lineups.
Many fantasy players were excited about Robert Tonyan’s prospects after his huge Week 4 performance, but he’s since fallen back down to Earth with about five points in each of the past two weeks. To make matters worse, Jace Sternberger scored a touchdown last week on a play that would have usually gone to Tonyan. Robert could remain pretty touchdown-dependent this year. That said, I’m trusting him at least for this week, considering the match-up. I have Tonyan just outside my TE1 tier this week at TE13.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse on Twitter)